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Mission Possible: Graduation
& Beyond
Class of 2018
Information and Tips for Creating a
Successful High School & Career Experience
Welcome to High School!
8th Grade Orientation and
Overview of High School
Information
What is BRIDGE
Building Resourceful Individuals to
Develop Georgia’s Economy
Advisement?
For all middle and high school students,
there is BRIDGE advisement delivered by
counselors through classroom guidance.
BRIDGE Advisement activities and plans help
all students be College and Career Ready.
There are annual opportunities for each
student and their parent/guardian to update
the BRIDGE Graduation Plan. During 9th,
10th, 11th and 12th grades, you will have an
opportunity to review both your graduation
plan and make course requests.
Career Planner & HS 101
These two documents will provide
you information about high school as
well as course descriptions.
 The Career Planner will be used this
year and all during high school.
 High School 101 is used during your
8th grade year and as you enter high
school.

Career Planner Website link:
http://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/UserFiles/2/Career-Planner_13-14.pdf
High School 101
Printed Guide Available During October Conference Week
What classes will I take
th
during my 9 grade year?
th
9
During your first semester in
grade, you will take at least four
classes and at the most seven.
This depends on how many block
or traditional classes you have.
A block class is one in which you have class for
100 minutes (2 class periods) per semester.
A traditional class is one which you have for
50 minutes (like in middle school) per semester.
Paulding County High Schools have adopted a
hybrid schedule that combines both traditional
and block courses. This allows options for
students to take more classes and electives
during their four years in high school.
Sample Schedule
1st Period- 8:30-9:25 – Spanish I
2nd Period- 9:30-10:25- 9th Lit
Block 2 – 10:25-12:40- CCGPS
Algebra
5th Period- 12:45-1:35- Biology
6th Period- 1:40- 2:30- Health
7th Period- 2:35-3:25-Visual Arts
What classes will I
take first semester?
There are certain classes that you are required to take to
graduate. The classes you are required to take in 9th grade are:
9th Grade Literature or Honors
CCGPS Coordinate Algebra or
Accelerated CCGPS Coordinate Algebra/Analytic Geometry A
Biology or Honors
Then you will also take other elective courses during your first
semester such as:
World Geography, Personal Fitness, Health,
Spanish I, Fine Arts, CTAE Pathway course, etc.
Will I choose the classes
I want to take?
In High School you will choose some of your classes,
like electives, though you may not always get the ones
you select.
Other classes are required to graduate and you will
not get to choose. For Example – You have to take
Math but you can choose if you want to take a World
Language.
The decisions on electives need to be based on your
goals/plans after high school and your BRIDGE
Career Interest Inventory information. Your Plan of
Study will also be important for you to consider. Your
middle and high school counselors will help you weigh
your options and select the classes that will help you
reach your career/education goals.
What document will I use
to make course requests for
th
my 9 grade year and make
a plan for grades 10, 11 and
12?
While this document will be used to create your
plan for 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades during the
BRIDGE Advisement opportunity with your
parent/guardian, the Section 2 (S.2) column will
be used for course requests (registration) for your
9th grade year.
The S.3, S.4, and S.5 columns or sections will be
used to plan for the 10th, 11th, and 12th grade years.
What classes are
required to
graduate?
Section 1 of the BRIDGE Graduation Document lists
these graduation requirements which include specific
courses required to graduate and total 23 units of credit.
•4 English classes
•4 Math classes
•4 Science classes
•3 Social Studies classes
•1 Personal Fitness class
•1 Health class
•3 CTAE/Fine Arts/World Language Classes
•4 Electives
What are credits?
A credit is also known as a
Carnegie Unit. You earn one unit
when you pass:
½ credit over two semesters =
1 credit OR
1 credit course taken as a block
during one semester = 1 credit
You need 23 credits to graduate!
Test-out Opportunities for Credit
Beginning in the Spring of 8th
grade, qualified students may testout in up to 3 EOCT courses
throughout high school and earn
up to 3 high school credits.
Test-out Opportunities
Basic Requirements and Information:
1. Limit is 3 credits earned during high school.
2. PCSD Test-out Registration Opportunity in January with
information available prior to registration opportunity.
3. Student cannot have started a course(s) that he/she is planning to test-out.
4. During January registration a payment of $50.00 must be made for each test.
Students who score Exceeds will have this money reimbursed.
5. During February a grade of B or higher will be validated in the subject area
in which the test is to be taken by the student’s teacher. Also, during
February a teacher recommendation regarding the test-out opportunity
must be received.
6. EOCT test(s) is taken during the week of March 10.
7. Once district has results and the Exceeds score is available, student will have
transcript updated with course number, course title and the credit by
his/her school counselor.
Test-out Opportunities Information
Page 14 of Career Planner
How are Honors
classes in high
school different from
middle school?
In 8th grade you may be taking one or more
accelerated/advanced courses in an academic area.
In 9th grade honors courses include the areas of
English/Language Arts, Math, Science and Social
Studies. At some high schools Advanced
Placement Human Geography is also offered to 9th
grade students. There is an online application
process that begins in Novmember. The online
application is linked to the PCSD’s main website.
Advanced Placement or (AP) courses
are offered in 10th-12th grades. (Some
high schools offer AP Human Geography
in the 9th grade year.) Successful
completion of an AP course, an average
of 70 or above, earns a student 10
additional points to the final grade.
Passing the AP exam will usually count
as college credit, depending on
college/university regulations where
you attend. AP courses are offered in
English/Language Arts, Math, Social
Studies, and Science.
Weighting of Grades for Honors and AP
Honors courses can also affect GPA (Grade
Point Average) - The weighted numeric GPA
is 5 points for honors courses and of
course, 10 points higher for AP courses.
Regular courses are known as unweighted
courses.
What electives can I
th
take in 9 grade?
Here are the electives you can
take in 9th grade:


Music

• Beginning Band
• Beginning Chorus
• Beginning Choral
Ensemble

• Current Issues
• World Geography

• Fundamentals I
World Language
•
•
•
Social Studies
(Highly recommended)
Theatre Arts
Spanish 1
Spanish 2
French 1
CTAE (Career Technical
and Agricultural
Education)
How many
electives can I take
th
in 9 grade?
th
9
You will take 3 electives in
grade including Health and PE
(Both Personal Fitness and
Health are required for
graduation, unless you
successfully complete 3 years of
JROTC.)
Do I have to take
PE?
YES, to graduate, you have to take PE
(Personal Fitness) and pass it!
You don’t have to take it in 9th grade, but
all freshmen are registered for it.
As previously stated, 3 passed courses in
the JROTC pathway will satisfy the Health
and Personal Fitness requirements for
graduation.
What is JROTC?
The Junior ROTC program is an elective course taught by
retired officers and non-commissioned officers at selected
public and private high schools in the U.S.
JROTC prepares high school students for future leadership
roles while making them aware of the benefits of citizenship.
Classroom and outside activities become opportunities to
acquire knowledge, discipline, and a sense of responsibility
that are necessary to take charge of one's future. The result is
responsible cadets who are confident of themselves, can think
on their own, and can express their ideas and opinions clearly
and concisely.
JROTC (Air Force) is offered at EPHS.
JROTC (Army) is offered at HHS, NPHS, PCHS, and SPHS.
Do I have to take a
World Language to
graduate?
No! You can take CTAE or fine arts
classes instead.
BUT…
Yes! If you plan on attending college.
2 years of the same World Language are
required for admission into Georgia
Colleges/Universities as well as many
out-of-state colleges and universities.
What is CTAE?
Career, Technical, and Agricultural
Educational Courses
Students may earn 3 units of credit in a sequence of CTAE courses through selfselected pathways leading to college and career readiness certificate.
Paulding County offers courses in the following Career Clusters:
Agriculture, Food, and
Natural Resources
Architecture and
Construction
Arts, Audio-video
Technology, and
Communications
Business Management and
Administration
Education and Training
Energy
Finance
Government and Public
Administration
Healthcare Science
Hospitality and Tourism
Human Services
Information Technology
Law, Public Safety, Corrections
and Security
Manufacturing
Marketing
Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics
Transportation, Distribution, and
Logistics
CTAE Video Link
http://schools.paulding.k12.ga.us/isch
ooldistrict/district_videos_select.php
?district_ID=2&video_ID=112
What if I wanted to take a course
Online during high school?


During the month of June 2014, there will
be a PCSD online registration opportunity
for high school courses.
Senate Bill 289 allows districts to provide
students in grades 3 through 12 the
option of taking an online
course should you choose that option.
What if I wanted to take a course
Online during high school?


Counselors have the online course information for
high school courses. The district resource is
called K12.
The GaDOE Clearinghouse provides course and
provider information and may be accessed
through the following link for provider
information:
http://www.gadoe.org/_layouts/GADOEPublic.SP
App/Clearinghouse.aspx
What if I wanted to go
to a college, university
or technical college
before I graduate?
College Credit Now/
Dual Enrollment Defined
A process by which high school
students take courses from a
state public or private
postsecondary institution while
still enrolled as a high school
student and receive credit both at
the high school and at the
postsecondary institution.
How Does Dual Credit Benefit High School
Students?
Student Benefits
Enhance high school experience
College persistence
College savings
Job skills acquisition
Quicker entry into the workforce
High School Benefits
Expanded course offerings
Our district students usually take advantage
of either Accel, Move on When Ready, or
TCSG Dual Enrollment




Accel is a program typically for Juniors and
Seniors.
Accel courses are core academic courses in
English, mathematics, science, and social studies
and are part of a degree program.
A student may be full or part time at the college,
university or technical college. If a student is part
time at the college, then, the student is also part
time at the high school.
Students must meet admissions requirements at
the college, technical college or university.
Move on When Ready
Important facts about MOWR:
1. Students must have attended public high school
previous year and be counted in both FTE counts
2. Students must be in 11th or 12th grade and
attending as fulltime student at the
postsecondary institution (12 semester hours)
3. Students cannot switch from MOWR to another
College Credit Now program during the semester.
4. Students must meet admissions requirements of
the college, university or technical college.
5. Core or elective courses may be taken.
College Credit Now/Dual Enrollment
AGE
(*See school
counselor if want to
take course work
younger than 16.)
FUNDING
MOWR
ACCEL
Junior or Senior
16 years*
Georgia
Department of
Education
100% paid tuition
and fees up to 15
semester hours or 4
high school units
DUAL TCSG
JOINT
Junior or Senior
16 years*
16 years*
16 years*
GSFC
HOPE Grant
HOPE Grant
100% paid tuition
from state funds
No fees paid from
state funds
Fees paid by
student for 20131014 year.
(Technical
College System
of Georgia)
(GSFAPPS)
Partial Tuition Paid
by Georgia Student
Finance Commission
Rate determined
by GSFC every year
Fees paid by
student for 20131014 year.
MOWR, ACCEL, and DUAL TCSG credit hours do NOT count
toward the HOPE cap.
BOOKS
COURSES
CREDIT
(GSFAPPS)
Partial Tuition Paid
by Georgia Student
Finance Commission
Rate determined
by GSFC every year
Fees paid by
student for 20131014 year.
Credit hours count
toward HOPE cap
Books are
responsibility of
student
Books are
responsibility of
student
Books are
responsibility of
student
Books are
responsibility of
student
Academic/Technica
l
Academic
Technical
Academic/Technica
l
High school &
College
High school &
College
High school &
College
College only
P/T or F/T at college
P/T or F/T at college
P/T or F/T at college
HOPE CAP = 127 Semester Hours
Full time at college
ATTENDANCE
Where can I sit at
lunch?
In high school, you can
sit wherever you want in
the Cafeteria during your
lunch period.
What types of food
are served at Lunch
in high school?
The high school cafeteria
serves the same types of
food and lunches as the
ones served in middle
school.
What are the
procedures for lunch
in high school?
The lunch procedures work
the same as middle school,
only you walk to and from the
cafeteria on your own.
You don’t have to line up and
be led there and back by a
teacher or sit with your class.
How will I know
when to go to
Lunch?
It may be confusing at first,
but a bell will ring and your
th
4 or 5th period teacher will
tell you which bell is your
lunch bell.
Don’t worry – we won’t let
you miss lunch.
What clubs and/or
extra curricular
activities are
available for students
th
in 9 grade?
In middle school, you have to be
in 7th or 8th grade before you can
participate in some activities.
In high school, 9th graders are
not limited to the kinds of clubs,
sports, or extra-curricular
activities they can participate in.
What are the
requirements to play
sports in high school?
First semester
freshmen may
participate in sports
and extra-curricular
activities.
Second semester 9th
grade students must
have earned 2.5 credits
to participate.
How do you sign
up for
clubs/activities?
There several ways to find out about clubs
and extra curricular activities…
1. Attend the Class of 2018 (8th Grade
Night at the high school in March.
During this event different sponsors will
have tables set up to tell you about their
clubs/activities.
2. Check-out the high school Website.
3. Listen to the daily announcements
about clubs, activities, and events.
What can I expect
from high school
sports?
There are several kinds of HS
sports.
HS sports include wrestling,
baseball, competitive cheerleading,
volley ball, track, cross country,
golf, fast pitch softball, and tennis.
You also play other district high
schools instead of just within
Paulding County.
What is daily
advisement?
You may have advisement segment in
your schedule similar to NBI at the
middle school.
For all middle and high school students,
there is BRIDGE advisement delivered by
counselors through classroom guidance with
annual opportunities for student and
parent/guardian to update the BRIDGE
Graduation Plan.
For high schools that have daily
advisement:

The advising teachers will
discuss information given by
the counselors and the
administrators. Topics include
careers and career pathways,
test-taking tips, goal setting,
and course selection for the
upcoming semesters. Also,
information regarding ongoing
activities will be shared
(homecoming, etc.).
Do Seniors prank
or disrespect
freshmen?
No! Bullying, cyberbullying, and
harassing other students are not
tolerated. Seniors that are caught
harassing freshmen will have
consequences. If you are being
threatened by anyone or feel unsafe
talk to your 9th grade counselor
and/or administrator.
What do I do if get
lost?
Our 8th grade night at the high school
and 9th grade summer opportunity
will help you become familiar with the
high school campus so that you will not
get lost.
If you can’t find your way, ask a
teacher or administrator you see or go
to any office. There will also be school
maps available at open house and
during advisement the first day.
How do I get from one
class to the next class
without being late?
Use your time wisely!
Don’t stand around and talk!
Find the quickest way from
point A to point B and go!
There are consequences for
being late to class.
How are high school
teachers different
from middle school
teachers?
In high school, your teachers may not
teach only freshmen. They expect you
to be more responsible and may not be
as patient about accepting late
assignments or reminding you to
behave. You’re expected to be more
mature and take yourself and your
work more seriously. You are expected
to be organized and prepared each
day!
What is EOCT?
EOCT or End Of Course Test
EOCT assessments are state regulated and mandated
tests that high school students have to take to ensure
that the students have mastered the courses. All
Georgia high school students will take the same
EOCTs. This provides consistency between all schools
in Georgia.
Your EOCT score will count 20% of your final grade.
Your course grade is 80% of your grade. Many
teachers use this exam in lieu of a final exam. The
EOCTs you will take in 9th grade are
9th grade Lit, CCGPS Algebra, and Biology
Can I graduate
early?
Technically, Yes! You could graduate after the
spring semester of your junior year or the fall
semester of your senior year. BUT…
There are so many options, opportunities, and activities your
senior year you wouldn’t want to.
It is very difficult to do so because you have English, Math,
Science, and Social Studies courses to complete during your senior
year.
The College Credit Now which includes Accel, MOWR (Move On
When Ready) and TCSG Dual Enrollment programs let you take
college courses during high school. The work release program lets
you leave early to go to work.
Not to mention the social activities such as senior prom, senior
week, and senior superlatives that you won’t want to miss.
What is the website
that supports academic
and career planning
for high school as well
as after graduation?
www.gacollege411.org
What should I already have accomplished
on GACollege411 per the BRIDGE Law
legislation (advisement and career
planning legislation):
My411 Account
Career Cluster Survey
Interest Profiler
Exploration of 3 Career Concentrations (Pathways aka Plans of
Study)
Exploration of 3 Careers
All of these items should be saved in the portfolio of your My411
account.
Will I be completing
anything else this
year in
GACollege411?
YES!!!!
You are more ready than you know and we
are here to help you be successful in high
school.
There will be an advisement opportunity
with your parent/guardian to learn about
high school, finalize course requests, and
develop your graduation plan during the
week of
During this advisement opportunity,
you and your parent/guardian will:



Complete and/or review your BRIDGE
Graduation Plan document.
Middle school counselors will support you
in updating this information in your IGP
(Individual Graduation Plan in your My411
Account (1st Semester or Early 2nd
Semester).
During second semester, you will be
linking/connecting yourself to the high
school on GAcollege411.