HIGH SCHOOL 101
Objectives
By the end of the presentation, you should be able to answer the following questions:
1. What is a GPA and how do I calculate a GPA?
2. What is the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA? 3. What is the difference between Honors and AP classes?
4. What are the graduation requirements at Swansboro High School? 5. What are the admission requirements for UNC?
6. What is a transcript and why is it important? 7. What is the NC Career and College Promise? 8. How can freshmen prepare for college?
What is a GPA?
Your GPA, or Grade Point Average, is a number that indicates how well or how high you scored in your courses on average. It’s meant to score you (usually on a GPA scale between 1.0 and 4.0) during your studies and shows whether your overall grades have been high or low.
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Class Grade Quality Point
English 1 Honors A 4.5 Math 1 C 2 Physical Science B 3 Health PE A 4 13.5/4= 3.375
Weighted GPA vs Unweighted GPA
Honors Classes vs AP Courses
Regular Honors AP
Counts toward high
school transcript? Yes Yes Yes
More or less
rigorous? Less More More
Can it count for
college credit? No No Yes (if the student passes the AP Exam
with a 3,4,or 5) Impressive to college
admissions? A 4.0 is always impressive to all types of colleges.
Impressive to in-state
colleges. Impressive to both in-state, out-of-state , and Ivy league
Honors Classes vs AP Courses
Questions Honors AP
What are the course requirements? Anyone can take Honors. Minimum of a B in previous course
recommended.
Anyone can take AP. Minimum of A or B in Honors class recommended. What are the advantages? Looks good on transcript. Prepares
students for rigorous courses. Looks great on transcript. Can earn college credit. Which is better for future college
students? Students applying to four year universities. Students applying to competitive universities. highly Who develops the curriculum? Combination of North Carolina Dept.
of Public Instruction , Onslow County Schools, and school teachers.
The College Board
How is it weighted? .5 Point Increase 1 Point Increase
Which is harder? Both are more challenging than regular classes, but AP tends to require more work.
Swansboro High School Semester System and Credits
• Students earn one credit for each course they pass.
• Swansboro High School is on a 4 x 4 schedule system.
• 4 Classes in the Fall Semester • 4 Classes in the Spring Semester • Students can earn 8 Credits per
school year.
• Students can earn 32 credits by the time they graduate.
Course Grade Credit
English I Honors B 1 World History A 1 Foods 1 D 1 Health and PE C 1 Fa ll Se m es
ter Course Grade Credit
Math 1 F 0 Earth Env. Science B 1 Band A 1 MS Excel C 1 Fa ll Se m es ter Sp rin g Se m es ter
Graduation Requirements
▪ Students need 22 Credits to graduate.
▪ Students will take 8 Credits per school year. -4 classes in the Fall
-4 classes in the Spring ▪ You need 6 Elective Credits.
2 elective credits of any combination from either: ▪ Career and Technical Education (CTE) –
▪ Arts Education – ▪ World Languages
4 elective credits strongly recommended (four course concentration) from one of the following:
▪ Career and Technical Education (CTE)
▪ Arts Education (e.g. dance, music, theater arts, visual arts)
▪ Any other subject area (e.g. social studies, science, mathematics, English)
Graduation Requirements
9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
English – 4 Credits Required English 1 Honors English 1 English 2 Honors English 2 English 3 Honors English 3 AP Language English IV Honors English 4 AP Literature
Math – 4 Credits Required Math 1 Honors Math 1 Math 2 Honors Math 2 Math 3 Honors Math 3 AP Calculus AP Statistic Math 4 Honor Math 4 AP Calculus AP Statistic
Science – 3 Credits Required Earth & Environmental Honor Earth & Environment
Physical Science Honor Physical Science
Biology Honors Biology Honors Chemistry
Optional: Honors Chemistry
AP Chemistry Physics
Social Studies – 4 Credits
Required World History
Honor World History
American History I Honor American History I Honors Turning Points in US
Hist.
American History 2 Honors America History 2
AP United States History
Civics and Economics Honors Civics and Economics
Physical Education / Health
Science – 1 Credit Required Health and PE
Electives – 6 Credits Required 3 Electives 4 Electives 4 Electives
Foreign Language
College Classes
5 Electives
Foreign Language
4 Year University Requirements
▪ 4 English Credits ▪ 4 Math Credits
▪ 4 Social Studies Credits ▪ 3 Math Credits –Highly
recommend 4 math credits
▪
▪ 1 Health / PE
▪ 2 Foreign Language Credits
High School Transcript
A high school transcript is a record of your academic accomplishments in high school. It lists every class you took, when you took
them, and the grade you received in each
class, along with additional information such as class rank, standardized test scores. Every
person enrolled in high school has a high
school transcript, which is regularly updated as courses are completed.
High School Transcript
A high school transcript is a record of your academic accomplishments in high school. It lists every class you took, when you took
them, and the grade you received in each
class, along with additional information such as class rank, standardized test scores. Every
person enrolled in high school has a high
school transcript, which is regularly updated as courses are completed.
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NC Students can take college classes
for free in the 11th
and 12th grade.
You must
maintain a
2.8 GPA.
College Classes are weighted like AP courses!How to Prepare for College
Create a 4-Year Plan.Step
1
Know the High School Graduation Requirement s.Step
2
Get Good Grades.The high school transcript is IMPORTANT!
