th
10
th
11
and
Grade
Information Session
Desiree Lackey, School Counselor
East Lincoln High School
October 6, 2015
Graduation Requirements

English- 4 credits (English I, II, III, IV)

Math- 4 credits (Math I, II, III, and a higher level math)

Science- 3 credits (Earth Environmental, Biology, a physical science)

Social Studies- 4 credits (World History, Civics, American History I and II)

Health and PE- 1 credit

2 units of a World Language if 4 year college bound

Required elective credits- 2 (Arts education or CTE or World Languages)

Other required electives- 10

Total credits needed to graduate- 28

**These are minimum graduation requirements, students are encouraged to select
elective and academic courses that align with their future plans.**
10th Grade College Planning Timeline

https://www.petersons.com/college-search/planning-list-tenth-students.aspx

Fall/Winter

Take the PSAT (optional) and the PLAN (mandatory)

Attend college fairs. The LCS college fair has passed, but the Charlotte National
College Fair will be held on March 20, 2016 at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Make a note to attend the LCS college fair junior and senior year.

Speak with Mrs. Withers about Summer Ventures, which is a 4 week summer
residential program located at various North Carolina college campuses that
focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math.

Meet with Mrs. Lackey to begin college planning discussions and to start working on
a high school resume.
10th Grade College Planning Timeline

Spring/Summer

Review the LCS registration guide, and prepare a list of courses that align with
future plans for 11th grade coursework. Meet with Mrs. Lackey for suggestions and
help.

Get a summer job, volunteer, or participate in summer academic programs.
Colleges like to see students keep busy while they are not in school. Working,
volunteering, and summer programs shows maturity, motivation, and dependability.

If you’re on a summer road trip, stop by the local college to acquaint yourself with
what college campus/life is all about!
11th Grade College Planning Timeline

https://www.petersons.com/college-search/planning-list-eleventhstudents.aspx

Fall/Winter

Take the PSAT- this is the year that scores count toward National Merit Scholars
recognition.

Attend college fairs. The LCS college fair has passed, but the Charlotte National
College Fair will be held on March 20, 2016 at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Make a note to attend the LCS college fair as a senior.

If interested in playing Division I or II college sports, make sure to sign up with
NCAA Clearinghouse.

Meet with Mrs. Lackey to discuss future plans and to make sure you are on the
right track.

Prepare for the ACT (mandatory for all juniors) and the SAT. There are multitudes
of study materials on the internet and in print form. See Mrs. Lackey for
assistance.
11th Grade College Planning Timeline

Spring/Summer

Pick a rigorous schedule for senior year with the assistance of Mrs. Lackey. Colleges
want to see applicants that challenge themselves all through high school.

Continue building the high school resume; this is the document teachers/other
adults will use when they write letters of recommendation. It needs to be as
thorough as possible. See Mrs. Lackey for assistance.

Start researching colleges you would like to tour and set up appointments for
summer vacation.

Prepare a list of which teachers/adults you are planning to ask to write letters of
recommendation. Continue adding to the high school resume.
Workforce/Military Planning

Sign up for challenging courses that relate to the career pathway or military
career of your choosing. Check out the variety of CTE courses ELHS has to
offer and speak with Mrs. Lackey or Mrs. Smith about how to prepare for the
area you are seeking employment in.

See Mrs. Lackey about Gaston College CTE classes. Many of these courses will
provide a pathway to certifications in select career areas. They are also
transferrable to other community colleges.

Search for internship/job shadowing opportunities. These will provide insight
to the career field you are interested in.
Workforce/Military Planning

Research 2 year community colleges and technical schools. They provide
hands on, and in some cases on the job training for students who are
interested in furthering their educations, but not at a 4 year college.

Attend career and college fairs, you may find that the career you want
requires training/education beyond high school.

Speak with a military recruiter for the branch you are interested in joining.
ELHS hosts recruiters from all branches who are happy to provide information
to interested students.

Start researching the ASVAB, which is the career inventory and aptitude
assessment potential recruits take. Most students take the ASVAB as seniors,
but it can be taken any time in high school. ELHS is a testing site this
December.
PSAT

PSAT: October 14, 2015/ 8:00AM/ ELHS

9th, 10th, and 11th grade students encouraged to sign up.

Students are tested on English, math, and reading comprehension. All tests
sections are timed.

Benefits: SAT practice test, provides prerequisite scores for AP and Gaston
College classes, students may sign up to receive information from colleges
and scholarship organizations.

PSAT score from the junior year is used to determine National Merit finalists
(top 5% of scores in the nation are reviewed for recognition and scholarships).

Junior year score is also used for the National Hispanic Recognition program,
National Scholarship Search Service, and the Telluride Association.
SAT

The SAT is given throughout Lincoln County each month. ELHS hosts the SAT in
October and March.

The new version of the SAT will roll out in March.

The SAT is super scored, which means that colleges will combine the highest
scores achieved on each section of test (if taken multiple times).

NOTE: The current version of the SAT will not be super scored with the new version
since they are different tests.
SAT

College Board has partnered with Khan Academy to provide FREE SAT practice
materials for test takers.

Students will have an opportunity to get to know the redesigned SAT, see
personalized practice recommendations and questions, take four practice SAT
exams with immediate feedback, stay on top of important SAT dates and
news, and practice anytime, anywhere, at no cost.

https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
PLAN

PLAN test: October 1, 2015/ 8AM/ ELHS

All 10th graders are required to take the PLAN.

PLAN is the pre-ACT test, which will help prepare for the ACT that all
students will take in March of their junior year.

PLAN scores can be used to satisfy prerequisites for Gaston College and AP
courses.

PLAN differs from PSAT in that it tests English, math, reading, and science.

Students should receive score reports in 4-6 weeks.
ACT

ACT will be given to all juniors in March of 2016.

ACT is used as part of the school’s accountability model as required by the
state of North Carolina.

ACT is a FREE college entrance exam. If students prepare and score high
enough to satisfy college admissions testing requirements, they will not have
to take the ACT or SAT again (although many choose to take both tests
multiple times).

ACT is a timed test, it differs from the SAT in that the highest score possible is
a 36. Students are tested in English, math, science, reading comprehension,
and writing.
Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Mrs. Smith- Career Development Coordinator

Internships, job shadowing, LCST opportunities
Governor’s School

The North Carolina Governor's School is now accepting applications for the
2016 session. Governor's School provides a unique and innovative residential
education experience for gifted and talented high school students from across
the state.

10th graders may apply in the performing arts.

11th graders may apply in the performing arts and all academic areas.

Only students that have scored in the 92nd percentile or higher in a related
EOC or standardized test may apply.

Application materials are available online, all materials are due to Mrs.
Lackey by October 16.

www.ncgovschool.org
Summer Ventures

A cost-free, state-funded residential summer program for academically
talented North Carolina residents who have demonstrated interest in science
and mathematics and aspire to a career in STEM (science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics). The program brings rising juniors and seniors
together in a residential setting for research and intensive study. Applications
are due January 31, 2016.

Campuses where Summer Ventures is held include: East Carolina, Appalachian
State, North Carolina Central, and UNC Charlotte

www.summerventures.org
North Carolina School of Science and
Math

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics is the nation’s first public
residential high school specializing in science, technology, engineering, and
math. NCSSM accepts talented high school juniors and seniors from across
North Carolina through a residential program in Durham.

Students apply for NCSSM in October of their 10th grade year.

A representative from NCSSM will be at East Lincoln on Friday, October 9th to
speak with interested students. Students must sign up on Mrs. Wither’s door
to receive a pass to meet with the representative.

www.ncssm.edu
Gaston College Career and College
Promise (CCP)

Tuition free dual enrollment program for juniors and seniors (students are required
to pay for books, supplies, and activity fee).

Students may take college level courses through Gaston online or in the Afternoon
College format.

Afternoon College is a hybrid format- 2 days/week students will attend class face
to face during 4th period, the other days students will work on their courses online
from home or at ELHS.

Two pathways to choose from: College Transfer Pathway and Career/Technical
Education Pathway

College Transfer Pathway has minimum GPA and test score requirements.

College transfer courses will be accepted at 4 year public colleges in North
Carolina.

www.gaston.edu/career-college-promise/
Upcoming Events

Friday, 10/9- representative from NCSSM for interested students

Wednesday, 10/14- PSAT

Thursday, 10/15- online application opens for NCSSM

Friday, 10/16- all Governor’s School application materials returned to Mrs.
Lackey

Thursday, 12/10- ASVAB administered at ELHS (sign up with Mrs. Smith)

Sunday, 1/31/16- applications due for Summer Ventures

March 2016- ACT

March 20, 2016- National College Fair at the Charlotte Convention Center
Resources

www.collegeboard.org (PSAT, SAT, Advanced Placement information)

www.actstudent.org (ACT information for parents and students)

www.cfnc.org (College Foundation of North Carolina)

www.ncgovschool.org (Governor’s School information)

www.summerventures.org (Summer Ventures information)

www.ncssm.edu (North Carolina School of Science and Math information)

www.gaston.edu/career-college-promise/ (CCP information)

https://www.petersons.com/college-search/planning-list-tenth-students.aspx
(10th grade college planning timeline)

https://www.petersons.com/college-search/planning-list-eleventh-students.aspx
(11th grade college planning timeline)

http://official-asvab.com/