Southwest Middle School
SOM Students Preparing for
Academic Success!!!
Our Time Together
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8th Grade Promotion Requirements
Grade Point Average
A-G Requirements
Compact for Success
Academic Success at SOM and Beyond!
Expectations
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Be Respectful – To Yourself and Others
Raise Your Hand
Listen When Others Are Speaking
Ask Questions
Requirements for 8th Grade Promotion
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Earn a Minimum of 21 Semester Units
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Pass Each Semester of Math and English
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Must Meet These Requirements in Order to
Participate in 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
Units
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Each Semester Class is Equal to One Unit
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6-7 Units Possible Per Semester
12-14 Units Possible Per Year
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A Failed Class (F) = No Unit Earned
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You Can Recover Up To Two Credits in
Summer School (7th Graders Only)
Understanding Grade Point Average (GPA)
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Each Letter Grade Carries a Certain Number
of Grade Points
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A=4
B=3
C=2
D=1
F=0
Calculating GPA
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Add Up Grade Points
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Divide Total Grade Points by Number of
Classes Taken
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The Result is a GPA!!!
Now You Try
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Dwight Received the Following Grades
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English – B
Math – A
PE – B
Science – C
History – B
Spanish – C
What is Dwight’s GPA?
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Total Number of Grade Points = 17
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Total Number of Classes Taken = 6
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Dwight’s GPA = 2.83
What are A-G Requirements?
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Courses You Must Take in Order to be Eligible for
Acceptance into a Public California University – UC
and CSU
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Must Pass All Your A-G Requirements with a “C” or
Better in Order for the Courses to be Counted by the
University
Here are the A-G Requirements
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(A) – Social Studies – 2 Years
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(B) – English – 4 Years
(C) – Math – 3 Years
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Algebra, Formal Geometry, Calculus
(D) – Laboratory Science – 2 Years
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U.S. History, World Cultures, Government
Biology, Chemistry, Physics
(E) – Foreign Language – 2 Years (Same Language)
(F) – Visual and Performing Arts – 1 Year
(G) – College Preparatory Elective – 1 Year
What is Compact for Success?
A Joint Program Between Sweetwater Union
High School District and San Diego State
University that Guarantees Admission to
Students Who Meet Compact for Success
Requirements
What are the Requirements for Compact
for Success?
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Students Must…
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Be Enrolled in the Sweetwater Union High
School District from the 9th through 12th grade
Have a Minimum Overall GPA of 3.0 (College
Weighted)
Meet the A-G Requirements
Satisfy ELM & EPT Placement Exams
Take SAT/ACT College Entrance Exams
Why is Compact for Success Important?
The Competition!!!
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Last Year San Diego State University Received Over
57,000 Applications.
How Many Freshmen Were Admitted?
a) 28,600
b) 5,400
c) 16,500
The Answer Is…
b) 5,400
That is 10.6% of All Applicants
Why is College Important?
It Affects Your Economic Earning Potential!!!
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High School Dropout = $22,232 a Year
High School Diploma = $30,640 a Year
Associate Degree (2 Year) = $37,480 a Year
Bachelor’s Degree (4 Year) = $53,581 a Year
Master’s Degree = $67,361 a Year
Doctorate Degree (Ph.D) = $93,096 a Year
M.D (Doctor) or J.D. (Lawyer) = $115,292 a Year
Tips for Academic Success at SOM!!!
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Come to School Every Day!
Turn in All Assignments!
Take Accelerated Courses!
Attend Before and After School Tutoring!
Attend Credit Recovery Courses!
Tips for Academic Success in High School!!!
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Come to School Every Day!
Turn in All Assignments!
Take and Complete A-G Requirements!
Take Honors and Advanced Placement Courses!
Maintain a Minimum GPA of 3.0 (College Weighted)!
Participate in Extracurricular Activities!
If You Need Help or Have Questions Ask Your…
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Teachers
Counselors
Assistant Principals
Principal
Parents or Guardians
Aides/Tutors
School Staff
Classmates
Thank You for Your Time!
Questions???