Senior Parent Information Meeting
Tuesday,
September 16, 2014
Class of 2015
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How to Stay in the Know
Expectations
Important Senior Dates
Graduation Requirements
Graduation Procedures
State Scholarships & Grants
College Application Information
Time for Questions & Answers at the end
….so let’s get started
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Karen Radcliffe, Principal
kradcliffe@dorchester2.k12.sc.us
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Bronwen Gammons, Assistant Principal bgammons@dorchester2.k12.sc.us
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Stephanie Wells, Assistant Principal
swells@dorchester2.k12.sc.us
Prevention & Intervention
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Elizabeth House, School Counselor (A – G)
nhouse@dorchester2.k12.sc.us
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Jaime Gouin, School Counselor (H-Pl)
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Sarah McAliley, School Counselor (Po-Z) smcaliley@dorchester2.k12.sc.us
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Mandy Shipman, School Counselor
ashipman@dorchester2.k12.sc.us
Prevention & Intervention
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Pat Bradley, Career Development Facilitator pbradley@dorchester2.k12.sc.us
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Angela Bailey, Guidance Secretary
jgouin@dorchester2.k12.sc.us
abailey@dorchester2.k12.sc.us
Web Site – http://ashleyridge.schoolfusion.us
Twitter – www.twitter.com
(@ARHSSwampfox and @ARHSGuidance)
Facebook – Ashley Ridge High School Swamp Guide
www.facebook.com/arhsguidance
www.ashleyridge.schoolfusion.us
Stay updated!
All activities and
events specific to
seniors will be kept on
the senior calendar
Keep checking:
 Grades & Attendance
 Announcements
 Balances
 Credits required
1.
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5.
Attend school/class each day/each period
Arrive at school and class on time
Be respectful of adults, other students and self
Take care of your school/facilities/belongings
Graduate in four years!!!
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Unit Recovery – Assigned by teacher EACH
QUARTER – Utilize APEX computer program
Credit Recovery – Students who earned a 60 –
69 on a course may retake it through credit
recovery and earn a 70
Tutoring – Each teacher has
tutoring times posted on their door
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All students are assigned an APEX password
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Students may use APEX for additional review
work for core courses they are enrolled
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Recover credits or catch back up to graduate ON TIME
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Blended learning (APEX & teacher instruction)
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Self-paced so you will finish as quickly or as slowly as you decide
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May attend day program & evening program or may elect to
attend evening program only
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Evening School has started
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Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 3:30pm-5:30pm
Stephanie Wells
swells@dorchester2.k12.sc.us
ARHS Evening School Administrator
May 30th, 2015
10:00 AM
North Charleston Coliseum
1st Semester
Senior IGP Conferences – Now – Oct 22nd
Ring Collection Day – Sept 18th
Jostens Meeting – Oct. 13th (9:35 AM)
Academic Awards Ceremony – Oct 6th (6:30 PM)
Graduation Supply Orders – Oct. 16th (Lunches & After School)
College Application Day – Oct 10th (8AM – 1PM)
First Semester Exams – Dec 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th
Financial Aid Night- December 16th (6:30 PM)
2nd Semester
WorkKeys Retests- January 13th
Parent Graduation Meeting – TBA
Prom – April 11th (Embassy Suites)
AP Exams – May 4th – May 15th (Old Fort Baptist Church)
Senior Awards Night – May 6th (6:30 PM)
Senior Movie & BBQ– May 14th (7PM)
Senior Exams – May 18th , 19th , 20th, 21st , and 22nd
MANDATORY Graduation Practice – May 27th (8 AM at ARHS)
Senior Academic Letter Breakfast – May 28th (9:00 AM)
Baccalaureate Service – May 28th (7:00 PM)
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English
Math
Science
US History
Economics
American Government
Other Social Studies
Foreign Language OR Career
PE or ROTC
Computer Science
Electives
4 Credits
4 Credits
3 Credits
1 Credit
½ Credit
½ Credit
1 Credit
1 Credit
1 Credit
1 Credit
7 Credits
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Total
24 Credits
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Students must follow state and district attendance
policies or will be denied credit
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Appeals for credits denied are made in writing to
the Dorchester District Two Director of High Schools
and ARHS does not have any influence on the
decision of the district
Year-Long Course – 10 Days
Semester Course – 5 Days
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At the beginning of November, you will receive a postcard
with your student’s name on it.
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Check the name on the postcard because this is the way the
name will appear on the diploma which is a legal document.
The name should be the name on the birth certificate
unless it was legally changed. If the name is incorrect, let
Mrs. Radcliffe know ASAP
kradcliffe@dorchester2.k12.sc.us
In order to participate in the graduation ceremony,
students MUST attend graduation practice on
Wednesday, May 27th, 2015
8:00 AM
Ashley Ridge High School
Seniors will:
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Fill out their post-secondary information form
Pick up their final report card
Walk through the graduation ceremony
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Pick up their cap, gown, and any cords they’ve earned
 Students not eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony will be
able to pick up their cap and gown on Monday, June 1st, after 8am
May 30th, 2015
10:00 AM
North Charleston Coliseum
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No tickets are issued and there is no limit on the number of
guests you may invite
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Doors will open at 9:00 AM
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Students must be at the coliseum BY 9:15 dressed in their
cap and gown READY TO GO
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Late arrivals will NOT be allowed to participate
Ashley Ridge High School uses
Jostens for our graduation supplies.
They provide cap and gowns,
invitations, note cards, t-shirts, etc.
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Students only need a cap and gown
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Jostens will meet with seniors on Mon, Oct. 13th at 9:35 AM
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Graduation supply orders are due on Thurs., Oct. 16th
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All supplies will be delivered in April
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http://lowcountrygrad.com/
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Valedictorian – 1st rank in senior class
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Salutatorian – 2nd rank in senior class
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Distinguished Honor Graduate –
4.37 or higher
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Honor Graduate – 4.0 – 4.36
(Students will find out at graduation practice if they are a Distinguished Honor Graduate
or an Honor Graduate but actual GPA’s will not be given out until after June 2nd)
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SC Academic Achievement Honors Award
In addition to satisfying all graduation requirements:
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Receive a minimum grade of “B” for each course in grades nine
through twelve through the seventh semester, and
Achieve either a score of 710 SAT Critical Reading, or a 690
SAT Math, or an ACT score of 30 on English, or 33 on Math
OR
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Have a combined score of 1400 on the SAT Critical Reading
and Math sections, or an ACT composite score of 31
Must meet ALL seven criteria by the end of the senior year:
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28 credits
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Overall GPA of 4.0 or higher
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SAT (CR+M+W) 1,600 OR ACT (composite) 24 or higher
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Earn four or more credits in:
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English
Math
Science
Social Studies
Earn three or more credits at the AP, Dual Credit, or IB level
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Two of these three must be earned in three of the four core areas
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Earn at least three credits in the same foreign language
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Show written verification of participation in at least one school sponsored
organization (club) in 10th-12th grade or complete 50 hours of approved community
service during high school
Confirm your info is correct
Courses you’re
taking this year
GPA Based on 4.0
weighted South Carolina
Uniform Grading Policy
(SC UGP GPA)
Un-weighted 4.0 GPA
(not used for lottery
scholarships or reported
on college applications)
All courses you’ve taken
for high school credit
Current class rank
Academic Criteria:
Must meet ALL criteria –
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Score 1200 SAT (Critical Reading & Math) or 27 ACT composite
Earn a 3.5 minimum GPA at the end of the Junior year**
Rank in the top 6% of the sophomore, junior or graduating senior class
OR
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Score 1400 on SAT (Critical Reading & Math) or 32 ACT
Earn a 4.0 GPA at the end of the Junior year**
Award Amount: $6,700 Freshman year (sophomores,
juniors & seniors may earn up to $7,500/yr)
**GPA requirement at the end of the Senior year for Final Awards deadline
Ms. McAliley will notify eligible applicants when
information is available (typically Nov)
4-Year College Academic Criteria:
Must meet 2 of the 3 criteria Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the end of the senior year
Rank in the top 30% of the graduating class*
Score at least 1100 on the SAT (CR & M only) or 24 on the ACT
2-Year College Academic Criteria:
•Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the end of the senior year
Award Amount: $5,000 or up to the cost of tuition
*Students graduating in Summer School do not get ranked back in their class so can only
qualify with the test score and GPA criteria for 4-year institution eligibility
NO APPLICATION required.
The COLLEGE will notify eligible students.
HOPE Scholarship – 4-year College
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One-year merit-based for 1st time entering freshmen
Only available at four-year schools
3.0 Final GPA (but not eligible to receive LIFE)
NO APPLICATION required. College will notify eligible students
Award Amount: $2,800 toward cost of tuition
Lottery Tuition Assistance Program – 2-year College
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Only available at two-year schools
Must be degree seeking student taking at least six credit hours
Must complete the FAFSA
Award Amount: Varies by funds available
Provides additional financial assistance to South
Carolina’s neediest students
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Must complete the FAFSA each academic year
Must be enrolled a minimum of six credit hours (part-time) or twelve
credit hours (full-time) for the term
Award Amount: Up to $2,500/year for full-time
students and up to $1,250/year for part-time
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May receive funds up to eight full-time equivalent terms of funding
Foster care youth may receive the maximum award in addition to Needbased Grant funds specifically for foster care youth. These youth must
self-identify by May 1st.
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Online search engines are a great place to start – FastWeb.com,
Scholarships.com, Cappex.com, SchoolSoup.com, and MANY,
MANY more
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Institutional scholarships and awards
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Scholarship resources are listed on the Scholarship page of the
ARHS website under the Senior tab
Click on Seniors  Scholarships Click the link for the latest
Swamp Fox Scholarships posted…….
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State & Local Scholarships
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SC State Fair Scholarship
Coastal Community Foundation
Summerville Mayors Committee
Albert Glover Funeral Home
Sororities, Churches, Civic
Organizations
Scholarship
Colleges
 CSU Student Success
 CofC Presidential Scholarship
 Trident Technical College Fund
Career or Intended Major
 SC Teaching Fellows
 Call Me Mister Program
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Parent/Student Employment
 Nucor Steele Corporation
 Chick-fil-A
 Wal-Mart
ARHS Scholarships
 PTSA Scholarships
 AR Athletic Booster Club
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Military Commitment
 Army College Fund
 Navy College Fund
 US Service Academy
Appointment
 ROTC Scholarships
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Scholarship information we receive will be posted on
the Scholarship page with a link to the application
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Applications requiring a transcript MUST be turned in
one week prior to the due date or postmark deadline
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Bring copies of letters to report ALL offers, even
those you will not accept (anything with a $)
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Scholarship recipients will be recognized at Senior
Awards Night on May 6th and scholarships offered will
be printed in the graduation program
Sliding scale for test score and core GPA
with the minimum qualifying core GPA 2.0
2.0 minimum core GPA
Minimum 820 SAT (CR & M) or ACT 68
sum of scores
All SAT and ACT scores must be reported directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center by the
testing agency. When registering for the SAT or ACT, use the Eligibility Center code of
9999 to make sure the score is reported to the Eligibility Center.
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Apply ONLINE and print confirmation
 Remember your login information so you can check the status – GOOD IDEA
TO ALWAYS USE THE SAME USERNAME & PASSWORD
 Enter Counselor email address correctly for schools with online counselor
verification forms. If forms cannot be submitted online, it is YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY to print a copy, fill it out, & bring it to your counselor at least
one week prior to the application deadline.
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We DO NOT send copies of SAT/ACT scores. You must request an
official copy be sent from the testing agency
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Bring copies of ALL decision letters (acceptances, denials, wait
lists) to Mrs. House, Mrs. Gouin, or Ms. McAliley
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October 10th 8am-1pm
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Media Center
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Complete & submit apps with
assistance from school counselors
and college admission reps
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Request delivery of transcript on
Parchment so you know everything
is DONE
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Chance to win a tablet computer!
(an AR senior won three years ago!)
www.parchment.com
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Delivery of all transcripts must be requested at parchment.com
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Transcripts will be sent electronically (even if you apply using paper application,
an account must be created to have transcript sent electronically)
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FREE to all colleges in SC, minimal fee for some out-of-state schools if
they choose to charge (over 1,700 colleges/universities in the network)
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Request Delivery then Track Receipt of your transcript
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Request Initial Transcript for ALL colleges applying
 Request Mid-Year Transcript at the semester (to schools requesting)
 Request Final Transcript to the college you will attend
2-Year Technical College :
 COMPASS Placement Test
 FREE at ARHS!!!
 Scheduled testing throughout the
year; sign up in Counseling Office
4-Year College/University:
 SAT – Must register online at www.collegeboard.com
 ACT – Must register online at www.actstudent.org
 Fee waivers for SAT and/or ACT may be available for students receiving
free or reduced price lunch who meet academic criteria
Students planning to attend a technical college, even if
transferring to a 4-year college later, do NOT have to take the
SAT or ACT! 
To register online go to www.ACTstudent.org
FEES:
ACT (No Writing)
ACT (Plus Writing)
Late Registration
$38.00
$54.50
add $24
To register online go to
www.CollegeBoard.com
FEES:
SAT I Reasoning Late fee -
$52.50
$28.00
SAT II Subject Test
Basic Fee (per test date)$26.00
Language & Listening Tests (per test)- $26
All other Subject Tests (per test) $16
SAT I is used for admission.
Check with your college to see if SAT II
Subject Test is required.
 Recruiters maintain visit schedule during lunches
 College scholarships attached with enlistments
since training/college is paid by military
 We want to recognize all
students making a
commitment to join the
US Armed Forces
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What’s NEXT?
 It’s about more than “do I have the right 24”
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Career Plans, Expectations, Goals, READINESS
 Career Shadowing
 How do I become THAT
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At least one parent should attend with their senior
 Generally last 20-25 minutes
 Arrive on time, early if possible
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What to bring?
 Admissions requirements & deadlines for all 4- or 2-yr colleges applying
 Recruiter contact if enlisted/enlisting in the armed forces
 Resume if planning to join the workforce
Thank you for coming!