DELTONA HIGH SCHOOL The Journey Continues! Your Junior Year 2015-2016 Destination: Graduation Class of 2017 100 WOLF PACK RUN – DELTONA, FL 32725 DELTONA HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL Ms. Carolyn Carbonell Assistant Principals Ms. J. Baxter Dr. J. Hughes Ms. C. Lapnow Mr. R. Smith SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT Phone: 386-575-4153 / Fax: 386-968-0014 Mr. J. Rivera-Navarro, Director; ext. 44095 Grade Level Assignments Assignment Counselor Extension Class of 2016 – 12th Grade A–Z Mr. Rivera-Navarro 44095 Class of 2017 – 11th Grade A–Z Ms. Snyder 44108 Class of 2018 – 10th Grade A–Z Ms. Estelhomme 44105 Class of 2019 – 09th Grade A–Z Ms. Schweizer 44104 School Counseling Department Support Staff Title Name Extension Registrar Ms. Dalik 44087 Secretary Ms. Keefer 44397 1 WELCOME TO YOUR JUNIOR YEAR! Welcome to your junior year at Deltona High School! The purpose of this guide is to help you refine the plan that you began two years ago and to highlight key points to remember. It is our hope that this planner will help you navigate the 11th grade and solidify the foundation that was started during your ninth grade. Within this planner you will find the answers regarding promotion and graduation requirements, transcripts, and useful information on how to become a more organized and effective student. Below is a list of responsibilities that you are assuming as a junior at Deltona High School. It is YOUR responsibility to: Be knowledgeable of graduation and promotion requirements Have good attendance Be aware of our school’s policies Develop good study habits, organization, and time management skills Revise your four-year plan as appropriate Become familiar with your school counselor We want to once again welcome you to another step in your journey through high school. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Sincerely, Teresa Snyder School Counselor 2 MAKING THE GRADE! To be promoted to 11th grade you must have a minimum of 11 credits. The table below shows the promotion requirements for each grade level: TO BE PROMOTED TO: CREDITS REQUIRED 10 11 12 Graduation 5 11 17 24 The next page discusses your graduation requirements. By learning your graduation requirements, it will make it easier for you to keep track of your credits and make wise decisions as to the classes you select. Remember that it is YOUR responsibility to know what is required for graduation. MONITORING YOUR PROGRESS It is imperative that you and your parent(s)/guardian(s) monitor your progress closely throughout the school year. If you need to remediate a course, please speak to your counselor as soon as possible to discuss your plan of action for making up credit. The Pinnacle gradebook is a great tool to track your progress and/or communicate with your teachers. REPORT CARD DISTRIBUTION DATES Oct. 30, 2015 Jan. 25, 2016 March 29, 2016 June 21, 2016 (pick up at school) 3 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS – CLASS OF 2017 Below you will find a detailed description of the 24 credits necessary for graduation. Make sure that you learn these requirements since it is up to you to make sure that you make the right choices during registration time. In addition to the 24 credits for graduation you will need a 2.0 GPA, pass the FCAT Reading, and pass the Algebra I EOC. If you are currently enrolled in U.S. History or Algebra 2 the End of Course exam will count for 30% of your final grade in the course. You must meet ALL of these requirements in order to earn a standard high school diploma. ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 4 MATHEMATICS 1 credit in Algebra 1* 1 credit in Geometry* 2 credits in any additional math courses** 4 SCIENCE 1 credit in Biology* 1 credit in a physical science course (Earth/Space Science, Physical Science, Chemistry, or Physics) 1 credit in any other equally rigorous science course 3 SOCIAL STUDIES 1 credit in World History 1 credit in United States History* ½ credit in Economics with Financial Literacy ½ credit in United States Government 3 PHYSICAL EDUCATION ½ credit in Personal Fitness ½ credit in any other PE course 1 PERFORMING FINE ARTS 1 ELECTIVES 8 TOTAL 24 Credits OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) One course must be taken on-line Passing score on the Grade 10 ELA or concordant scores on ACT/SAT Passing score on the Algebra 1 EOC or comparative score on the PERT * Student must participate in the EOC Assessment and their performance on the EOC constitutes 30% of the final course grade. ** If student enrolls in Algebra 2, then performance on the EOC constitutes 30% of the final course grade. 4 JUNIOR YEAR TIMELINE Check your Academic Evaluations for grades and status towards meeting requirements. Meet with your school counselor about placement into advanced coursework. Attend/complete the community service workshop if you have not done so and/or continue to accumulate community service hours. Take the ACT or SAT test during the year. Strengthen relationships with peers, teachers, counselors, activity moderators, and employers-they will be writing recommendations for you down the road! Get involved…explore clubs and organizations available at school. Future employers and schools like to see active students. Seek out leadership roles. Make sure you have passed the FCAT…it's a graduation requirement. Go to college fairs – College Expo will be held October 13th at Mainland High School. Attend NACAC College Fairs-Jacksonville –October 10th, Orlando-October 11th. Register for fairs at NACAC.org Continue working on study habits and note-taking skills. Refine/Revise/Update your resume. Keep it simple! Continue discussing post high school plans with parent/guardians. Review cost factors for college and investigate options. Review Floridashines.org to check your progress and make sure you are on track to graduate! 5 TRACKING YOUR CREDITS Use the following checklist to keep track of your credits as you progress through each grade level. Knowing what courses you have taken and what courses you need to take will help you avoid any unforeseen shortfalls once graduation time comes. ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS – 4 CREDITS English 1 ___ ___ English 3 ___ ___ English 2 ___ ___ English 4 ___ ___ MATH – 4 CREDITS (Must have 1 credit of Algebra I & Geometry) Algebra 1A Algebra 1B Algebra 1 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Geometry Liberal Arts Math Algebra 2 Other _________________________________ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ SCIENCE – 3 CREDITS (Must have Biology and a Physical Science) Biology Physical Science ___ ___ ___ ___ Chemistry Physics Other _________________________________ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ SOCIAL STUDIES – 3 CREDITS World History ___ ___ U.S. History ___ ___ Economics w/Fin. Literacy U.S. Government ___ ___ PHYSICAL EDUCATION – 1 CREDIT General PE ___ Personal Fitness ___ PERFORMING ARTS – 1 CREDIT ____________________________________ ___ ___ ELECTIVES – 8 CREDITS _________________ ___ ___ _________________ ___ ___ _________________ ___ ___ _________________ ___ ___ _________________ ___ ___ _________________ ___ ___ _________________ ___ ___ _________________ ___ ___ _________________ ___ ___ _________________ ___ ___ 6 WHAT’S IN A TRANSCRIPT? Your transcript is your calling card when it comes to college admissions and scholarship searches. This is the document that individuals who do not know you will use to make the decision of whether or not to accept you into their university or reward your hard work with scholarship money. Keep in mind that colleges will initially base their admissions decision on your first three years in high school. It is up to you to distinguish yourself from your peers by taking as rigorous a curriculum as possible. Transcripts contain your entire academic history since you started high school. In addition to your academic history, your transcript also includes the following critical information: Attendance Class rank Final grades for all courses taken Grade point average (GPA) Tests scores (FCAT, PSAT, SAT, and ACT) Volunteer hours Let’s take a closer look at some of the items included in your transcript: Attendance: This portion will show the number of days present and the days absent for each academic year. Class Rank: The class rank is a numerical designation assigned to each student in your graduating class based on the grade point average (GPA). The class rank is computed using your weighted cumulative GPA. Grade Point Average (GPA): Your grade point average is calculated by dividing your total quality points by the total of credits attempted. Each letter grade is given the following quality point values: A - 4, B - 3, C - 2, D - 1, F - 0. Keep in mind that Honor level courses will give you an extra .5 quality point and Advance Placement courses will give you a full extra quality point. Test scores: Your scores on the FCAT, PSAT, and SAT or ACT are included in this section. Every test administration that is recorded on your student file is displayed in this section of your transcript. Community Service Hours: All community service hours that you have logged with our VIPS Coordinator. If you have not done so, you should attend a community service workshop to be eligible to log your hours. Workshop Dates 2015 - 2016 September 14, 2015 October 12, 2015 November 16, 2015 December 14, 2015 January 11, 2016 February 8, 2016 March 14, 2016 April 18, 2016 May 16, 2016 All workshops are held in the Media Center after school. 7 FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE YEAR DIDN’T GO SO WELL? Don’t give up! You have time to get back on track. The following questions and answers address some of the concerns that you might have if your freshman and sophomore year did not go as planned. When will you be considered an 11th grader if you were retained this past year? Keep in mind that you need eleven credits to be promoted. You will be promoted to 11th grade as soon as you reach the eleven-credit requirement. For example, if you had 10.5 credits at the end of your sophomore year, you can be promoted to 11 th grade at the end of the 1st semester of your 11th grade if you earn at least ½ a credit. Can you still graduate on time? Yes. As long as you earn the required 18 or 24 credits by the end of your fourth year of high school, you will graduate with your class. How do you get back on track? o Talk to your school counselor about Odyssey lab, Volusia Virtual School, or Florida Virtual School options to make up credits. o Attend tutoring or talk to your teachers (some teachers make themselves available for tutoring) o Use this planner to get an idea of where you need to be and formulate a plan. o Practice good time management and organizational skills. o Remember your responsibilities as a student. What is Credit Retrieval Lab (Odyssey)? The Credit Retrieval Lab is a computer-based program that serves students who are deficient in academic credits required to graduate. The Credit Retrieval Lab is a voluntary program with limited enrollment. What are Volusia Virtual and Florida Virtual School? Both schools provide instruction free of charge to Florida students. Specific guidelines necessary for participation with both Volusia and Florida Virtual Schools can be found at the links below. Volusia and Florida Virtual School is an acceleration and/or remediation option for Volusia County School students. Volusia and Florida Virtual School courses may be taken in addition to the student’s regular schedule. Volusia Virtual School - www.volusiaonlinelearning.org Florida Virtual School - www.flvs.net 8 SAT/ACT INFORMATION You will need to take the SAT, ACT, or both if you will be applying to a four year university. Check universities’ requirements prior to registering for a test. You will also need to take these exams if you are trying to qualify for a Bright Futures scholarship. State Colleges do not require these tests to determine admissions, but they will generally accept them to determine placement in courses at the State College level. If you will attend a State College and do not plan to take either exam, they will administer the (PERT) to determine accurate placement. Some universities will require the SAT II Test. ACT Register online at http://www.actstudent.org/ DHS Test Center Code: 162360 ACT Testing Coordinator: Mr. Rivera-Navarro Test Dates Regular Registration Deadline Late Registration Deadline (Late Fee) September 12th August 7th August 21st October 24th September 18th October 2nd December 12th November 6th November 20th February 6th January 8th January 15th April 9th March 4th March 18th June 11th May 6th May 20th SAT Register online at www.sat.org/register DHS Test Center Code: 10193 SAT Testing Coordinator: Mr. Rivera-Navarro Test Dates Regular Registration Deadline (postmark/submit by) Late Registration Late Fee (postmark deadline) October 3rd September 3rd September 22nd November 7th October 9th October 27th December 5th November 5th November 23rd January 23rd December 28th January 12th March 5th February 5th February 23rd May 7th April 8th April 26th June 4th May 5th May 25th 9 FLORIDA BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIPS It is the responsibility of students and parents to monitor their progress towards meeting qualification criteria. You may log onto www.floridashines.org to view your current standing for any of the three Bright Futures scholarships. You may access the scholarship requirements by visiting the Bright Futures website at http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/bf/. FLORIDA ACADEMIC SCHOLARS AWARD (FAS) 3.5 weighted GPA Courses must include 16 credits of college preparatory academic courses. May use up to 3 additional credits to raise GPA (see BF’s website) 4 4 3 3 2 English (3 with substantial writing) Mathematics (Algebra I level and above)* Natural Science (2 with substantial lab) Social Science Foreign Language (in the same language)** 100 Community Service Hours Test Scores-Best composite score of 1290 SAT (does not include new writing score) or 29 ACT (ACT scores are rounded up for scores with .5 and higher; SAT scores do not require rounding.) FLORIDA MEDALLION SCHOLARS AWARD (FMS) 3.0 weighted GPA Courses must include 16 credits of college preparatory academic courses. May use up to 3 additional credits to raise GPA (see BF’s website) 4 4 3 3 2 English (3 with substantial writing) Mathematics (Algebra I level and above)* Natural Science (2 with substantial lab) Social Science Foreign Language (in the same language)** 75 Community Service Hours Test Scores-Best composite score of 1170 SAT (does not include new writing score) or 26 ACT (ACT scores are rounded up for scores with .5 and higher; SAT scores do not require rounding.) 10 FLORIDA GOLD SEAL VOCATIONAL SCHOLARS AWARD (GSV) 3.0 weighted GPA using the 16 credits listed below for a 4-year Diploma and a 3.5 unweighted GPA in a minimum of 3 vocational credits in one vocational program, combined with the test scores listed below. 4-year Diploma Credits must include 16 core credits required for high school graduation. 4 English 4 Mathematics (including Algebra I) 3 Natural Science 3 Social Science (US Hist., World Hist., US Govt., and Economics) 1 Practical Arts OR 1 Performing Arts OR .5 credit in each .5 Personal Fitness .5 Physical Education Students must earn the minimum score on each section of the PERT or SAT or ACT. Sections of different test types may not be combined. PERT: Reading 106 Writing 103 Math 114 ACT: English 17 Reading 19 Math 19 SAT: Critical Reading 440 Math 440 NOTES: *For 2013 and later graduates, the sequence of Algebra IA and IB and the sequence of Applied Math I and II will revert to the traditional one credit per sequence for SUS Admissions and FAS/FMS eligibility. **8th grade Algebra & Foreign Language may be used. 11 FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID FAFSA4caster is a financial aid estimator that you can use before officially applying for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA4caster will provide you with an estimate of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is an index that colleges use to determine what types of student aid you may receive. Using your EFC, FAFSA4caster will then determine what types of federal grants, loans, and work-study you may qualify for and will provide you an estimated award amount for each. COLLEGE VISITS Many colleges and universities will be visiting our campus throughout the school year. Listen closely to the morning announcements for these dates. You may also check the senior bulletin board in the Building 6 to check the dates of upcoming visits. If you are interested in attending any of the sessions, sign up in the school counseling department office prior to the visitation date. STATE UNIVERSITY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS SUBJECT AREA UNITS OF CREDIT English 4 Math 4 (Algebra I/above) Science 3 (Biology & Chemistry) Social Studies 3 World Language 2 (1 Language) Academic Electives 2 (See counselor) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------*Total Academic Credits 18 Note: When calculating your high school GPA, state universities in Florida consider only academic courses. Most universities add one half quality point for an honors level course and one quality point for an Advanced Placement course. See your counselor for information on academic electives. Check your eligibility for Bright Futures Scholarships and university admission at www.floridashines.org Register for Bright Futures Eligibility at: www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org 12 TESTING AND COLLEGE ADMISSION All students who wish to be admitted to a four-year college or a university must participate in some form of standardized testing. For most students, this means the ACT or the SAT I. Some colleges and universities will require achievement tests; these are one hour exams in specific subject areas (SAT II). Test scores are one part of a student’s application to college. Students who wait until their senior year to take either the ACT or SAT I for the first time are sometimes late in their planning. In addition, most scholarships require that test results be submitted as part of the application process. Please meet with your school counselor to plan a testing program, which will support your future plans. Suggested Testing Sequence Grade 9 FSA English Language Arts - Writing FSA English Language Arts - Reading EOC as applicable Grade 11 PSAT - Preliminary SAT and for possible National Merit Scholar selection. FSA - Retakes Only SAT and/or ACT - In late spring, if desired, for college entrance recognition programs or scholarship consideration. (See application for fees) EOC as applicable Grade 10 PSAT -Preliminary SAT FSA English Language Arts - Writing FSA English Language Arts - Reading (graduation requirement) EOC as applicable Grade 12 FSA - Retakes Only SAT and/or ACT – Preferably in the fall, if desired, for college entrance recognition programs or scholarship consideration. EOC as applicable 13 KNOW YOURSELF What are your reasons for wanting to go to college? What sort of environment will stimulate your personal growth? What are your academic interests? What balance of academics, activities, and social life suits you best? Which extracurricular activities do you want to try in college? What kinds of surroundings are important to you (rural, urban, small town, etc.)? KNOW YOUR SCHOOL When considering the kind of college you are interested in, use these factors as a guide. Make sure you meet all your needs—academically, socially and financially. TYPE What kind of an academic environment will you excel in? Two-year or four-year; vocational or technical; public or private; religious affiliation; coed or single sex, etc. SIZE Size matters. What size school are you comfortable with? Under 1,000 students; 1,000-5,000 students; 5,000-15,000; over 15,000 students, etc. LOCATION What kind of a physical environment do you feel comfortable in? Geographic region; urban, suburban, or rural setting; distance from home, etc. FACILITIES What facilities do you need to make the most of your college experience? Academic: library; classrooms; lecture halls; science labs; computer labs; language labs; art, music, and theater facilities, etc. Athletic: varsity and non-varsity facilities; weight room, etc. Residential and Student Life: single sex or coed dormitories; theme housing; meal plans and dining hall options; bookstores, etc. 8 TYPES OF INSTITUTIONS MINIMUM HIGH SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (4-YEAR) Institutions made up of divisions called schools or colleges. Geared toward preparation for professional occupations such as accounting, engineering, and health services. Grant Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Sciences (BS) degrees upon completion of program. English 4 years Science 2-4 years Math Social Studies 2-4 years 2-4 years Foreign Language 2-4 years music, art, drama, student government, French club, youth church group, etc. STATE COLLEGES (2-YEAR) Institutions are conveniently located in local communities. Specialize in college transfer programs often tied to four-year colleges in state or local area. Offer technical programs designed to serve the community’s needs. Grant associate degrees or certificates upon completion of program. English 4 years Science Math Social Sciences Foreign Language 2-4 years 2-4 years 2-4 years 2-4 years music, art, drama, student government, French club, youth church group, etc. VOCATIONAL, TECHNICAL AND BUSINESS SCHOOLS Private schools specializing in trades or vocations by offering various courses and occupational programs. Specialize in skill training (e.g., welding, cooking, hair styling, and word processing) required for a specific job. Offer certificates upon completion of training program. English 4 years Science 1-3 years Math 2-4 years Social Sciences 2-4 years Foreign Language 2-4 years shop courses, business courses, Future Business Leaders of America, computer club, etc. Community/ Club Activities Community/ Club Activities Community/ Club Activities 9 RESEARCHING COLLEGES 101 With over 9,000 colleges and universities in this country, there are lots of choices for you to find a school that you can call home. Don’t just research one school. You’ll be surprised at how many schools fit your needs, and even more surprised at how many of them have different admission requirements and financial aid packages. The Internet is one of the best ways to research both colleges and the college admission process. Almost every college has its own web site. There are also many web sites that provide information on colleges and search engines for finding schools. Here’s a list to get you started: https://www.salliemae.com/plan-for-college/ www.collegeboard.org https://www.studentaid.ed.gov/ https://myroad.collegeboard.com/myroad/navigator.jsp http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ www.petersons.com www.floridashines.org Check the Common Application Web site at www commonapp.org to see if your college or university participates in this admissions program. It saves you time by simplifying the admissions process! College guidebooks are helpful, but often subjective. At your local library, look at: The Fiske Guide to Colleges, by Edward B. Fiske The College Handbook, by the College Board The Insider’s Guide to Colleges, by the Yale Bailey News Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges College viewbooks, bulletins, and videos/DVDs are available from most schools: Viewbooks show pictures of the campus along with statistics like entrance requirements, student life, and financial aid. Videos and DVD’s are like viewbooks, but more promotional. College bulletins and course catalogues provide in-depth information about major programs and other academic opportunities. College visits to your high school by college admission representatives are excellent ways to meet counselors and area alumni. College fairs help you gather information about schools and add your name to the school’s mailing list. When you are at a college fair, try to visit as many representatives as possible and have a few questions ready. Visit the National Association for College Admission Counseling Web site, http://www.nacacnet.org for a schedule of NACAC-sponsored fairs. Hot Tip: Take pre-printed in formation (labels/cards) to provide the schools with your name, address, home phone, e-mail address, graduation year social security number high school name, and areas of interest. The schools can use this information to key into their databases and use to follow-up with the student. 10 CAMPUS VISITS 101 Planning and going on campus visits takes time, energy, and money so don’t blow it. Make sure you visit a college campus when college is in session. Otherwise you’ll miss seeing the college’s community, culture, and academic environment. This probably means you’ll have to visit during high school breaks or long weekends. Sometimes you’ll have to plan a tour by yourself, but there are also many opportunities for school and/or community-sponsored college tours. Check with your high school guidance counselor for more information. CAMPUS VIEW CHECKLIST Schedule an appointment with an admissions officer and/or financial aid administrator at colleges you are considering. Take a campus tour. Research the college before you go, so you know what questions to ask. Try taking an “unofficial” high school transcript with you (get it from your School Counselor) so that admissions counselors can give you a realistic idea of how you’ll fare against other applicants. Attend a class and eat in the dining hall. Read the student newspaper. Look at bulletin boards to see what’s going on around campus. Check out the range of services and facilities in the bookstore and student center. Ask students what they like about the campus and what they don’t like. Be a Sherlock Holmes, and observe the students. How do they look and act? Do you want to be a part of this student body? Check out whatever is important to you: athletic facilities, fine arts facilities, career counseling office, student newspaper office, etc. Hot Tip: For information about your rights and responsibilities in the college admission process, check with your School Counselor for a copy of the Students’ Rights and Responsibilities in the College Admissions Process, a brochure written by NACAC. 11 GET STARTED Four or More Pick at least 4 schools to apply to 1. Your reach school 2. Your realistic schools 3. Your safety school Get copies of college application forms Write down deadlines Also, don’t forget to ask your school counselor if you qualify for an ACT or SAT fee waiver! Send in latest transcript of your grades Fill out application! Send in application! FREE RIDE Ask your high school counselor if you are eligible for application fee waivers RECOMMENDATIONS & ESSAYS Start asking, start writing COLLEGES ANSWER You’re accepted Celebrate! Consider/ compare financial aid packages You’re waitlisted Think about it… Send in deposit Return acceptance letter 12 You’re turned down Don’t panic! YOU’R E DONE! THE COST OF COLLEGE The cost of college isn’t one lump sum. It can be broken down into different categories. Some costs you can’t control. Some you can—and they can make a huge difference. Direct Costs include tuition, room and board in college housing, and any special fees. Indirect Costs include items such as books, computers and computer supplies, transportation, off-campus housing and personal expenses. Estimating current education-related expenses Get a list of direct expenses from your college. Use those figures along with amounts for indirect expenses to figure out the cost of attending college in the exercise below. Tuitions and fees Room & board Books Personal expenses (laundry, snacks, etc.) Transportation Miscellaneous Cost of attendance for one year $ ____________ $ ____________ $ ____________ $ ____________ $ ____________ $ ____________ $ ____________ The average yearly tuition and fees for a public 4-year college in the 2004-2005 academic year were over $5,000. The average yearly tuition and fees for a private 4-year college were just over $20,000. COMPARING COLLEGES COMPARING AID Grants Scholarships Work-Study Stafford Loan Financial Aid College A $1,400 $0 $854 $2,625 $4,879 COMPARING COST College B $7,516 $8,860 $2,000 $2,625 $21,001 Annual Financial Family’s cost College A $11,354 $4,879 $6,475 College B $27,576 $21,001 $6,575 Notice something? The costs to the family are almost the same. Don’t let the price of a college discourage you from applying— look for financial aid first. 13 14 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. What do I do if I am having difficulties in a class? Your teachers are your first resource in ensuring that you get the help you need to be successful in your classes. In most cases, your teachers make themselves available to provide extra help during lunch, or before and/or after school. You can see your school counselor for information on tutoring opportunities available at school. 2. What is dual enrollment? DSC’s dual enrollment program is a cooperative effort between Daytona State College and the Volusia County School District. Students who have earned a high school credit are eligible to take dual enrollment courses at Daytona State College. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Minimum scores on the TABE, PERT, SAT or ACT are also required for most courses. 3. What is the NCAA Clearinghouse? The National Collegiate Athletic Association has rules for progressing from a high school athlete to a college athlete. The Clearinghouse evaluates your course of study and achievement levels to determine whether or not you are eligible to participate in athletics at the college level. 4. What is the PSAT? You will have the option to take the PSAT in October of your Junior year to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship program. Ideally, you would be enrolled or have taken Geometry and/or Algebra II. The mathematics sections of these tests cover concepts that are taught in both Geometry and Algebra II, so it is necessary to have that level of mathematical understanding to be able to do most of the math problems. 5. What about early graduation? If you successfully complete your courses in the ninth through the eleventh grades, you will be eligible to graduate at the end of fall semester in your senior year. Students who have not failed any classes in high school usually only have English IV, a fourth math class, US Government and Economics with Financial Literacy (a total of two credits) to complete graduation requirements in their senior year. 6. Do colleges approve of early graduation from high school? You should contact the college admissions offices to learn their position on early graduation. Some colleges do not encourage it, while others are supportive. The most widely accepted opinion is that you should be constructively engaged in an academic or career oriented endeavor after graduation, and that you have a plan for enhancing your learning and preparation for entering college if you choose to graduate early. 15 HELPFUL WEB SITES Volusia County Schools – (www.myvolusiaschools.org) Florida Department of Education – (www.fldoe.org) Volusia Virtual School – (www.volusiaonlinelearning.com) Florida Virtual School – (www.flvs.net) Career Connection – (www.career-connection.org) Florida Shines – ( www.floridashines.org) Florida Students Resources – (www.floridastudents.org) Khan Academy – (www.khanacademy.org/sat) My Career Shines – (www.MyCareerShines.org) ACT – (www.actstudent.org) SAT – (www.collegeboard.org) 16 NOTES: ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ 17