11TH GRADE
CLASSROOM GUIDANCE
Mrs. Winship 9th and 11th Grade Counselor
Heather.winship@sccboe.org
JUNIORS:
Follow the following steps to receive text messages from REMIND:
1. Send a text message to this number (205)417-2047
2. Type this in the message box @moody2016
3. Then, follow the prompt
Alabama High School Diploma Requirements (Standard or Regular)
4 Credits English
4 Credits Math- must include Alg I (Alg IA and IB) and Geometry
4 Credits Science- must include Biology and a Physical Science
4 Credits Social Studies- World HY, US HY I, US HY II, Gov/Economics
1 Credit LIFE PE or other approved course (ex. Marching Band)
0.5 Credit Health
0.5 Credit Computer Applications (BTA)
0.5 Credit Fine Art (Visual Arts or Band)
All remaining credits earned count toward elective credit requirement
Online Experience-provided through Government/Economics Class
11TH GRADE HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
REQUIREMENTS
Weighted Credits
Honors or Pre-AP (Advanced Placement) courses or math courses meeting or exceeding requirements for
Algebra II with Trigonometry and/ or Pre-Calculus will be awarded 0.5 extra quality point. (Example: A grade of
90 A will earn a student 4.5 quality points instead of 4.0)
Current MHS courses in this category
•
Pre-AP English 9 and Pre-AP English 10
•
Pre-AP Geometry, Alg. II with Trigonometry, and Pre-Calculus
•
Pre-AP Biology and Pre-AP Chemistry
AP (Advanced Placement) or Dual Enrollment courses will be awarded one (1) additional quality point.
(Example: A grade of 90 A will earn a student 5.0 quality points instead of 4.0)
Current MHS courses in this category:
•
AP English Language, AP English Literature, and Dual Enrollment English 101/102
•
AP Biology and AP Chemistry
•
AP Music Theory
•
Dual Enrollment History 201/202
•
Dual Enrollment Psychology 200/210
•
Dual Enrollment Speech 106/107
Endorsement Options:

Advanced Academic Endorsement Requirements (Advanced)

Honors Advanced Endorsement Requirements (Honors)

Career Technical Endorsement Requirements- may be added to
any of the above diplomas.
Why think about GPA, College Admissions, ACT, etc……
•
College Admissions and other post-secondary programs are
much more competitive than 5 or 10 years ago.
•
Decisions and actions now lead to future success….NOW if not
before is when you must develop good study habits, organize,
prioritize, develop leadership, be involved!
Factors that are important in College Admissions are:
1. Academic Record
2. GPA and Class Rank
3. ACT and/or SAT scores
* Colleges also want bright, motivated, high achieving, diverse
backgrounds, people who give of themselves.
Transcript Review
When you apply to colleges, they will receive a copy of your official
transcript featuring your current cumulative GPA. Colleges use this
number to measure your overall performance in school and compare
you to other perspective students. Your GPA is important for your future
because:

1. Even before college, your GPA can determine whether or not you
are eligible to take Honors, AP or Dual Enrollment courses during your
junior and senior years of high school.

2. For admission, perspective colleges consider both your GPA and
your class rank, which is determined by your GPA. So the higher your
GPA, the better your chances are of getting into the college of your
choice.

3. Your GPA is a major consideration for both academic and athletic
college scholarships as well as financial aid. Make a list of “reach”,
“possible” and “likely” schools.
EXAMPLE: UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
21 ACT WITH 3.0 GPA- UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE
FOUR YEAR INSTITUTIONS:
Alabama A&M University
256-372-5245
18 ACT and 2.0 overall GPA. Algebra II is not required. Foreign Language is not required. Minimums to qualify for
scholarships are 20 ACT and 3.1 overall GPA.
Alabama State University
800-253-5037
Minimums are 2.0 GPA and 18 ACT and high school graduation exam. You may be accepted with a lower ACT but higher
GPA. Algebra II not required. 1 yr Foreign Language OR Computer is required. Minimums to qualify for scholarships are 16
ACT and 2.5 GPA.
Auburn University
800-282-8769
Applicants are reviewed on an individual basis. The average GPA for students admitted to the 2010 freshman class was a 3.8
and the average ACT score was 26.9. Writing portion of ACT is required. Students are welcome to discuss their credentials
with the admissions counselor. Minimums for automatic scholarships are 28 ACT (or comparable SAT) and 3.5
GPA. Scholarship deadline is December 1.
Jacksonville State University
800-231-5291
High School diploma or GED certificate required with no specific GPA. 20 or over ACT-unconditional acceptance; 17-19 on
ACT - student must take LS 104 Learning Skills class for remediation. Algebra II not required for admission, but
recommended. Foreign Language not required. Scholarship deadline is March 1 and minimums to qualify are 22 ACT for
automatic scholarships and 20 ACT and 2.5 GPA for Leadership Scholarships. Students must apply for admission and pay
application fee before applying for scholarships or housing.
Samford University
726-3673
Application components include: application, teacher recommendation, official ACT/SAT score, high school GPA, leadership
resume, and personal essay. The average for admission is a 3.5 GPA and 26 ACT. Algebra II is required. Foreign Language
is recommended, but not required. The application committee values test scores and GPA, but takes a holistic view in
considering a student’s resume and personal essay. There is no separate scholarship application and all who apply before
December 31 will be considered and notified of scholarships they qualify for with the more competitive scholarships being
awarded to students with higher test scores, GPA, and overall quality of application.
Troy University
334-670-3188
Unconditional admittance given with a 20 ACT and a 2.0 overall GPA. Conditional admittance is given with a 17-19 ACT and
2.5 GPA. Algebra II is not required for admission. Foreign Language is not required for admission. Minimums to qualify for
scholarships are 22 ACT and 3.0 GPA.
University of Alabama
800-933-2262
21 minimum ACT with 3.0 OVERALL GPA, however all applications are considered on an individual basis. Writing portion of
ACT is required. Algebra II required for admission. 1 yr Foreign Language required for admission. No paper applications
available for 2011. Must apply online or download forms. Minimums to qualify for merit scholarships are 27 ACT and 3.5
GPA. Scholarship deadline is December 1.
UAB
975-7518
20 ACT & 2.25 overall GPA. 17 core credits required with 4 yrs English, 3 yrs Social Science, 3 yrs Science (including 2
labs), 3 yrs math (Algebra I & higher), 1 yr foreign language, and 3 additional academic courses. Priority deadline for
admission and scholarships is December 1. Minimums to qualify for scholarships are 24 ACT and 3.0 overall
GPA. Scholarship deadline is December 1. Honors Academy deadline is December 15.
UAHuntsville (University of Alabama in Huntsville)
800-UAH-CALL
20 ACT and a 3.0 are the minimum requirements for admissions. Engineering requires a minimum a 21 composite on the
ACT. Foreign Language is not required. A 26 on the ACT and 3.0 GPA are the minimum for MERIT BASED Scholarships
(awarded to those students that fill out the scholarship application by June 1 of their senior year).
University of Montevallo 665-6030
20 ACT and 2.5 overall GPA. Algebra II not required for admission, but recommended. Foreign Language not required for
admission, but recommended. Minimums to qualify for scholarships are 24 ACT and 3.0 GPA.
University of North Alabama (UNA)
800-825-5862
Unconditional admittance requires an 18 or above on ACT and GPA of “C” or 2.00 on academic core with a total of 13 core
units. Conditional admission can occur when the following requirements are met: 16 or above on ACT, at least 11 core units
(4 English, 2 Math, 2 Natural or Physical Science, 3 Social Studies), and GPA is at least 1.75 on academic core. Algebra II is
not required for admission. Foreign Language is not required for admission. Minimums to qualify for ACADEMIC scholarships
are 25 ACT and 3.00 GPA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TWO YEAR INSTITUTIONS:
Jefferson State Community College
856-7775 (Freshman Admissions) 856-8509 (Financial Aid)
High School diploma or GED certificate required. No minimum GPA. If ACT is not taken, a placement test will be
administered. Minimum to qualify for scholarships is 3.0 GPA.
Shelton State Community College
205-391-2214
HS Diploma or GED certificate required. Minimum to qualify for scholarships is 20 ACT and some are available with a 2.0
GPA and also 2.0 GPA for Technical.
Southern Union Community College
256-395-2211
HS diploma or GED certificate. If ACT is lower than 20 on English, Reading, Math, then placement tests will be given. Those
with Occupational Diploma from regular classes need a 16 on the ACT. Minimum to quality for scholarships is 3.0 core GPA.

Other plans after High School may include: Need to have good
grades to show that you are intelligent, hardworking, and
responsible………………………………….

2 year or 4 year college

Technical or vocational school

Military

Police Academy

Employment
Military Disqualification Criteria:

No Tattoos that are visible. No tattoos above collar bone such as the
face…..No tattoos on hands or wrists (2”). Can not be derogatory in nature.

No Tattoos on extremities that are larger than hand…hand has to be able to
cover it. Can file a waiver but may take 6 months to a year for approval.

No piercings, must be removed if female or male. No tongue or facial
piercings.

Can not have gauges. Flashlight shines through disqualified.

Absolutely no drugs!

Need High School diploma!! Only exception is if you have GED must have at
least 15 hours of college credit. Specific courses must be completed. 100
level classes or above.

Will need to take ASVAB. You may do this by contacting a military branch
representative. See information in the guidance office. Must make a 31 to a
99. 31 National Average….
Study Skills Survey:
Read the items below and place a check mark by the ones that you think you need to
improve upon or be more consistent with. Remember that you may check as many as you
want.
_____1. I have a study schedule.
_____2. I have a quiet place to study.
_____3. I write down my assignments daily.
_____4. I prioritize and do the urgent assignments first.
_____5. I take advantage of the tutoring programs and other opportunities for help in
my school.
_____6. I have a study buddy or study group.
_____7. I am honest with myself about why I didn’t prepare well for a test.
_____8. I use a method like SPQ3R or some other method when reading texts. (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review)
_____9. I try to concentrate and take good notes.
_____10. I rewrite my notes or reorganize them before a test.
_____11. I have the fortitude to turn the TV off when I have to.
_____12. I read my notes and I review the text before each test.
_____13. I ask for clarification from teachers when I need it.
_____14. I can work without distractions in the place that I usually study.
_____15. I budget enough time each week to study well.
Standardized Testing
College Admission Requirements

Must register in the counseling office $15

Predicts performance on SAT and is also the means of entry into
the National Merit Scholarship Competition in 11th grade.

Measures critical reading skills, math problem solving skills, and
writing skills.

Receive feedback on strengths and weaknesses focus
preparation on those areas of weakness.

See how your performance compares with that of others
applying for college.
PSAT 10TH &11TH GRADES

11th Grade students will be taking the ACT plus writing on April
28th at Moody High School

There are 4 content areas on the ACT- English, Math, Reading
and Science Reasoning. Each area contains questions that offer
either four or five answer choices.

Go to ww.actstudent.org/testprep for ACT test preparation
materials, including ACT Online Prep, The Real ACT Prep Guide,
sample questions, and the Question of the Day.

Stop by the Guidance office for more information.

May take it up to 12 times…..typical is 3 to 4 times.
ACT PLUS WRITING
Five Year Trends- ACT Avg. Score
School
State
19.7
20.3
19.9
20.3
19.6
20.3
20.2
20.4
20.3
20.6
Are Students Ready for College?
While students will pursue a variety of paths after high school, all
students should be prepared for college and work. Through
collaborative research with postsecondary institutions nationwide,
ACT has established the following as college readiness benchmark
scores for designated college courses.
A benchmark score is the minimum score needed on an ACT subject area
test to indicate a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75%
chance of obtaining a C or higher in the corresponding credit-bearing
college courses.
English Composition: 18 on ACT English Test 2013- avg 20.2
Algebra: 22 on ACT Mathematics Test 2013- avg 18.6
Social Science: 22 on ACT Reading Test 2013- avg 21.3
Biology: 23 on ACT Science Test 2013- avg 20.6
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College Planning Junior Year
•
Keep meeting with your counselor at least once a year.
•
Continue to take and plan challenging courses
•
Keep your grades up
•
Join an academic club- Get involved…..Applications!!!!!
•
Register for the ACT. You should be academically ready to take it in the
spring. Ask counselor for fee waiver if qualify.
•
Talk to parents/counselor/teachers about colleges that interest you
•
Prepare a list of questions to ask on campus visits
•
Continue to visit colleges and talk with college students
•
List, compare, and visit colleges
•
Start or update an academic resume----scholarships
•
Check into applying to colleges online
•
Begin looking at scholarship opportunities
•
Volunteer for activities and clubs related to career interests
•
Get a part-time job, apprenticeship, or internship, or job shadow in a
professions that interests you
Birmingham National College Fair
Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex BJCC
North Exposition Hall
Sunday, September 14, 2014
1:00pm-4:00pm
Can preregister at www.gotomyncf.com
No charge for metered parking on weekends. Sheraton Hotel
Parking $8.00 per day or $1.50 for first hour and $1.00 each
additional hour.
Small breakout sessions upstairs- ACT, Financing College Education,
SAT, NCAA eligibility, College application basics
College Information Night at Moody
High School
In the Cafeteria
September 23rd
6:30pm
Open to Students and Parents grades 9-12
Presented by Mr. Will Buie
UAB
CHOOSING A COLLEGE --There are over 3,600 colleges and universities (in addition to hundreds of vocational and technical schools) in the United States and no two are quite
the same.
Colleges can be…..
• large or small
• coed or single sex
• wide open in their admissions or very selective
• specialized or diversified in their curriculums
• affiliated with a particular religion or non-sectarian
• expensive or low cost
• near your home or far away
• suburban, urban or rural
How do you sort out all the possibilities and finally make a choice? The above are considerations you should reflect on now before thinking about specific colleges. When you
have developed a list of colleges, your counselor can assist you in identifying those colleges that will offer the kind of experience you would like.
Questions To Ask Yourself:
For one thing, think about your goals. What do you want from your college experience?
• Preparation for a particular career?
• An opportunity to meet new people from different backgrounds?
• A diversified education in the liberal arts?
• Vocational training?
• A chance to live in another part of the country?
• An opportunity to participate in intercollegiate athletics or amateur theatre productions?
For another, think about the kinds of situations in which you learn best and feel most comfortable. How you want to learn is just as important as what you want to learn.
• Do you think you can handle large classes, or do you need more individual attention from your teachers?
• Do you like doing special projects and independent study on your own, or do you work better in a very structured classroom situation where everyone's working on the
same subject matter?
• Do you like a very competitive environment or are you happier in a more relaxed learning situation?
• Do you like being with lots of different kinds of people or are you more comfortable with people whose interest and abilities are pretty similar to your own?
Questions to Ask College Representative:
1.
What activities and services are available to help students get
settled academically and socially?
2.
How big are the classes?
3.
Are you able to register for the classes you want?
4.
What types of financial aid does the college offer and how do I
apply?
5.
Are all freshmen assigned to an academic advisor?
6.
Where do most freshmen live?
7.
Can I take a tour?
8.
What activities are available for students?
9.
How successful are college’s graduates in finding a job? What
assistance is offered in job placement after graduation?
10.
Do many students work on or off campus? Are there local jobs to
help support myself financially?
NCAA ELIGIBILITY
Core Courses: (16)
Initial full-time collegiate enrollment before August 1, 2016:
Sixteen (16) core courses are required
Initial full-time collegiate enrollment on or after August 1, 2016:
Sixteen (16) core courses are required
Beginning August 1, 2016, NCAA Division I require 10 core courses to be completed before the seventh semester;
seven (7) of the 10 must be in English, math or natural/physical science. These courses/grades are "locked in" at start
of the seventh semester (cannot be repeated for grade-point average [GPA] improvement to meet initial-eligibility
requirements for competition). Students who do not meet core-course progression requirements may still be eligible
to receive athletics aid and practice in the initial year of enrollment by meeting academic redshirt requirements.
Visit www.eligibilitycenter.org for more information!!
Test Scores: (ACT/SAT) NCAA
Students must present a corresponding test score and core-course GPA on the
sliding scale.
SAT: critical reading and math sections.
Best subscore from each section is used to determine the SAT
combined score for initial eligibility.
ACT: English, math, reading and science sections.
Best subscore from each section is used to determine the ACT sum
score for initial eligibility.
All ACT and SAT attempts before initial full-time collegiate enrollment may be
used for initial eligibility.
Enter 9999 during ACT or SAT registration to ensure the testing agency reports
your score directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center. Test scores on transcripts will
not be used.
Core Grade-Point Average: NCAA
Only core courses that appear on the high school's List of NCAA Courses on the NCAA Eligibility Center's
website (www.eligibilitycenter.org) will be used to calculate your core-course GPA. Use this list as a
guide.
Initial full-time collegiate enrollment before August 1, 2016:
Students must present a corresponding test score (ACT sum score or SAT combined score) and corecourse
GPA (minimum 2.000) on Sliding Scale A.
Core-course GPA is calculated using the best 16 core courses that meet subject-area requirements.
Initial full-time collegiate enrollment on or after August 1, 2016:
Students must present a corresponding test score (ACT sum score or SAT combined score) and corecourse GPA (minimum 2.300) on Sliding Scale B.
Core-course GPA is calculated using the best 16 core courses that meet both progression (10 before
seventh semester; seven in English, math or science.
Example:
2.00 GPA-86 ACT SUM
Q&A
Questions and Answers
What is High School Dual Enrollment?

Dual enrollment is a program that allows high school students
usually juniors and seniors to enroll in college courses for credit
prior to high school graduation. College credits earned through
dual enrollment can be simultaneously applied toward high
school and college graduation and can be transferred to other
colleges and universities.
What does school work have to do
with the real world?

You never know exactly what career path you will follow. By
working hard in all the core subject areas, you will be prepared
to make better choices about a career. Students who take
challenging courses and study smart in high school tend to have
better jobs and make more money in their careers.
Why are honesty and integrity in the
classroom important?
Honesty and integrity are important traits to have in your academic
and professional life. In school, good student-teacher relationships
come from mutual respect and trust, and those relationships can
lead to great references and recommendations. Failing to adhere
to your school’s honor code can negatively impact your chances
of gaining admission to your top college or career choice.
Why should I participate in honors
courses?
Because admission to college is becoming more competitive every
day, it is imperative that you have an academic record that will
make you stand out. Taking honors courses will help give you that
competitive edge. Example PreAP, AP courses, & Dual Enrollment.
Colleges look at high school courses and look for consistency.
Tough courses give you knowledge and skills for college.
Higher college admissions test scores.
More options for college
Less likely to need remediation courses in college.
Why should I try and improve my
writing skills?

The ability to write well is one of the most important skills to
acquire during your high school years. Not only will you need to
write well for your high school and college classes, but once you
move into the workforce, having good writing skills is a must. Use
the following tips to sharpen your writing skills….

Read often- variety, vocabulary

Practice Writing- different formats-emails, letters, essays, poetry,
short stories.

Write rough drafts- let thoughts flow.

Proofread- so reader will take you seriously
General College Information Websites:
All About College-http://www.allaboutcollege.com
CollegeNET-http://collegenet.com
College Confidential-http://collegeconfidential.com
GoCollege-http://gocollege.com
National Association for College Admission Counselingwww.nacac.com
National College Fairs-http://www.nacad.com/fairs.html
US News Online College Searchwww.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/cosearch.htm
The College Guide-http://www.mycollegeguide.org
CollegeView-http://collegeview.com
Educaid-http://www.educaid.com
Websites for Exploring College
Options and Financial Aid
Virtual Campus Tours
http://www.campustours.com
http://www.ecampustours.com
http://wwwcollegiatechoice.com
Standardized Tests
MHS High School Code#012112
ACT-http://www.act.org
SAT-http://www.collegeboard.com
Test Prep $$
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www.number2.com
www.petersons.com/testprep
http://www.satprepplan.com
http://www.vocabulary.com
www.eurekareview.com
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In Summary
The junior year is the most important academic year for college preparation. Juniors
should seriously consider their options, take standardized tests, and make college
visits. This is the year that students should look closely at themselves to help
determine which colleges or universities would be good matches.

Students attend the National College Fair at the BJCC on September 14th from
1:00-4:00.

Consider using college days (2) for college visits. Seriously consider using Spring
Break for college visits.

PSAT taken for National Merit consideration and last practice for SATs.

There will be a College Information Night in September.

By year’s end, students should have a list of schools, including “reach” schools,
“possible” schools, and “likely” schools.

Even though students have matured considerably, parents should not relinquish
their responsibility to monitor academic progress.

Students should again use the summer to explore a passion (job, internship,
academic course work, sports camp, travel, community service). Begin to collect
applications for the schools on your list.