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Hacking Your Transcript to Fit Your Goals!

Freshman Academic Lesson

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Meet Your School Counselors!

Mrs. Vanterpool: R-Z Office Number 5
Mrs. Nalbone: L-Q Office Number 3
Mrs. Monto: E-J Office Number 2
Mrs. Weigel: A-D Office Number 1

Visit our Webpage HERE

Email is the best way to contact your counselor

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Before We Begin

Expectations

Attention to the front of the room
Electronic devices are used only when instructed
Maintain appropriate noise levels when working with partner or independently
Raise hand to ask questions, one person speaking at a time
Restroom and water passes will be held until the end of the lesson

Pre-Assessment and Materials

Materials:

Something to write with
Chromebook

Pre-assessment:

Follow this link: https://bit.ly/3LIEBvE

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TODAY We Will…

Topic: High school course planning 9th-12th grade to make your transcript match your goals.

Learn/Objectives:

Review course rigor categories and GPA points by grade
Review post-high school education and career options
Clearly define and understand the primary components of a high school transcript

Activities:

Create a sample 4 year high school course plan
Work with a partner to create a high school transcript–calculate GPA
Use a sample transcript to advise your partner on their post-high school options

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Pre-Test

Are these statement true or false?

You need 20 credits to graduation
GPA does not influence your post-high school options
The classes that you take in high school can align with your career goals

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Rigor!

Hack Tip #1

The pace and intensity of the course.

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Core Class Rigor

Standard

Worth standard GPA points.

Pace of the class and length of assignments are standard for the grade-level.

Honors

Worth .5 more GPA points.

Pace of the class may be a little faster.

Length of assignments may be longer and may require more work.

Select classes that are easier for you.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Worth 1 GPA more than standard.

Final college level exam in May.

Will earn college credit based on your exam score and university standards for transfer credits.

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Credits and Grades

A = 4 points, Honors = 4.5, AP = 5

B = 3 points, Honors = 3.5, AP = 4

C = 2 points, Honors = 2.5, AP = 3

D = 1 point, Honors = 1.5, AP = 2

F = 0 points, Honors = 0, AP = 0

Credits for Promotion:

10th grade (sophomore) = 6 credits

11th grade (Junior) = 13 credits

12th grade (Senior) = 19 credits

Graduate/High School Diploma = 27 credits

Potential Credits = 32 if you pass every class you take 9th-12th grade

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3 Things to Understand

Schedule

2 Semesters per year

Fall and Spring

4 classes per semester

2 core and 2 elective

Some AP courses are yearlong and are paired with another yearlong class. These classes are A day and B day

Graduation Requirements

4 English Credits

4 Math Credits

4 History Credits

3 Science Credits

2-4 credits in one CTE Pathway

2 world language credits if plan to apply to college

Credits and Attendance

You earn credit for every class that you take and pass with a 60% or higher

If you do not have the minimum number of credits at the end of a school year, you will not be promoted to the next grade.

If you miss 8 days of one class, you will not earn credit for that class. Even if have a passing grade.

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2 Options

What If I Fail A Class?

Retake the course the following semester or school year. This will suppress your old grade.
If you failed the course with at least a 50% you can do credit recovery the following semester or over the summer. This is self-paces and completely online.

Important Note: Failing a course means you missed a credit. Missed credits keep you from getting promoted and lead to dropping out of high school.

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Break Time!

2 minutes

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Hack Tip #2

Explore Your Options

Enroll: More education
Employ: Explore Career
Enlist: Military or Public Service
Entrepreneurship: Start your own business
Any other idea?!

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Education Options

13

Occupation/Career

Associates Degrees

2 years

High School Diploma

4 years

Bachelor's Degree

4 years

Bachelor’s Degree

Occupation/Career

Master’s Degree, MD, DDS, PHD

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Hack Tip # 3

Learn Admission Requirements

Community college: GPA 2.0
4-Year University ranges 2.5-5.0 GPA

Depends on the program type or university
Extracurricular activities, clubs, experience, SAT/ACT, recommendation letters and personal essay

Scholarships: GPA depends on the type of program
Career: Experience, credentials, resume and transferable skills
Military: ASVAB scores and basic training performance

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Match Courses with Interests and Goals

Use the sample student scenario and course offering list to create a 4 year course plan with your partner.

Consider:

Academic rigor, program admission requirements and interests

Hack Tip # 4

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Selecting Your Courses Per Year

Core Classes

1 Math

1 English

1 History

1 Science

Example:

Math 2
English II Honors
Biology Honors
Civic Literacy

Primary Electives

4 electives that you are super interested in taking

Example:

Spanish II
Foods and Nutrition I
Introduction to Engineering
Horticulture I

Alternate Electives (in case your primary elective choice is full or no longer offered.)

4 electives that you are kind of interested in and wouldn’t mind taking if your primary course is full.

Example:

Animal Science I
Business Management I
Visual Arts Beginning
Introduction to Broadcasting

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Discussion

Connect with the group next to you and compare your course plans.

Questions:

Why you chose certain courses for the sample student.

Did you consider course rigor?

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Break Time!

2 minutes

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Review and Compare Student Transcript

Student A

1st Semester:

English I 95 (4)

World History Honors 78 (2.5)

Health/PE 99 (4)

Introduction to Engineering 70 (2)

2nd Semester:

Math 1 90 (4)

Earth/Environmental Honors 87 (3.5)

Visual Arts Beginning 95 (4)

Spanish I 89 (3)

GPA: 3.37

Extracurriculars: JV Basketball, Freshman Class Secretary and Track

Student B

1st Semester:

English I Honors 98 (4.5)

Math 1 72 (2)

Visual Arts Beginning 70 (2)

Spanish I 88 (3)

2nd Semester:

Chorus 99 (4)

World History 72 (2)

Earth/Environmental 60 (1)

Business Essentials 85 (3.5)

GPA: 2.75

Extracurriculars: Yearbook

Discussion

Which student has the highest GPA?
Is one student’s academic record better than another?

Which one?
Why?

How could the student you think is lacking improve in their 10th and 11th grade years?
If these students were to apply to college right now, what do you think the outcome would be?

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Manage Your GPA

Write your quarter 1 grades on the sheet. Then calculate the GPA for quarter 1 using this formula:

Add the 4 courses and divide by 4.

Reflection: How does the GPA align with your current goals?

Hack Tip # 5

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Post-Test

Are these statement true or false?

You need 20 credits to graduation
GPA does not influence your post-high school options
The classes that you take in high school can align with your career goals

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Post-Test

https://bit.ly/4oOZmnH

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