A Prepared Graduate

Is AnInformed Graduate

South Dade Senior HighStudent Services Department

Philosophy

South Dade Senior High is committed to encouraging our students to achieve high academic standards in order to graduate and successfully compete in this global economy.

The vast range of programs available are designed, simultaneously, to prepare students for college admissions and learn the necessary skills for employment immediately after graduation.

Are you ready to accept the challenge?

Tools for Success

Marketing Your Product

Academies & MAI

Graduation Requirements

Honors, Advanced Placement & Dual Enrollment

Grade Point Average (GPA)

10-Point Rule

Grade Forgiveness

Grade Promotion Requirements

Personal Success Plan

Saturday tutoring

Night School Recovery

FLVS

Bright Futures Scholarships

Review Student History

Marketing Yourself

In today’s competitive market, how do you go about marketing yourself?

Design and develop a more successful “you”.

The skills you acquire and the choices you make will ultimately determine your success and availability.

You determine your Market “ability”.

Special features, such as: skills, talents, interests, languages, certifications, awards, athletics, and community involvement.

ACADEMIES

ATTENTION:

Student transfers and students who are not currently in an Academy will be provided the opportunity to select three possible Academy choices. Based on space availability and academic eligibility, every effort will be made to honor one of the three Academy choices.

Students currently in an Academy will consult with their Academy Lead Teacher and their Academy Counselor regarding their Career Pathway.

Academy of International Education

Academy of Professional Services

Academy of Law Studies & Public Safety

Academy of Visual & Performing Arts

Academy of Sports & Health Sciences

Academy of International Finance, Business & Technology

Major Area of Interest (MAI)

GOT MAI ?

Major Area of Interest (MAI)

Ninth graders who entered high school in 2007-2008 and thereafter are required to select a major area of interest as part of their personal educational plan.

Selecting an MAI is an opportunity for you to choose electives that interest you.

You must earn 4 credits in a major area of interest, similar to college, which may be in the arts, advanced academics, or career preparation electives as in your Academy.

New Graduation Requirements24 Credit Program

4 English credits

4 Mathematics (Algebra 1, Geometry, & 2 courses at Algebra 1 level or higher)

3 Sciences (Earth/Space, Biology, & 1 course from the following: Chemistry, Physical Science, Integrated Science III or Physics)

3 Social Studies (World History, American History, and Government/Economics)

Foreign Language (Required for admissions to a state university, Bright Futures Scholarships, but not for graduation)

1 credit in performing/fine art or a practical arts course that uses artistic techniques and creativity

1 credit in physical education

8 elective credits (4 credits must be in your major area of interest)

2.0 GPA or higher

FCAT (Earn passing scores on both the Reading and Mathematics sections)

Community Service (Florida Bright Futures Academic Scholars Program requires 75 community service hours)

Are You Ready for Advanced Classes?

Honors Advanced Placement

Dual Enrollment

Honors Classes

Students interested in a more rigorous curriculum, presented at a faster pace, are encouraged to enroll in honors classes.

Preferred by college admissions

Students who earn a “C” or higher are awarded one bonus point toward their weighted Grade Point Average (GPA).

Students may participate based on academic performance and teacher recommendation.

Advanced Placement (AP)

AP classes are college-level courses selected based on academic performance and teacher recommendation

However, motivated students who desire the challenge can request an AP course.

Students who score a 3 on a 5-point scale on their AP exam in this May are awarded college credit.

Students who earn an “A” or “B” earn two bonus points toward their weighted GPA. Students who earn a “C” will be awarded one bonus point.

Dual Enrollment

Awesome opportunity for students to earn both college and high school credits

Free tuition and textbooks are provided

Classes are taken at Miami Dade College or F.I.U.

Those interested need a 3.0 unweighted GPA and pass the College Placement Test (CPT).

Grades earned at the college will remain on your college record (“C” is not acceptable)

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Your GPA determines your Market “ability”.

Students seriously interested in college need to strive for a “B” average.

GPA is used for various reasons:Recommendation letters for employmentGood student discount on car insuranceAthletics & Extracurricular ActivitiesCollege Admissions & Scholarships Rank, Honor Roll, & Honor Societies

2.0 GPA minimum for Graduation!

10-Point Rule

In an annual course, students must earn a minimum of 10 grade points (5 of those points must be earned in the second semester).

In a semester course, students must earn a minimum of 5 grade points. (Example: Personal Fitness)

To calculate, you double each nine-week grade. Midterm and final exam grades count as part of your class grade.

However, midterm and final exam grades are not doubled.

Grading Scale Used For Calculation

Grade 4.0 Scale

A 3.5 and above

B 2.50 – 3.49

C 1.50 – 2.49

D 1.0 – 1.49

Grade Forgiveness Policy

Students may retake a “D” or an “F” grade.

A grade of “D” or “F” in a required course may be replaced with a grade of “C” or higher in the same course.

With electives, you may replace a grade of “D” or “F” with a grade of “C” or higher with another elective.

The new grade will be used to calculate your GPA, but the lower grade will remain on your permanent record.

High School Credits Earned in Middle School

The exception to the Grade Forgiveness Policy shall be made for students who earned high school credits in middle school beginning in the 2007-2008 school year and earned a grade of “C”, “D”, or “F”.

If you earned high school credit in middle school, you may retake a “C” or lower with the same course or a comparable course.

Discuss with your counselor the benefits of retaking high school credits in middle school for college admissions and athletic eligibility.

If you have questions regarding the 10-point rule or grade forgiveness, please schedule an appointment to see your counselor to discuss in more detail.

Grade Level Promotion Requirements

Grade Level Total Credits Needed for Grade Promotion

9 4 credits (including one English or one Mathematics)

10 9 credits (including two English credits, one mathematics credit, and one science credit or one English credit, two

mathematics credit and one science credit)

11 16 credits (including three English credits, two mathematics credits, and two science credits or two English credits, three mathematics credits, and two science credits)

12 24 Credits

Personal Success Plan . . .

A Prepared Graduate is An Informed Graduate You are in the driver’s seat. Where do you want to go? How are you going to get there? Identify your career goal and develop an educational roadmap

to reach the goals you set. Surround yourself with successful people and learn how they

do it. Schedule an appointment to consult with your Counselor, the

Lead Teacher, or the CAP Advisor if you are in need of assistance.

Utilize the resources in school and in your community to help you stay focused on your ultimate goal.

Academic Resources

Students who are home-schooled, unable to attend school, or wish to earn additional high school credits can take courses online through Florida Virtual School (FLVS).

This free, accredited, online program provides academic courses

and electives.

FLVS allows you to accelerate, take a personal interest course, or do credit recovery

You must complete a minimum of three weekly assignments and maintain ongoing communication with your teacher to remain in the course.

Florida Virtual School www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org

Night School: Registration will be the 1st week in May. Night school is for credit recovery not acceleration.

www.FACTS.org

FACTS.org is Florida’s free online student advising website.

FACTS.org helps you make informed choices about your education.

You can explore career and investigate high school Major Areas of Interest (MAI).

You can see your high school transcript, evaluate graduation credits, college admissions, and see if you meet the Bright Futures Scholarship requirements.

Almost all jobs in today’s job market require higher level skills. So it is vital for you to challenge yourself in high school and pursue additional training or education once you graduate.

Bright Futures Scholarship Program

Bright Futures is a lottery funded program that offers three awards:

Florida Academic Scholars

Florida Medallion

Florida Gold Seal Vocational Award

Applicants must be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.

You may earn approximately $48 to $95 a credit hour depending on what type of post-graduate school they attend: a 2-year college, a 4-year college, or a career/technical center.

Bright Futures 15 Core Credits

Applicants must complete 15 Core Credits to qualify:

4 English

3 Math

3 Science

3 Social Studies

2 Foreign Languages

Your core GPA (3.0 – 3.5) is VERY important for college admissions and scholarship opportunities!!!

Subject Selection Timeline:

March 16, 2010Distribution of Credit History

Distribution of Subject Selection Sheets (SSS)

March 16, 2010 – March 18, 2010

Obtain the Required Signatures

Return SSS to Language Arts Teachers

Subject Selection by Academy Language Arts

New Online Subject Selection Program

Student Services Department ChairAcademy of Sports & Health Sciences

Mr. James Busse

Academy of International Education

Ms. Celia Almeida

Academy of Professional Services

Ms. Cindy Adams

Academy of International Finance, Business & Technology

Mr. Fred Burnside

Academy of Visual & Performing Arts

Ms. Nattacha Lezcano

Academy of Law Studies & Public Safety

Ms. Loretta Davis

College Assistance Program

Ms. Lou Gilman

CAP Advisor

TRUST Counselor

Mrs. Alexandra Smith

SPED Program

Dept. Chair Special Education

Annette Garcia

EBD Counselor

Katherine Meinecke