Grand Prairie High School

Freshmen: Welcome to High School

Mr. Arendse, Principal Ms. Christi Farish, Dean of

Curriculum/Instruction Mr. Tarvin, Assistant Principal Ms. Tate, Assistant Principal Ms. Fox, Assistant Principal Mr. Lewis Robinson, Assistant Principal Mr. Benny Reed, Assistant Principal

Administration

Latonya Irving A-Casti Melisa Hohnstreiter Casto-Gan Jacqueline Rodgers Gar-John Aracely Coleman Jol-Mon Charita Lovely Moo-Roc Janet Farris Rod-U Patricia Calahan V-Z Blanca McGee Social Worker Danita Peterman CTE Counselor Eunice De La Barcena Registrar Beatrice Ramirez Counseling Clerk

Counselors and Other Support Staff

*Texas A & M University* Bachelor of Art (B.A.)

SociologyProvides assistance with the following:

Financial aid application College application assistance

Scholarship searches College/Universities searches Registering for the ACT/SAT

Assistance with college essays (editing, etc)

ADVISE TX AdvisorMr. Cuellar

Research data says . . . All the relevant data

supports that the transition from middle school to high school is the single most

challenging academic transition a young person

will experience.

Research data says . . . If the 9th grade year is successful chances are

greater that the student will successfully complete high school and will have

options available upon graduation.

The 2 Biggest Challenges for 9th Grade Students and their Parents:

• Attendance and Punctuality

• Realization that the High School program requires effort and responsibility on the part of the student.

Attendance

• All students are expected to attend regularly in accordance with public school laws.

• Students must be in attendance for 90% of the number of days scheduled in a semester in order to receive credit for each class.

AttendanceWhen a student’s attendance drops below 90 percent but remains at 75 percent of the days the class is offered, the student may earn credit for the class by completing a plan approved by the principal – usually attendance school and there may be a small fee. Denial of credit may be considered if attendance requirements are not met.

Attendance Being in school every day raises your student’s

chances for scoring well on tests, and securing college admission and scholarship opportunities. Helping your child make regular attendance at school a habit now, can carry over when they seek employment.

Students who attend school regularly learn more and are more successful in school than students who do not. Parents who make school attendance a priority are also helping their children learn to accept responsibility. That is an important lesson for a successful life.  

Punctuality

There are natural consequences for lateness to school and lateness to classes.

Detention and calls to parents are examples of consequences. Students can also receive

ISS (in-school suspension) for chronic tardiness.

Helping Students Find Their Way

Post-Secondary Education, College Readiness Preparation, and Planning

Education Beyond High School

What are Your Options? 4-Year Universities

Community Colleges/2 Year College Trade Schools

Professional Schools

What is Post-Secondary Education?

College readiness means that a student can enter a college classroom, without remediation, and successfully complete entry-level college requirements.

Students that are enrolled in remediation courses in their first year of college have only a 17-39% graduation rate (College Board 2004).

What is College Readiness?

Research colleges and universities Create a college research file Visit college campuses Meet with college representatives Go to www.bigfuture.org/college-search to

build a college list Go to http://www.texasrealitycheck.com/ to

find out how much money you will need to support your future lifestyle and to determine what kind of career you will need

Planning and Preparing for College – This is Your Time to……….

Planning and Preparing for College

Take the PSAT

Know your G.P.A and Rank

Considering postsecondary education

Attend college/career fairs

Deciding to attend college

Selecting high school courses to prepare for postsecondary training (Pre-AP/AP)

Maintaining good grades

Discussing educational and career goals with counselors, teachers, and parents

Obtaining information about colleges and academic programs

Obtaining information about financial aid opportunities (loans, grants, scholarships)

Exploring college majors and career interests

Community service

Student organizations (Student Council)

Selecting a College/University

Size Location

Academic Programs Campus Life

Cost Diversity

Other Activities

What’s Important

What do I want to achieve in the future? What kind of career am I interested in? What are my strengths and interests?

How can I find which careers are best for me?

If I go to college, where will I go? Should I stay close to home or should I go

far away?

Ask Yourself These Questions

What are the pros and cons of staying close to home and going far away?

Should I go to a university, community college, technical school, or military?

What will it cost? How can I afford college?

Will I have to work and go to school? Is there financial aid available if I don’t get a

scholarship?

Ask Yourself These Questions

College TestingACT, SAT, and TSI

ACT◦ www.actstudent.org◦ Fee waiver available for qualified students ◦ Needed for 4 year universities

SAT◦ www.collegeboard.com ◦ Fee waiver available for qualified students◦ Needed for 4 year universities

TSI◦ Needed for 2 year universities only

College Testing

Scholarships Websites

www.scholarships.com www.collegexpress.com www.collegeanswer.com

www.fastweb.com www.collegeboard.com

www.collegenet.com www.scholarshipmonkey.com

www.cappex.com www.zinch.com

www.scholarshippoints.com www.nextstudent.com

www.studentscholarships.org www.scholarshipexperts.com

www.supercollege.com www.scholarshiphunter.com

Scholarships Websites

College Research Websites

www.collegeboard.org www.actstudent.org

www.Gentx.org www.utexas.edu/world/univ/alpha

www.careersandcolleges.com http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/

www.bigfuture.org/college-search http://www.texasrealitycheck.com/

www.collegemajors101.com College-insight.org

nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ www.collegeview.com

www.goseecampus.com www.unigo.com

https://collegeprowler.com www.collegeview.com

College Research & Important Websites

Talk to your school counselor Take the PSAT Take more challenging courses Attend college/career fairs Research colleges/universities Plan college visits Research scholarships and other financial

aid Research the school of choice

Reminders