High School PlanningHigh School Planning

Graduation Requirements In order to receive a high school diploma from

Mesa Public Schools, students must:

Complete the credit requirements for one of the two offered diplomas:

Standard Diploma Scholastic Diploma

*Meet attendance requirements

*Meet or Exceed the Standard in all three areas of the Arizona Instrument to

Measure Standards (AIMS) in:

Reading Writing Math

Curriculum Mesa Schools Standard Diploma I can go to community college, the military, or technical school.

Mesa Schools Scholastic DiplomaI can go to a 4 year college or university.

AZ University Entrance

English 4 4 4

Math 4Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, +

an additional math

4Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, +

an advanced math

4Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, +

an advanced math

Science 3Biology, a physical science, + 1

additional science

3Biology, Chemistry, + 1 advanced

science

3Biology, Chemistry, + 1 advanced

science

Social Studies 3World History, Am. History,

Govt./Econ.

3World History, Am. History,

Govt./Econ

2World History, Am. History,

Govt./Econ

World Language 0 2(same language)

2(same language)

Arts 1(fine or practical)

1(fine)

1(fine)

P.E. 1 1 0

Electives 6 4 4

Total 22 22 20

Grade Point Average no minimum GPA 3.0 + 3.0

AIMS reading, writing, math reading, writing, math take at least 2 weighted courses

What are grade points and weighted grades? Grade points are the numeric equivalent

of letter grades An “A”, for instance equals 4 grade

points Weighted grades are worth additional

grade points A weighted “A” is worth 5 grade points

What is a G.P.A.?

Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) is a numerical average of all the grades you’ve earned for all the classes you’ve taken in high school

GPA is calculated by totaling your grade points and dividing that total by the total number of classes you’ve taken

Calculating your GPA

Total number of classes taken

Total number of grade points earned in all your classes

9th Grade Report Card

Subject Grade Points Credit

English C 2 1

Algebra A 4 1

World Studies B 3 1

Essential Elements of Science

B 3 1

P.E. C 2 1

Spanish I B 3 1

Total 17 6

G.P.A. = 2.83 (17/6)

What is class rank?

Class rank is a measure of how your academic performance compares to other students in your graduating class

Colleges often use class rank as a factor in college admissions and for awarding scholarships

The College Core

Beginning with the class of 2013, Mesa Public Schools will use our core courses, or the College Core, as the basis for determining class rank. 

Core courses fall in the categories of English, Math, Natural/Physical Science, World Languages, and Social Science.  

We will total the number of grade points earned in the 17 core courses and divide that number by 34.  If students take more than the minimum number of core courses, we will take the highest grade points earned in that particular core area.

The College Core Courses

Subject Area Total Credits Total Semesters

English 4 8

Math 4 8

Laboratory Science 3 6

Social Science 3 6

World Language 2 4

Fine Arts 1 2

Total 17 34

What the College Core is not

College Core is not to be confused with a Grade Point Average (GPA)

GPA is calculated using the sum total of all your grade points and dividing by the total number of classes

The College Core is calculated by adding up your highest grade points in the 17 core academic areas and dividing by 34.

When and where

Your College Core will first appear on your high school transcript at the completion of your junior year

At the completion of your junior year, we will be dividing by 34, so the College Core will look low, at first.

At the completion of the junior year, those students who have taken the most rigorous schedule of advanced courses and earned the most grade points will have the highest College Cores

The importance of planning

Those students who have taken the most rigorous schedule of college preparatory courses and earned the most grade points will have the highest College Core and will be ranked highest in their graduating class. 

Those students who do not take College Core courses or have fewer grade points will have lower College Cores and will be ranked lower in their graduating class. 

Set your plans in motion

Decide what you want to do after you graduate from high school

Decide what classes you’ll need to take to get you where you want to be

Take as many advanced or college preparatory classes as you can

Earn the most grade points you possibly can by earning the best grades you can

Service Learning

Earn the Graduation Honor for Excellence in Service Learning by working 150 hours for a non-profit organization between 9th and 12th grades

See Mrs. Bodine during 4th quarter this year to get an application.

Once your application is approved, you will receive a time card to keep track of your hours over the summer.

Next fall, you will turn in your time card to the Service Learning coach at Red Mtn. H.S.

Kuder Career Navigator

www.mpsaz.kuder.com user name: st + ID number (ex: st111111)password: shepherd (no capitals)

Graduation Make It Happen

This is a booklet with LOADS of information about *graduation requirements*ACT/SAT*the state Education/Career Action Plan (ECAP)

Follow these links to the online booklet:www.mpsaz.orgDepartments (bottom right)Student Support Services/Guidance and CounselingSecondary Counselingleft hand menu:  Graduation/Post-Graduation2011-12 Graduation Make It Happen

AZ High Honors Tuition Scholarship

The Arizona Board of Regents High Honors Tuition Scholarship (AIMS Scholarship) is a university academic merit scholarship administered by the Arizona Department of Education on behalf of the Arizona Board of Regents.

Qualified students who graduate from high school in 2013 and beyond will receive a 25% in-state university tuition scholarship.

Part 1 (Course Competency)

• Students must complete all 16 Core Competency Courses by graduation with a B* or better in each unit of credit awarded or receive an acceptable score on the Advance Placement (AP) test or a 4 on the International Baccalaureate (IB) test for that subject area.

• The 16 Core Competency Courses as defined by the Arizona Board of Regents Tri-University Admission requirements are: 4 units English; 4 units Math; 3 units Lab Science; 2 units Social Science; 2 units Foreign Language; and 1 unit Fine Arts.

• * A "C" in a weighted course in any credit bearing unit of a core course does not convert to a "B". The grade is as reflected on the student's transcript.

• - If a student receives a "C" in a core course he/she must complete one of the following options to remain eligible:

• Retake the unit of credit and receive a "B" or better• Take an additional unit of credit in that subject matter and receive a “B” or better• Receive an Acceptable Score (See Table 1) on the Advance Placement (AP) Test

or a 4 on the International Baccalaureate (IB) test for that subject area

Part 2 (GPA/Class Rank)Students must meet at least ONE of the

following academic requirements:

Option 1 - GPA: A CORE GPA of 3.50 IN THE 16 CORE COMPETENCY COURSES on an un-weighted 4.00 scale.

Option 2 - Class Rank: Student is in the top 5% of high school graduating class upon graduation.

Part 3 (AIMS Exams)Students must meet the following assessment

options:• Option 1: EXCEED Standards on all 3 of the AIMS Exams

(Reading, Writing, and Math) by the end of junior year. The AIMS Science exam does not count as one of the 3 AIMS exams, for purposes of this scholarship.

• Option 2: EXCEED Standards on 2 of the AIMS HS Exams (Reading, Writing, and Math) and MEET Standards on 1 of the AIMS HS Exams by the end of their junior year. Additionally, student would need to receive a minimum score of 3 on any two Advanced Placement tests or a minimum score of 4 on any two International Baccalaureate exams. AP/IB exams may be taken during the senior year. For additional information, see FAQ #12.

Part 4 (SAT1/ACT)

• Students must meet at least one of the following admissions test options and submit scores to the university they apply to

• Option 1: At least a 28 on the ACT test

• Option 2: At least a 1300 on the SAT1 test (critical reading & math, excluding essay)

8th grade timeline

September26 - 30: Kuder Navigator begin four-year plan for high school (one day per English teacher)

October 17 - 21: finish four-year plans (one day per English teacher)

October 24 – 28: ACT Explore Exam Jan.-Feb.: Explore results and high school registration April 16 – 20: AIMS May: Choices unit with counselors