Refer to the following helpful resources for more information that you may find pertinent to course registration and completing the four-year plan.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
English courses – 4 credits Math courses – 4 credits Science courses – 4 credits Social Studies courses – 3 credits Health – 0.5 credit Personal Fitness – 0.5 credit CTAE, World Language, and/or Fine Arts courses– 3 credits Electives – 4 credits Total Required= 23 credits
PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS
In order to be considered “promoted” to the next grade level in high school, a student must earn a minimum number of credits by the end of each year. In other words, you have to pass your classes!
10th Grade = earned 5 credits by end of 9th grade 11th Grade = earned 10 credits by end of 10th grade 12th Grade = earned 17 credits by end of 11th grade
If a student fails to earn the required number of credits, he or she will be considered a “repeater” for the next year. Getting off-track in terms of credits means that a student will not graduate on time unless he or she completes additional coursework during summer school or by some other means. See your counselor for more info on these options.
Be aware that a student cannot move ahead of their cohort group (graduating class). Students do have the option to apply to graduate early (at the end of their third year or middle of their fourth year), but students must apply to be accepted to that program.
RIGOROUS COURSES REQUIRED FOR HOPE SCHOLARSHIP
Students who graduate in 2017 and beyond must complete at least four rigorous courses as part of their HOPE scholarship / Zell Miller Scholarship eligibility. The Georgia Student Finance Commission, the state agency that manages the HOPE programs, determines which courses are considered rigorous. Please be aware that "rigorous" does not necessarily mean Honors or AP; many on-level courses are considered rigorous by the GSFC. For a complete list, you can visit: https://tinyurl.com/y7tv9awy
PATHWAY COMPLETION
Students are expected to complete at least one Pathway sequence prior to graduation. A pathway consist of three sequential courses in a specific area of study (the courses must be taken in order). Students can complete a pathway in CTAE, academics, world language, and/or fine arts. If a student passes all of their courses during high school, he/she can actually complete multiple pathways. Students who complete a recognized pathway will receive a seal to place on their diploma.
world language courses required?
Students DO NOT have to take a world language to graduate from high school. HOWEVER, if a student wants to be eligible to enroll directly in a four-year college following his/her graduation from high school, he/she must complete two years (credits) of the same language. If a student does not complete two credits of the same language in high school, he/she can enroll in college - but they must begin at a two-year college or technical college.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) AND HONORS COURSES
Advanced Placement courses allow you to take a college-level class at the high school. The course is taught by a local high school teacher who has been trained to follow the class' college-based curriculum. At the end of the course, students have the option to take the class' AP test. If you score high enough on the AP test, you could earn college credit. Students who earn a passing grade in the course will have 10 additional points added to their final grade in that class. These additional points will count as part of the student's local Grade Point Average, which will be used to determine class rank and will be used for college admissions. However, these bonus points will not count toward the student's HOPE Scholarship G.P.A. The bonus points will be removed by the Georgia Student Finance Commission; however, the GSFC will award additional weight for AP courses when they calculate the student's HOPE G.P.A.
Honors courses follow the same state curriculum as non-honors courses, however, the content is studied at a much deeper level and it is often at a quicker pace than in a non-honors course. As long as a student earns a grade of 70 or above, 5 bonus points are added to the student’s average in the course (at the end). With HOPE Scholarship calculations for an honors course, however, zero points will be added to the HOPE G.P.A.
If you wish to take an AP and/or Honors class next year, please talk with the teacher you currently have in that subject area prior to February. During early February, academic teachers will enter their students' course recommendations for the next school year. If you wish to take an Honors or AP course that your teacher DID NOT recommend for you, please speak with your school counselor.
DUAL ENROLLMENT (FORMERLY "MOVE ON WHEN READY")
Students in grades 9-12 may be able to participate in the state’s Dual Enrollment program. This program allows you to earn both high school and college credit at the same time. There is an application process, and the deadline to enroll is April 29th. Please visit our Dual Enrollment page for more information!
WORK-BASED LEARNING
Approved juniors or seniors can leave to work in a job tied to their CTAE Pathway. If you work enough hours per week, you can leave for up to two blocks each term. Students must apply to participate in the WBL program. Either see Ms. Dorsey or Ms. Miller or go to nphswbl.weebly.comfor more information and to apply!
MINIMUM DAY
Approved seniors can either arrive or leave one period. There will be a window to apply for this program later in the year. Listen for announcements or keep checking the counselors’ website at http://gonphs.weebly.com/minimum-day.html
EARLY GRADUATION
Qualifying students may be eligible to graduate early from high school. All graduation requirements must be met in order to participate in this program. For more on this program, please visit the counselors’ website at http://gonphs.weebly.com/early-graduation.html