Surviving Senior Year

Douglas Anderson
School of the Arts

Duval County
Graduation Requirements

24 credits
2.0 overall unweighted GPA
Pass the reading FCAT
Pass the Algebra 1 EOC exam
Take one on-line high school
course through DVIA (Duval
Virtual Instruction Academy) or
FLVS if DVIA not available

Duval County
Graduation Course Requirements
English 4 credits
Math 4 credits (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II,
additional math) taken in middle or high school in 2007-2008 or
thereafter

Science 3 credits (1 Biology, 1 Physical Sciences, 1

additional science)

Social Studies 3 credits (1 World History, 1 US

History, Economics, American Government)

World Language 2 credits

HOPE 1 credit
Practical or Performing Fine Art 1 credit
Electives 6 credits

In addition to the standard diploma requirements, students seeking

diploma designations/seals must earn:
Honors Diploma Seal
A minimum of seven high school honors level courses
Overall 3.5 ranking GPA

Scholar Diploma Designation

Credit in at least one AP or DE course
Credit in Algebra II AND in Statistics or an equally rigorous course
Credit in either Chemistry or Physics AND in an equally rigorous
course
Earn 2 credits in the same world language
Passing scores on the Biology, US History, and Algebra II EOCs
Merit Diploma Designation
Earn 1 or more industry certifications (cinematic arts only)

Promotion Criteria
To Grade

Credit Requirement

Other

10

5 Credits: Including1 English or 1 Math

N/A

11

12 Credits: Including 2 English and any

combination of 2 Math and/or Science

N/A

12

18 Credits: Including 3 English and any

combination of 4 Math and/or Science

1.5 GPA or above

11th Grade Checklist

PSAT in October

National Merit Scholarship

Study Junior year is most important

Continue Activities
SAT/ACT in Spring (register for January test)
College ready!

Continue Career Development/College Exploration

Naviance Account

Meet with Counselor

View your Bright Futures Scholarship eligibility at

www.flvc.org
EOC and AP exams

College Ready Know the scores!

SAT

ACT

PERT

Critical
Reading*

440

Reading*

19

Reading*

106

Math*

440

Math*

19

Math*

114

English

17

Writing

103

Summer To Do list
Self Assessment and Career Exploration
Narrow list of college
Naviance

Draft essays
Visit colleges
Start college and scholarship applications
Compile deadlines
Draft resume
Naviance

Decide on letters of recommendations

Continue service

Senior Workshop
Counselors will visit senior English

classes in early fall to discuss:

Senior year
Diplomas and transcripts
College application procedure
SAT and ACT
Financial aid and scholarships
RED days for guidance activities
Fall NACAC College Fair

12th Grade Checklist Fall

Meet with your counselor!
Study senior year grades are important
Post Secondary Readiness
Take SAT and ACT www.collegeboard.com, www.act.org
NAVIANCE
Continue activities /community service and document
Prepare college applications - Use www.flvc.org, the common

application, or school-specific websites

Letters of Recommendation
Write Essays
Prepare Resume

Request transcripts from guidance office

View your Bright Futures Scholarship eligibility at www.flvc.org
Research and apply for scholarships

12th Grade Checklist Spring

Meet with your counselor!
View your Bright Futures Scholarship eligibility at

www.flvc.org
Keep grades up, colleges may rescind admission for
falling grades
Continue to take the SAT/ACT
Apply for scholarships and financial aid (students
will receive senior newsletters and scholarship
bulletins and should visit the DA guidance
webpage, Counselor Corner Blog, and Senior Page)
Fill out the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov
Attend Beacon financial aid workshop, financial aid
night, and senior parent night
Follow up with colleges to confirm your attendance

What is on the Transcript?

Biographical Information - check for accuracy
Official record of high school work
Cumulative: 9th - 12th grades (MS if its a HS

course); all courses and final averages count

Students schedule
Weighted GPA and unweighted GPA ONLY
Rank in class
Community service hours only
Standardized test results
Is reviewed by counselors yearly for accuracy
Students can obtain copy through guidance

Grade Point Average

State, Unweighted, Graduation GPA (4.0 scale)
District, Weighted, Ranking GPA (extra quality point

for each honors, AP, DE course)

Re-calculated, Academic GPA (half of an extra quality

point for each honors course, whole point for AP, DE)
i.e. State University Schools in Florida

Florida Bright Futures GPA (16 core academic credits

and up to 2 eligible additional academic credits and/or

AP arts credits - half an extra quality point for each
honors and AP course). Go to www.flvc.org

Community Service &

Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities and community service are

hot items! Participation throughout grades 9-12 is

most important (includes summer before ninth
grade)
track all service, extracurricular activities,

accomplishments, honors and awards

obtain pre-approval for current year/upcoming service
submit all documentation for bright futures/silver cord
to History teacher

What kind of activities are important?

Quality participation in a few activities
Community service vs. volunteer service
Service and involvement in the school
Leadership and/or significant contributions

College Visit Procedure

If the visit causes you to miss class(es) at DA, the
absence will be excused if the following
procedure is followed.
for Juniors and Seniors only

Pick up an application in the Deans Office.

Turn in the application to the Attendance

Office at least two weeks prior to the

college visit.
Approval will only be granted for formal
invitations and open houses.
Upon return to school bring a note signed by
both a university representative and your

Important Websites
www.duvalschools.org
www.da-arts.org/student-services/bulletin-board
www.douglasandersonguidance.blogspot.com
www.naviance.com
www.cyberguidance.net
www.finaid.org
www.scholaraid.com
www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov
www.flvc.org
www.fastweb.com
www.zinch.com
www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org
www.flchoices.org