CCS Freshman & Sophomore Update
1st Edition, 2021-2022 -CCS Office of School Counseling
Welcome to High School!
Whether you're in 9th or 10th grade, this has been your first fall of actually being AT your high school. It's not unusual if you're feeling both relieved and a little stressed! High school involves A LOT of new information, opportunities, experiences- and pressures. You are not alone. Most students around you are going through similar challenges, even if they don't show it.
You may not always have control over the things or people around you, but you can manage your stress by taking care of yourself. Try starting your day by listing the people and things you're grateful to have in your life. Need more ways to find your calm place? Click HERE.
Reach out to your school counselor if you need help with classes, handling personal issues or want to talk about your future options. We are here to help, and keeping conversations confidential is important to us. Find your School Counselor contact HERE.
To do list
- Keep track of your grades. Remember, classes are only one semester long this year so you only have until the end of this quarter to bring up your final grades! See below on how to calculate your final grades.
- Make sure to check your attendance every day for every class.
- 10th graders who did not earn scores of 684 or better on their Math 1 Ohio State Test should retake this test in December. See your counselor about this requirement.
- Attend a Virtual CCS College Credit Plus Meeting if you are interested in doing CCP classes next year, whether those classes are at your high school or at a college. See below to save the dates! The first meeting is November 16th!
- Follow the CCS Calendar for 9th Graders & the CCS Calendar for 10th Graders .
1. Earn Your Credits
- All CCS students must earn at least 22 specific credits.
- Students may earn their required credits at their high school, at a CCS career center, online through Credit Recovery or Credit Advancement APEX, through Credit Flex or through the College Credit Plus Program.
- Make sure you know what you need to be promoted each year! CCS Promotion Policy
- Students who go above and beyond basic requirements can earn CCS diploma distinctions. See the above planner for details.
- Students who earn certain credits, achieve certain GPA's and test scores may qualify for the Ohio Diploma with Honors.
2. Prove Competency
Earn competency scores of at least 684 on the Algebra 1/Math 1 AND English II end-of-course exams (Also called Ohio State Tests).
Not good at tests? There are three alternate options:
- Option 1. Demonstrate career readiness skills in Foundational and Supporting areas as shown in the planner above. Most, not all, CCS students will pursue the 12 point credential and the Ohio Means Jobs Readiness Seal.
- Option 2. Demonstrate military readiness.
- Option 3. Earn college level credit for one English or math course through the College Credit Plus Program.
3. Show Readiness
Students must earn at least TWO Seals, one of which must be a State Seal, to show you are college & career ready. You can start earning these NOW!
- OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal (Ohio)
- Industry-Recognized Credential Seal (Ohio)
- College-Ready Seal (Ohio)
- Military Enlistment Seal (Ohio)
- Citizenship Seal (Ohio)
- Science Seal (Ohio)
- Honors Diploma Seal (Ohio)
- Seal of Biliteracy (Ohio)
- Technology Seal (Ohio)
- Community Service Seal (Local)
- Fine and Performing Arts Seal (Local)
- Student Engagement Seal (Local)
Prefer to track your progress with a checklist?
How to Calculate Your Final Grades
CCS high school students earn all of their academic core requirements in semester credits, not year long credits. That means students will earn final grades each semester for classes in English, math science and social studies. If students fail a .5 semester course, they will have to RETAKE it in online credit recovery or summer school. This is why it is so important for students to stay on top of their assignments and grades - you earn FINAL grades every semester!
Understand the Grading Scale:
Click HERE and go to Page 2 of the CCS Grading Policy.
Know the formula:
First, ask each teacher if the course will include a final exam or final project. Knowing this will help you determine which formula to use below.
For classes without a final exam or project, calculate as follows:
Add the point values for each Quarter Grade and then divide by 2.
(Q1 GPA + Q2 GPA)/2 = Final Grade
For classes with a final exam or project, calculate as follows:
Multiply the point values for each Quarter Grade times 2. Add those totals to the final exam/project grade point value and divide by 5.
2(Q1 GPA + Q2 GPA) + Final Exam GPA, then divide by 5 = Final Grade
Try Using THIS Calculator. Remember, most classes are now semester classes. Some CTE courses are yearlong. Type your letter grade into the yellow boxes.
Tips to bring up your grades:
- Log in and attend every class every day. Record your attendance.
- Reach out to your teachers for help. They want you to do this!! Parents can schedule appointments too..
- Good students ASK QUESTIONS and advocate for themselves!
- Reach out to your school counselors for tips.
- Use FREE tutoring resources.
- Athletes: make sure to stay eligible for high school sports (bottom of page). Also know what you need to do NOW to be eligible for college athletics.
Stay on Track for College
- Make sure you are on track for college - use grade level checklists (like these from College Board) and sites like IvyWise (for more selective admissions) to steer you in the right direction.
- Attend any sessions offered by your school counselor and I Know I Can (our district's college access partner). Complete your SchooLinks (our college & career exploration program) activities.
- Learn about free college classes during high school (College Credit Plus).
- Learn about all the college basics HERE.
- Keep those grades up and take the most challenging courses you can handle. The courses you choose to take and how you do in them are the most important things in college admissions
Consider a CCS Career Center!
- CCS career center programs are some of the best kept secrets in our district. These programs not only prepare students for careers, most also provide college credit potential.
- 10th grade students will have the opportunity to visit career center with their schools and apply for one of the many programs at Columbus Downtown High School (CDHS) or Fort Hayes Career Center (FHCC).
- CDHS is a fulltime program. Students take there career tech and regular courses there. FHCC is a half-day program. Students attend both their high school and FHCC.
- It's important for students to stay on track with earning their credits so they have time to attend a career center.
Take Time to Focus on your Emotional Wellbeing!
- Get outside.
- Use a mindfulness and/or breathing app like Breathly.
- Monitor your moods using an app like MoodTools.
- Maintain a schedule!
- Connect with friends in healthy ways.
- Cook. Make meals with your family.
- Journal. Write about anything.
- List three things you're grateful for or happy about- once in the morning and once in the evening.
- Listen to music that makes you feel positive or calm.
- Tune out or disconnect from haters. Listen to people who want the best for you.
- Set healthy boundaries when other want too much from you.
- In crisis - need help? Reach out using THESE resources!
Resources for Parents
- Want tips and resources to help keep your child and the other teens close to you safe from drugs? Sign up for Know! Parent Tips and start talking!
- Want more mental health resources for your child? Click HERE and scroll down to Links for Parents.
- Need protective eye gear for your athlete? Superspecs provides free gear to families!
Worth the Watch: How to Learn anything better
Make sure to always get the latest updates!
There's information on this site for EVERY student, no matter what your goals are.