CCS Freshman & Sophomore Update
3rd Edition: 2021-2022 *CCS Office of School Counseling
Headed for the Final Quarter!
Spring is almost here and masks are now optional. Get outside and do something fun (click the picture for ideas). It's also time to finish the school year strong and start thinking about how to spend you summer. See some tips below.
Need help? Find your School Counselor contact HERE.
Need the information from our earlier Senior UPdates? Click HERE.
Did you miss our first two newsletters with graduation information, calculating your grades, planning for summer, college prep information and Parents' Corner? Just CLICK HERE!
Reminders:
- Keep track of your grades. Do what you can NOW to bring up Quarter 3 grades. See below!
- Schedule a meeting with your teacher(s) and counselor for help on study skills and steps you can take to be more successful. See more help HERE and below!
- If you are interested in FREE College Credit Plus classes for next year, follow all directions on the CCS CCP site by the April 1 deadline!!
- Sophomores, investigate attending a career center next year! There are still spots left in some programs. Contact your school's CCRC/internship coordinator ASAP!
Grade Information
- Quarter 3 ends next week on March 22nd! Contact your teachers NOW to make up any work or improve grades for any assignments or tests.
- If you failed any required courses for Semester 1, YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE SUMMER SCHOOL TO CATCH UP! Registration is opens March 15th on the Parent Portal for our CCS Summer Experience options. Classes run June 21 - July 28.
- Another reason for summer school if you failed/do fail a course: you will not be promoted to the next grade level if you fail your English or math. You must also earn at least 5 credits each year, FOUR of which need to be in the required curriculum. See the whole CCS Promotion Policy.
Getting a Job Now & This Summer
Want to Find a Seasonal, Summer or Part-time Job?
- Check out all the opportunities, resources and tips under the Getting a Job During High School section on our RESOURCE SITE!
- If you do get a job, talk to your CCRC or school counselor about earning the OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal for graduation. You may need this to graduate and you might as well get it done!
Work Permits:
- If a current Columbus City Schools student, is between 14 and 17 years old, and wants to work they will need a work permit on file with the employer.
- Students who need a work permit may come to Central Enrollment for the application to be processed. No appointment needed.
- Applications and instructions are located on our district website.
- Office hours: 8:00 - 4:30 pm
- Students Information, Employer Information & Physicians Approval
Project-Based Learning!
Students who register for in-person Summer Experience opportunities will collaborate in unique, innovative project-based learning activities at one of the following sites (transportation provided to Spruce Run):
- Environmental Science: Spruce Run; Fort Hayes High School
- Photography: Spruce Run; Fort Hayes High School
- Creative Writing: Spruce Run Fort Hayes High School
- Physical Science: COSI; Fort Hayes High School
- English Language Arts 9: All High School Sites
- Algebra 1: All High School Sites
- US History: Fort Hayes High School
- AP Calculus Bootcamp: Fort Hayes High School
- AP English Literature and Composition Bootcamp: Fort Hayes High School
- AP English and Composition Bootcamp: Fort Hayes High School
All other summer school courses (both advancement and recovery) will be offered online on APEX.
Again, click here all CCS Summer School/Program Information.
Why Summer School?
Get ahead by taking a Credit Advancement:
- You may want to get a requirement, like Physical Education or Health, out of the way to make room in your schedule next year.
Retake courses through Credit Recovery:
- Earn any graduation requirements you failed in the past- summer school is the BEST time to do this when you can focus without a lot on your plate.
- Improve your grade(s) for courses you have already taken. See the CCS Grading Policy on retaking courses and how this could help your GPA and rank.
- Prospective DI/DII athletes should check with their counselor first before taking any online courses.
- Starting with one class outside of the regular school year might be a great way to start or continue CCP.
- Consider that some summer college courses cover a lot of material in a short time.
- Columbus State is the best place to start this summer. Ohio State Academy summer application is closed.
Important Information for Scholar-Athletes!
Stay Eligible in High School
- Maintain and pass at least five full courses each quarter for high school eligibility!
- Taking a College Credit Plus course? See how those courses are counted on this OHSAA Guide.
- Maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.
- Follow the OHSAA Student Eligibility Guide.
See more on high school athletic eligibility HERE. (Scroll to bottom.)
Want to compete at the DI or DII level in college? It starts NOW!
- Maintain AT LEAST a 2.3 cumulative GPA in your academic core classes, including English, math, social studies, science and world languages.
- Do not take your core classes on APEX/online- they are not approved courses.
- Earn required credits on time. See the Student Guide HERE.
- Work with an experienced coach or mentor who can help with the recruiting process.
See more information for Prospective Collegiate Athletics HERE. (Scroll to bottom.)
Graduation Testing Is Coming Up!
- Students must earn scores of 684 or better in Math1 or Algebra 1 and English 10 to meet Competency requirements for graduation. Students who do not earn these scores must retake the tests. If students are unable to meet these scores, they must pursue other Competency pathways for graduation (see graduation information above & meet with your counselor).
Students must also earn TWO Seals in addition to Competency requirements.
- Students who earn scores of 700 or better in Biology OR earn grades of B or better in an Advanced Science will earn the State Science Seal.
- Students who earn scores of 700 or better on the American History and American Government OSTs OR earn grades of B or better for American History and American Government will earn the State Citizenship Seal.
- Use OST prep resources on our site's Testing page.
Students who do not pass these tests:
- Study and retake this summer and/or next December.
College and Your Child
- Need help on how to explore different kinds of colleges? We have you covered! Click HERE for the resources you need to understand college options and find the right fit your your child.
- Plan to include a college visit during spring break travel- of visit a college nearby!
- Help your child connect with colleges. Find out how to do that HERE.
- Don't wait to understand how to finance college! Click on the Paying For College links on this PAGE.
Helping Your Teen with Time Management Podcast:
Make sure to always get the latest updates!
There's information on this site for EVERY student, no matter what your goals are.