O LYMPIAN H IGH S CHOOL “Where Champions Are Made”

TENTH GRADE NEWSLETTER Plan for your future; Plan to succeed!

The decisions you make in high school will shape your future. Plan carefully, to take advantage of the many opportunities available to you, and make the most of your high school experience. The road to success starts now, by creating positive short and long term goals and by creating a plan to reach those goals. Whatever post-secondary goals you may have, all good roads to your future go through high school. Learn and understand what’s required to complete your high school graduation and four year college entrance requirements (i.e., University of California and California State University A-G course sequence). HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

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CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIP FEDERATION (CSF) Four semesters are required for Life Membership Life members wear a distinctive, gold-colored stole and lead the student body at graduation.

8 credits English—4 years 9 credits Social Science  World Geography (Grade 9)—1 year  World History (Grade 10)—1 year  U.S. History (Grade 11)—1 year  U.S. Government & Economics (Grade 12)—1 year  Comprehensive Health—1 semester 6 credits Math—3 years (must include Integrated Math I, II, and III) 2 credits Life Science or Biology HONORS DIPLOMA 2 credits Physical Science, Chemistry, or Physics  Earn an A or B in 13 semester courses of Honors, Accelerated, 2 credits Fine Arts- 1 year or Advanced Placement classes (2 semesters in Senior Year) 4 Foreign Language—2 years  Earn an overall weighted 3.0 scholarship GPA 4 credits Physical Education—2 years  Earn a minimum of 3.0 GPA in citizenship 7 credits—Semester Electives = 44 credits Complete 30 hours of community service (Use verification forms available on school website (http://olh.sweetwaterschools.org > Students > Community Service) UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA/CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS (“A—G” requirements) The following courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better: (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) (G)

History/Social Science: 2 years required English: 4 years required Math: 3 years (including Integrated Math III) required, 4 years recommended Laboratory Science: 2 years required, 3 years recommended World Language: 2 years required, 3 years recommended Visual or Performing Arts: 1 year required College Preparatory Elective: 1 year required

Is a College Degree Really Worth It?

*Most college graduates earn a lot more money during their working years than people who stop their education at high school. College grads earn twice as much as workers with a high school diploma. Expected Earnings over a lifetime (Source: U.S. Census Bureau) No High School Diploma High School Diploma Some college, No Degree Associate’s Degree

$ 1 million $ 1.2 million $ 1.5 million $ 1.6 million

Bachelor’s Degree Master’s Degree Doctoral Degree Professional Degree

$ $ $ $

2.1 million 2.5 million 3.4 million 4.4 million

Compact for Success 10th Grade Campus Visit to San Diego State University Olympian High School Compact for Success candidates will be visiting the SDSU campus on September 9, 2016. Please return all permission slips to the counseling center ASAP! THE COMPACT FOR SUCCESS is a Guaranteed Admissions program between SDSU and the Sweetwater Union High School District. Who can participate?  Students must have enrolled as ninth graders in a school within the Sweetwater Union High School District and continue in the district until graduation ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS Students Upon Graduation Must:  Attain a 3.0 GPA in A-G courses  Complete all CSU A-G course requirements  Pass the ELM (Entry Level Math Placement Test) or its equivalent  Pass the EPT (Entry Level English Placement Test) or its equivalent  Have taken the SAT reasoning or ACT college entrance exams no later than October of the senior year  Complete all A-G courses with a “C” grade or better

SOPHOMORES—PLANNING FOR COLLEGE         

Take challenging courses including Advanced Placement or Honors classes if possible. Keep up your grades; strive for “A’s”. Compete in matches, contests, and competitions. If you qualify, apply for membership in the California Scholarship Federation (CSF) following the first semester of tenth grade. Stay active in extracurricular activities; become a leader in a club or organization or volunteer to be in charge of a project. Participate in the Compact for Success college visit to San Diego State University. Review the Requirements of the Compact for Success. Prepare for and take the PSAT (administered on site in October). Attend a college fair and speak to representatives from different colleges. Visit the websites for the colleges you are interested in; visit the college center and browse through college catalogs. Start planning to visit some local college campuses.

FACTORS INFLUENCING COLLEGE ADMISSIONS          

Grades in College Prep Classes Rigor of courses Admission Test Scores Grades in All Subjects Class Rank Counselor Recommendations Teacher Recommendations Essay or Writing Sample Interview Work/Extracurricular Experiences