Freshmen

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

* CST TESTING to Begin in April 2012: remember to do your best, be well rested, have a nutritious breakfast, and remain focused on test day!

* Important Info About  Schedule Changes!
Please be aware that our master schedule is built around student needs and requests from the previous year. There is an expectation that students will remain in their chosen year-long classes. Teacher preferences for courses will not be honored. Requests are not guaranteed due to class sizes, class offerings, and staffing. Counselors will be available via email and appointment. Thank you.

* Keep your grades competitive: As you work with your counselor to plan your classes, remember that UC and CSU colleges require a minimum of 15 core academic courses that you must complete with a “C” or better. You will also need to have a strong GPA and take a college entrance test in your junior or senior year. If you are struggling with academics, please seek help by speaking with your teachers and attending our tutoring. You may also see your counselor for other academic tutoring resources.

* Good Attendance is Important! Attend all classes on time so that you don’t miss vital information from your teachers. Be sure that your parents clear your excuseable absences within 3 days by contacting the Attendance Office. Do not arrive more than 10 minutes late or cut any class. Such decisions result in LOSS OF CREDIT that you may need to recover in order to graduate.

* FALL SEMESTER: Explore various extracurricular activities, like joining clubs, sports teams, to find what you enjoy. Challenge yourself by taking college preparatory courses. The key to a successful start to High School is to Get Involved!

* SPRING SEMESTER: Work with your counselor to plan your courses for grades 10, 11, and 12. When appropriate, take Honors and Advanced Placement classes, as they help you to prepare for college. Be aware of any prerequisites for these courses, too. Know tourf A-G college entrance requirements.

* Explore College Majors and Careers: One useful website is www.assist.org that helps you explore the California Higher Education System; you can also find other sites on our “Helpful Websites” link in the Academic Counseling Section.

* SUMMER: If necessary, repeat any courses that are required for graduation or college entrance. You can also find a summer job, do volunteer work, complete any summer assignments for Honors or AP courses you will take in your 10th grade year. You can even read for pleasure to build your vocabulary.

* STUDY SKILLS/GOOD TIME MANAGEMENT: It is important that you develop these skills this year, so that you can be successful in all of your classes. A great website to guide you is at http://www.studygs.net/index.htm where you can find information about such good study habits. Remember to complete your assignments/homework on time and ask your teachers for help when you need it.