High School Student/Parent Handbook

High School Graduation Requirements and Academic Pathways (IHF-6) 

High School Year at a Glance 

Freshman Year 

• Create a GAfutures account at GAfutures.org to explore and plan for college and your career. 
• Start thinking about careers you may be interested in and choose your classes accordingly. You can also check out the “Career Exploration” section on GAfutures to help you determine your interests and the different types of careers out there. 
• Use Academic Planner in the student portal to view your course progression for the next 4 years of high school. 
• Ask your counselor or teachers what Advanced Placement courses are available and whether you are eligible and how to enroll. Use your PSAT 8/9 results to determine which AP classes you are prepared to take in high school. 
• Start building your high school portfolio. Keep track of your awards, recognitions, and extracurricular activities (volunteering, sports, band). 
• Your HOPE GPA begins calculating as soon as grades are posted after the first semester of your 9th grade year, so start off strong in 9th grade with good study habits. 
• Get involved in a school club, sport, or extra-curricular activity at school. Participation in these activities is important when it is time to apply to college and create a resume for a job. 
• Check your HOPE GPA on GAfutures after your first year. 
• Sign-up to take the PSAT in October. There is a small charge to take the test as a 9th grade student. Contact your counselor for more information. 

Sophomore Year 

• Register for the PSAT in October to determine college and career readiness for college admissions and to help determine which AP courses you are likely to be successful in. 
• Use the FAFSA4caster to help understand your options for paying for college. 
• Know your graduation requirements and take challenging classes. 
• Talk to your counselor about Dual Enrollment and your educational opportunities after high school – college, military, and career. 
• Check your HOPE GPA through your GAfutures account beginning in 10th grade to see if you are on track to be eligible for the HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship. 

Junior Year 

• Register to take the SAT or ACT if applying to colleges and universities. For the Technical College System of Georgia, students can take the ACCUPLACER assessment to determine readiness. Use the score reports and SAT/ACT resources to improve your score on future administrations. 
• Research colleges and university admission requirements and programs offered that align to your career goals. 
• Visit your top college/university choices for a campus tour. Check with your counselor for an approved absence if the college is outside 50 miles of the local area. 
• If you plan on competing in Division I or II college sports, talk with your coaches about your options. Contact college athletic departments at schools you would like to attend and be sure to register with the NCAA Initial- Eligibility Clearinghouse. 
• Check your HOPE GPA through GAfutures 
• Start researching scholarships that you can apply for as a senior. 
• Take Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses. Use Georgia College Credit Transfer tool to determine where the course credits and AP scores will transfer. 

Senior Year 

• Discuss your plans after high school with your counselor. 
• Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 
• Check your HOPE GPA in GAfutures account. 
• Review your transcript and current schedule in the student portal for accuracy. 
• Apply to colleges early for early acceptance. 
• Helpful websites: 

Advisement Program and Procedures 

Each school provides an advisement program for its students using counselors and subject area teachers for help with course selection, program of study, and graduation requirements. The following advisory services are provided in the advisement program. Every student and parent will be advised of all graduation requirements. Every student will be assisted in reviewing personal career goals and objectives in planning an educational program for the high school years which will be compatible with career objectives. Every student will discuss course options that lead to career and post-secondary goals. Every student will be advised individually on an annual basis of his/her progress toward graduation and will receive assistance in meeting any difficulties encountered. Sufficient time will be scheduled so students can ask questions about courses or sequence of courses in various subject areas. Students will be advised of post-secondary options for their junior and senior years. 

Multi-Year Academic Planner (MYAP) 

Students and parents have access to Academic Planner in the parent and student portal. The MYAP allows students to choose an academic pathway up to four years in advance of graduation and then track their progress in real time. Students and parents should periodically check academic planner and inform your counselor of any requested changes. Check the “Information” tab on the district website for directions on how to create a portal account. 

Registration Procedure 

Students register for courses once each year and must select seven classes (3.5 units) for each semester except seniors. Seniors that qualify must take a minimum of six courses. Before registration, the counselor will schedule a special advisement period so each student's record may be reviewed. Students should register for the level of courses recommended by the subject teacher. Parents should indicate their approval of a student’s course selections by using the Multi-Year Academic Planner in parent portal. 

Course Catalog 

The High School Course Catalog lists all courses that are approved to be taught in high school. The catalog is available on the district website under Curriculum, Assessment Instruction Division. In the catalog, the following information is listed for each course. 

• State Course Number
• Pre-Requisite courses
• Credit: 0.5 or 1
• Grade level
• Core or Elective course
  

Course availability is based on student demand during registration. Courses listed in the catalog are designed as required (r), core (c) and elective (e). Required courses are specific courses within certain subject areas that must be satisfactorily completed in order to meet graduation requirements. These required courses must be taken and passed by every student. Core courses are chosen from English/Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies which must be passed for a high school diploma. Modern (Foreign) Language courses are also required for entrance into four-year post-secondary colleges and universities. Elective courses are courses that a student may select beyond the core requirements to fulfill the unit requirements for graduation. The number of elective courses taught at each high school is determined by enrollment in the courses. 

Course Selection 

Students, with parental approval, will select courses each school year. The selections should be based on needs, abilities, and graduation requirements. Students who plan to attend a post-secondary school which meets their career goals should take courses related to their unique skills, talents, and interests. Students should determine the particular entrance requirements for the college(s) or tech schools in which they are interested and should register for the appropriate high school courses needed to meet entrance requirements. Special attention should be given to the areas of mathematics, science, and foreign language since college requirements may vary in those areas. Colleges in the University System of Georgia require that students have four units of English, four units of mathematics, four units of science, three units of social science, and two units of the same foreign language. This is subject to change as the University System reviews its entrance requirements. All students currently enrolled in grades 9 through 12 are recommended for courses by their teachers in various subject areas. These recommendations are made on the basis of test data, past and present classroom performance, and teacher evaluation. Individual and careful consideration is made in order to ensure maximum educational opportunity for every student. Students may register for any course at or above the recommended instructional level. Courses that are requested most frequently will be incorporated into the school’s master schedule. Courses requested by fewer than 18 students, or for which staff and rooms are not available, will not be offered until they can be accommodated. A student must register for seven classes during each of the eight semesters of high school except for students using senior privilege period. Parents who wish to discuss a student’s program of study and course selection should arrange for a conference by calling the school’s counseling office. 

Course Changes 

One of the most critical functions performed by the counseling office is the pre-registration of students. Based upon pre-registration information, courses are scheduled, and teachers are employed and assigned for the next year. Students have the option to change courses selections for the following year during the spring semester drop/add period. After the drop/add period during the spring semester, schedule changes will be granted only for requests which correct scheduling errors, equalize class enrollments, or are necessary for seniors to graduate. 

Course changes, including withdrawals from rigorous AP and Gifted classes, will not be granted; therefore, it is important to select your classes very carefully during registration. 

Student/Parent Portal 

All parents in the Columbia County School District have access to a Parent Portal account. Parent Portal provides parents with a variety of information to keep parents informed of students’ progress. If you already have Parent Portal access, login here: Parent Portal Login. To create a new Parent Portal account Click Here to set up your username and password. 

You only need one Parent Portal account. If you have more than one student, your other student(s) will appear in your account. After creating your account and logging in to the portal, click on Today in the left menu, then use the drop-down menu in the upper right corner to select your other student(s). 

If you have questions or are unable to activate Parent Portal, please contact your child's school for assistance. For all Infinite Campus Parent Portal password resets, please email the [email protected]. 

Full-Time Enrollment and Eligibility for Sports 

Per policy IED, students in grades 9-12 shall be scheduled for a minimum of seven class periods for each day enrolled. Seniors may request approval to reduce the instructional day by no more than one segment provided the following requirements are met: 

• Students are on track to meet graduation requirements, and 
• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 80 or better, and 
• Have a maximum of 5 excused absences and no unexcused absences in the previous semester, and 
• Have no disciplinary infractions resulting in ISS/OSS in the previous semester, and 
• Have signed parent approval to be exempt from the Columbia County High School Experience extended learning opportunities. 
• To be eligible to participate and/or try out for a sport or activity, a student must be enrolled full time in grades 9-12 at the school seeking eligibility for that student. The student must be taking courses that total at least 2.5 units that count toward graduation. 

Additional Information 

Aptitude Assessments

HOPE Scholarship Program

Georgia's HOPE Scholarship is available to Georgia residents who have demonstrated academic achievement. The scholarship provides money to assist students with a portion of the tuition cost at a HOPE Scholarship eligible college or university. Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship has program eligibility requirements, academic requirements, and a length of eligibility. Go to the HOPE Scholarship website for more information.

What is the HOPE Scholarship?

• HOPE Scholarship Academic Eligibility Requirements as an entering freshman at an eligible college or university in Georgia (after high school graduation or home study completion) must meet the following criteria:
• Graduate with a minimum 3.0 calculated HOPE GPA.
• Earn a minimum of four full rigor credits from the Academic Rigor Course List.

• Meet U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen requirements;
• Meet the postsecondary institutions Georgia Residency requirements;
• Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at a USG, TCSG or eligible private HOPE or Zell Miller eligible college or university in Georgia;
• Be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements;
• Meet academic achievement standards;
• Be in good standing on all student loans or other financial aid programs;
• Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990;
• Not have exceeded the maximum award limits for any HOPE program

• Students graduating from an eligible high school must earn four full academic credits from the list of rigor courses in addition to other requirements to be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship. Credits received must be from advanced math, advanced science, foreign language, and Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or Dual Enrollment core course categories. Discuss course options with your high school counselor if you are not sure whether a course meets the rigor requirement

• GSFC calculates the HOPE GPA based solely on core course data (English, math, social studies, foreign language, and science including specific fourth science courses) transmitted from the high school, by June 30, for Georgia public and private high school graduating seniors.

• You may view your high school calculated HOPE GPA by signing into your GAfutures account and select My High School HOPE GPA. Upon completion of your first college term, you may view your college calculated HOPE GPA by signing into your GA futures account and select My College HOPE Profile.

• The Georgia Student Finance Commission calculates HOPE averages based on transcripts submitted by the Columbia County School District. The school district does not calculate HOPE averages.

• Students must meet the following requirements to continue to receive the HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship:
• For HOPE Scholarship, a student must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 postsecondary GPA at the Attempted- Hours checkpoints.
• For Zell Miller Scholarship, a student must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.3 postsecondary GPA at the Attempted-Hours checkpoints.
• The Attempted-Hours Checkpoints are the end of every Spring term and at the end of the term in which you have attempted 30/60 or 90 semester hours or 45/90/135 quarter hours.
• A student will lose the HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship if their GPA is below the minimum requirement at one of the checkpoints and may only regain the scholarship one time.
• A student is ineligible to receive HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship funds once the student has reached the 127 Attempted Hours or Paid Hours limits.

Student/Parent Portal

All parents in the Columbia County School District have access to a Parent Portal account. Parent Portal provides parents with a variety of information to keep parents informed of students’ progress. If you already have Parent Portal access, login here: Parent Portal Login. To create a new Parent Portal account Click Here to set up your username and password.

You only need one Parent Portal account. If you have more than one student, your other student(s) will appear in your account. After creating your account and logging in to the portal, click on Today in the left menu, then use the drop-down menu in the upper right corner to select your other student(s).

If you have questions or are unable to activate Parent Portal, please contact your child's school for assistance. For all Infinite Campus Parent Portal password resets, please email the [email protected].

Hospital Homebound 

Hospital/Homebound educational services are provided for a student that will be absent an extended period of time (10 days or more) due to a medical condition and the district deems the student eligible to receive services. Approval of services is based on a completed medical referral form to the CCSD signed by the treating licensed physician. Included in this form shall be a statement by the treating physician that the student will be absent a minimum of ten school days and that the student is physically able to participate in educational instruction. Intermittent Hospital/Homebound services may be provided for students with chronic health conditions when absences due to the illness are anticipated to be for a period of at least three consecutive school days for each occurrence. An Educational Service Plan (ESP) will be developed by the local school prior to the student receiving Hospital/Homebound services. Hospital/Homebound instructional services may be in home or hospital settings. The student should be counted present if instructional services are provided three hours per week. 

Artificial Intelligence Guidelines 

Artificial Intelligence (Al) technologies offer significant potential to enhance the learning experience for students in Columbia County School District. To ensure the responsible and effective integration of Al tools, this document outlines guidelines for student use of Al within the educational environment. 

Guiding Principles: 

• These guidelines are designed to promote the responsible, ethical, and effective use of Al tools by students with the goal of enhancing learning while safeguarding privacy and well-being. 
• Educational Focus: Al tools should primarily be utilized to support and enrich the educational goals set forth by the district Academic Curriculum for Excellence (ACE). This includes using Al to research, organize information, brainstorm ideas, and receive feedback on work. 
• Academic Integrity: The use of Al should not compromise the principles of academic honesty. Students are expected to produce original work and properly cite any Al-generated content used as reference material. Al-generated work should not be submitted in place of a student's original work. 
• Data Privacy and Security: Students should exercise caution when using Al tools that require personal information because of the potential risks associated with data collection and usage. 
• Digital Citizenship: Interactions with Al tools, including chat-bots or language models, should adhere to the same standards of respectful and appropriate communication expected in any educational setting. 
• Safety and Well-being: Students should refrain from using Al tools to access or share harmful, inappropriate, or illegal content. Any concerns regarding safety or security should be promptly reported to a teacher or administrator. 
• Responsible Resource Utilization: Al tools should be used appropriately and in ways that complement, rather than replace, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students should be mindful of the ethical implications of Al use and avoid excessive reliance on these tools. 
• Critical Thinking and Awareness of Bias: Students should critically evaluate information generated by Al tools, understanding that Al models can sometimes produce biased or inaccurate results. 
• Collaboration and Learning: We encourage students to explore the educational potential of Altools under the guidance of their teachers. Collaboration and open communication between students and educators are essential to ensuring the responsible and effective integration of Al in the classroom. 
• Use Al tools to learn about Al: Al is a complex and rapidly evolving field. By using Al tools, students can learn about how Al works and how it can be used to solve problems. 
• Use Al tools to collaborate with others: Al tools can be used to connect students with experts in different fields. This can help students learn from others and develop new ideas. 

Attendance 

A student may be excused for the following reasons: 

• Personal illness or when attendance in school endangers the student’s health or the health of others. 
• Serious illness or death of an immediate family member (Immediate family includes parents or legal guardians, grandparents, siblings, and stepfamily.) 
• A court order or mandated order of government agencies 
• Special and recognized religious holidays practiced by their faith 
• Conditions rendering attendance impossible or hazardous to student health or safety 
• Registration to vote or voting in a public election (limited to one day) 
• Days missed from school to visit with his or her parent or legal guardian who is in military service in the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard prior to deployment to or during leave from an overseas assignment to a combat zone or combat support posting, up to a maximum of 5 school days per school year. 

Special events which reasonably necessitate absences from school (approval by principal required prior to event) Days missed from school to attend military affairs sponsored events with his or her parent or legal guardian who is currently serving or previously served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, in the Reserves of the armed forces of the United States on extended active duty, or in the National Guard on extended activity duty up to a maximum of five school days per school year, not to exceed two school years, for the day or days missed. Documentation must be provided prior to the absence from: 

• A provider of care at or sponsored by a medical facility of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; or 
• An event sponsored by a corporation exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code 

Any other absence not explicitly defined herein but deemed by the local school board of education to have merit based on circumstances, which may include non-school sponsored activities that meet the requirements set forth in section (2)(f)2. of this rule. 

Driver’s License Eligibility 

For a student to be eligible for a driver’s license or learner’s permit, school officials must certify that the student is enrolled and not under expulsion. 

Parental Notification of Attendance 

Upon a student's 3rd unexcused absence in a school calendar year, the school will notify the parent or guardian to make them aware of the attendance concern. Upon a student’s 5th excused absence in a semester for illness as verified by a parent note, the school will notify the student’s parent/guardian in writing of the consequences and penalties associated with school absences in accordance with Policy JB. All absences for medical reasons, beyond the 5th excused absence in a semester, require an original medical excuse signed by a health care professional. Upon a student’s 5th unexcused absence in a school calendar year, the school will notify the parent or guardian in writing when a student is in jeopardy of becoming truant as defined by Policy JB. For any student 14 years of age or older, upon the student’s 5th unexcused absence in a school calendar year, the school will give notification in writing to the student and parent or guardian that the student is in jeopardy of violating the state’s attendance requirements pursuant to O.C.G.A. 40-5-2 regarding the denial of a driver’s permit or license. Upon the student’s 8th unexcused absence, the school administration will convene a meeting with the parent or guardian and a school social worker to determine whether to begin the process of compiling an official truancy complaint to the Department of Juvenile Justice. Upon the student’s 10th unexcused absence, the school will submit an official complaint to the Department of Juvenile Justice for truancy. Additionally, the student will lose on-campus parking privileges at the principals’ discretion.