The State of Florida has several different types of diplomas and requirements for graduation that you will need to become familiar with before entering 9th grade.
Selecting the right courses in high school and planning ahead is more important than ever. Making sure you qualify for graduation, Bright Futures Scholarships, and state university admissions all include meeting specific course requirements. To prepare for your career and education goals after high school, be sure to review the diploma type and graduation plan that best meets your need.
View the current Florida Graduation Requirements. Graduation requirements may be different for each class, so review the “Academic Advisement Flyers” located on the above website for the school year you will be entering 9th grade.
All of the resources outlined in this course have led up to one thing: creating your own career and education plan for high school. This plan should include your intended high school diploma type, graduation plan, graduation goal, and the courses you will take in order to earn your diploma.
Florida provides several different standard diploma options to all high school students. Each involves a set of minimum requirements established by the Florida State Legislature. And, just like a university, individual districts or schools can have additional requirements, so it is important to talk to your school counselor and stay informed about what you will need to achieve your goals. The pathways to earn a standard diploma include the following:
24 Credit Program, which requires four credits each in English Language Arts and Math, three credits each in Science and Social Studies, one credit each in the Arts and Physical Education, and eight credits in electives, including one online course.
Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (18 credits), which requires the same courses as the 24 Credit Program minus Physical Education, five electives and an online course.
International Baccalaureate or Advanced International Certificate of Education, which are rigorous college preparatory programs offered at some schools.
Graduation requirements are subject to change so it’s important to stay updated.
In high school, you will be earning credits for each course you pass. You typically earn one credit for a year-long course and .5 (or half) credit for a semester-long course. In general, you will need at least 24 credits to graduate from high school with a standard diploma.
As a student, you should learn how to calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA). It is important to understand your GPA because
Schools use GPAs for honor-roll lists and class ranking.
Student athletes must maintain at least a 2.0 to be eligible to compete.
Many scholarships and grants for college use GPA to decide their awards.
Auto insurance rates can be reduced if you have a good GPA.
Colleges and universities take your GPA into consideration during the admission process.
A cumulative GPA would take into account all of the grades earned during each year of high school.
Some schools assign numerical values to plus (+) or minus (-) grades (e.g. C+, B-). These points vary from school to school and may or may not be considered during the college admission process. Check with your administration's grading policy to determine your school's grade value system.
Some high schools weight grades for challenging courses like advanced placement (AP), honors, IB, and dual-enrollment courses, and industry certifications.
For example, advanced placement (AP) courses are graded on a five-point scale rather than the four-point scale used for other classes. This gives students a bonus point for tackling the extra difficulty (for example, a B in an AP course is worth as much as an A in a non-AP course).
Advanced Placement (AP) scale:
A = 5 points
B = 4 points
C = 3 points
D = 1 point
F = 0 points
This is called a weighted GPA. Take this into consideration when calculating high school GPAs.
Post-secondary programs will require higher GPAs for admission than others due to demand and other factors. Post-secondary institutions may also calculate GPAs differently from your high school GPA. You should research admissions requirements for several colleges relating to your career goals to get an idea where your GPA may need to be when it’s time to apply.
Pursuing extracurricular activities during your middle and high school years is very important. Extracurricular activities show colleges and employers the real “you” that is beyond the grades and test scores. These activities show your skills, interests, and passions.
Sports – Participating in sports is a great way to develop teamwork skills as well as provide opportunities for college scholarships. Plus they help keep you in shape! To play sports in high school, you must also maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average.
Performing Arts – Shows that you are confident, creative and a good communicator. Performing arts can also show your “other side” if you enjoy math and science. You can join an organization such as the Thespian club or the dance club.
Volunteer work – When you volunteer, you provide your time free of charge to an organization and demonstrate a willingness to help others. Hospitals, libraries, churches, professional, and civic associations all have multiple opportunities for volunteers.
School activities – Many high schools have various service clubs, honor societies, or competitive academic teams to which you can belong. These are all useful activities that you can place on your resume and use to help earn community service hours for scholarships.
Activities within your career interest – If you plan to be a journalism major, then work on your high school newspaper. Career and Technical Student Organizations are also a good way to help you develop your skills.
Part-time work –Part-time jobs will also help you experience different careers, provide you with some spending money, provide you with skills you can list on your resume. They can also show that you know how to manage your time and be responsible.
Government and Military – Shows that you are organized, committed, and a team player. ROTC (The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) is a good way to gain military experience and earn scholarships.
Start something – If there aren’t any activities available that meet your interests then start your own group!
The speaker closes the presentation by showing the short video below and by summarizing all the valuable things you can learn by being involved in an extracurricular activity such as
teamwork
developing your leadership skills
making a difference in the community
meeting other students
scholarship opportunities and contacts with business, industry, and community leaders who can become role models, mentors, and even employers.
Watch this college planning video about what colleges look for in extracurricular activities.