Remaining Carnegie units are to be in elective areas. Students must meet all course requirements and pass all portions of the GHSGT to participate in graduation ceremonies.

Summer School, Night School, and On-line Classes
Students are limited to two (2) credits per year from outside sources.  Students wishing to attend night school must need the credit to graduate in May. Permission from the Principal is required.

No Pass -- No Participate 

Students participating in extracurricular activities must meet the eligibility requirements as set forth by MCSD, GHSA, and the State Department of Education.  Extracurricular activities are defined as any school-sponsored program for which some or all the activities are outside the regularly scheduled day. 

Students must pass at least three (3) subjects in the semester immediately preceding participation. (SUMMER SCHOOL IS AN EXTENSION OF THE SECOND (2nd) SEMESTER AND YEAR).  Fifth (5th) year students are not eligible for GHSA activities.

Students must be "on track" toward graduation.  This means:

  9th Grade -- promoted according to local policy
10th Grade -- 6 units earned prior to entering that year
11th Grade -- 13 units earned prior to entering year
12th Grade -- 21 units earned prior to entering year

Columbus State University -- Joint Enrollment Program

Students who have achieved exceptional levels of maturity and academic success and who meet the specified requirements to participate in the postsecondary option may take one course each quarter at Columbus State University.  Students who are interested should take the SAT in March of their junior year.

Governor's Honors Program (GHP)

GHP is an advanced academic summer program for high school students.  Students selected take courses in specific academic, elective, and high interest areas.  These courses are taught by master teachers with exceptionally strong backgrounds and with wide-ranging interests in a general interdisciplinary approach to teaching.  GHP serve rising juniors and seniors statewide who are extremely capable and highly motivated and who demonstrate a firm commitment to a particular academic area.  Both past performance and present level of interest are assessed by GHP reviewers in their search for students who have gone beyond the expected and the required.  In addition, nominees must have taken the PSAT in order to qualify.  Students who have attended the program in the past are ineligible.

Students may be nominated for local consideration either by themselves or by a Shaw faculty member.  A faculty member's endorsement must accompany a self-nomination.  Nominees are screened by local school committees and candidates for each area are determined.  The school's selections are sent to the state, where further screening determines final Governor's Honors candidates.

Star Student -- Teacher Recognition Program

The Star Student-Teacher Program (STAR Student-STAR Teacher) is sponsored by the Columbus Chamber of Commerce locally and is a part of a statewide recognition program for outstanding students and teachers.  Selection is made from those scoring highest on the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT).  The Student who meets all other criteria specified, and who has made the highest score on the SAT through November in the year graduation is named STAR Student.  The STAR Student selects the STAR Teacher.  The STAR Student is identified in January/February prior to graduation.  Further competition is held for the district, region and the state winners.

Georgia Scholars

The Georgia Scholar Program is an effort by the Georgia Department of Education to identify and recognize high school seniors who have achieved excellence in school and community life.  In order to qualify as a Georgia Scholar, the following criteria must be met:

• A minimum SAT score to be determined

• 32 Carnegie units of credit for graduation including:

         3 units in science, with 1 unit in chemistry or physics

         4 units in mathematics, including 1 unit in Algebra II

         3 units in social studies, including economics and citizenship, world history and U.S. studies

         4 units English language arts

         2 units of a single foreign language

• The student will have pursued academic study in visual art, music, dance, theater or other arts areas.
• In all work taken in grades 9-12, the student either has maintained a 3.75 average on a 4.0 scale or the student ranks in the upper 10 percent of his/her graduating class.
• 95 percent attendance in grades 9-12
• During grades 9-12, the student has participated in three (3) interscholastic events or has achieved significant recognition in interscholastic events; for example, holding first chair or leading a section in band or chorus, serving as athletic team captain, placing in individual athletic events, debates, livestock project or other vocational competitions or similar events.
• Leadership in youth activities outside the school
• Be registered to vote if 18 or older
• Evidence of self-esteem and concern for others in daily activities.

Student of the Month Awards
Each nine weeks an outstanding senior is selected by the Awards Committee to compete with other seniors in the Muscogee County School District.  The Student of the Month Awards program is sponsored by the Exchange Club of Columbus and has six winners from the school district per year as well as a Youth of the Year.  A nominee must exhibit excellence in scholarship, aptitude, industry and leadership.  SAT scores, grades, activities, awards and honors earned are significant in qualifying for selection.

Page One Awards

The Page One Awards Program originated in 1976 and is sponsored by the R.W. Page Corporation, publisher of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.  The purpose of these awards is to recognize the outstanding seniors in area high schools for their unselfish service to their schools and communities through the use of outstanding talents and abilities.

The awards consist of trophies and cash awards to the winners in each of thirteen (13) categories.  Certificates are presented to all nominees, and one Runner-Up Award is given in each category.  Nominations from Shaw High School are made by the Awards Selection Committee following the established criteria in each department.  Categories included in the awards are: Art, Athletics, Citizenship, Drama, English and Literature, Foreign Language, General Scholarship, Industrial-Vocational, Journalism, Mathematics, Music, Science and Social Studies.

These awards are presented in May. The newspaper establishes guidelines.  The selection of judges, judging, all expenses, and the presentation of the awards are administered by the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.  An award naming a PAGE ONE TEACHER has been added to this program.  Each school may nominate a teacher to receive this award.

Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Program

This is a program designed to recognize outstanding academic ability and leadership traits among students in the SOPHOMORE CLASS.  The Awards Selection Committee makes selection of the school nominee from the tenth (10th) grade students who meet the established criteria for selection.

Shaw Scholar Program

In order to qualify for the Shaw Scholar Program and earn an Academic Letter, a student must earn sufficient points as outlined in our "Point System." Students earning sufficient points will be honored with a special award at the annual scholastic awards program. Criteria for these and other awards are available in Guidance.

Global Media Resources Program 

The GMR Academy at Shaw High School is open to students who look forward to working in the world of mass media. Whether their desire is in television, radio, or print journalism, every student will graduate with the basics to be successful in the art of communication. In the GMR Academy, teachers work closely with students providing hands-on learning in their particular field. The goal is to create seamless education that successfully boosts dreams of our students lives, to equip them with all the tools necessary to make a difference in the world, an inclusive program that offers college preparatory and vocational students a cross-curricular approach to a future in mass communications.

Students interested in the GMR  Academy must possess A/B averages in classes, good attendance, exemplary disciplinary records, a positive attitude and agree to abide by stated program requirements. Motivated students with interests on both sides of the television camera and radio microphone, writing and producing copy for newspapers, magazines, and other technology driven media services, or operating their own media related businesses are encouraged to participate in the GMR Academy. Magnet classes are open to all Shaw students.

Release of Student "Directory" Information

Under section 9538 of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), local school districts are required to disclose the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all high school students upon request by military recruiters and institutions of higher learning unless individual students 18 or older or their parents request that the information not be released.

NCLB also requires your school district to inform your students and their parents of the "opt-out" rights under this section, and your school district must comply with any requests for non-disclosure received.

MCSD Gifted Education Referral & Identification Procedures
The MCSD makes gifted education referral and eligibility information available to all interested persons through website, brochures and other public announcements. Click here to go to the eligibility link to review the criteria and process. The gifted education department will notify parents/guardians in writing of a student's referral and will obtain written consent for formal assessment. Written consent of a parent is necessary before eligible students can receive gifted education services.

The "Window of Referral" time for the 2009 -- -2010 school year is September 21 -- October 9. Forms are available at the Gifted Education Department and on-line, and we recommend that parents fill them out and send them DIRECTLY to the MCSD Gifted Education Department. If your child had been in the district for several school years and has been assessed three (3) times, no further testing will be made. These referrals will be included in the Gifted Education Department assessment after the October scores are received from automatic assessment.