W.
H. Shaw High School
7579 Raider Way
Columbus, GA 31909
706-569-3638
Dr. Jim Arnold, Principal jarnold@mcsdga.net
|
Dr. Jim Arnold, Principal jarnold@mcsdga.net |
|
|
|
Graduation
Requirements |
Valedictorian and Salutatorian |
Weighted Courses
| Hope
Scholarship Program |
Academics are the primary focus at Shaw High School. All other areas, though important, support the educational program. As a student at Shaw, you have many opportunities and advantages available. Use your time at Shaw wisely.
All students at Shaw High School must follow and complete the required number of credits to receive a diploma from the Muscogee County School District.
For students in grades 9-11 in the 2001-02 school year, 28 credits are required for graduation. Students must also successfully complete all 5 areas of the Georgia High School Graduation Test, and the required number of credits in each area listed below:
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.
Valedictorian and Salutatorian The valedictorian and salutatorian will come from the top ten College Preparatory students. They will be determined at the end of the first term of their senior year. The top ten numerical averages equal the top ten seniors. All AP, Honors classes and some designated courses will be weighted.
All AP courses will receive one quality point (GPA). The following courses are designated to receive honor weight -- one half quality point (GPA): English I, II, III, IV Honors Physical Science Honors U.S. History Honors Physics World History Honors Calculus Biology Honors Trigonometry Foreign Language Levels: III, IV, V AP Biology
The Hope Scholarship Program rewards students for academic achievement in high school with financial assistance in degree, diploma, or certificate programs at a Georgia public or private college, university, or technical institute. Students who have earned a 3.0 college prep PA or a 3.2 technology/career in core curriculum courses in grades 9-12 qualify for the Hope Scholarship. Hope will weight AP courses one half point.
Honor Cord
Distinction Silver -- National Beta Club White -- National French Honor Society Gold -- National Honor Society Red/Gold -- National Spanish Honor Society
Purple/Silver -- National Vocational-Technical Honor Society
Members for the honor organizations listed above are elected by the Faculty Councils as specified by their requirements and guidelines, based on scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Graduates holding these honors may wear the designated cord(s) and have the appropriate seal(s) placed on their diploma. Copies of the Requirements and Guidelines for these organizations may be picked up in Mrs. Strobel's office. Students must meet all standards and requirements to receive honor cords.
Those students earning a 3.5 average for a nine-week period are on the honor roll for that period of time. (Any F excludes honor roll eligibility.)
Those students making all As during a grading period are place on the Principal's List for that nine week period.
Students are limited to two credits per year from outside sources. Students wishing to attend night school must need the credit to graduate in May.
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 SEMESTER AND YEAR). Fifth year students are not eligible for GHSA activities.
Students must be "on track" toward graduation. This means:
9th Grade -- promoted
according to local policy
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 the 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.
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 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
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 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 grade students who meet the established criteria for selection.
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.
The GMR Academy at Shaw High School is an inclusive program that offers college preparatory and vocational students a cross-curricular approach to a future in mass communications. Click here for more information about Shaw's Global Media Resources Academy.
WSHS and KSHS are the daily TV and radio broadcasts operated by GMR students. The Silver Star and the Sharaide are also important components of the academy program. Multi-tasked research, writing, speaking/presentation, visual/performing arts and business education provide GMR students additional educational advantages and opportunities that allow students a variety of postsecondary education or career path options. In partnership with the communications community and the advisory committee, the senior internship program offers a hands-on, real-life experience so students may put into practice skills learned in the classroom.
The GMR curriculum at Shaw includes the core academic courses at the basic, honors, and AP levels. Other requirements include Speech and Forensics, Creative Writing, and Broadcast and Video Production I. By the end of a student's sophomore year, he should have an idea about which communications area he wishes to study more intensely and will then follow a course of study for that area. While students are required to complete certain GMR courses, they are also encouraged to sample other various academic an elective choices at Shaw.
Criteria for application: (applications are reviewed once a year)
A good attendance record
If you want to be part of the GMR Academy and the Raider experience, we welcome your application. Please follow the instructions and return by the deadline. We want you to know how GREAT it is to BE A SHAW RAIDER in the GMR Academy!
|