Frequently Asked Questions  

Counselors / Scheduling / Specific Graduation Requirements / Transcripts
Grading and Promotion / Bright Futures / Enrolling / Withdrawing / Online Courses

A: There are appointment slips on the desks of Mrs. Barringer and Mrs. Thomas in the guidance office. Students may fill one out between classes or during class ONLY if a teacher has given him/her a PASS. Students may also email their counselor to set up a time. Parents may call or email to set up an appointment time as well. Anyone who drops in may not be seen as counselors are constantly booked and may already have an appointment or be in a classroom at that moment.

A: Many times appointment slips are sent out to classrooms but the slip never ends up with the student. A teacher may forget to hand it to him/her, a student assistant may lose it, etc. Counselors ask that students make another appointment if such miscommunication takes place.

A: No. Students travel back and forth all day for various reasons.

A: No. We would like to be able to do that for every student, but it is just impossible. After the year has started and class is well in progress, there is a specific process for a teacher change starting with a parent/teacher/student conference set up by the counselor. An EXTREMELY long list of interventions must be tried before any idea of a teacher switch will be entertained by administration.

A: No. There are LOTS of resources to help students succeed in what they’re taking. Counselors will be happy to set up conferences to try to find out what is going wrong as well as offer study tips, tutoring times, progress report information, etc.

A: No. The only requirement for volunteer hours is for the Florida Academic Bright Futures scholarship (100% tuition). The Florida Merit Scholarship (75% tuition award) does not require service hours. Regardless of any requirements, Community service is a wonderful way to get involved in the community and is looked upon highly by colleges.

A: A student may not walk across the stage on graduation day unless he/she has met the 2.0 GPA and the specific credit requirements set by the State of Florida and Orange County Public Schools. If ALL requirements have been met except for passing the FCAT, a student will be awarded a certificate of completion and will participate in the graduation ceremony. He/she may trade the certificate of completion in for a diploma once he/she has earned a passing score on the FCAT. Those students just shy of meeting any requirements can attempt to make them up in summer school and hopefully earn them by the time the summer graduation ceremony is held.

A: No, not for graduation but two years of the same language are required for admission to a four-year university.

A: A semester of ANY PE class (weights, dance, team sports, basketball, etc.) is required in addition to the Personal Fitness class. Personal Fitness is a specific class and no other PE class may substitute for it. The ONLY exceptions are: Participation in two seasons of a JV or Varsity sport PLUS a passing grade on the county personal fitness examination given in January; and/or participation in marching band with a passing grade of C or better may substitute for a PE class, not personal fitness. NOTE: In two years there have been about SIX students in the entire county pass the written examination given by the county. The highest caliber students have attempted to pass and have been unsuccessful. Guidance at AHS recommends that ALL students take personal fitness and do not rely on passing the exam. A semester of Health/Life Management Skills is also required for graduation. The ONLY exemption from the LMS requirement is two years of JROTC class.

A: YES!!! Only three years are required for graduation but a fourth year is necessary for many reasons. No matter what students do in the future, they need to keep their math skills going throughout high school. Colleges do not like to see a student taking a break from academic curriculum. It will drastically hurt admission chances. It is JUST as important to take math when going into the military, to a community college, straight into the workforce, or to a vocational school. There are placement tests for most anything and a year off of math often results in a low score. At the community college level, students end up taking remediation classes. That means they are paying for classes that they work hard in and do not earn any credit to prepare for a college level class. Vocational schools may not let students into the program of their choice without a good score. The military will limit job choice according to test scores, etc. Please, take our advice and keep taking math.

A: Students may attend night classes for high school credit the summer before they enter their fourth year of high school and throughout their fourth year.

A: There are some alternative programs available, though every situation is unique. Please contact a counselor to discuss specific circumstances so the best options can be presented.

A: The student and parent (if student is under 18) must sign a transcript release form before a transcript will be ordered from the county. After a signed slip is turned in, an order will be placed for the transcript. This process takes a couple of days. After the transcript arrives, it will then be sent to the specified destination at a $2 charge for each. Students may order transcripts in person from the guidance support staff in the guidance office. Guidance must physically send transcripts from the office directly to the destination for them to be official. Parents and students may obtain an unofficial copy at any time for the same $2 fee.

A: No. Progress reports and report cards are given to students. Please check the school calendar to find out exact dates. It is important that parents monitor how their children are doing. Weekly progress reports are also available for students to pick up on Wednesday mornings in guidance. Students may take a progress report to each teacher to fill out on Wednesdays to later bring home to parents.

• Semester 1: C / Semester 2: F (really low) both averaged equals a Final grade: F- Student will have earned a grade of C for a HALF credit and the second half of the class needs to be retaken.
• Semester 1: D / Semester 2: F Final grade: F– This student should retake the whole class to earn credit and forgive the D, but technically only the second half must be retaken. A grade of C or higher must be earned to forgive a D or F.
• Semester 1: C / Semester 2: F Final grade: D- Student will have earned a full credit of a D, but the entire class must be retaken and a C or better must be earned for grade forgiveness.

A: Students have to meet the county requirements for promotion. They are: 5 credits and a 2.0 GPA to go to the 10th grade, 11 credits and a 2.0 GPA to go to the 11th grade, and 18 credits and a 2.0 to go to the 12th grade. If a student is not promoted to the next grade, it is possible to promote mid-year or jump a grade at year-end. For example: In grade 10 a student finished with a 10 credits a 2.2 GPA. Student passed all classes during the school year (earned six credits) but did not have semester courses to bump to grade 11 mid-year. Student earned one credit in summer school and attended night school for one credit. Student finished with a 2.4 GPA and 18 credits. Student promoted in July from grade 10 to 12. As long as all of the State of Florida requirements are met, the rate of promotion becomes a motivational factor, not a technical requirement for graduation.

A: No. A student who does not have a combination of five passing AP test scores and/or completed dual enrollment classes will have to sit for CLEP tests in order to receive the scholarship to a FL public university. The CLEP test is a competency test to show mastery of a subject area. A passing score on a CLEP test will, in MOST cases, award a student college credit and exemption from taking that class in college. Please visit the Bright Futures site for more detailed information.

• Legal proof of residence. A copy of your homestead exemption card, lease agreement or notarized statement are the only acceptable verifications.
• Parent signature on registration form.
• If a student is transferring from another State or County, a physical (HRS 3040) is required twelve (12) months prior to entering school along with the required HRS 680 form.
• Students transferring from another school district within the State of Florida need ORIGINAL HRS 3040 and HRS 680 forms.
• If a student is registering from within an Orange County School, we are able to check their previous immunization and physical records. If they are up to date, these forms will not be required at time of registration.
• Unofficial transcript from previous school.
• Report card from previous grade showing promotion to next grade level.
• Withdrawal paper completed from previous school attended.
• Social Security card/number.
• Birth certificate, passport.
• If a student is living with a guardian, court papers showing legal guardianship must be taken to student placement at the Orange County School Board offices, who in turn will issue a letter for the guardian to bring to the school. This letter will serve as the proof of residency also.
• If a student is living in another person's residence with their parent/guardian, they must have a notarized letter from the person stating that is where they are residing and legal proof of residency as stated above.

ONCE YOU HAVE OBTAINED ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION, please contact Mrs. Ogburn, the registrar at (407) 905-5500 ext.2269, or come to the school between the hours of 7:30 am to 2:00 pm to enroll. Then an appointment time to see a counselor will be set up.

1. The same parent/guardian that enrolled student is who must be present to withdraw the student. (A picture ID is required at time of withdrawal.) If the person cannot be present, a notarized letter will be required for withdrawal.
2. See Mrs. Thomas in Guidance with your withdrawal request. She will fill out the proper form and the parent/guardian will sign.
3. Student will take the form around to all of the scheduled teachers, return books and obtain a withdrawal grade and a signature from each teacher. A signature for clearance is also needed from the media center and the attendance office.
4. Return the form to Mrs. Thomas in the Guidance office. She will check for any obligations owed. If there are, these will need to be cleared before withdrawal can be completed. If there are no obligations owed, Mrs. Thomas will make copies of the items needed to enroll in the new school.