Getting Ready for High School & Beyond

Getting a strong academic foundation should be the main focus of grades nine through twelve. Colleges and other post-secondary institutions will be looking for the students who have completed a rigorous academic course of study and who have been active in the school community. What you invest in your high school education will pay off over time just as a financial investment does in time.

So how much time will you invest in your future?
  The chart below illustrates your choices.

LEVEL OF EDUCATION  

AVERAGE YEARLY EARNINGS

Doctorate Degree

$57,594

Master’s Degree

$44,206

Bachelor’s Degree

$38,454

Associate’s Degree

$27,002

Post secondary Training, no degree

$23,845

High School Graduate

$19,430

9th to 12th grade (no diploma)

$12,840

Less than 9th grade

$9,831

Options After High School

Army
Air Force
Marines
Navy
Tampa JATC
Travis Vo-Tech
FMU

Suggested College
  Preparatory Core Classes

English 4 credits
Math  4 credits (Algebra I and above)
Science 4 credits (at least Biology, Chemistry and/or Physics
Social Studies 3 credits
Foreign Lang. 3 credits

Career/Occupational Information The ten fastest growing occupations
1998-2008

Computer engineers

+108%

Computer support specialists

+102%

System analysts

+94%

Database administrator’s

+77%

Desktop Publishing specialists

+73%

Paralegal and legal assistants

+62%

Personal care and home health aides

+58%

Medical assistants

+58%

Social and human service assistants

+53%

Physicians assistants

+48%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

High School Graduation Requirements

Minimum Requirements:
4 Credits - English
3 Credits - Math (minimum Algebra I)
3 Credits - Science (at least 2 laboratory science credits)
3 Credits- Social Studies (World History, 1/2 American Government,
1/2 Economics, and American History

1 credit- Vocational or Fine Arts

½ credit- Personal Fitness
½ credit- Life Management Skills
½ credit- Physical Education
8 credits- Electives

24 Total credits plus
20 hours Work based Learning
Pass FCAT Reading and Math
Cumulative GPA of at least 2.0

Specialized High School Programs

Community Service- High school students are encouraged to serve their community. Through this program, a student may receive 1 elective credit and /or a community service award upon graduation. Community service is also a requirement of the Florida Academic Scholars Program.

Harrison Arts Center- The program is designed to develop both the artistic and academic talent of interested students. Auditions are scheduled in the spring of each school year.

International Baccalaureate Program- This program is a four- year commitment to providing highly motivated and intellectual students a pre-university course of study.

Travis and Ridge Technical Centers- The vocational centers offer certification programs as well as regular high school diplomas.

Advanced Placement- A very rigorous 11/12th-grade college prep program of study that may result in college credit being received.