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W. H. Shaw High School
7601 Schomburg Road
Columbus, GA  31909
706-569-2567
FAX 706-569-2593

Dr. Jim Arnold, Principal        jarnold@mcsdga.net



 


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Academics
 

     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.

 

Graduation Requirements

     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:

    English - 4                                                 

    Math - 3 (tech/career);  4 (college prep)            

    Science - 3

    Social Studies - 4
    Health/Physical Fitness
                                                  

    Vocational - (tech career only) 4 (at least 3 in same area)

    Foreign Language (college prep only) - 2 (in same language)

    1 Core Area Elective - Computer Tech, Fine Arts, or Vocational

    Remaining Carnegie units are to be in elective areas.

 

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.

 

Weighted Courses

     The HOPE Scholarship’s Core Star Program will accept any school’s weighted courses when determining eligibility for HOPE Scholarship.  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

 

Hope Scholarship Program

     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 numerical average of at least 80 in college prep or 85 for technology/career in core curriculum courses in grades 9-12 qualify for the Hope Scholarship.

 

Honor Cord Distinction

Royal Blue……….….Mu Alpha Theta

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

 

Honor Organizations

     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.

 

Honor Roll

     Those students earning a 3.5 average for a nine-week period are on the honor roll for that period of time.  (Any D or F excludes honor roll eligibility.)

 

Principal’s List

     Those students making all A’s during a grading period are place on the Principal’s List for that nine week period.

     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;

     Student 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 College-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 College.  Students who are interested should take the SAT in March of the junior year.

 

Governor’s Honors Program

     The Governor’s Honors Program 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.  Governor’s Honors 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 Governor’s Honors 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 Honor’s 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 of 1360 on the SAT at one sitting;

     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

     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 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.

 

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.

 

Advanced Academic Achievement Program

     The A3 program at Shaw is designed to identify, recognize, and guide and encourage gifted and academically advanced students.  Admission to this program is based on standardized test scores in math and/or reading at or above the 7th stanine, grades of “C” and above in all classes, a GPA of 3.0 or higher in grades 7 and 8, a written statement from the applicant, and high standards of behavior in all classes.  A Faculty Committee reviews student applications, and final approval for admission comes from the Principal.  A community service requirement is included in program guidelines.  Application forms are available from Counselor, and must be submitted before school begins.
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