Grady 101

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does a student's academy (also known as a Small Learning Community or SLC) determine his or her core classes?

A: No, a student's academy only governs his or her electives. In an effort to provide students with a personalized learning environment (especially at the ninth grade level), students take core classes from teachers attached to the specific academies. However, if a student's schedule will not accommodate core classes within the academy, the student may be scheduled to the same core class outside of the academy.

Q: Does a student's SLC affect AP classes?

A: No, all students have equal access to AP classes.

Q: What are the names of the SLCs?

A: Biomedical Science and Engineering, Business and Entrepreneurship, Communications and Journalism, and Law and Leadership

Q: Who are the SLC leaders?

A: Mr. Raymond Dawson, Biomedical Science and Engineering; Mr. Willie Vincent, Business and Entrepreneurship; Ms. Carrie MacBrien, Communications and Journalism; Dr. Russell Plasczyk, Law and Leadership

Q: Who are the SLC counselors?

A: Ms. Cassandra Bolding, Biomedical Science and Engineering; Mr. Lamar Young, Business and Entrepreneurship; Ms. Shaketha Blankenship, Communications and Journalism; Ms. Sheila Oliver, Law and Leadership

Q: What is dual enrollment?

A: Dual Enrollment courses provide opportunities for Georgia high school students to take college-level courses and earn concurrent credit toward a high school diploma and a college degree. Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit courses are primarily available for any eligible 11th or 12th grade high school students. They may enroll full-time or part-time in approved credit-bearing college-level courses by the State Board of Education. Courses may be taken before, during or after regular school hours, on the college campus. For more information, please visit the Georgia College 411 College Credit Now<https://secure.gacollege411.org/High_School_Planning/College_Credit_Now.aspx> site. For information on tuition and courses that count for dual enrollment visit the Accel Program<https://secure.gacollege411.org/Financial_Aid_Planning/Scholarships/Grants_and_Scholarships/Accel_Program.aspx> site.

Q: Do all students who qualify for AP classes get them?

A: To be approved for an AP course, a student must meet all grade level and prerequisite requirements. This includes a minimum requirement in two of the following: (1) unweighted subject GPA, (2) teacher recommendation, and (3) PSAT scores. Due to space restrictions, all minimally qualified students may not be approved. Approval is tentative and does not guarantee placement in the course due to spacing and course availability.

Q: Are AP classes open to 9th graders?

A: No. The AP Program at Grady High School begins in the tenth grade. Please visit the AP Corner<http://www.atlanta.k12.ga.us/Page/14569> on the Grady website for more information.

Q: When do students apply for AP classes?

A: Typically in December of the preceding school year. Please visit the AP Corner<http://www.atlanta.k12.ga.us/cms/lib/GA01000924/Centricity/Domain/3120/GHS%20AP%20Statement%20of%20Interest%20and%20Requirements%202013-14.pdf> on the Grady website for more information.

Q: What if my student is not in the journalism academy but wants to be on the yearbook staff--is that possible?

A: Yes. We call this "passporting." If a student desires a theme-based elective in a different academy, we will make every effort to allow that student to follow his or her interests in that area. Students in the academy who are following that particular theme-based pathway are seated in the classes first; if any seats remain, students from other academies are welcome to passport into the course as long as they have the interest and requisite skills for success.

Q: My student is having a really hard time choosing an academy, can s/he change academies after the first semester or first year if s/he does not like the one originally chosen?

A: Yes. During the spring semester of the ninth grade year, students may submit an academy change application. Students' requests to change academies will be honored if there is room for them in the academy they desire. If there is room, they will be placed in the new academy at the start of the tenth grade year. Because students must complete three years in the same pathway, this is the only time that students can change academies.

Q: I have heard that Grady students may minor in the visual or performing arts. What does this mean?

A: In an effort to support the visual and performing arts at Grady within the small learning community model, Grady has added the minor in the arts. Declaring a minor in the arts makes it a priority for the student to take a music class, an arts elective, a drama or speech course, or be in a musical ensemble (band, orchestra, or chorus). Although it does not guarantee that the student will be scheduled into these courses, it does makes it clear to the guidance counselors and academy leaders that this is a scheduling priority for the student. A student can indicate his or her minor area on the course selection sheet that is completed before each academic year.