Stay in Contact:

Counselor contact information:

9th Grade Mrs. Whitfield:

Phone number: 770-676-2866

Google classroom Code: 44wbx6g

10^th grade: Mrs. Mitchell:

Phone number (404) 926-6571

Google classroom code: 77sw5ki

11^th grade-Ms. King:

Phone number: 404-590-4728

Google classroom code: cykm55i

12^th grade-Mr. Springfield:

Phone number: 347-369-4510

Google classroom code: wfxfgkq

South Atlanta High School CEEB Code

110237

Find out more about the SAT at : https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat?navId=www-sat

Find out more about the ACT at : https://www.act.org/content/act/en/students-and-parents.html

Scholarships

The HOPE Scholarship

HOPE is a merit-based scholarship that provides funding to Georgia students for eligible state public and private universities and public technical schools, and includes the following programs. Visit their website for more information.

HOPE Scholarship—Recipient must graduate high school with a minimum 3.0 GPA and maintain a 3.0 in postsecondary school to remain eligible. The scholarship provides tuition assistance to students pursuing an undergraduate degree at a HOPE Scholarship eligible college or university in Georgia.

HOPE Grant—Available to Georgia residents who are pursuing a certificate or diploma. Recipient must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA to remain eligible. The scholarship provides tuition assistance to students pursuing an undergraduate degree at a HOPE Scholarship eligible college or university in Georgia.

Zell Miller Scholarship—Similar to the HOPE, but with more stringent academic requirements and a higher level of tuition assistance. Recipient must graduate from high school with a minimum 3.7 GPA, combined with a minimum SAT score of 1200 (combined reading and math) or ACT score of 26, and must maintain a 3.3 GPA in postsecondary school to remain eligible. Eligible students are provided full tuition assistance while pursuing an undergraduate degree to attend a Zell Miller Scholarship eligible college or university in Georgia.

Zell Miller Grant—Available to Georgia residents who are pursuing a certificate or diploma. Recipient must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA in postsecondary school to remain eligible. Eligible students are provided full-standard tuition assistance while enrolled at a Zell Miller Grant eligible college or university in Georgia.

Are You HOPE Eligible?

If you expect to be using the HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship next year, please make sure that your Social Security Number is on record at Grady. Check in the Registrar's office. You will not be able to get the scholarship if APS doesn't have this information!

The HOPE Scholarship calculates your GPA using a specific formula, and your HOPE GPA might be different from the one on your transcript. So how do you figure out your HOPE GPA? Grady's counselors have developed a calculator, which you can find here. You also need a copy of your transcript (visit Parchment.com to request one). Remember: HOPE is calculated using ALL CORE ACADEMIC GRADES EARNED. (You can also visit GA Futures if you have an account there).

Achieve Atlanta Scholarship

Everyone who qualifies will get this scholarship! If you have financial need (that is, if you qualify for a Pell grant), and have an 80 GPA (75 GPA for two-year school), you WILL receive up to $5,000 for school. Do not leave this money unclaimed! You do need to complete a FAFSA. Find more information at the Achieve Atlanta website.

Freshmen:

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/for-parents/parent-action-plan-9th-grade

Steps for high school freshmen parents/students:

·         1) Get organized

·         2) Participate extracurricular activities at school

·         3) ) Try new things

·         4) Look into AP and SAT subject tests

·         5) Start volunteering

·         6) Befriend upperclassmen

·         7) Attend school events

·         8) Meet new people

Steps for high school sophomore student/parents:

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/for-parents/parent-action-plan-10th-grade

1)    Start researching colleges

2)    Volunteer

3)    Visit schools

4)    Participate in pre-college programs

5)    Take the PSAT in October

6)    Study for the PSAT

7)    Take SAT Subject Tests

8)    Don't forget extracurricular activities

9)    Create a filing system

10)  Read, read, and read some more

Steps for high school junior student/parents:

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/for-parents/parent-action-plan-11th-grade

1)    Finish strong

2)    Start applying for scholarships

o    https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarship-directory/school-year/high-school-junior

3)    Volunteer-it’s mandatory to graduate from an APS school!.

4)    Choose challenging classes for senior year

5)    Get to know your counselor

6)    Connect with teachers

7)    Start a list of people who you think you can ask for a recommendation letter.

8)    Continue preparing for the SAT or ACT

o    go to your backpack and use the free tutorials to help you. This video shows you how to get to it in your backpack.   https://www.loom.com/share/f0b36d3020504317a6bdacd0df5040fc

9)    Start or update your resume, activities list, or brag sheet.

10)  Attend college nights or college fairs

11)  Visit colleges

12)  Attend pre-college programs

13)  Research different careers you are interested in by taking a career assessment in your SLDS portal

o    Go to Career Plan<Career Assessment<take the assessment.

Steps for high school seniors students/parents:

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/for-parents/parent-action-plan-12th-grade

1)    Start looking for colleges now!

2)    Retake the SAT and take the ACT test-you get 2 fee waivers for each test.

3)    Plan to take the ASVAB career assessment test in October at South Atlanta High School.

4)    Remember to turn in your volunteer hours-you need this to graduate.

5)    Go to fairs and open houses. You won't be able to hit every school during your March break, so it's important to get out to see your top choices as soon as possible. ...

6)    Your courses and grades matter. ...

7)     Take challenging courses.

8)    Check to see if colleges will fly you in for a college visit.

Why High School Counselors?

High school years are full of growth, promise, excitement, frustration, disappointment and hope. It is the time when students begin to discover what the future holds for them. Secondary school counselors enhance the learning process and promote academic achievement. School counseling programs are essential for students to achieve optimal personal growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set appropriate career goals and realize full academic potential to become productive, contributing members of the world community.

Need an Appointment?

Students who want to meet with their counselor should schedule an appointment in the School Counseling Office. Students are required to have a pass from their teacher to meet with their counselor during class time.Parents who would like to schedule an appointment with the counselors should call or e-mail the counseling counselor assigned to serve their child.

Secondary School Counselors Collaborate with:

Parents
Academic planning/support
Post-secondary planning
Scholarship/financial search process
School-to-parent communications
School-to-work transition programs
One-on-one parent conferencing
Referral process

Students
Academic support services
Program planning
Peer education program
Peer mediation program
Crisis management
Transition programs

Teachers
Providing recommendations and assisting students with the post-secondary application process
Classroom guidance lessons on post-secondary planning, study skills, career development, etc.
School-to-work transition programs
Academic support, learning style assessment and education to help students succeed academically
Classroom speakers

Administrators
Academic support interventions
Behavioral management plans
School-wide needs assessments
Data sharing
Student assistance team development

Community
Job shadowing, worked-based learning, part-time jobs, etc.
Crisis interventions
Referrals
Career education

Remind 101-code:

10^th grade class: rmd.at/8gea82

12^th grade class code:rmd.at/8gea82

Starting 10th Grade: 6 Things You Need to Do to Own Your Sophomore Year

Look for Leadership Opportunities

Keep Your Grades Up

Challenge Yourself

Gear Up for and Take Standardized Tests-PSAT

Start Visiting Colleges and Creating Your College List

Think About Your Future

Starting 12th Grade: 8 Things You Need To Do

Finish Your Standardized Testing

Start Applying For Scholarships and Financial Aid

Reach Out To Teachers For College Recommendation Letters

Build a Profile That Will Impress Admissions Officers

Focus On Your Classes

Start Saving/Earning Money For College

Apply To College

Cherish This Time With Your Family

Our Counselors

Jessica Whitfield

Jessica.Whitfield@atlanta.k12.ga.us

Mrs. Whitfield is originally from Columbia, TN and relocated to the Memphis area after she graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. In 2011 she made the decision to follow her passion to advocate for children by becoming a school counselor. In January 2013 she received her Masters of Education from Cambridge College and became certified by the state of Tennessee as a P-12 School Counselor. She worked five and a half years as a school counselor in Memphis, TN until she and her husband relocated to Atlanta to be closer to family. She is now the 3DE 9^th Grade Counselor at South Atlanta High School where her mission is to provide every student with the resources and tools they need to be successful in school and beyond.

Fredi Mitchell

Mrs. Mitchell received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Clark Atlanta University with a major in English and Drama. While working in the corporate field for years, she received her calling to pursue a career in Counseling and focus on the urgent needs of inner-city youth.

Mrs. Mitchell graduated from Saint Thomas University with a Masters in School Counseling and began working as an Interim Professional School Counselor for Atlanta Public Schools for 8 years. As South Atlanta High School’s 10th Grade Counselor, Mrs. Mitchell brings a wealth of experience, passion, and expectation that all children have the potential to reach college and career readiness.

Mrs. Mitchell can be reached at (404) 802-5048 or fredi.mitchell@atlanta.k12.ga.us for any questions or concerns you may have regarding your student.

Ms. Wanetta M. King is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She started her career in school counseling in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Messmer High School and continued working as a counselor at Alief Hastings High School in Houston, Texas. She is now a proud counselor at South Atlanta High School.

With each location I can say I have been blessed to know I am helping future generations become leaders in our community. Every day I wake up knowing that the work I do has purpose and meaning. My professional qualifications include more than 18 years of combined solid hands-on experience as a Lead Counselor and School Counselor in high school settings and as an Academic Advisor in higher education. I have worked with a culturally diverse student population that includes special needs, gifted, and at-risk populations. To complement this skill set, I offer a broad based background as a facilitator and am highly adept in program management. I believe that every child can learn and we as educators have to find that tool that helps them “get it”. One of my favorite quotes is “If You’re Not at the Table, You’re on the Menu”, so I consistently reiterate to my students that they have to be the decision maker for their futures otherwise others will decide their future for them. So I encourage them to take bold moves, push fear aside and go for it. I have an open door policy so I look forward to working with the students, the parents, staff, and the city of Atlanta to help our young scholars reach the stars.

Wanetta.King@atlanta.k12.ga.us

Phone number:

404-802-5052

Mr. Springfield is currently in his 16^th year as a Professional School Counselor. He has served in many leadership roles during his tenure in secondary education. Mr. Springfield loves being a change agent for children and strives to ensure that he is developing students Academically, Emotionally and Socially on a daily basis. His passion to develop leaders and socially conscious students is what drives him from day to day. Mr. Springfield is an avid basketball and tennis player. He travels often and loves to immerse himself into different cultures. He is jazz aficionado…understanding that “music is the key to the soul. Mr. Springfield is the proud father of three children.

Please feel free to contact Mr. Springfield if you have any questions or concerns about your student. His email and office numbers are listed below.

Jspringfield@atlanta.k12.ga.us

(404) 802-5063 Office

(404) 802-9816 Fax

Mr. Springfield encourages all parents to ensure that their students have accounts established on the following websites.

collegeboard.org (SAT registration and SAT preparation materials)

act.org (ACT registration and ACT preparation materials)

gafutures.org (Interest Inventories, Career Search, College Search)

Mr. Springfield encourages that “ALL” parents and students start the search for scholarships now! Although students typically won’t start applying until their senior year, it’s never too early to start exploring the multitude of scholarships that are available.

fastweb.com

scholarship.com

collegenet.com