Guidance
At Bayshore Christian School our small environment is an advantage for the students, as they prepare for college. There is more time to focus on the individual's goals and to work closely with families as they take important steps towards college. It has become a joy for us to see our students accepted to quality schools and to follow their progress in college. Often, alumni come to visit their alma mater and thank their teachers for preparing them for college. Several alumni have returned to teach at Bayshore.
The coursework at Bayshore can be very demanding when filled with AP and dual enrollment or it can be at an average pace. Our goal is to put our students at varying ability levels in an optimal position so that they will be able to take advantage of opportunities afforded to them after high school.
At Bayshore Christian School the road to college begins in eighth grade. Eighth grade students usually take Algebra I which is the first course on their high school transcript. In the spring the class receives a copy of the state of Florida's graduation requirements and the Florida Bright Futures' scholarship qualifications. Community service is mandatory for those who want to get a FBF scholarship. The Florida Medallion Scholarship added a service hour requirement of 75 hours of community service in the summer of 2011. The FMS also requires a 3.0 in the core curriculum subjects. This scholarship pays a little less than 75% of the state university tuition. The Florida Academic Scholarship pays less than 100% of tuition. Students must have a 3.5 in their core curriculum subjects and 100 hours of community service. The students with help from the guidance counselor make a tentative plan for their schedule for next year. They are informed about the AP classes and the dual enrollment classes.
In ninth grade as the students begin their high school career by getting involved in school clubs and sports. They also begin to accumulate community service hours. They are encouraged to attend college fairs and presentations made by the various colleges that visit Bayshore. Each year at least 15 schools visit the campus to meet and talk with the students. Students can take the PSAT with the juniors in October. The focus is adjusting to high school and getting good grades.
In tenth grade the students take a pre-ACT test, the PLAN. They can also choose to take the PSAT. The challenge to take advantage of the rigorous course work intensifies. Students begin taking the ACT or SAT. The students who have a 3.0 unweighted grade point average and who want to begin the HCC dual enrollment classes their junior year, must take the ACT, SAT or PERT and make a qualifying score, during their sophomore year in order to qualify for the classes.
In eleventh grade the students are urged to visit the campuses of the colleges that they are considering. The class takes the PSAT in October. Most students are working to raise their ACT or SAT so that they can qualify for college admission and scholarships. A list of colleges that are possibilities is formulated by the end of the year.
In the fall of their senior year students are busy applying to colleges. If needed, they take the ACT or SAT for the final time. The ASVAB, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, is given in January. This test was the first test given to help determine what job fit the interests and abilities of a person. We give the ASVAB to help the student have more information about themselves before choosing a course of study in college. The application for federal student aid, the FASAF, is available in December. This application is now a requirement for parents and students who want to receive the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship.
Our students have been accepted at and attended a variety of colleges. Last year the senior class of 14 students was offered over $1,000,000 in scholarship money.
The following is a partial list of colleges where our students have been accepted.
Colleges for the Class of 2008/2011:
Boston University
Carson Newman College
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Southern College
Florida State University
Hillsborough Community College
Santa Fe Community College
Savannah School of Art and Design
Spellman College
St. John's University
St. Leo College
St. Petersburg College
United States Military Academy at West Point
University of Central Florida
University of Florida
University of Mississippi
University of South Florida
University of Southern Mississippi
University of Tampa
University of West Florida
Links to Important Web Sites
SAT: collegeboard.org
ACT: act.org
Florida Bright Futures Scholarships: floridastudentfinancialaid.org
Florida colleges: facts.org
Scholarship Search: fastweb.com
Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA): www.fafsa.ed.gov
