School Counselor
Mrs. Christy Smesny is a Certified School Counselor who is available to all RTCA students. RTCA’s school counselor offers guidance to all students to promote academic growth and achievement as well as social and emotional growth and support. RTCA’s school counselor is available to guide and support students and families in academic course selection, graduation plans, college and career planning, concerns regarding grades or classes and any social or emotional support for RTCA students.
For additional information please contact Mrs. Smesny at csmesny@gortca.com
Class Schedules
Class schedules are created based on the number of students enrolled and the class load of each staff member at RTCA. The School Counselor reviews and discusses a student’s course of study and develops a schedule for each student. Any schedule changes must be made by the school counselor, no exceptions. Schedules will not be changed after the first week of school. Schedule changes will only be considered for a valid education reason. All schedule changes will be at the discretion of the school counselor and based on availability. For students choosing to move to a higher rigor or lower rigor level course, any grades earned in the class prior to the schedule change will be transferred to the new class.
Graduation Requirements
The High School at RTCA provides a college preparatory education. RTCA offers various types of high school courses, including College Prep, Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and Dual Enrollment courses. Students are encouraged to choose courses based on their interests and strengths. RTCA’s mission is to provide students a foundation to be Christ-honoring decision makers and successful learners prepared to enter their next step after high school graduation.
24 Credits are required for High School Graduation:
–4 Units of English
–4 Units of Math
–4 Units of History (including Bible History)
–4 Units of Science
–1 Unit of PE/Health
–2 Units of Foreign Language
–4 Units of Electives
–1 Senior Bible Course
Total 24 Units
Standardized Tests: PSAT and SAT/ACT
All 8th and 9th grade students will take the PSAT. The PSAT establishes basic skills and ability and assists in measuring student aptitude toward college level classes. Juniors may choose to participate in the PSAT testing to be a possible candidate for the National Merit Scholarship program.
SAT/ACT
All high school students are encouraged and expected to take the SAT and the ACT as part of their application process for college. The SAT and the ACT measure general educational development and a students’ ability to complete college level work including critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills that students need to do college level work. The SAT and the ACT are offered on RTCA’s campus.
Accommodations
RTCA wants to address the needs of students with specific, documented learning differences and/or Attention Deficit Disorder and to help these students learn academic strategies to enhance their educational experience. However, as a private school, RTCA is limited in what services can be offered. Students are required to provide the following documentation to be considered for accommodations:
–An educational/psychological evaluation that is no more than three years old. This evaluation must be administered by a private, licensed psychologist or by a school psychologist in the public school system and contain academic recommendations outlining what the student needs to be successful in the classroom. If the student had an IEP or 504 plan at a previous school, this should be provided as well. RTCA’s school counselor will review the student’s test results and recommendations in the educational/psychological evaluation to determine how the student will be best served at RTCA. RTCA’s school counselor and RTCA’s Learning Lab Advisor will work collaboratively with the student’s teachers to implement the directives recommended in the required comprehensive educational/ psychological evaluation in accordance with school policies. The school counselor will schedule regular meetings to review the agreed upon plan set forth by the team. Adjustments will be made if necessary.
DUAL ENROLLMENT
RTCA students may take courses offered through the Dual Enrollment program and simultaneously earn college and high school credit. To participate, see the School Counselor.
GEORGIA FUTURES/HOPE
To calculate the student’s GPA for eligibility for the HOPE Scholarship in college, the School Counselor will upload transcripts to the Georgia Student Finance Commission website (GaFutures) after each school year. Final transcript calculations are done by the Georgia Student Finance Commission. Graduating students must also reflect 4 courses of rigor on the high school transcript in order to receive the HOPE Scholarship. Please note that all extra points awarded for Honors and AP courses are removed by Georgia Student Finance Commission for HOPE calculations.
Courses of Rigor include but are not limited to the following: Spanish II, Algebra II, Advanced Algebra/Trig, Advanced Math & Decision Making, Calculus, Pre-Calculus, Physics, Chemistry I, Biology II, Anatomy, all AP courses, and all Dual Enrollment courses. High School students will need to create an account on the Georgia Futures website so they can monitor their progress. www.gafutures.org