Planning for a Successful High School Career

Admissions Process

If you are interested in applying to Renaissance High, there are several things we consider in the admissions process:

• Grades - We understand that sometimes there are things outside of your control that can affect your academic success. If you feel like your grades don’t provide an accurate picture of your abilities, then be prepared to explain why in your application and your interview. We appreciate honest and open explanations.
• Attendance - The same thing goes for attendance. If you do not have a strong attendance record, be prepared to explain why in your application and interview.
• Student Application
• Parent Recommendation Form
• Interview
  
  

Enrollment

We have a lot of students who apply to Renaissance High. If you are accepted, be sure to follow the enrollment instructions that are emailed to you with your acceptance letter.

New Student Orientation

New students are strongly encouraged to attend the New Student Orientation in the fall before school starts. You will meet your teachers and other new students. You’ll also learn really important information about Renaissance High.

GPA

• What is a GPA? A GPA is a grade point average. Simply put, your GPA is the average of all the semester grades you earn in high school.
• How is my GPA calculated? Your GPA will be calculated using the Williamson County Grading Scale.
• Why is my GPA important? Remember that your GPA and every semester grade you earn in high school will be reported on your high school transcript. Your transcript will be sent to every college you apply to. Most colleges and universities will look at your GPA and ACT score to determine your acceptance.
• What does all that mean for me now? Your 9th grade year is important. Don’t slack off and make sure you keep those grades up!
  
  

Graduation Requirements

Make sure you understand which classes you need to take in order to graduate from Renaissance High.

Getting Involved

Make connections with the people around you. You get out of Renaissance High what you put into it.

And Finally. . .

High school is different from middle school. Please remember:

• Leave the drama behind. Renaissance High teachers and staff expect you to be focused on your work.
• Advocate for yourself if you need something. Your teachers and counselors are here for you.

Graduation Requirements

Make sure you understand which classes you need to take in order to graduate from Renaissance High.

Diploma Options

Familiarize yourself with the various diploma options.

Program of Study

Familiarize yourself with the RNHS Program of Study

Class Selection

A typical 9th grade schedule is outlined in the Renaissance High Program of Study. Please notify your counselor before school starts if you took a course in middle school that was for high school credit and your schedule will be adjusted accordingly.

Class Schedule

Schedules will be posted in Skyward before school starts. Schedules will also be handed out during New Student Orientation.

Schedule Changes

Email your counselor if you notice that there is an error in your schedule. Please be mindful that every effort is made to create an appropriate schedule for you. After school starts you will be required to email your counselor if you would like to make a change. All schedule change requests are due within 1 week of the semester start date.

Common Misconceptions from 9th Graders

My 9th grade classes don’t really count. I’ll make up my grades later. Every semester grade you make in high school will be reported on your transcript and will be factored into your GPA. Make sure you keep those grades up!

I don’t understand something in class. It doesn’t matter if I ask for help or not. Teachers want you to ask for help! They want to make sure you understand the material. Make time to talk to them if you don’t understand something.

I’m not doing well in one of my classes. I guess that teacher “just doesn’t like me.” Not true! Maybe you missed an assignment or didn’t understand something in class. Check in with your teachers to find out what’s going on.

I missed an assignment. It’s too late to turn it in. At Renaissance High, we believe that we can’t give you a grade until you show us what you know. We give you multiple chances to submit work.

Additional Info

Get involved. Sign up for extracurricular activities like clubs and community service.

Make connections with students, teachers, and counselors

Grades

Stay focused on your grades. Don’t blow it off now!

Graduation Requirements

Make sure you understand which classes you need to take in order to graduate from Renaissance High.

Diploma Options

Familiarize yourself with the various diploma options.

Post-Graduation Planning

Start thinking about what you want to do when you graduate. Your counselors like to use these free tools with students for college & career planning. You can create a profile and start planning any time:

• Big Future
• College for TN
• Peterson’s College Finder
  
  

PSAT

Take it!

Governor's School

The Tennessee Governor’s Schools are special summer programs for talented tenth and eleventh grade students currently enrolled in Tennessee’s public and private high schools. There are 11 unique programs that look for high-achieving students.  Each Governor’s School application outlines specific student eligibility criteria. Several students at Renaissance High have been accepted into one of the TN Governor’s Schools.

Get Involved

• Sign up for extracurricular activities like clubs and community service.
• Make connections with students, teachers, and counselors
• Make the most of your summer - do community service, volunteer, go to a camp, take lessons.

Your junior year is an incredibly important year. You’ll spend a lot of this year researching and planning for your future. Use this information below to guide you as you plan:

Graduation Requirements

Make sure you understand which classes you need to take in order to graduate from Renaissance High.

Diploma Options

Familiarize yourself with the various diploma options.

Dual Enrollment

Consider taking a Dual Enrollment Course to challenge yourself academically. Since Renaissance High does not offer many Honor or AP courses, counselors will recommend Dual Enrollment courses for high achieving and motivated students.

Resume

Create a resume with high school honors, accomplishments, activities and leadership positions. Get involved in activities that you are passionate about and can include on your resume.

College Visits

Visiting a college can help you figure out if you want to go there. We strongly encourage students to do college tours. 

Financial Aid

Financial aid can be confusing, so it’s best to do your research now. Check out StudentAid.gov to learn more about how you can pay for college.

ACT

The ACT is very important. Most colleges consider your score for admission.
ACT recommendations:

• ACT recommends that most students take the ACT for the first time in the spring of their junior year.
• You can take it up to 12 times, but most students plateau after 4 or 5 times.
• You will take it for free at Renaissance one time in the spring of your junior year, and one time in the fall of your senior year. You can register online to retake it after that.
• Start studying for the ACT. You can:
• Participate in ACT Prep in the spring at Renaissance High.
• Study on your own. Check out your local library for free ACT Prep resources.
• Sign up for outside ACT Prep classes.
  
  

PSAT

Take it!

College Planning

• Research scholarships and start a list
• Attend college fairs, open houses, and preview days. WCS hosts a large college fair every September.
• Research colleges and make a list of the ones you’re interested in (share with your counselors)
• Identify characteristics of colleges that matter to you. Do a college search on these sites with your important characteristics as filters:
  
  • Big Future
  • College for TN
  • Peterson’s College Finder

Governor's School

The Tennessee Governor’s Schools are special summer programs for talented tenth and eleventh grade students currently enrolled in Tennessee’s public and private high schools. There are 11 unique programs that look for high-achieving students. Each Governor’s School application outlines specific student eligibility criteria. Several students at Renaissance High have been accepted into one of the TN Governor’s Schools.

Stay Informed

Read the bi-weekly senior newsletter emailed by the counselors

Graduation Requirements

Make sure you understand which classes you need to take in order to graduate from Renaissance High.

Diploma Options

Familiarize yourself with the various diploma options.

Dual Enrollment

Consider taking a Dual Enrollment Course to challenge yourself academically. Since Renaissance High does not offer many Honor or AP courses, counselors will recommend Dual Enrollment courses for high-achieving and motivated students.

College Planning

• Meet with your counselor to discuss your plans for the future, college applications, scholarships, and any other questions you might have. Review your transcript with your counselor.
• Attend college fairs, open houses, and preview days. WCS hosts a large college fair every September.
• Apply for the TN Promise - you could get 2 years of free tuition at a participating TN community college or Tennessee College of Applied Technology!
• Narrow down your college list (include at least 3 schools: dream school, happy school, back-up school). But apply to as many as you want.
• Complete the FAFSA

Resume

• Update your resume. Give/share a copy of your resume with teachers/counselors for recommendation letters.
• When requesting recommendation letters:
  
  • Give your recommender at least 2-4 weeks notice
  • Give your recommender specifics on how to turn in the letter
    
    

Submitting College Applications

• Some schools use the Common App. It’s a great way for you to cut down on the number of applications you have to fill out.
• Keep track of deadlines
• Request your transcript by going to www.orderatranscript.com
• Submit ACT scores - You can request official ACT scores directly from ACT.

Other Important Reminders

• Some seniors experience the dreaded senior slide, where grades and motivation start to slip. Avoid this as much as possible!

• Complete credit recovery and online classes by May 1st

Parents and students wishing to view more information about graduation requirements may review the current Williamson County School Board Policy.

Excused absences will be granted during exam week only for surgery, death in the family or school-sponsored events, such as athletics or competitions. The parents must contact the school in a written notice detailing the nature of the emergency. The Principal may require a medical note. The Principal’s discretion will be used for outstanding circumstances. All other absences during the exam week will be unexcused.

• No semester test will be administered before the approved date of the test.
• Students skipping the semester or final exam, will receive an incomplete on the test and an incomplete for the course until the exam is taken. Students may also face punitive consequences.
• Semester and final exams, in a subject, shall not be required for those high school seniors who have maintained an average of 91 or higher in that subject, no unexcused absences in that class during the semester (not counting absences for college visitation days approved in advance by the principal or absences on semester and final exam days when the student is exempt), and have not been suspended during the semester (including ISS).
• An Exam Exemption Form signed by the student, the student’s parent or guardian, and the teacher must be submitted to the Attendance Administrator prior to the exam date.
• Unless mandated by the State of Tennessee, seniors who meet the criteria for exemption are not required to take the final exam. Teachers will report the number of exempt students for each course to their principal. Exemptions do not apply to Tennessee mandated end-of-course tests. If a student misses more than 20 minutes of a class period – they are considered absent.
  • Any type of suspension (ISS or OSS) or an ALC placement would mean a loss of exam exemptions for seniors.
  • Absences due to school-approved activities (field trips, athletics, college visitation days approved in advance by the principal, etc.) do not count against the student.
  • Seniors who are exempt from their exams will also be exempt from their study period.