Academic Support
Supporting Academic Success
Counselor Advisement
Each counselor establishes their academic advisement plan based upon the competencies set by Gwinnett County. Students’ advisement plans are delivered throughout the school year by some of the following means:
- Classroom Guidance
- Counselors conduct classroom core curriculum lessons throughout the school year in order to meet the standards and competencies set by Gwinnett County Public Schools, similar to standards set forth for curriculum areas. Classroom core curriculum lessons are an integral part of a student’s education.
- Small Group
- Counseling groups are offered to students to address specific individual needs. Group participation is considered instructional time and is not a class absence; students are responsible for the material that may have been missed in class.
- Communications within the group are strongly encouraged to be kept confidential.
- Individual Sessions.
- Counselors meet with students individually based upon student, teacher, and parent requests. Each counselor's case load is approximately 450 students. Students will be seen in an appropriate timely manner dependent upon the caseload and commitments of each counselor.
If students have specific questions regarding their academic plan, they are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their counselor.
NOTE: Counselors do not make schedule changes at Peachtree Ridge High School. We work with students on academic advisement and course selections. Students are encouraged to listen for announcements from the Curriculum Office regarding schedule change procedures.
Graduation Requirements
College & Career
- Naviance
- College Planning Checklist
- HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarships
- FAFSA Financial Aid
- Searching for Scholarships
Naviance
Naviance is a college and career readiness tool/software that allows students to research and prepare for careers, college, personal life goals, and most importantly, to manage and send college application documents.
Seniors will use Naviance to do virtual tours, research colleges, and request transcripts and letters of recommendation. Students can access their Naviance account through the student portal.
College Planning Checklist
College planning begins as soon as you step foot in the door freshman year, arguably even before then. Every class counts, as you will learn through the Freshman Four-Year Plan, so take it seriously. The counselors meet with all Seniors in the Fall and all Juniors in the Spring to discuss post secondary planning. It is never too soon to plan for your future! Start by making sure you've completed the basic steps to preparing for college:
- Beginning Freshman year, students should consider taking Honors and AP level courses where appropriate. Many colleges will be looking for academic rigor (the level of difficulty in each class) as a means to determine admissions, particularly Emory, Georgia Tech, UGA, Georgia State and many out of state institutions.
- Create an account on https://www.gafutures.org/ and begin to familiarize yourself with the site’s layout. Those students who plan to attend college in Georgia will need an account with GAfutures in order to apply to various Georgia colleges/universities, check HOPE/Zell Miller GPA and send official transcripts electronically.
- Students interested in out-of-state institutions and general post-secondary planning are encouraged to familiarize themselves with College Board's Big Future website.
- Students will have the opportunity to take the PSAT during their Sophomore year (free of charge). The PSAT is a good indicator of what subject areas you’re best in for the SAT, as well as areas for improvement.
- By Junior year, students should be actively researching colleges and majors. Juniors should also consider taking the PSAT during the October administration for a chance to qualify for National Merit. All Juniors are strongly encouraged to take the SAT and ACT in the Spring. It is a good idea to begin visiting campuses and contacting the college for information if you've not already done so. Can't make it to your college of choice? Visit E-campus Tours for a comprehensive list of virtual tours of colleges all over the nation. College Week Live is a resourceful place for students to view live admission sessions and college open houses nationwide online.
- Register for the SAT: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat
- Register for the ACT: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html
- FREE SAT practice: Practice the SAT
- Senior year should be a time of making final preparations for college. When students should begin applying will depend on the college's application deadline, but the earlier the better. Your SAT and ACT scores will need to be submitted electronically from the testing agency to your college of choice; if you are planning to attend a two-year or technical college inquire about the COMPASS placement exam
HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarships
FAFSA Financial Aid
For information on FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), go to: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
Seniors, contact the Financial Aid Office at the college/university you are applying to and/or check the GA Futures website for more specific questions regarding financial aid & scholarships.
Searching for Scholarships
Websites to Begin the Scholarship Search
- SVGS Foundation Scholarships
- Scholarship Experts
- National Database of Scholarships
- Department of Education - Federal Financial Aid
- College Scholarships
- Fastweb Scholarship Site
- Scholarships.com
- Gwinnett Co. Public Schools Foundation Scholarships
Two Common Scholarship Types:
Service-Based:
Economic Need-Based:
*Make sure the current scholarship year has been updated by the organization. If not, check back at a later date!
Grade Level Info & FAQs
9th Grade
Ninth grade is a time of excitement and expectation. It is a time when young people begin to discover who they are, and more importantly, who they can become. The transition from middle school to high school is a big step in a young person’s life. The Freshman Academy at Peachtree Ridge High School is comprised of two administrators (Mrs. Devitt & Mr. O'Connor), two counselors (Ms. Merchant & Ms. Banks), and a team of teachers who are here to help students discover and take the necessary steps required for a successful transition into high school.
10th Grade
Each semester counselors visit classes to talk to Sophomores about graduation requirements, curriculum options, and post-secondary planning.
Ever wonder what types of things you should be focused on during Sophomore year? Here are a few suggestions!
- Keep those grades up!
- Consider taking rigorous courses next year, many colleges require it.
- Become more involved in extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, volunteering, etc.)
- Look into participating in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops and camps with specialty focuses such as music, arts and sciences.
- Start a portfolio or resume.
- Explore post-secondary options.
- Begin thinking about potential colleges and majors.
- Create an account on GA Futures.
- Turn in a copy of your social security card to the Counseling Office (required for HOPE Scholarship and electronic transcript capabilities senior year).
11th Grade
During Spring semester counselors will meet with every Junior student. During the appointment, students are apprised of remaining graduation requirements (credits, courses, and assessments) which must be fulfilled for on-time graduation. The discussion will also include information on postsecondary planning, and provide an opportunity to address any questions you have at that time. Students will receive a copy of their Junior Application for Graduation to take home to their parent/guardian.
Question: Is the HOPE GPA different from the GPA on the student's transcript?
Answer: Yes. Students receive a cumulative GPA on their transcript, which includes all classes taken in high school. HOPE GPA only calculates academic GPA, which includes Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language. Information about HOPE can be found at GA Futures. All students, especially juniors and seniors, should create an account so they can access their HOPE GPA calculation that is done at the State level.
Question: Why can't my student access their HOPE GPA and/or is not able to send their transcript electronically to college?
Answer: The only reasons this happens is if the student creates their account using a nickname or name that does not match what is on their school record OR does not have their social security on file at the school OR has created an account with their date of birth or social security # different what is in the school's computer system OR has recently brought in their social security card and it has not had time to be uploaded to the State Ga Futures system. Make the needed corrections to your account and your problem should be solved.
Question: How does the college know whether a senior qualifies for HOPE?
Answer: The senior must apply for HOPE either through Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) OR through GA Futures; click Financial Aid Planning; then GSFAPPS (electronic application), or by using the printable paper GSFAPPS application.
GA Futures
All 11th graders are required to log on to GA Futures to indicate their post secondary plans.
Juniors will need to create an account on GA Futures. Juniors are also encouraged to use websites such as Big Future for guidance and planning.
HOPE GPA
In order for you to be able to check your HOPE calculated GPA, the school must have your Social Security card/number on file.
12th Grade
Question: Is the HOPE GPA different from the GPA on the student's transcript?
Answer: Yes. Students receive a cumulative GPA on their transcript, which includes all classes taken in high school. HOPE GPA only calculates academic GPA, which includes Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language. Information about HOPE can be found at www.gafutures.org. All students, especially juniors and seniors, should create an account so they can access their HOPE GPA calculation that is done at the State level.
Question: Why can't my student access their HOPE GPA and/or is not able to send their transcript electronically to college?
Answer: The only reasons this happens is if the student creates their account using a nickname or name that does not match what is on their school record OR does not have their social security on file at the school OR has created an account with their date of birth or social security # different what is in the school's computer system OR has recently brought in their social security card and it has not had time to be uploaded to the State Ga Futures system. *Make the needed corrections to your account and your problem should be solved.
Question: How does the college know whether a senior qualifies for HOPE?
Answer: The senior must apply for HOPE either through Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) OR through www.gafutures.org; click Financial Aid Planning; then GSFAPPS (electronic application), or by using the printable paper GSFAPPS application.
Question: Do male students have to register for the Selective Services in order to get the HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarship?
Answer: Federal law requires males, between the ages of 18 to 25, living in the US, to register with the Selective Service System. Georgia state law requires Selective Service registration for males to qualify for Georgia’s state aid programs, which includes HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships and Grants. Eligible colleges and universities cannot award any state aid program if a student does not meet the Federal Selective Service registration requirement. Learn more at https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/state-aid-applications/selective-service/