High School Home Page

Overseeing the education of a student is an important task that should not be taken lightly at any stage. The high school years are the ones that will follow a person throughout his or her life. Few colleges will ever know what your grades in the 6th grade were, but all colleges you may want to attend and most employers will know about Algebra I in the 9th grade.
These words are not intended to strike fear in the hearts of parents or students but to emphasize the necessity to:
        1) Understand the requirements,
        2) Develop a plan,
        3) Review that plan yearly, and
        4) Execute that plan with rigor.

What is a High School Credit?

High school credits in Florida are awarded on the basis of a half credit for passing a semester unit of work.  FOFCAI follows the Florida standards for core content and instructional hours based on 68 seat hours of instruction in academic content that earns one-half credit. Students that graduate with twenty-four credits will have forty-eight semester grades that are averaged together to calculate the Grade Percentage Average or GPA. For most students, each half credit is earned over 90 attendance days in a semester.

There are courses and subject areas that are specifically required for graduation, including the total number of credits, which are detailed in this guide. There is no substitution or waiver of the seat hours requirement for any course except as provided under the alternative programs for graduation or upon written statement from a licensed physician certifying that the course will be physically or mentally harmful to the student. The alternative methods or programs include Dual Enrollment and the CAP Program, which allows for the AP or CLEP exam for four specific courses only. (Algebra I, Geometry, Biology I and U.S. History) The medical exception applies to the Physical Fitness half credit of the Personal Fitness requirement. (The Health component is not effected by a medical waiver.)

Planning for Graduation

Most students will earn a Standard High School Diploma, which mirrors the guidelines for courses and content of the Florida Public School system. However, students have the opportunity to opt for the more challanging College Prep (or Scholars Designation) Diploma or the Career Technical Education (CTE) Diploma. For specifics, refer to the Graduation Requirements page.

Below is a general list of general guidelines for each year of high school. The most important step is the development of an individualized graduation plan that is focused on the needs and goals of each student. Part of the mission of Families of Faith Christian Academy International is to provide a broad base of information on this website so families can make informed decisions about their student's education. In addition, the Guidance Office is here to provide guidance in that effort to develop the most appropriate plan for each student, and to update it annunally.

8th Grade
• Meet with the administration to discuss the diploma options and plan a road to graduation.
• Learn about the concepts of high school credits, credit hours, level of work, and the time management necessary to be successful in high school.
• High school credit can be earned in 8th grade in the areas of math, science, foreign language, and personal fitness.
• Know that high school courses follow specific benchmarks outlined by the Florida Dept. of Education (FDOE)
• Discuss the importance of challenging academics and extra-curricular activities as they pertain to graduation and college entrance.

9th Grade
• Meet with the administration to update your personal Academic Plan with specific high school courses.
• Take the most challenging courses you can successfully handle. Colleges look at the type and level of courses you take throughout high school.
• Begin your foreign language courses and community service if you are on a college prep track.
• Get good grades! Your overall grade point average (GPA) is extremely important.
• Begin to explore career paths and areas of interest. If possible, find community service opportunities in these fields.
• Find out about scholarships, especially Florida Bright Futures. Information is available on this website and in the school office.

10th Grade
• Meet with the administration to update your personal Academic Plan with specific high school courses.
• Take rigorous courses, get good grades, and stay on track. • Take the PSAT in October. (As a practice test, if you are planning to go to college.)
• Complete your 2nd year of foreign language & community service.
• Work on your student ‘resume’ by participating in activities such as student government, honors organizations, service clubs, etc.
• Begin to collect college information. Talk to advisors and if possible visit a campus.

11th Grade
• Meet with the administration to update your personal Academic Plan with specific high school courses.
• Take the PSAT in October. In the junior year, this test also serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
• Consider earning college credit while in your last 2 years of high school (AP, Dual Enrollment or CLEP).
• Choose a wide variety of electives, but make them challenging.
• Get good grades. Participate in study groups, labs, tutoring, etc. to maintain high marks.
• Take the SAT or ACT at least once this year. Make sure to meet all deadlines and costs.
• Demonstrate leadership through extra-curricular activities.
• Search college websites, visit campuses, and request college literature where applicable.
• Begin working on college entrance essays.
• Contact your top 3 colleges and speak to someone in admissions. Ask them what it takes to be accepted in their college/university.
• Continue to keep your focus even during the summer.

12th Grade
• Meet with the administration for the final update to your personal Academic Plan with specific high school courses.
• Know your deadlines! Scholarship, financial aid, admission applications, etc. all have hard and fast deadlines.
• Take the SAT and ACT again if necessary to get a higher score.
• Begin to collect letters of reference during the first semester for early applications.
• Fine tune those college entrance essays.
• Earn college credit while in high school if you are able.
• Keep your grades up.