FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What information is important on an application for a high school student?
In order to prevent problems later on (when grades are turned in), we research the curriculum on the proposed Educational Plan to ensure that it is on an appropriate level and merits high school credit. Be sure to list specific high school course titles (e.g., "Algebra I" not "Math," "Biology" not "Science," etc.), and specify the publishers of your curriculum. If you are not using a standard homeschool curriculum, you may need to list the titles and authors as well.
What is an acceptable score on the ACT/SAT?
Gateway expects a college-bound student to make a minimum ACT composite of 21 (or the equivalent on the SAT). The lowest ACT score that might get a student into a college is about 18 except for colleges having “open enrollment,” where any paying student is accepted. The maximum score for the ACT is 36. For the SAT it is 3x(800)= 2400.
Check with colleges or scholarship foundations to ascertain their ACT/SAT requirements for admission/awarding of scholarships. An ACT score of 21 (or SAT equivalent) is the national average (50th percentile) and sufficient to enter most colleges. Those with 29 or above may be candidates for full academic scholarships.
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What is the CEEB code?
Gateway's high school code is 431-421.
Why are portfolios important?
A transcript is all the documentation of high school achievement most colleges or universities require. Some institutions of higher learning, however, have stiff competition for scholarships and even admissions. In a competitive environment, a school may look beyond academics for evidence that a student is generally well rounded and shows promise of future success and the potential to make a difference in the world. A high-school transcript reflects the student’s well-rounded academic work, while a portfolio showcases the student’s involvement in the community, character qualities, skills, talents, hobbies, accomplishments, and honors. The portfolio should include volunteer work, club/organization participation, leadership skills, performance awards, mission work, etc. Most scholarship and college applications include space for this information. A portfolio may also accompany a transcript when it is submitted to the college.
What is Physical Science?
Physical Science is an introduction to Chemistry and Physics. As such, it should be taught before Chemistry and Physics.
How should I report summer school?
A summer session should be recorded on a separate grade form marked "Summer, 20__ (Year)." Be sure to sign and date when the session ended, include the number of days completed, and assign a final grade and credit. A special "Summer Term Grade/Attendance Report" form is available for this purpose. A full summer session is typically 55 to 60 days. The maximum number of credits is three.
What is a credit?
A credit is the equivalent of 150 hours of traditional classroom instruction.
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What credits can my student receive before ninth grade?
Students in seventh and eighth grade may receive up to three high school credits (total for both years). Not all high school courses are acceptable for credit before 9th grade. World History, World Geography (or other approved social studies course), Algebra I, Physical Science, Biology (or other approved science), and foreign languages are examples of approved, pre-9th grade courses (if the curriculum used is high-school level). High school courses such as English, U.S. History, most electives are not acceptable before 9th grade. If you have questions about the acceptability of a course, please contact us.
How many credits each year?
Twenty-two credits are required to graduate. These may be distributed evenly during the 4 years of high school, at the rate of 5.5 per year. Individual students, however, may vary their load, taking more credits one year than another. Some may prefer to do more academics in 9th and 10th grade, leaving more opportunity for work, apprenticeships, or other pursuits in 11th and 12th. The college-prep student may need more time to travel, explore prospective colleges, and apply for scholarships. The maximum number of credits for a school year is eight, for a semester four, and for a summer session three. If a student transfers from Gateway into another high school, testing may be required before credits are accepted.
Is it possible to transition between the block schedule and the traditional schedule or vice versa?
It is possible, but may cause confusion. On the block schedule, a student completes in a single semester coursework that would traditionally be done over a school year. Typically, four credits are done in the fall semester and 4 more in the spring. On a traditional schedule, a maximum of 8 credits may be completed over a school year, usually half a credit per semester.
Who does Gateway consider to be a full-time student?
Students must do a minimum of 4 credits per regular school year (two per semeter) to maintain full-time status. However, since 22 credits are required to graduate, more than four credits per semester would be required to complete high school in the traditional four years. A regular school year is 180 days, and a school day a minimum of four hours.