AHS PTSA is proud to publish the bi-monthly newsletter that showcases our school, opportunities for engagement and updates for our AHS community. This is one of the many ways your PTSA Membership supports our community. Thank you for your support. 

• AHS Updates
  • This Week at AHS
  • Course Resources and Guidance for the 2025 - 2026 School Year
  • 25-26 Scheduling Timeline
  • Rising 9th Grade Transition Events
  • AHS Evening of Excellence
  • AHS Student Parking
  • IB Statement of Intent
  • IB January Community Meeting - IB Beyond Alpharetta
  • AHS Black History Month
  • School Day ACT - Thursday March 6
  • Donations Welcome for Raider Reserve
  • AHS Foundation - Call for Board Member Candidates
  • Summit Counseling - The Importance of "Mattering" to Teens
  • Canvas for Families
  • Applerouth Tutoring
  • AHS Spiritwear Store
  • AHS Letter Jackets Jan. 29th 
• Counseling Updates
  • Senior Class of 2025
  • Dual Enrollment
  • Spring Trade Talk Tuesdays
  • ASVAB
• Class of 2025 Seniors Announcements
  • Graduation Ceremony - Wednesday May 21st 7:30pm
  • AHS Foundation Senior Scholarship
  • Acts of Kindness Memorial Scholarship
• AHS Clubs
  • Student Clubs & Organizations
  • Spring All Sports Pass - Available until 1/31
  • AHS Men's Soccer - Tryout Info & Important Dates
  • AHS Women's Soccer - Tryout Info
  • AHS Women's Soccer Fundraisers
    • Used Clothing Donation Drive - Pickup dates Feb 5 & 7
    • LolaBird Bedsheet Fundraiser 
  • AHS Girls' Golf Tryouts - Feb. 4th
  • AHS Women's Lacrosse Fundraiser - Feb. 26th
• 2025 Spring Semester Calendar
• Stay Informed
  • Principal Scheifflee's Friday Morning Message
  • AHS Daily Announcements
  • Raiders Revealed Blog
  • AHS Video Morning Show
  • Raiders Information Hub
  • Canvas Updates
• SGC Public Comment

Overview:

Students are recommended by their current teachers for courses based on specific criteria. Based on school data, the AHS Indicators of Success (the school’s prerequisite requirements) reflect skills and levels of achievement needed for success in a desired course. Proper academic placement is essential for academic success. It is imperative that students and parents take time to select the appropriate schedule for next year. Selection of a student’s high school courses should be done carefully as proper course placement is essential to a student’s success!  Parents should work with their students to develop a balanced schedule for next year, taking into consideration extracurricular activities, jobs, community service, family obligations and rest. By creating a balanced schedule, students are more likely to find success and enjoy their high school experience.

Therefore, students and parents are advised to consult the Alpharetta High School Course Catalog accessible via the AHS website, to inform them of their course selections for the upcoming academic year. It is the responsibility of each student and parent to thoroughly investigate and consider courses of interest.

Step 1: Course Placement by Teachers

• Dates: January 21 - 31, 2025
• Details: Teachers will make course recommendations for students, based on the AHS Indicators of Success (prerequisite course requirements) using students’ unweighted grades from the first semester. Students are encouraged to review the online course catalog to gain an understanding of which courses are most appropriate to their abilities and interests. Students should speak with their current teachers regarding course placements for the 2025–2026 school year.

Step 2: Initial Course Request Verification

• Date: February 4, 2025
• Details: Students and parents can view the students’ initial course request verification on the Campus Student or Parent Portal, which lists the courses recommended by their teachers for the 2025-2026 school year. At this time, students may change their teachers’ recommendations and select their elective courses as well as listing alternative or back–up electives by following directions on the Microsoft form. To make changes to students’ current recommended courses and/or to add electives, a Microsoft form must be completed. The form must be completed in its entirety, with electives and alternates specified in all designated areas. 
• Deadline to submit the Initial Course Request Verification via a Microsoft Form:February 14, 2025

Step 3: Final Course Request Verification

• Date: April 28, 2025
• Details: Students and parents can view the final course request verification on the Campus Student or Parent Portal, which will detail their academic courses and top-choice electives for the 2025–2026 academic year. This is the final opportunity to request changes via a Microsoft form. The course requests submitted on this form will only be changed if there is space available in the requested course.
• Deadline to submit the Final Course Request Verification via a Microsoft Form:May 9, 2025

Key Considerations:

• Course Commitment: Selections are binding for the full duration of the course, whether year-long or semester-long. Schedule changes will not be accommodated for reasons including, but not limited to, dissatisfaction with the course, preferred lunch periods, changes in personal preference, or specific teacher or class period assignments.
• Virtual/Online and Dual Enrollment Courses: These courses must be taken off-campus. On-campus participation is not permitted.  Additionally, no virtual/online or Dual Enrollment courses will be added beyond the established deadlines for both fall and spring semesters of the 2025–2026 academic year.
• Virtual Course Guidelines: Priority placement of 9^th graders in face-to-face courses; Priority placement into face-to-face classes for all EOC courses; Virtual Health/PE prioritized for summer learning. Virtual Course Notes: Verification of residency requirement; C.O.S.A students have access to graduation required courses not offered/or available at AHS; Students who fail a fall ’25 virtual class will return to face-to-face instruction; Virtual learning contract requirement.
• Dual Enrollment Facilitation: Students must apply and be accepted to a college or university to participate in Dual Enrollment. Interested students should visit the school’s website and their counselor for more information. Students and parents should read all Dual Enrollment information (contracts and applications) carefully and adhere to all deadlines.

Upcoming Events:

• February 4 - Middle School to High School Transition Night for Rising 9^th Grade Students and their Parents - Course Registration & Scheduling for 2025-2026, AHS Theater, 6:30 – 7:30 PM
• February 5 - Scheduling Night for Rising 10^th – 12^th Grade Students and their Parents, AHS Theater, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
• February 5 - An Evening of Excellence sponsored by the AHS Foundation, AHS (various locations), 6:30 – 8:30 PM (Rising 9^th – 12^th graders are welcome to attend)
• February 11 - Rising 9^th Graders Tour of AHS, 9:30 – 11 AM
• February 11 - Transition Q&A, AHS Theater, 6:30 – 7:30 PM

For comprehensive information on course registration for the 2025-2026 school year, please refer to the Alpharetta High School website.

Congratulations and welcome to the almost 40 students who have indicated that they plan to pursue the IB Diploma beginning in fall 2025. This makes the 2027 Cohort our largest ever, and we are excited to have you join the current IB Diploma Candidates next year!

Missed the January 15 deadline? Limited space is still available! Click here to apply! The deadline to late apply to next year’s cohort is March 15.

Have questions? Come out to our next IB Community Meeting on January 29 at 7pm OR schedule a meeting with Mr. Fortunato.

Join Mr. Fortunato and AHS’s own IB Alumni on Wednesday January 29, 7pm at the AHS Media Center for our monthly community meeting. This month will be an exciting panel discussion and Q&A with AHS IB alumni from the classes of 2020 through 2024 who will share how IB has impacted their experiences in college and beyond!

Families of all grade levels will benefit from this discussion—whether looking ahead to IB, currently pursuing the Diploma, or just kicking the tires a bit before deciding.

Planning to attend? Have a question you want to ask? Click the link here to submit your wonderings for the Q&A portion!

LIVING MUSEUM Individual Sign-Up Session Slots

Alpharetta High School is pleased to announce the Inaugural Black History Month Living Museum in the Media Center starting, Monday, February 3rd at noon, through February 28th.  In celebration of Black History Month, The Black Student Union will pay homage of some important historical Black figures and share information about their lives.  In support of our students and creating inspiration for all, it is asked for you to complete the form below for an individual slot session. Each individual session slot is of 5 minutes, allowing you to embrace the representation, a glimpse into the lives and achievements of African Americans, past and present.  Enjoy the celebration of Black History Month and sign up!

https://forms.office.com/r/7ZnxG5DmS

AHS Annual Black History Month Family Fun Night

The Alpharetta High School’s Black Student Union will be hosting their Annual Black History Month Family Fun Night, Friday, February 28, 2025.  The BHM Family Fun Night’s theme for this year will be “Back to the Motherland” -All about Africa: cuisines, the culture, the land, the people, fashion, educational facts and more. Join us in celebration of Black History Month with family and friends.  A night of togetherness with a spectacular fashion show, wonderful vendors and a great time to pay homage to Africa, the Motherland! Click the link below and let us know you will be there!!

https://forms.office.com/r/vXXgV5fSe6

"Taste the Culture" Cookbook

In Celebration of Black History Month, the Alpharetta Black Student Union will have "Taste the Culture" cookbooks on sale!  Purchase a cookbook of recipes from the heart and soul of AHS African American students, staff, teachers and the community.  Support our BSU students and order your cookbook today!

https://forms.office.com/r/mA4mjA8kgy

AHS is offering the ACT at school on March 6 to juniors who registered. We will have an altered bell schedule that day. Please be on the lookout for further communication regarding the day’s altered bell schedule.

In this blog based on the book "Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic and What We Can Do About It," Summit On-Site therapist Bailey Smith shares practical tips on how to help your teen navigate the stress and pressure that come with achievement culture. Bailey is available to meet with students for counseling on-site during the school day. Visit https://summitcounseling.org/to learn more about our school-based counseling services.

https://summitcounseling.org/the-importance-of-mattering-to-teens/

Show your school pride with our exclusive AHS Raiders spirit wear! From comfy t-shirts to cozy hoodies, there’s something for every family member to wear on game days or school events. Support your school in style —order yours today from our Spiritwear Store!

On campus Wednesday, January 29th. More info at 3rdascent.com 

Scheduled College Visits

Senior Transcript Requests

All Common App Midyear Reports and Scrib Transcript requests have been fulfilled. 

HOPE Calculation Update

Seniors should be able to check HOPE GPA calculation updates by February 15, 2025.

FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application is open https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Please view the completion presentation by visiting https://youtu.be/PUvsb2apP30?si=BzFuuuGvAneh7nbT

Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines

https://alpharettahs.fultonschools.org/academics/school-counseling/scholarships

Login to Naviance for a more comprehensive list of scholarships

10th & 11th grade families interested in learning more about Dual Enrollment may visit our AHS Counseling website the week of February 3rd and watch the Special Programs Night DE (DUAL ENROLLMENT) presentation which is a brief overview. If you are still interested in learning more, watch the second DE Presentation, which covers more information. All the AHS processes and deadlines will be housed on our website, including forms and contract.

Students, the wait is over! Spring Trade Talk Tuesdays are scheduled, and registration is open! See the flyers around the building, on both counseling suite doors, and on the AHS website to register for Trade Talk Tuesdays. You have the choice of 4^th period or 6^th period and the topics and dates are:

February 4th (New Date) Law Enforcement

February 19 Nursing

March 18 EMS

April 1 National Guard Engineering Technology

April 15 Ga Power

Parents are welcome too! Parents may park in Visitor spaces or in the bus area but must leave the bus area by 2:00pm.

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. It is administered annually to more than one million military applicants, high school, and post-secondary students. Register to take the ASVAB March 19th 2025

Follow these pages to stay up-to-date with the deadlines and events planned for the AHS Class of 2025! 

• AHS Sr. Events IG: @ahsraiders2025
• AHS Grad. Coach IG: @ahsgradcoach
• Parent Facebook page: facebook.com/groups/ahsraiders2025
• Class of 2025 email: 2025Raiders@gmail.com

Mark you calendar now!  The Class of 2025 graduation will be held at the Ameris Bank Amphitheater on Wednesday, May 21st @7:30pm. The date for the MANDATORY graduation practice will be announced later in February.

Attention Class of 2025! 

The AHS Foundation is excited to announce multiple scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors!

Why Apply?

• Multiple awards available
• Open to ALL eligible seniors
• Recognizes excellence in our four pillars of success:
  • Academics
  • Arts
  • Athletics
  • Altruism (Community Service)

Have you shown outstanding involvement, leadership, or achievement in any of these areas? We want to hear from you!

Application Deadline: Friday, February 20, 2025 at 11:59 PM 

Apply Now: bit.ly/AHS_25_Scholarship

Questions? Email us at ahsfoundationscholarship@gmail.com

All applicants will be notified by email by March 31, 2025.

Don't miss this opportunity to be recognized for your achievements! Apply today!

In loving memory of Aryan Joshi, whose life was a testament to kindness, love, and generosity, this scholarship serves to celebrate and preserve his enduring legacy. 

The scholarship is open to AHS seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to service, or who are pursuing a field of study aimed at creating a positive societal change. 

See below for application information.

All prospective players must upload Required Rank One Documents prior to tryouts. Please click the link for further instructions- https://tinyurl.com/rank1tutorial 

Girls Soccer tryouts will take place at AHS on Monday January 27-31st, 6-8pm on the stadium and practice fields. Players must have a physical and all forms uploaded to Rank One in order to participate. 

If there are any questions, please reach out to Coach Phillips in room 3217 or by email phillipsn@fultonschools.org

Help support the AHS Soccer Team by cleaning out those closets and donating any used clothes, shoes or reusable household items that are no longer needed. The AHS Soccer Team is partnering with Hope for Domestic Violence and they will be picking up all donations directly from your home on Wednesday, February 5 and Friday, February 7th. 

To register your pickup address: 

• scan the QR code, 
• visit ALPHARETTA HS SOCCER TEAM DONATION DRIVE, or
• call Catrina at 678-949-6482 to schedule your pick up.  

Please mention this is for the AHS Women's Soccer Team.  Thank you - we appreciate your participation!

Looking for new bedsheets? Support the Women's Soccer team by purchasing some LolaBird bedsheets.  They are made of a unique double-brushed microfiber made to feel like Egyptian cotton. They are subtly sophisticated, amazingly soft, moisture-wicking, wrinkle-resistant, durable, and a flawless fit for all standard and deep-pocketed mattresses.  LolaBird sheets come in 12 different colors and 7 different sizes and ship directly to you.  These are the perfect sheets for all the beds in your home, your rental, or for your kids at college and make great gifts.  Thank you for supporting our team.

Proudly supporting AHS for over 20 years! 

AHS Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA)

3595 Webb Bridge Road, Alpharetta, Georgia 30005

www.ahsptsa.org  |   ahsptsa3595@gmail.com