Planning Your High School Career 9 th grade Class of 2014 Dianna Bissett Welcome to Parent Night!

Today’s Agenda Graduation Requirements 10 th grade scheduling agenda Standardized testing & test preparation Career and College Search GPA & College Entrance

Graduation Requirements 22 credits are required to graduate Minimum Core classes: English: 4 years Math: 4 credits Social Studies: 3 years Science: 3 years Health & PE: 1 credit Visual, Performing, Applied Arts: 1 credit

Specifics of core classes: LA9, LA10, LA11 (Comp/Lit), LA12 (Comp/Lit) World History, US History, Gov’t/Econ Physical Science, Biology, and Chemistry or Physics Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre- Calculus, Calculus

Sophomores: LA 10 US history Biology Next sequence in math Elective

Update on Personal Curriculum Modification Look for the Personal Curriculum Modification update on page 6 of the registration packet. Read it carefully. Not for whimsical changes; “modification after other options have been exhausted”. Intended for students with a(n): IEP Math Modification Accelerated Student EDP

Scheduling for 10th grade February 2 - 7: classroom presentations on course selections in world history classes What to look for when students come home the first week of Feb: Handouts: registration packet, 10 th grade course selection sheet, scheduling card Pull out course description book or look up descriptions online. ( See SCHS counseling website) Please make sure to discuss selections w/ students Please make sure to fill out card completely! (including lots of alternates!) Complete 4 year plan worksheet (in registration packet) Please make sure to sign the scheduling card February 11: scheduling cards due back to history class February 23-28: input course selections on computer

High School Transcripts Credit is given at the end of every semester (every 20 weeks, 2 semesters each school year). Transcripts are used for college admissions, scholarship consideration and for some summer opportunities.

Semester Grades 40% - Quarter 1 Grade 40% - Quarter 2 Grade 20% - Exam Grade = Final Semester Grade Exams are coming up! (Jan )

Semester grades get factored into your GPA Grade Point Average GPA is calculated 2 times a year: 1 st semester and 2 nd semester Letter grades are assigned points, points are totaled and divided by the number of total grades: A= 4.0, A- 3.7, B+=3.3, B=3.0, B-= 2.7. C+=2.3, C=2.0, C-=1.7, D+=1.3, D=1.0, D- =.7 Only semester grades are on transcript, so colleges only see semester grades

Grade Point Average Letter grade = GPA ______ A x 4.0 = _______ ______ A- x 3.7 = _______ ______ B+ x 3.3= ________ ______ B x 3.0= ________ ______ B- x 2.7= ________ ______ C+ x 2.3= ________ ______ C x 2.0= ________ ______ C- x 1.7= ________ ______ D+ x 1.3= ________ ______ D x 1.0= ________ ______ D- x.7= _________ ______ E x 0= _________ Total # of grades:______ Total pts.=_________ Total pts/ Total # of grades = _______GPA

New starting with Class of 2014: H.S. credit can be given for World Language and Math (starting with Algebra 1) taken during middle school. H.S. equivalent math courses taken in M.S. may be applied to the 4.0 credits required in mathematics and counted toward the minimum 22 credits to graduate. H.S. credit earned in M.S. (math and world languages) will NOT be calculated into the H.S. GPA.

Also New for our Class 2014 Academic Recognition has changed— no more Val’s and Sal’s Student with the highest GPA were designated Valedictorian. Student with second highest GPA were designated Salutatorian.

New for Class 2014 cont… Academic Recognition: Scholars of Highest Distinction: GPA AP 4 courses ACT composite of 32 or higher

Academic Recognition: Scholars of Distinction: GPA 3.8 AP 3 Courses ACT composite of 28 or higher Scholars of Achievement: GPA 3.5 AP 2 Courses ACT composite of 26 or higher

Making Up Lost Credits How does this happen? Failing the class due to poor grades What can you do? Make up the classes in summer school Take Adult Education evening classes if you are 16 years of age by Sept. 1 Project graduation program On-line

Homework Habits Homework can make it or break it! Homework includes daily studying for upcoming tests & quizzes. It is important that students do their homework carefully and completely. If you do not understand or comprehend some material- don’t ignore it! Ask or get help! What are your strengths? What are your areas that need improvement?

How to Stay Successful Keep a consistent work/study location Use multiple study techniques (flashcards, etc.) Learn Testing Techniques (review the entire test first, answer the questions you are sure about first, look for clues in other questions and use the process of elimination.

Study Tips… We Learn Through Repetition Re-copy notes Outline chapters Make flashcards Completing a ‘Study Guide’ is NOT studying!! Ask teachers for help. Go to after school tutoring (Tues and Thurs) Get a student or adult tutor

Testing Schedule for 9 th grade 9 th grade Meap (fall 2010) Explore (Feb 10, 2011)

EXPLORE Test: Feb 10th What is it? A practice ACT test Achievement test: Math, Science, English, Reading, World of Work (Career) When do you take it? February 10th in 9 th grade Test given during school day What do the results tell you? Estimated ACT score range How do you compare to others? (percentiles) Are you on track? (college readiness) How to improve Helps you find careers that match your interests Save results in safe place to review again for the ACT preparation

Testing Schedule for H.S. 9 th grade Meap (fall 2010) Explore (Feb 10, 2011) 10 th grade Plan (Feb 2012) 11 th grade Practice Act through testing company (Fall) PSAT (practice SAT- National Merit competition) (October on a Sat) MME (March) 12 th grade No testing!

MME (Michigan Merit Exam) What is MME exactly? Junior year March 3 components ACT plus writing test ( WorkKeys ( ) Michigan Math & Science ( ) Graduation Requirement Free College Entrance Exam! (ACT)

ACT preparation The best preparation is a solid high school curriculum Consider taking a preparation class Pick up or look up test preparation workshop materials in the counseling office or on the counseling webpage Take online or paper practice tests Be familiar with test directions, number of questions and time on each test Review EXPLORE & PLAN results

College and Career Search EDP’s and Career Cruising College night/College Reps College visits Start sooner than later!!!

EDPs (Educational Development Plans) Each year students will update their EDP- (what classes they take) Students can use as a resource to assist in planning for their future anytime they have internet accesswww.careercruising.com Password: stoneycreek username: highschool Parents you can use this resource too! Explore and research college and career information

College Night: 10th -12th grade Each year Rochester Community Schools hosts a College Night/Fair in the fall All are welcome colleges & universities attend Collect brochures, gather information and speak with university representatives In 2011 it will be held at Stoney Creek HS In 2012 it will be held at Adams HS

College Representative Visits Fall Junior and Senior Year College reps will visit the school to provide presentations to groups of students who are interested in learning about their college Dates of visits are listed in counseling office Sign up in the counseling You will receive a pass to attend the meeting

College Visits: before Senior Year Very important! Check out colleges during the summer, and on school breaks Contact school or visit website to sign up for a tour Campus visit checklist Bring questions Arrange to meet with an Admissions officer Tour Talk to the students Visit when school is in session Ask if you can sit in on a class Campus virtual tours

College Application Process: Senior Year Students will begin to apply to colleges in the fall of their Senior year Senior meeting within the first couple weeks of school to go over the process Scholarship search-check with universities and online FAFSA--Financial Aid Night during senior year

What Colleges Are Looking For GPA ACT/SAT Course Selection (rigor) Interests/commitment

Transcripts Classes taken, Semester grades, and cumulative GPA are on the transcript Transcripts are used for graduation Transcripts are used for college admissions, scholarship consideration and for some summer opportunities

College Admissions Standards Michigan State GPA (middle 50%) ACT (middle 50%) SAT (middle 50%) University of Michigan GPA (middle 50%) ACT (middle 50%) SAT (middle 50%) See or college webpage of choice for admission information and criteriawww.careercruising.com

College Admissions Standards Central Michigan University GPA: 3.33 ACT: 23 Western Michigan University GPA 3.3 ACT: 22 Oakland University: GPA 3.1 ACT: 21

Website – class of 2014 Go to counseling webpage Click on Class of 2014 folder Check out the webpage for information and resources