CROWN POINT HIGH SCHOOL Beginning College & Career Preparation

Welcome Parents! Introduction: Miss Johanna Hess College & Career Advisor Mrs. Michelle Bruss, School Counselor Mrs. Ami Marcinek, School Counselor Mrs. Lauren Sandor, School Counselor Mrs. Kim Swan, School Counselor Mrs. Kim Wilkinson, School Counselor Ms. Brenda Wolski, School Counselor

Topics for this evening…. High School 101 Career Exploration College Research and Preparedness Naviance NCAA / NAIA Campus and Community Engagement Social and Emotional Preparation Resources

High School 101 Credits, Transcripts, Diploma Types Advanced Placement and Dual Credit Courses Course Scheduling Standardized Testing

Credits, Transcripts, Diploma Types Credits Given after the completion of a course Only awarded for passing grades Appear on transcripts Transcripts Shows high school grades Lists the classes a student has taken, cumulative GPA, and lists any dual credit courses Record of all of the courses that a student has taken during their high school career One of the first pieces of information that a college will see Diploma Types Academic Honors Diploma, Technical Honors Diploma, Core 40 Diploma Different Requirements for each

Advanced Placement and Dual Credit Courses AP = “Advanced Placement” College-level classes in content and rigor Students take AP exams - receive a score on a scale of 1-5 Exam scores of 3, 4, or 5 could be eligible to receive college credit No guarantee of college credit, but demonstrates academic ability and “strength of schedule” Dual credit = taught by CPHS teachers in partnership with a college or university Passing grades are guaranteed college credit from granting institution Grades will show on college transcript Will likely transfer to many other colleges and universities Policies vary from college to college

Course Scheduling Completed in RDS Keep in mind diploma type and post-secondary career goals – don’t miss a requirement! Should be the most challenging courses your student can handle Help students do their research! College major “Plan of Study” can aide in selection Make sure your student has met requirements not only for diploma type, but for general admission Don’t overload, but also avoid the “blow-off” mentality

Standardized Testing Graduation Qualifying Exams State exams students are required to pass in order to earn their diploma (ECA, ISTEP, etc.) Colleges may also look for these scores College Entrance Exams SAT or ACT Used by colleges for admission decisions Will accept either test (looking for highest score) All Juniors take ACT at CPHS during school Can register to take exams multiple times

Career Exploration Research should begin early in high school Typical tasks Skills needed Career outlook Education/Training needed Career Interest Inventories Surveys used to assess students interest and skills and match to career clusters/pathways Not definitive, but can be a starting point Job shadowing/internship opportunities Don’t have to have the answers now!

College Research and Preparedness Begin research early! Don’t let your student stress about knowing which path is “the one” – but start building a list of potential options! Allows them to be able to make 1) An Informed Decision 2) A Reasonable Decision 3) A Heartfelt Decision 4) The Right Decision Early research should include: Relevance to career pathway Major(s) of interest Admission requirements Location

Naviance An online platform that gives students, parents, and counselors one easy-to- use place to manage everything. This includes: researching college options, choosing where to apply, delivering electronic transcripts, learning about scholarship opportunities, and much more!

NCAA / NAIA Eligibility Center(s) NCAA: Required for Division I & II NAIA: Academic Eligibility Requirements CPHS School ID: CPHS School Code: Limited scholarships available ~55% of all NCAA Division I & II athletes receive athletic aide

Campus and Community Engagement Encourage your students to be involved during high school! Clubs Athletics Community Service …and more! Employers, colleges, universities, and scholarship committees look for student involvement Encourage students to take on leadership roles Encourage students to be innovative – think outside of the box! Encourage students to identify a need in our community and work towards a solution Should be meaningful and impactful for the student - not just a “resume builder” or “filler” activity!!!

Social and Emotional Preparation Study by the Jed Foundation in October 2015 spurred conversation

Resources Your Counseling Office Staff: School Counselor and/or College and Career Advisor! Naviance College admission representatives Trip to College text alerts