Sophomore Seminar 2017 MHS Class of 2020!

Sophomore Seminar Paperwork

MHS Guidance Staff Counselors: A-G Jennifer Abernathy H-N David Ellis O-Z Kim Porter Transition Counselor: Jackie Stryker Guidance Administrative Assistant: Michelle McClanahan

Canvas Grade Level Information

The College Planning Process 10th Grade: Explore post-secondary options Pursue academic rigor and excellence 11th Grade: Discover college “matches” through campus visits Take the PSAT (Top 5% of junior class students; only year that qualifies a student for National Merit Scholar eligibility) Take the ACT 12th Grade: Begin the College Application process Apply for Financial Aid

Getting College Ready ACADEMICS and GRADES EXAMS and TESTING Choose Rigor Set high expectations, as they yield greater results Investigate Naviance, which is MHS’s delivery program for college searches, applications, and career guidance. EXAMS and TESTING Take the PSAT – October 25, 2017 EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Analyze interests and values Attend summer enrichment options Find volunteer opportunities

Maryville Graduation Requirements: MHS Webpage: Course Catalogue p. 3

MHS: FOCUS AREAS Elective Focus Area Options at MHS: Fine Arts The Elective Focus is a program of study focusing on a particular area of concentration: three courses in a concentrated area. Elective Focus Area Options at MHS: Fine Arts Exercise, Safety and Sports Science Humanities Science and Math Advanced Placement Dual Enrollment Career and Technical Education (CTE) – 10 options

MHS: CTE Focus Area Options Career and Technical Education (CTE): Architecture and Construction Business, Management, and Administration Health Science Information Technology Marketing Management Arts and Communication STEM Law Enforcement Finance Hospitality and Tourism

Academic History: MHS Transcript

Grade Point Average (GPA) A student’s GPA is updated twice a year: After term/semester one ends (January) After term/semester two ends (May)

Relationship between GPA and Financial Aid A student’s classwork, homework, and test grades positively or adversely impact his/her grade point average (GPA). A student’s GPA is one of the factors that colleges and universities consider in determining his/her financial aid eligibility in the student’s senior year! UTK Freshman Class 2016 UTK Chancellor’s Scholarships

Graduation Information: Graduating with Honors Students who score at or above all of the subject area readiness benchmarks on the ACT will graduate with honors. ACT College Readiness Benchmarks: English 18 Math 22 Reading 22 Science Reasoning 23

ACT College Readiness Benchmarks According to ACT, “the Benchmarks are scores on the ACT subject-area tests that represent the level of achievement required for students to have a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in corresponding credit-bearing first-year college courses. These college courses include English composition, college algebra, introductory social science courses, and biology.”

Graduation Information: Graduating with Distinction Students will be recognized as graduating with “Distinction” by attaining a B (3.0) average and completing at least one of the following: Earn a nationally recognized industry certification Participate in at least one of the Governor’s Schools Participate in at least one of the state’s ALL State musical organizations Be selected as a National Merit Finalist or Semi- Finalist Attain a score of 31 or higher composite score on the ACT Attain a score of 3 or higher on at least two AP exams Earn 12 or more semester hours of postsecondary credit.

Extra Curricular Activities Programs should reflect student interests, aptitude, and passions: Summer enrichment programs Governor’s School Volunteer opportunities Part-time employment Leadership opportunities

Governor’s School Applications due in the guidance office no later than Friday, September 29th The State of Tennessee provides twelve summer programs for gifted and talented high school students. These programs provide challenging and intensive learning experiences in these disciplines: Agricultural Sciences Arts Computational Physics Emerging Technologies Humanities Innovation & Entrepreneurship International Studies Prospective Teachers Sciences & Engineering Scientific Exploration of Tennessee Heritage Scientific Models and Data Analysis

College Exploration To-Do List: Explore websites: Naviance College Board: Big Future ACT College Planning Meet with college representatives at MHS (read the MHS daily announcements) Attend the Blount County College Fair September 11, 5:30-7:00 at the Cooper Athletic Center @ Maryville College Financial Aid Workshop following BC College Fair Visit the College Fair at MHS in February Interview counselors and teachers Ask parents, students, and alumni about their college experiences

PSAT (Preliminary SAT) The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT. The PSAT/NMSQT measures: Critical reading skills Math problem-solving skills Writing skills Registration deadline: Wednesday, September 20, 2017 PSAT test date: Wednesday, October 25, 2017

PSAT (Wednesday, 10/25 @ MHS) As sophomores, the PSAT serves as a practice SAT exam, and we encourage our highest achieving 10th graders (top 5-10% of the class) to take the test. As juniors, the PSAT test serves as the basis of the National Merit Scholars program. Competitive and highly selective colleges and universities actively recruit National Merit Finalists and give significant scholarships based on the student’s 11th grade PSAT results. MHS offers support to a select group of 11th grade students who have the potential to score in the top 1%.

PSAT (Wednesday, 10/25 @ MHS) The PSAT will be administered during the school day on 10/25. Pre-registered students will be excused from their morning classes on that day. Specific Details: To register for the PSAT: Sign-up for the test in the MHS Guidance Office by paying the PSAT registration fee of $25 (checks made payable to Maryville High School).   Students will receive a practice test booklet when they pre-register for the PSAT.   PSAT Testing locations are TBA. Please direct all questions to Jackie Stryker: Jackie.stryker@Maryville-schools.org

Goals for Sophomore Year Follow graduation path READ Look for leadership positions Keep a record of performances, achievements, events, awards, etc. Talk with college representatives that visit MHS Attend the college fairs Build relationships with teachers and counselor Consider taking the PSAT Use PSAT for future planning Learn to use test scores results in decision making High achieving students should consider Governor’s School Begin college files Volunteer Explore different careers by talking with people Begin investigating college costs through web sites

Information Overload: I Have questions!! Tonight was just an overview. If you have specific questions about the material covered in this presentation, please make an appointment with your son or daughter’s counselor. A-G -- Jennifer Abernathy H-N -- David Ellis O-Z -- Kim Porter Transition Counselor – Jackie Stryker Open House begins at 7:00

MHS Implementation of the Laude System

What is the Laude System? A tiered system that recognizes students for the rigor of their academic program as well as their success in the program: * Summa Cum Laude: Highest Honor * Magna Cum Laude: Great Honor * Cum Laude: Honor What is the Laude System?

What is the Laude System? A tiered system that recognizes students for the rigor of their academic program as well as their success in the program: * Summa Cum Laude: Highest Honor * Magna Cum Laude: Great Honor * Cum Laude: Honor What is the Laude System? Honors Proposed GPA cutoffs 5 Year Average Summa Cum Laude 4.45 and higher ~15 students Magna Cum Laude 4.25 and higher ~17 students Cum Laude 3.95 and higher ~31 students Total Honored ~63 students

Why Change to the Laude System? Encourages students to take a healthy balance of challenging classes Reduces excessive competition with peers Promotes a willingness to take intellectual and academic risks Rewards more students for academic excellence Why Change to the Laude System?

More than HALF of all schools do not report rank Will the Laude System affect college admission? According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), due to differences in curricula and grading standards, colleges have begun to discount the accuracy and importance of class rank as a factor in evaluating students.  Although GPA may be considered, many other aspects of a student's educational career come into play.              Sources: NACACNET.org More than HALF of all schools do not report rank

With the current system, many of MHS’s top students go unrecognized.  Who goes unrecognized? 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 # of Students with a 4.0 GPA and higher 53 58 66 62 48

5 year data using proposed cutoffs Number of Students in Class Receiving Honors Year Summa Magna Cum Total 2017 11 17 29 57 2016 13 19 32 64 2015 25 18 30 73 2014 23 68 2013 7 15 54 5 year data using proposed cutoffs Percent of Total Class Receiving Honors Year Summa Magna Cum Total 2017 2.99% 4.62% 7.88% 15.49% 2016 3.93% 5.74% 9.67% 19.34% 2015 7.38% 5.31% 8.85% 21.53% 2014 3.98% 7.03% 9.79% 20.80% 2013 2.03% 4.36% 9.30% 15.70%

Qualification and Implementation How do Students Qualify? Full-time seniors with a weighted GPA of 3.95 or higher at the end of the 8th term of high school Qualification and Implementation  When Will this be implemented? How will students be recognized? If approved, the system will be in place for the class of 2020 (Current Sophomores). At graduation, honored students will be denoted by distinctive tassels, stickers on diplomas, and explanation of recognition on the graduation program.

Any other Questions?