High School Success and Preparing for College Folsom High School Student/Parent Evening Symposium: High School Success and Preparing for College Presented By: Folsom High Counselors

Agenda for the Evening How To Succeed At FHS Folsom High School Tools/Resources How To Devise A Plan to Meet High School Graduation and College “a-g” Admission Requirements Preparing For College With Honors And AP Courses Planning a Purposeful High School Experience and Building Your Story for College Admission Standardized Tests

Meet your FHS Counselors Clara Brown: A-D Nikka Vaughan: L-Rd Nicole Cruz: Re-Z Mike Adorjan: E-K

Counseling Office The most efficient way to contact your students counselor is to send an email with your questions. This way we have the opportunity to research and provide the answer you are seeking. If an appointment is needed please send your students counselor an email or call them to schedule. Counseling Office Hours Counseling Office is open daily from 7:30am-4:00pm Student Drop in times: Before School At Lunch After School Students may sign up for an individual appointment

How to be in the know? Folsom High School Website - Departments/Teacher Websites Daily Bulletins- on the sidebar of FHS website Sign up for the bi-weekly “Bulldog Newsletter”- link on FHS website above the shopping cart

Helpful Planning Resources Folsom High School Curriculum Guide Folsom High School Website Bookmark the Curriculum Guide for future use! It can be found on the Counseling page of the FHS website

HOW TO EARN CREDITS at FHS… Students take 6 classes during each school year. They will earn 5 credits for every class they pass, each semester, 10 for the year. This means they should have earned at least 60 credits end of each school year.

Grading Periods

Graduation Requirements Subject Years/Number of Credits Required English 4 years – 40 credits Fine Art, World Language or CTE (Career Technical Education) 1 year – 10 credits World Cultures U.S. History Government 1 semester – 5 credits Economics Integrated Math 1 and Integrated Math 2 2 years– 20 credits Mathematics Science 2 years – 20 credits Career Technical Education (CTE) or 3rd Year of Science Health Education 1 semester - 5 credits Physical Education Electives 55 credits Total 220 credits

Transcript

Tools for Success: My student is not doing well in school, what should we do? STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: Has your student… Spoken with the teacher about concerns? Reread the course expectations for policies and procedures to see if late work is accepted or extra credit given? Met with teacher before or after school for additional help? Utilized PAWS? Used PAWSPORT to record assignments? Written down assignments from the teacher’s board (or taken a picture of the board)? Visited the teacher’s website? Worked with a Peer Tutor? Counselors have a list of Peer Tutors for hire. Asked for a seat change to minimize distractions? Asked for a homework buddy? These students help each other if one is absent. PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES: As a parent or guardian, have you… Limited distractions at home by making sure that the TV and cell phone are off, etc.? Set up a regular time for studying and homework? Checked grades and assignments on PowerSchool? Checked your student’s PAWSPORT for assignments? Checked your student’s backpack to see if there is a method for organization? Helped your student prioritize assignments and set educational goals?

Help outside of the classroom Peer Tutoring Program- Peer tutors are current junior and seniors, who have received grades of A or B in the subject and have been recommended for tutoring by their teachers. Tutoring sessions are arranged between the family and the tutor and must be done outside of school hours. There is a recommended fee of $11 per hour. World Language Scholars offer free tutoring every Mondays 3:05-4PM in WL-101. Tutors are available for French, German, and Spanish. PAWS- Students are encouraged to travel during our 45 minute PAWS period. During this time they can get assistance from teachers and other students on their course assignments. They can also make up tests, work on group projects and more.

PowerSchool PowerSchool Portal is a vehicle for parents and students to access grade and attendance information. Students and parents have separate login accounts. We highly recommend this portal to be checked frequently.

Naviance What is Naviance? Naviance, is an interactive college and career readiness platform used by thousands of schools across the country, to help our students develop critical skills and college knowledge that research shows increases students' likelihood of reaching post-secondary goals. Special Features for students? College Research Tools: SuperMatch, Scattergrams (comparative data) Career Research Tools: Strengths Explorer, Career Interest Profile, Resume Builder How Naviance will be integrated at FHS: With Naviance, teachers will coach and monitor students through activities utilizing both in-class and online success planning tools that help students establish meaningful goals for their future. Students will then be guided through the process of creating personalized, task-oriented plans for achieving those goals. Through interest surveys and career planning activities, students will be inspired to learn about themselves, explore careers that match their personality types and interests, and understand what’s required to pursue those careers. How does my student login? Students log into Naviance’s Family Connection: http://connection.naviance.com/folsomhi   with their Powerschool login.

Post High School Options College Community College-112 options All high school graduates are accepted Understand transfer agreements California State University-23 options University of California-10 research colleges-highly competitive Private University-large endowments may help financial aid- may have specific affiliations- small classes Out-of-state college: scholarships such as WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange) Career/Job Trade Schools Electrician, Welding, Cosmetology Military Army Navy Coast Guard Air Force Marines

Four-Year College Admission Requirements UC / CSU a-g Requirements (College Prep Courses) a. History/Social Science 2 Years Required b. English 4 Years Required c. Mathematics 3 Years Required / 4 Years Recommended Including Integrated Math 1, Integrated Math 2, Integrated and Math 3 d. Laboratory Science 2 Years Required / 3 Years Recommended Chosen from Biology, Chemistry, Physics e. Language other than English 2 Years Required / 3 Years Recommended Must be the same language f. Visual & Performing Arts 1 Year Required g. College Preparatory Electives 1 Year Required Chosen from approved UC “a-g” course list Remember: The SAT or ACT plus Writing is also required for most colleges. Listed in BOLD in FHS Curriculum Guide & on registration form Official “a-g” list at https://doorways.ucop.edu/list SAT Subject Tests required by some selective colleges UC: Minimum 3.0 GPA CSU: Minimum 2.0 GPA 16

Personal Learning Plan Worksheet Use your personal learning plan to map out your classes for high school.

How to earn credit for a course if I cannot fit it into my schedule? Zero Period Classes (Limited Options) Summer School (Remedial/Enrichment- prior counselor approval required) School Approved Online Courses Independent Study P.E. (for National Ranked student athletes) Community College Classes (Limited space, must be a course FHS does not offer, students must be 16 or older with 2.75 GPA, requires counselor approval) *only courses required for graduation with prior counselor/admin approval will be placed on FHS transcript

Sample Four-Year Plan: UC/CSU Eligibility + 4 Years with 2 Electives 9 10 11 12 Zero Period: eg – Biology eg – World Lang English Math Fitness 1 World Cultures U.S. History Gov/Econ Science Elect/Wld Lang World Lang Elective/Fitness 2 Elective: VAPA Elective Summer School: Counselor approval Summer School: Counselor approval 19

AP-Advanced Placement Classes/Honors What is it? Advanced Placement is a program run by College Board that allows you to take courses right in your high school that can earn you college credit and/or qualify you for more advanced classes when you begin college. Benefits: College level courses Weighted GPA (except Hon. English 9/10): A=5.0 B=4.0 C=3.0 Potential to earn college credit with high AP test scores Helps with demonstrating rigor and strength in your curriculum

“Plan A Purposeful High School Experience” and Build Your Story For College Admission Colleges want to see your commitment, dedication and genuine interest in expanding your intellectual horizons. Grade-Point Average Performance in Academic Subject Areas Test Scores Achievements in Special Projects Courses Completed/Planned Improvement in Academic Performance Honors (weighted) Courses Top 9% Local Context(ELC) Special Talents, Achievements, and Awards Quality of Senior Year Participation in Educational Preparation Programs Academic Opportunities in California High Schools Academic Accomplishment Within Life Experiences Geographic Location

Get Involved! Music: Jazz, Marching Band, Concert Band, Orchestra Drama and Arts: Film, Drawing and Painting Student Government Academic: California Scholarship Foundation (CSF) Cultural: Global Perspective Studies, World Language Scholars Technology: Robotics Club, Science Club Community Service: Interact, Key Club, BRO List of clubs and advisors will be on FHS website- Student Activities DEDICATION IS KEY!

DO NOT LIMIT YOURSELF! BE ORIGINIAL! How do I demonstrate: Commitment, Dedication and Genuine Interest in expanding intellectual horizons? Non-college prep classes in a specific area Online courses- either for credit or not for credit Reading books and articles Summer programs Internships/ Employment Community Service Performances Ted Talks, NPR, exposing your mind to other avenues of learning Cultural activities/ Religious or church involvment Participating in fairs and competitions DO NOT LIMIT YOURSELF! BE ORIGINIAL!

Standardize Testing: SAT and ACT Colleges will accept either test. You can take ACT /SAT as late as December of senior year. Writing portion is optional but highly recommended. Prepare during junior year-FHS offers the PSAT. ACT SAT Designed to Measure Academic development Critical thinking Content Covered grammar & usage, math, reading and science reasoning and writing (optional) Reading, relevant words in context, math, grammar & usage, analytical writing (optional) Penalty for wrong answers NO Offered when Six times a year Seven times a year Duration of test 3 hours-3 hours 40 minutes/with essay 3 hours 50 minutes

Additional Testing Information: SAT Subject Tests: gives students a chance to demonstrate proficiency- some colleges require for specific majors (Math/Science) AP Test: Mastery of AP classes- students can earn college credit College Placement Test- Your SAT, AP, CAASP scores can substitute for college placement test CAASP: California State Testing during Junior Year- This will be your ELM and EAP test

Researching College Prospects: What do you want to study? What schools have strong programs? Do you want to live in an urban, suburban or rural environment? How far from home do you want to venture? What size school is best for you? Tips: Research colleges and majors Campus visits Keep your GPA competitive Consider all options Do not cross off a school due to financial aid Show the colleges you are interested: Attend college fairs Campus visits Communication with schools and reps Meetings with admission reps at Folsom High School

Thank you! Join Counseling REMIND Account for update information and reminders: @fhscode to the number 81010