The Importance of David Brearley School Counseling Department Mrs. Jessica Kaiser (A-L) Ms. Stephanie Scasso (M-Z)

How is High School Different from Middle School? High School has more opportunities/more classes/more responsibilities 9th Grade Counts! Grades 9-12 are considered in college decisions Self-Reliance: Teachers may not always remind you of work that is due or check homework Self-Advocate: It will be up to you to ASK FOR HELP. Mom and Dad cannot do it for you Growth- Personal and Social; Try new things, join clubs, activities, and develop yourself outside of the classroom

What Do Colleges Look for? Course Selection Grade Point Average SAT and/or ACT scores Activities Awards Letters of Recommendations Personal Essays

Grade Point Average/Grading G.P.A. is the average of all final grades earned in all courses throughout high school. Each marking period is worth 20% of the final grade The midterm and final exam are worth 10% of the final grade THIS INCLUDES YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR!

Transcript A transcript is a record of all the courses you took throughout your high school career

Sample Transcript #1

Sample Transcript #2

What Makes a Strong Transcript? It is recommended that each student take “college prep courses” and challenge themselves to the best of their ability

School Counselor’s Role Assist students with social and personal issues Advise students on courses and academics Help foster individual student responsibility Monitor progress to ensure graduation requirements are met Develop a post-high school plan with each student Address any school-related concern where a student or parent needs assistance Course Selection

Graduation Requirements:  Class of 2018 must fulfill the following minimum 120 credit graduation requirement English At least 20 credits; one per year Mathematics At least 15 credits Science At least 15 credits Global Studies At least 5 credits United States History At least 10 credits World Language At least 5 credits Health and Physical Education At least 5 credits per year Fine Arts At least 5 credits 21st Century Life & Careers At least 5 credits Financial Literacy At least 2.5 credits Information Processing At least 2.5 credits Electives At least 15 credits Total Minimum Credit Requirement 120

Sample Student Schedule

PARCC Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC) Transitioning from NJ ASK and HSPA to PARCC Assessments By Spring 2015, the following students will be tested: Grades 3-8 Algebra Geometry Algebra 2 English 9-11 The new assessments will be ready for administration during the 2014-2015 school year.

State Testing Requirements continued… These assessments will: Help establish a pathway to college and career readiness by the end of high school 2. Provide information regarding students progress toward this goal from grade 3 on up. 3. Provide teachers with timely information, allowing them to give informed instruction and provide student with support.

PSAT The following grades will take the PSAT: Grade 9 Grade 10 To be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship, you will use your Grade 11 PSAT score PSAT’s are administered in October of each school year There is a parent night to review your child’s PSAT results and what they could be doing to improve their scores.

Course Levels Core Courses *Core Courses are for the English, Math and Biology courses only Core courses are designed for students who have been identified (through assessment scores, grades and teacher recommendations) as needing more individualized attention to successfully navigate the curriculum. The class contains the same content as a college prep course, but the content is covered at a slower pace with more individualized attention. Honors Courses Honors courses are enriched; they offer the same material as a regular class but in greater depth and with a faster pace. Honors courses emphasize critical and independent thinking to produce creative application of ideas. Advanced Placement Courses AP Classes are college-level courses and exams. Students will engage in intense discussions, solve problems collaboratively, and learn to write clearly and persuasively. Students are required to take an AP Exam at the end of each course and must pay the cost of the exam.

Course Placement into Core Component Possible Points Points Earned Midterm Exam 0% - 64% 65% - 69% 70% - 72% 3 points 2 points 1 point Grades Teacher Recommendation The teacher believes that the given student struggles to succeed in the given content area Total points needed for placement (out of 7 possible) 5 points Total points earned points Student Placed into Core YES NO Course Placement into Core Component Possible Points Points Earned NJ ASK / NJ ASK (For students entering Grade 9 – use grade 7 scores) Partially proficient score (0 - 179) Partially proficient score (180-189) Partially proficient score (190-200) 3 points 2 points 1 point Midterm Exam 0% - 64% 65% - 69% 70% - 72% Grades Teacher Recommendation The teacher believes that the given student struggles to succeed in the given content area Total points needed for placement (out of 10 possible) 8 points Total points earned points Student Placed YES NO

Course Placement into Honors/AP Component Possible Points Points Earned NJ ASK / NJ ASK (For students entering Grade 9 – use grade 7 scores) Superior score (275 or greater) Advanced proficient score (250 to 274) Proficient score (235 – 249) Proficient score (220 – 234) 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point Midterm Exam Superior score (95% or higher) Very strong score (90% - 94%) Strong score (85% - 89%) Grades 95% - 100% 90% - 94% 85% - 89% Teacher Recommendation The teacher believes that the given student has the ability to succeed in an honors-level course. Total points needed for placement (out of 11 possible) 9 points Total points earned points Student Placed YES NO Course Placement into Honors/AP Component Possible Points Points Earned NJ ASK / NJ ASK (For students entering Grade 9 – use grade 7 scores) Superior score (275 or greater) Advanced proficient score (250 to 274) Proficient score (235 – 249) Proficient score (220 – 234) 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point Midterm Exam Superior score (95% or higher) Very strong score (90% - 94%) Strong score (85% - 89%) Grades 95% - 100% 90% - 94% 85% - 89% Teacher Recommendation The teacher believes that the given student has the ability to succeed in an honors-level course. Total points needed for placement (out of 11 possible) 9 points Total points earned points Student Placed YES NO

Pathways to Graduation Program of Studies can be found on the Kenilworth schools website under the counseling department Option 2: College Course Work for High School Credit (UCC Bridge Program) Online or Distance Learning (Virtual High School Courses) www.thevhscollaborative.org

It Is Never Too Early To Think About College!