Cinnaminson High School Freshmen/Sophomore Parent Night October 16 th, 2014

School Counselors Alexis Mancinelli Grade 9 A-H Grade 10 A-E Crystal Widmann Grade 9 I-Pa Grade 10 F-N Donna Lobascio Grade 9 Pe-Z Grade 10 O-Z

Graduation Requirements English20.0 credits4 years Social Studies15.0 credits3 years –W–World History –U–US History 1 –U–US History 2 Science18.0 credits3 years –B–Biology –C–Chemistry, Environmental Science, or Physics Math15.0 credits3 years –A–Algebra 1 –G–Geometry World Language10.0 credits2 years Physical Education12.0 credits4 years –3–3 credits each year & will be graded on an individual marking period basis Health 4.0 credits4 years –1–1 credit each year Visual & Performing Arts 5.0 credits 21 st Century Life & Careers or Career Technical Education 5.0 credits Financial Literacy 2.5 credits Career Exploration satisfied through modules completed in the Naviance program *Credits are based on how many periods per week a class meets.

4-Year College-Bound Student Course Recommendations English4 years Math4 years Social Studies3-4 years (Depending on major) Science3-4 years (Depending on major) World Language3-4 years Electives: Students should take meaningful electives throughout high school. Senior Privilege: Students planning to attend a 4-year college should avoid senior privilege.

PSAT All sophomores and juniors will take the PSAT in October. Only junior year scores will qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The exam is 2 hours and 10 minutes. Students who take the PSAT will receive a login to begin college/career planning and receive information regarding colleges. 

Page 6 Math: up to trigonometry Science: charts, experiments Reading: four passages, one each of Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, and Natural Science English: stresses grammar Writing: persuasive essay Math: up to basic geometry and Algebra II Science: none Reading: sentence completions, short and long critical reading passages, reading comprehension Writing: an essay, and questions testing grammar, usage, and word choice What is the test content? Five-section exam: 1 – English 1 – Math 1 – Reading 1 – Science Reasoning 1 – Writing (Optional) Ten-section exam: 3 – Critical Reading 3 – Math 3 – Writing 1 - Experimental What is the test structure? SAT ACT

SAT vs. ACT SATACT  Scaled score between  Scaled score between 1-36 on on each section each section  Reasoning test based on broad  Achievement test focused on themes curriculum The SAT will be implementing major changes beginning in the spring of Make sure you check particular colleges’ requirements before taking either test to ensure the best course of action for your student. Refer to or for more information.

The Role of Standardized Test Scores in College Admissions Admissions Packet – SAT/ACT becoming more critical piece of packet – Only reliable benchmark that admissions can use to evaluate students across the board Competitive Edge – Number of students who apply increases every year – Students need to set themselves a part from others – More scholarship money is given to students with higher test scores Test Score Differentiation – Schools will “super score” the SAT & ACT – Essay is only sample of what student can do on his/her own

The Role of Standardized Test Scores in College Admissions Application Cut-Off Point – SAT/ACT initial filter for applications – Several colleges will not even “open” an application unless students reach a specific benchmark score – The more prestigious the college the higher the cut-off will be – It is imperative that the scores at least meet the cut-off scores to be considered

National Association for College Admission Counseling College Admission Factors Strength of Curriculum68% Admission Test Scores ACT/SAT59% Essay or Writing Sample25% Counselor Recommendation Letter19% Class Rank19% Teacher Recommendation Letter17% Subject Test Scores (AP) 7% Portfolio and/or Interview 6% SAT Subject Test 5% Extra Curricular Activities 5% Work/Volunteer or Community Service 2%

Advanced Placement (AP) A program of college-level courses and exams. Generally taken during junior/senior year (There may be prerequisite courses required). Students must pay a fee to take the AP exam in May. The AP score is based on a scale of 1-5. Contact colleges to find out if they accept AP credit and which courses the credit will be applied to... Check Search for “Credit and Placement” and “Credit Policy Search”

College Acceleration Program (CAP) Students can earn college-level credit from Burlington County College (BCC) for select courses taken at CHS. Students pay a fee to BCC and must earn a grade above 70 in the course to receive BCC credit. (Currently $ per course) Credits will be accepted and given by BCC. Contact all colleges and universities to determine whether or not they will accept any credit. Although a college may accept CAP credits, they may not necessarily accept it as equivalent credits for the course taken at the high school.

Preparing for College Entire transcript Academically challenging courses College Prep vs. Honors and Honors vs. AP Practice good study habits! Extra-curricular activities, volunteer work, community service Work experience

Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) and Class Rank Cumulative G.P.A. is the weighted average of all final course grades. An official Class Rank is computed after the completion of the student’s junior year. Class Rank is computed in the following way:  The “numerical average” earned in each course is multiplied by the “credit value” for the course to yield the “quality points” for that course.  The sum of “quality points” is divided by the total number of “credits attempted” to yield the “weighted grade point average” (GPA).  Students who took honors and Advanced Placement courses will have ten (10) additional points added to their “numerical averages” before the “quality points” are determined. Refer to page 26 in the Student Agenda Book.

Career Center Students in 9 th grade will be scheduled to visit the Career Center for training on how to use Naviance Family Connection and to complete The Myers-Briggs “Do What You Are”. Students in 10 th grade will participate in a lesson on career exploration and a career cluster profile. During 11 th grade, students will visit the Career Center to create an Activities Resume for their college application and to explore colleges using the Super Match College Search. connection.naviance.com/cinnaminsonhs  Students can access this website at home by using their CHS log-in (last name first initial) and password (student ID#).  Students can explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook to find out educational and skill requirements for various careers as well as salary and job market projections.

Naviance Family Connection  Visit connection.naviance.com/cinnaminsonhs  Enter your unique user name (last name/first initial) and password (student ID#).  You will find important information (specific to your grade level) regarding:  Upcoming events  College search assistance  Career information  Scholarship information  Summer enrichment programs  Volunteer opportunities  Part-time jobs  Graduation requirements  College application process  Much more...

Alternative Post-Secondary Options Burlington County College (BCC)  Excellent option to begin the college experience, especially if there are: financial considerations, a student is unsure of his/her future career aspirations, or he/she is not ready to leave home yet. Trade School  BCIT Adult School  Trade Schools  Cosmetology Schools Military  The ASVAB (Military Entrance Exam) is offered at CHS each year during the winter. The qualifying score for the Army & Marines is a 31 and the qualifying score for the Air Force & Navy is a 51.  Recruiters  ROTC Programs vs. Enlistment Please Note: The ASVAB is not just an exam for students interested in joining the military. This assessment can be used to see where a student’s strengths and weaknesses are and help determine career paths as well.

Other Useful Websites  To register for the SAT & search for colleges  To register for the ACT & search for colleges  Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) or military entrance exam.  Pre-FAFSA for determining financial aid eligibility for college  Occupational Outlook Handbook  Use Adult High School tab for information regarding post-secondary trade programs

Questions & Comments Thank you for coming! We are here to assist you in navigating through your child’s high school career. Please do not hesitate to contact us for anything!