Maur Hill – Mount Academy Freshmen/Sophomore Information Night November 12, 2014

Agenda What do Counselors Do Graduation Requirements Transcript Breakdown Testing Options/Information Academic Information Miscellaneous

What Do Counselors Do? Academic, career, and social/emotional support Schedule changes and proper class placement 4 Year Plan (9-12) Development Conferences with student/parent/teacher Student Advocate Academic Intervention Counseling

Learning the Lingo Credit – Awarded upon successful completion of a course (awarded twice a year at the end of a semester in.5 increments) Sequence – Number of year of study in one academic discipline (Math, English, etc.) Requirement – Courses absolutely required in order to graduate, either state or local course requirements Elective – A chosen course, not part of the core class structure

Graduation Requirements English – 4 Credits Math – 4 Credits Science – 4 Credits Social Studies – 4 Credits Religion – 4 or 1 Credit for each year of attendance Electives – 3 Credits Fine Arts – 1 Credit PE/Health – 1 Credit Foreign Language – 2 Credits (must be same language)

Graduation Requirements Kansas Regents Honor Scholar Pathway Maur Hill – Mount Academy Graduation Requirements Graduation Requirements

Kansas Regents Honor Scholars Specific Requirements English – Must include American Literature Math – Must include Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and at least 1 class beyond Algebra 2 Science – Must include Biology, Chemistry, and Physics Social Sciences – Must include World History, American History, Government, Economics Foreign Language – Must be 2 years of the same language

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Weighted vs Unweighted Unweighted is on a traditional 4.0 scale A = 4.00 A- = 3.75 B+ = 3.25 B = 3.00 Weighted is on a 4.25 scale (College and AP courses only) A = 4.25 A- = 4.00 B+ = 3.50 B = 3.25

Testing 9 th – ASPIRE 10 th – ASPIRE or PSAT and start SAT or ACT 11 th – PSAT continue SAT and ACT 12 th – (Early Fall) Final testing opportunities

ASPIRE Practice test for the ACT Test is given to all freshmen students in October Results will be sent home with Fall Semester Report Card (December) Why we give it? Exposes students to the ACT and official testing early Data can help identify students who need to be challenged in classes, or those students who need additional academic resources Gives indication of strengths and weaknesses and areas for improvement

PSAT Practice Test for the SAT; uses questions from discontinued SAT tests High enough scores can lead to National Merit Scholarship Finalists or Commended Scholar Awards ($$) Why we give it? Exposes students to the SAT early Data can help identify students who need to be challenged in classes, or those students who need additional academic resources Gives indication of strengths and weaknesses

ACT Content Based – English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing (optional) Large focus on English grammar and punctuation All multiple choice with no guessing penalty – only scored on the number of correct answers Math section does include Trigonometry Highest score is 36 (average of the 4 sections)

SAT Tests critical thinking and problem solving – math, reading and writing Very heavy in vocabulary Not entirely multiple choice; some questions require graphing or entering numeric answer Highest score is a 2400 between the 3 categories (800 each) College are looking at the total score between math and reading

Redesigned SAT (Spring 2016) 3 Sections – Evidence Based Reading and Writing, Math, and Essay Test will take 3 hours, with additional 50 minutes for optional essay portion Incorrect guesses will NOT be penalized Science passages added to the reading section Graduating classes of 2015 and 2016 will take the current SAT. Only classes of 2017 and beyond will take the redesigned SAT.

Qualified Admissions 6 Regent Universities (KSU, Emporia, Wichita, Hays, Pittsburgh, KU) Requirements Graduate from an accredited KS high school ACT score of at least 21 of SAT score of at least 980 Graduate in top 1/3 of class Complete QA Pre-College Curriculum At least a 2.0 in any dual credit courses being transferred in

Miscellaneous Academic Information 60% is minimum grade needed for a class credit Academic Assistance done weekly (Monday-Thursday) Students notified on Monday during 5 th hour

College Applications (Start Preparing Your Folder Now) School Involvement Athletic Teams Non-Athletic Activities (Scholars Bowl, Musical, etc.) Community Service Diverse, meaningful service to others Recommendation Letters Grades Test Scores Higher priority placed on test scores

How Parents Can Help Encourage good study habits, beginning in the 9 th grade Facilitate decision making and access to appropriate courses Attend parent/teacher conferences Discuss and post-secondary plans/opportunities Frequent communication with teachers and counselor Encourage your child to challenge themselves in academics

Reminders PowerSchool Access Raven Weekly and Student Raven Weekly Summer ACT Prep Course Wednesdays from 9am-11am Starting May 27 through July 29 Information available 2 nd semester

Questions?

Communication Whitney McGinnis Monika King