FCA UNDERCLASSMEN PARENT INFORMATION SESSION

OBJECTIVES10TH GRADE INFORMATION NIGHT What are graduation requirements? New Jersey College GPA averages? Preparing for Standardized tests?

UNDERCLASSMAN ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM & ACADEMIC ADVISOR Principal – Graig Weiss Underclassman School Administrator & Instructional Dean – Jennifer Osemwegie Leader of Student Culture – Glenn Burns Dean of Students – Carla Hill Underclassman Academic Advisor – Christina Mangus

HIGH SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS OUR MISSION...is to ensure that all of our students secure the academic knowledge and skills to prepare them for the nation’s finest colleges and to instill in them the core values of caring, respect, responsibility and honesty. All courses and extracurricular activities are geared toward obtaining college acceptance. ✔ FCA scholars are expected to aspire to greater academic heights and higher personal standards for decorum ✔ Yes it is true that we expect our students to obtain an acceptance letter from a 4year college. ✔ Yes it is true that all students obtain 40 hours of community services. ✔ Yes it is true that our students feel prepared and ready for college when they graduate.

NJ VS. FCA GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASS OF 2018 NJ Graduation Credits Total 120FAC Graduation Credits Approximate Total 160 English: 5 Credits each Level 9-12, 1 course / year English: 10 credits - 9th-11th, 5 credits - 12th Level 9-12, 1 course / year PE/Health: 3.75/1.25 each Level 9-12, 1 course / year PE/Health: 3.75/1.25 each Level 9-12, 1 course / year Math: 5 Credits each 3 courses over 4 years Math: 5 Credits each 4 courses over 4 years Science: 5 Credits each 3 courses over 4 years Science: 5 Credits each 4 courses over 4 years Social Studies/History: 5 Credits each 3 courses over 4 years Social Studies/History: 5 Credits each 4 courses over 4 years World Language: 5 Credits each 1 course over 4 years World Language: 5 Credits each Minimum 2 courses over 4 years Electives: Credits vary must total 15 # of courses vary Electives: Credits vary Mandatory: College Prep, Music, Financial Literacy

GENERAL PLANNING BY YEAR Sophomore Year:  Career Readiness & Planning  Developing an academic plan to create success  Career Shadowing  College Trips/Tours Junior Year:  Testing Timetable – PSAT, SAT, ACT, PARCC  Parent Transcript Meeting  College Trips tailored to GPA  Challenge self with more difficult courses such as Honors & AP Senior Year:  College/scholarship applications  Financial Aid Information Night  Finalizing Community Service Hours  MCCC Courses

THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR GPA GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated based on the FCA Grading Scale.

FCA GPA IN COMPARISON TO NJ COLLEGES The GPA sent on college applications includes your 9 th, 10 th, and 11 th Grades. NJ CollegesGPA of Accepted Applicants FCA Letter Grade Princeton4.0A average TCNJ / Stockton / Stevens3.8A- to A average Rowan / Rutgers3.5B+ to A- average Montclair / Monmouth3.0B average Rider / Kean / NJIT2.8B- to B average Fairleigh Dickinson / NJCU / Caldwell / William Paterson 2.5C+ - B- average Bloomfield / Georgian Court 2.0C average

STANDARDIZED TESTING PSAT : Preliminary SAT - October – It is recommended that students have completed Geometry – Taken during Junior year in order to compete for National Merit Scholarships ACT and SAT Tests: Tests typically required for college acceptance – Taken during winter & spring of Junior year SAT Subject Tests: Taken dependent on college’s requirements – Taken after completing accelerated courses in math, science, foreign language, world history, and literature – Some university programs require specific SAT Subject Tests to be considered for admission Advanced Placement (AP) Exams: Taken May after majority of course being completed

New FCA Handbook with updated policies & course descriptions! Some new policies include: no more than 2 summer classes will be accepted minimum 2.0 GPA to progress to next grade level Parent Access Link to School Brains to view student’s grades!

GRADE LEVEL CHAIR Erin Gallagher – Sophomore Grade Level Chair What is a grade level chair? What occurs at the Grade Level meetings? How you, as the parent may be involved?

Christina Mangus Underclassman Academic Advisory