Is Advanced Placement or ACCEL the right choice for me? Forsyth Central High School Monday, January 31, 2011

What Counts in College Admissions? According to the NACAC Survey of College Admissions Officials, the following represent the percent of officials who cited the factors below as “considerably important”: According to the NACAC Survey of College Admissions Officials, the following represent the percent of officials who cited the factors below as “considerably important”: Academic rigor of courses82% Academic rigor of courses82% SAT Scores46% SAT Scores46% Class Rank42% Class Rank42% Overall grades/GPA42% Overall grades/GPA42% Application essay14% Application essay14% Work/school activities 6% Work/school activities 6%

ACCEL Courses at FCHS ACCEL Pre-Requisites‏ ACCEL Pre-Requisites‏ Offered to seniors only; Offered to seniors only; Core GPA thru junior year must be at least a 3.0; Core GPA thru junior year must be at least a 3.0; Minimum test score requirements: Minimum test score requirements: SAT--Critical Reading 530, Math 460 or SAT--Critical Reading 530, Math 460 or ACT--English 24, Math 19 ACT--English 24, Math 19 Listen for announcement regarding a meeting to learn more details and hand-out applications in the NEAR future Listen for announcement regarding a meeting to learn more details and hand-out applications in the NEAR future

ACCEL Courses at FCHS ACCEL ACCEL Take English 1101 & Economics 1 st Semester Take English 1101 & Economics 1 st Semester Take English 1102 & Political Science 2 nd Semester Take English 1102 & Political Science 2 nd Semester Courses taught by Gainesville State College professors on the FCHS campus; Courses taught by Gainesville State College professors on the FCHS campus; ACCEL classes are scheduled as the 1 st classes of an ACCEL student’s day; classes begin as early as 7:15 am Monday – Thursday; no ACCEL class on Fridays; ACCEL classes are scheduled as the 1 st classes of an ACCEL student’s day; classes begin as early as 7:15 am Monday – Thursday; no ACCEL class on Fridays; An extra quality point in the cumulative GPA is awarded if a student earns at least a 70 in the course; An extra quality point in the cumulative GPA is awarded if a student earns at least a 70 in the course; Listen for announcement regarding a meeting to learn more details and hand-out applications in the NEAR future Listen for announcement regarding a meeting to learn more details and hand-out applications in the NEAR future

What is the AP Program ? College-level curriculum designed and approved by the College Board. College-level curriculum designed and approved by the College Board. –includes an extensive “standardized” college level end-of-course examination –world-wide curriculum content and is approved by the the College Board

Advanced Placement (AP) Advanced Placement Advanced Placement –Quality Pt Added to GPA (An A in an AP course earns a 5.0 on 4.0 GPA scale for that course)** –Credit dependent on AP exam scores and specific college policies. –Credit, if awarded, is honored at many colleges and universities throughout the nation –A variety of course offerings are available –Courses are offered grades 9-12 –Exam fee ($87.00 per exam)

Things to Remember Students taking AP exams are awarded exam scores between 1 and 5 by the College Board, with 5 being the highest score awarded. Students taking AP exams are awarded exam scores between 1 and 5 by the College Board, with 5 being the highest score awarded. Students must take the AP exam in each course for which they wish to be considered for college credit. Students are awarded possible college credit based on EXAM scores, NOT AP course grades. Students must take the AP exam in each course for which they wish to be considered for college credit. Students are awarded possible college credit based on EXAM scores, NOT AP course grades. Colleges & universities have their own policies for awarding college credit—please check with individual colleges for that information. Colleges & universities have their own policies for awarding college credit—please check with individual colleges for that information.

Benefits of the AP Program Taking AP courses gives students the opportunity to –Refine academic / study skills –Increase self-confidence and motivation –Prepare for competitive college admissions process –Possibly earn college credit and/or placement

Is AP the right choice for me? Students who are successful in AP courses tend to have: High interest in learning the subject Strong communication skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening)‏ Ability to process & understand new information quickly A positive attitude about challenging academic work Ability to prioritize tasks & manage time effectively

Is AP the right choice for me? Students & parents should evaluate readiness by looking at academic performance, not just academic ability.

Is AP the right choice for me? AP courses are designed with the motivated, prepared, and high-achieving student in mind.

Should I Take an AP Course ? Students & parents should make this decision after considering ALL of the following: Past & current academic performance Past & current academic performance Student academic readiness Student academic readiness Teacher recommendation Teacher recommendation Student (not parent) interest & motivation Student (not parent) interest & motivation Demands on time & competing interests Demands on time & competing interests

Am I ready to take an AP course ? BEFORE registration, students & parents should Talk to current teachers about performance, readiness & interest. Talk to current teachers about performance, readiness & interest. Talk to AP teachers about course expectations, work-load, and requirements. Talk to AP teachers about course expectations, work-load, and requirements. Review academic progress with a counselor and discuss performance, readiness & interest. Review academic progress with a counselor and discuss performance, readiness & interest.

How do I register for an AP course? How does AP work with STEM? Course Registration Process Course Registration Process Feb 8: Teacher Recommendations Due Feb 8: Teacher Recommendations Due Feb 15: Parent Portal Opens Feb 15: Parent Portal Opens Mar 2: Parent Portal Closes Mar 2: Parent Portal Closes

9 th Grade Students & Parents Are AP & Horizons classes the same? AP classes are different— AP classes have college-level expectations for students based on nationally-recognized curriculum standards; AP classes have college-level expectations for students based on nationally-recognized curriculum standards; The quantity & quality of work expected in in an AP course requires a greater student commitment of time, energy, and effort inside of & outside of the classroom; The quantity & quality of work expected in in an AP course requires a greater student commitment of time, energy, and effort inside of & outside of the classroom; AP courses, resources, teachers & curriculum are reviewed & approved by the College Board annually; AP courses, resources, teachers & curriculum are reviewed & approved by the College Board annually; Students may earn college credit, advanced placement, or both—depending on AP exam performance Students may earn college credit, advanced placement, or both—depending on AP exam performance

9 th Grade AP Human Geography Why an AP course in 9 th grade? AP Human Geography has been designed & placed in the curriculum with the 9 th grade student in mind; AP Human Geography has been designed & placed in the curriculum with the 9 th grade student in mind; AP courses have been intentionally placed in the course curriculum with high school graduation requirements and knowledge & skill pre-requisites in mind AP courses have been intentionally placed in the course curriculum with high school graduation requirements and knowledge & skill pre-requisites in mind Please see the Forsyth County Schools Course Digest at for information on course sequencing, pre-requisities, and graduation requirements

AP course availability INDIVIDUAL COURSE AVAILABILITY at each high school is determined annually by student registration & course demand, student registration & course demand, availability of AP-endorsed teachers, availability of AP-endorsed teachers,AND the requirements of the school’s overall instructional program. the requirements of the school’s overall instructional program.

Your Contacts at Forsyth Central High School Mr. Michel Satterfield FCHS Assistant Principal / AP Mrs. Kim Head FCHS Assistant Principal / STEM Mrs. Deidre Miller FCHS Lead Counselor / ACCEL

For more information… AP Central AP Central – College & University AP Credit Policies College & University AP Credit Policies – AP Student Resources AP Student Resources – AP Parent Resources AP Parent Resources –

Meet AP Students & Teachers Cafeteria Q & A for Administration, Counseling & ACCEL Program M. Satterfield & D. Miller Math Rm 180 AP Statistics Mrs. Debra Barrineau Rm 186 AP Calculus Mrs. Dawn Dirst Science Rm 188 AP BiologyMr. Bill Schuyler Rm 188AP Chemistry Mrs. Kelli Schuyler Rm 189 AP Physics C Mrs. Laura Englebert Rm 189AP Environmental Sci.Mrs. Jessica Dunne

Meet AP Students & Teachers English / Language Arts Rm 193 AP English Language Mrs. Karen Knable Rm 201 AP English LiteratureMrs. Margaret Ann Thompson Fine Arts & World Languages Rm 187 AP Studio Art Mr. Kevin Whitley Rm 187AP Art HistoryMr. Kevin Whitley Rm 205AP Spanish Language Dr. Gloria Green

Meet AP Students & Teachers Social Studies Rm 190 AP United States HistoryMrs. Susan Nodine Rm 190AP World HistoryMr. Eric Prince Rm 191 AP European HistoryMrs. Jennifer Garner Rm 191AP Government Mr. Patrick Webb Rm 191AP Human GeographyMrs. Jennifer Garner & Mr. Patrick Webb