Honors and AP Information Night Mrs. Elliott LOHS GATE Coordinator March 31, 2011

What do these terms mean? GATE Honors Advanced Placement (AP)

GATE Gifted and Talented Education – a term used to refer to the program or a student in the program

Honors A term to describe courses On our campus these courses are: Honors English I, Honors English II, Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra II, Honors Pre- Calculus, and Honors Biology

Advanced Placement (AP) Another term to label courses AP courses emulate college courses in terms of the curriculum. AP courses are designed by a national non- profit organization, College Board, which also administers other programs, like the SAT.

Advanced Placement (AP) AP Courses are quite rigorous, but students have the opportunity at the end of these courses to take an exam which could earn them college credit. Students do not need to be GATE identified or complete any testing for these courses. They need to fill out an application which will be reviewed to ensure the student is prepared for the course.

Advanced Placement (AP) The AP Courses we regularly offer are: AP English Language and Composition (11), AP English Literature and Composition (12), AP World History (10), AP US History (11), AP Government (12), AP Economics (12), AP Statistics (11/12), AP Calculus AB and BC (12), AP Spanish Language (11/12), AP Spanish Literature (12), AP French Language (12), AP Latin (12), AP Biology (10-12), AP Chemistry (10-12), AP Physics (11/12), AP Studio Art (11/12), and AP Art History (11/12).

How do I get into Honors classes? Begin by completing a GATE application To be GATE identified (and therefore eligible for the Honors courses mentioned earlier), you need to meet one of the following requirements:

#1: Be previously GATE identified If you are currently identified as GATE at your junior high, you will be identified as GATE at Los Osos. I have access to student records from our feeder schools, but if you are coming from outside of our feeder schools, an or letter from the school will be necessary. Taking advanced classes in junior high does not necessarily mean a student has been GATE identified.

#2: Have a 5 (advanced) on a 7 th grade CST I have access to this information for students from our feeder schools. If you are coming from outside of these schools, a copy of this score report will be necessary.

#3: Have a 90 th %ile score on another standardized, nationally-normed exam Some private schools give IOWA tests or other standardized exams. A score on the Total Reading or Total Mathematics section in the 90 th percentile is required and a copy of the report will need to be provided.

#4: Qualifying scores on CJUHSD GATE exam In April, we will administer a series of exams to determine GATE eligibility. If you do not qualify in one of the aforementioned ways, you may participate in this testing. You still need to submit an application; I will send you information about the details of the testing day.

If I meet the criteria for GATE, what comes next? If you meet the pre-qualified criteria, you will receive a letter inviting you to attend a question & answer session. If you need to test, you will receive a letter inviting you to the testing session. If you have not received a letter by April 27, please contact me.

Honors FAQs What is the difference between Honors classes and “regular” classes? Are Honors classes just more work? What advanced classes can 9 th graders take? What are the benefits of taking these advanced classes? What if it is too hard? How many should I take and how do I decide which ones to take?

What is the difference between these courses and “regular” classes? “Regular” courses – what we call College Prep -- are designed for all students who want to meet the requirements and be prepared for college after high school. Honors courses are designed to meet the learning needs of gifted and high-achieving students Both courses cover the same standards, but in different ways (depth, complexity, novelty and pace)

Are Honors classes just more work? Honors classes often challenge students in ways they have not been challenged before. Therefore, the work involves more time and energy. The goal with these courses is that they have the appropriate pace, depth, complexity and novelty for gifted and high- achieving students.

What advanced classes can 9 th graders take? Honors Geometry – Placement determined by Math Department – H is a bit faster than CP, more advanced application Honors Biology – Skip Physical Science – Study and organizational skills will be important Honors English I – More advanced readings – Writing tasks become more complex earlier Summer work: H Bio and H English I

What are the benefits of taking advanced classes? Weighted GPA College Admissions Peer Group Ease Transition to College Designed with Gifted & High Achieving Students in Mind

How many Honors courses should I take and how do I decide which ones? Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. John Dewey The journey is as important as the destination. Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. William Butler Yeats Find your passions and pursue them. Education is not a competition; it is a collaboration between minds, hearts, and souls.

How many Honors courses should I take and how do I decide which ones? Consider: – Your enthusiasm – Your ability – Your experience – Your other commitments – Your goals

What if the classes are too hard? We build the number of classes needed to accommodate the requests you make. If you are in a class that is clearly above your ability level, and you realize this early, there is a possibility of making a change. If you wait until after the first few weeks, your ability to drop a course will be based upon the level of effort you have demonstrated, what circumstances may be causing the need for change and whether a change is logistically possible. I am always available to talk with you if you need help.

Reminder: ALL students requesting placement in GATE need to submit an application. If you have a completed GATE Application, please turn it in tonight (transcripts can be sent separately if necessary). If you do not receive a letter by April 27, please contact me.

Thank you! Mrs. Elliott, GATE Coordinator (909) , ext 2047