Navigating Bishop O’Dowd Course Planning for Grades 9 to11 January 10, 2013

Bishop O’Dowd Counseling Six Full-time Counselors Personal & College Specialists Academic Support Services Assigned by last name : – Ms. Janet Huff – Mr. Marc Dominguez – Ms. Kristina Taggart – Ms. Patricia Cross – Ms. Fran Warmerdam – Ms. Eva Marlatt

Academic Counseling We provide the following services : Assistance to students in the selection of appropriate courses for each school year. Meeting with parents, students and teachers when appropriate to discuss academic issues. Referrals to educational therapists, tutors, support services and outside testing agencies when necessary. Scheduling conferences with students who are in academic jeopardy.

Academic Counseling We provide information about: Courses and graduation requirements for Bishop O'Dowd High School. PLAN/PSAT/SAT I & II/ACT tests and results. Summer school and accelerated or special talent programs for students. Appropriate study strategies and techniques. College search and application process.

Course Selection – Important Dates Jan. 8 – Course Worksheets Distributed Jan. 18 – Course Information Collected Jan. 23 – February Counselors meet with each student to discuss course selections and register for classes Feb. 1 – AP Applications due to Ms. Promes in Room 11

Course Requirements English: 4 years Religious Studies: 4 years Mathematics: 3 years Social Studies: 3 years Fine Arts: 1 year Foreign Language: 2 years Physical Education: 2 years Science: 2 years

Honors Courses Grade Point Averages (GPAs) An extra honor point is added to GPAs for the following courses: –AP courses –Honors English 3 –Honors Pre-Calculus –Honors Chemistry –Honors Physics –Honors third-year & fourth-year languages

Advanced Placement (AP) Partnership between high schools and colleges Students may earn college credit Course guidelines developed by the College Board 90% of the nation's colleges grant credit Students apply for admission into individual courses

Advanced Placement Courses AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Environmental Science AP Calculus AP English AP French, Spanish AP Studio Art AP Psychology AP Computer Science AP American Government AP Comparative Government AP Macro-Economics AP U.S. History AP Statistics

10 th grade courses English – 1 year Religion – 2 semesters –Christian Scriptures/Catholic Experience Mathematics – 1 year –Mathematics course options vary Science – 1 year –Biology, Chemistry or Earth Science World Language – 1 year Physical Education – 1 year Electives – 1 year; could include study

11 th grade courses English – 1 year Religion – 2 semesters –Christian Morality/Religion Elective Mathematics – 1 year –Mathematics course options vary Science – 1 year –Chemistry, Earth Science, Electives World Language – 1 year U.S. History – 1 year Electives – 1 year; could include study

12th grade courses English - 1 year Religion - 2 semesters Social Studies - Amer. Govt/Econ or AP Government Electives - 4 years (should consider college requirements); could include study or TA

Is Online for You? The Possibilities Limited to one class per semester 11 th & 12 th Grade –American Government –Christian Morality –Expository Writing –Psychology –Science Fiction –AP Art History (CSC) –Immigrant Experience (CSC) –Sociology (College of the Siskyous) (college credit only)

Summer Advancement Possibilities: Why? Alg 2/Trigonometry American Government Online Chemistry Christian Morality Online Science Fiction Online Geometry Psychology Online Science Fiction Online Expository Writing Online

What to expect…Freshmen… September - Meet w/ Counselor Register on Naviance, complete Learning Styles inventory January – Apply for Honors Courses January – Complete Scheduling Worksheet February – Meet w/ Counselor Ongoing - Self-refer as appropriate

What to expect…Sophomores… October – Complete PLAN test November –Discuss PLAN results January – Apply for Honors/AP Courses January – Complete Scheduling Worksheet Ongoing - Self-refer as appropriate Ongoing – Visit Career Resource Center

What to expect…Juniors… October – Complete PSAT test January – Meet w/ Counselor to discuss PSAT results January – Apply for Honors/AP January – Complete Scheduling Worksheet Ongoing – Visit Career Resource Center

What to expect…Juniors… Ongoing – Schedule Initial College Appt. Ongoing – Conduct College Visits Ongoing – Register for College Admissions Tests (SAT, ACT, SAT Subject) Ongoing – Enroll in Test Prep as appropriate Ongoing - Self-refer as appropriate

What to expect…Seniors… August - College Boot Camp August – Turn in Senior Questionnaire Ongoing – Meet with counselor, determine final college list Ongoing – Bring counselor applications/essay for review

What to expect…Seniors… Ongoing – Check often Jan - March – Fill in financial aid forms Jan – April – Wait for acceptance letters!!! May 1 st – National Student Intent to Register deadline

Resources for All Course Catalogue - Academic page at website Naviance - college & career planning Counselor - requirements Teachers – ask about placement

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