Help Your Child Decide if Vanguard Tech Center, Post Secondary Options and Advanced Placement are right for them

Vanguard Tech Center Vanguard Tech Center (VGTC) has 19 different lab classes to offer juniors and seniors. This diversity in opportunities means there is a lab experience for almost everyone.

Vanguard Tech Center Labs Auto Collision Automotive Technology Buildings and Grounds Carpentry Digital Technologies* Cosmetology Criminal Justice* Culinary Arts Design Engineering and Architecture* Early Childhood Education Electrical Trades Engineering Technologies and Robotics* Landscape Greenhouse Management Marketing Masonry Medical Aide Medical Careers* Medical Information Technology Welding and Fabrication * Classes that are college ready

Vanguard Tech Center Schedule Students can attend full-time Students will attend VGTC for their lab (seniors in the morning, juniors in the afternoon*). The other half of the day students will attend academic classes at VGTC. Students in non-college ready programs have the option to attend a first period class at Ross. *Digital Technologies has both AM and PM labs for juniors and seniors

Vanguard Tech Center Schedule Students can attend part-time Students will attend their lab at VGTC (seniors in the morning, juniors in the afternoon*). The other half of the day students will attend academic classes at Ross. *Digital Technologies has both AM and PM labs for juniors and seniors

College Ready Programs at Vanguard Tech Center College ready programs are programs that have a college component. Each semester students will take a class at Terra State Community College. There are 5 college ready programs at VGTC.

College Opportunities at Vanguard Tech Center VGTC’s 5 college ready programs available: Criminal Justice Design Engineering and Architecture Digital Technologies Engineering Technologies and Robotics Medical Careers

College Opportunities at Vanguard Tech Center Students in the non-college ready programs may take college courses at Terra along with their lab. VGTC has articulation agreements with several two year colleges. Many students attending four year colleges can also get credit for their labs.

Intangible Skills learned at VGTC Students participate in DECA, BPA, FCCLA, FFA, Skills USA. These organizations build leadership skills, public speaking skills and teach students how to work within a group.

What are other reasons college bound students should consider VGTC ? VGTC is a great way to try a career “on for size”. Students can help pay for college with higher paying part-time jobs. Students learn skills that can help them in their day to day life.

Advanced Placement and Post- Secondary Options Advanced Placement (AP) classes are college level courses taught at the high school by high school teachers. Post-Secondary Options (PSEO) program is an opportunity for high school students to take classes at a college or university while still a high school student.

Benefits of AP There is no application for AP classes. Classes are taught at Ross. The value of earned grades are one grade letter higher in AP classes. Ex: a B in an AP course is factored in the GPA as if it were an A.* Students can receive college credit for these classes. * Student must take the AP exam to receive the higher grade value.

Benefits of PSEO Students receive college and high school credit for completed courses. Juniors and Seniors can take all of their classwork at a college or university. Students have the opportunity to experience real college classes. The classes and books are paid for by the school district.* *If option B is chosen.

How to choose the “right” AP and PSEO classes There are no “right” classes when choosing AP and PSEO. Each person needs to ask themselves why they are taking these classes and then follow that path. Some reasons include: I want to get as many college credits completed as possible, I want to earn Associates Degree, I want to take a class not offered at Ross, I want to explore a career.

How to choose the “right” AP and PSEO classes Encourage your student to start with their strengths. Encourage your student to not bite off more than they can chew. Understand that the “right” classes for your student may not be PSEO or AP classes.

Combining VGTC, AP and PSEO Students may combine two or more programs in a school year. Students must apply to each program individually and meet each individual program’s requirements.

Questions? Contact the sophomore counselor, Ms. Blanton, at or her at Contact a Vanguard Tech Center counselor at Visit Terra’s website at terra.eduterra.edu

Important Dates Vanguard Tech Center December 6—All sophomores visit February 3—Vanguard hosts their Open House Second semester—applications are due

Important Dates Post Secondary Options February 11, 7pm—Ross’s mandatory meeting May 1—Terra applications due