Cinnaminson High School Freshmen/Sophomore Parent Night April 19, 2012

School Counselors Alexis Mancinelli A-Ha Crystal Widmann He-P Donna Lobascio Q-Z

Graduation Requirements English20.0 credits4 years Social Studies15.0 credits3 years –W–World History –U–US History 1 –U–US History 2 Science18.0 credits3 years –B–Biology –C–Chemistry, Environmental Science, or Physics Math15.0 credits3 years –A–Algebra 1 –G–Geometry World Language10.0 credits2 years Physical Education12.0 credits4 years –3–3 credits each year & will be graded on an individual marking period basis Health 4.0 credits4 years –1–1 credit each year Visual & Performing Arts 5.0 credits 21 st Century Life & Careers or Career Technical Education 5.0 credits Financial Literacy 2.5 credits *Credits are based on how many periods a week a class meets.

4-Year College-Bound Student Course Recommendations English4 years Math4 years Social Studies3-4 years (Depending on major) Science3-4 years (Depending on major) World Language3-4 years Electives: Students should take meaningful electives throughout high school. Senior Privilege: Students should avoid senior privilege if he/she is planning to attend a competitive 4-year college.

PSAT Sophomores and Juniors are encouraged to take the PSAT. Only junior year scores will qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The PSAT is held at CHS every October. The exam is 2 hours and 10 minutes. Students who take the PSAT will receive a login to begin college/career planning, receive information regarding colleges. 

Page 6 Math: up to trigonometry Science: charts, experiments Reading: four passages, one each of Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, and Natural Science English: stresses grammar Writing: persuasive essay Math: up to basic geometry and Algebra II Science: none Reading: sentence completions, short and long critical reading passages, reading comprehension Writing: an essay, and questions testing grammar, usage, and word choice What is the test content? Five-section exam: 1 – English 1 – Math 1 – Reading 1 – Science Reasoning 1 – Writing (Optional) Ten-section exam: 3 – Critical Reading 3 – Math 3 – Writing 1 - Experimental What is the test structure? SAT ACT

SAT vs. ACT SATACT  Scaled score between  Scaled score between 1-36 on each on each section section  Reasoning test based on broad  Achievement test focused on themes curriculum Most U.S. colleges will accept either exam interchangeably, however they may prefer one over the other Each college will have a specific range of SAT score that they are looking for in their incoming freshman class Make sure you check particular colleges’ requirements before taking either test to ensure the best course of action for your student Refer to for more information.

Advanced Placement (AP) A program of college-level courses and exams. Generally taken during junior/senior year (There may be prerequisite courses required). Students must pay a fee to take the AP exam in May. The AP score is based on a scale of 1-5. Contact colleges to find out if they accept AP credit and which courses the credit will be applied to...

College Acceleration Program (CAP) Students can earn college-level credit from Burlington County College (BCC) for select courses taken at CHS. Students pay a fee to BCC and must earn a grade above 70 in the course to receive BCC credit. (Currently $ per course) Credits will be accepted and given by BCC. Contact out-of-state colleges and private NJ universities to determine whether or not they will accept any credit. Although a college may accept CAP credits, they may not necessarily accept it as equivalent credits for the course taken at the high school.

Preparing for College Colleges take the entire transcript into account when evaluating students for admission including classes from freshman through senior year. Students should take academically challenging courses. Generally a “B” in an Honors course is looked upon more favorably than an “A” in a CP course. However, once a student gets into the “C” or “D” range, it is probably more appropriate if he/she takes CP level course. Students need to learn good study habits! Encourage your student to use his/her agenda book, stay organized, and create a consistent study schedule. Participation in extra-curricular activities, volunteer work, community service and taking on leadership roles are important elements on a students’ transcript. Work experience is also valuable to include in a student’s profile.

Sample transcript...

Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) and Class Rank Cumulative G.P.A. is the weighted average of all final course grades. An official Class Rank is computed after the completion of the student’s junior year. Class Rank is computed in the following way:  The “numerical average” earned in each course is multiplied by the “credit value” for the course to yield the “quality points” for that course.  The sum of “quality points” is divided by the total number of “credits attempted” to yield the “weighted grade point average” (GPA).  Students who took honors and Advanced Placement courses will have ten (10) additional points added to their “numerical averages” before the “quality points” are determined.

Career Resource Center Students in 9 th grade will be scheduled to visit the Career Resource Center to complete a Career Interest Inventory and a Learning Styles Inventory. During 11 th grade, students will be given an appointment to visit the Career Resource Center to create their Activities Resume for his/her college application.  Students can access this website at home by using his/her CHS log-in and password which is available from Mrs. Iannuzzi at  Students can explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook to find out educational and skill requirements for various careers as well as salary and job market projections

Alternative Post-Secondary Options Burlington County College (BCC)  Offers a variety of college programs for two years.  Excellent option to begin the college experience, especially if there are: financial considerations, a student is unsure of his/her future career aspirations, or he/she is not ready to leave home yet.  BCC has a Transfer Advisement Office that assists students who plan to transfer to a 4-year college after completing their program at BCC. Trade School  BCIT Adult School offers many training programs for students in each of the trades as well as an Apprenticeship Programs for those interested in joining a local trade union.  Trade Schools: PennCo Tech, ITT Technical Institute, and Universal Technical Institute (UTI).  Cosmetology Schools: BCIT Adult School, Jean Madeline, Aveda Institute, Rizzeri Military  The ASVAB (Military Entrance Exam) is offered at CHS each year during the winter. Students interested in military service should plan to take this test during junior and senior year.  Recruiters from each branch of the military visit CHS periodically during the school year. They are available during lunches on those days to answer questions. Please Note: The ASVAB is not just an exam for students interested in joining the military. This assessment can be used to see where a student’s strengths and weaknesses are and help determine career paths as well.

CHS Guidance Department Website  Visit  Scroll over the Student Services tab and  Click on Guidance Department  You will find links to:  Grade level information  Upcoming events  Scholarship information  Graduation requirements  Senior Packet information  College application process  Much more...

Other Useful Websites  To register for the SAT & search for colleges  To register for the ACT & search for colleges  Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) or military entrance exam.  Pre-FAFSA for determining financial aid eligibility for college  Occupational Outlook Handbook  Use Adult High School tab for information regarding post-secondary trade programs

Questions & Comments We are here to assist you in navigating through your child’s high school career. Please do not hesitate to contact us for anything!