Parent Meeting September 8, 2014 Scottsboro High School “Where it’s all good, all the time!”

I. Dual Enrollment & AP  Dual Enrollment Opportunities at SHS  -Math 112 & 113 (6hrs)Pre-Calculus  -Biology 201& 202 (8hrs)Anatomy & Physiology  - Medical Terminology 105Advanced Healthcare  -Pharmacology 216Advanced Healthcare  - Psychology 200 & 210 (6hrs)Psychology  Any class on Northeast Campus that is DE eligible will be considered for our students who register.

AP- Advanced Placement  AP opportunities at SHS  - AP English  - AP Calculus  - AP Chemistry  - AP US History

II. PSAT, ACT, & SAT  PSAT  - take as a Sophomore and a Junior  - have to take to qualify for the National Merit Program  - top 1% of students in the state are recognized for scholarship money  - given in October  - Call Leigh to sign up!

ACT  - college entrance exam  - high score is a 36  All Alabama students take this test for free as a Junior in high school.  - college scholarship money is based on this score.  - given 6 times per year  - OCTOBER is the last date for seniors to take the ACT for qualifying SCHOLARSHIP scores at the larger universities!!!!!!!!!!!!

SAT  - college entrance exam  - high score is 2400  - given 7 times per year  - college scholarship money is based on this score  - OCTOBER & NOVEMBER are last dates for seniors to take this exam for qualifying scholarship scores for the larger universities!!!!

III. College Fairs  - they bring representatives of colleges to your child  - hosted at our school  - Date is September 11 th during 3rd block  National College Fair Date is Sunday, September 14 BJCC. Begins at 1pm

College Days  PREVIEW DAYS!!!!!  - great fun for family  - FREE!!!!!  - ballgame tickets  - free meals  - tour of campuses  - talk directly with admissions personnel

IV. Matching Colleges with your child NOT vice versa  - What is the school doing?  Career Interest & Aptitude inventories  Small group guidance  Providing information  - What is my child doing?  - What am I (parent) supposed to be doing?

Matching Colleges with your child NOT vice versa  7 “holy” questions……  1. Do you want to move away or stay home for a year or two?  2. If you want to move away, how long of a trip are you willing to make to come home about once per month?  3. A full Pell Grant is $5,550 per year for those who qualify. Tuition, books, & fees at most Community Colleges will cost about that per year. Can our family afford a larger four year university which will cost considerably more money? ($25,000 per year with books, fees, housing, and meal plans)  4. What is your ACT/ SAT score?  5. What is your GPA?  6. Have you talked to your teachers and your counselor about which type of college could be right for you?  7. What are you thinking of majoring in? If you have no idea, have you talked to your counselor about your ASVAB results to help guide you along?

What do ACT Scores mean?

Some facts that you, as a parent, might be interested in  * Approximately 50% of students who go from high school directly to a large four year university come home after their first year because of failing grades.  * Students who make informed decisions based on their own interests and abilities are more successful in college than students who choose a school based on popularity.  * It’s OK if your child wants to wait for a year before they declare a major. Most of the first year classes are general pre-requisites.  * On Campus housing is now required for entering Freshmen at some universities.  * Rent, in the surrounding areas of large universities, could be as much as your current mortgage, even with roommates.  Housing loans are available to students in addition to and separate from their student loans. Housing costs vary by school so college campus visits are VERY HELPFUL!!! The best time to start visiting potential college choices is in the summer after your child’s Junior year.  * Most universities now require you to purchase a meal plan for your child from the school itself. While expensive, these plans mean that your child has access to good nutrition.  Wikipedia Education in the United States for the most undated statistics

V. Scholarships  “What can I do to start applying for scholarships right now?”  - Fact … scholarships are competitions-Your child has to be remarkable in some way  - Fact … you have to apply for scholarships to get into the competition  - Fact … there are as many scholarships out there as you have been told! Good news!

Scholarships  Myth … Kids who make relatively good grades can always get scholarships.  Myth … If your child is a good, sweet kid who works hard in school he/she will surely get a scholarship.  Myth … If your child makes a 30 on the ACT he can go where ever he/she wants for free!  Myth … If our family is very needy, my child can go to college for free.  Myth … Ms. Kirby gets scholarships for kids.

Scholarships  - scholarships.com…Corporate scholarships of all kinds sent straight to your child  - University Applications… this is USUALLY also your scholarship application, although there are many endowments and departmental scholarships you can also apply for.  - Local Scholarships… Come from our own community. SHS applications are available February 1 st to all seniors.

VI. New at SHS  1. Website for announcements  2. Info-line for announcements and REMIND 101  Send a text to the # with the  FOLLOW ME ON  3. Parent Portal… view your child’s grades and transcripts from anywhere at anytime with your personalized login.  4. Link Crew… New anti-bullying program for Scottsboro High School students thanks to Mrs. Petty.  BIONIC TEAM: Believe It Or Not, I Care (student loss & new students)  Credit Advancement: Case by case decisions made by Principal  Ms. Townsend does offer some ACT prep. Please contact her at for more information.