1. Cinnaminson High School Guidance Department Freshmen/Sophomore Parent Night
January 12, 2017

2. High School Counselors
Donna Lobascio
Supervisor of Guidance & Counseling
10th – 12th Grade (T-Z)
Gwen Luecke
9th Grade (A-Z)
Anthony Ferrante
1oth – 12th Grade (A-J)
Michael Repsher
10th – 12th Grade (K-S)

3. Graduation Requirements
English credits 4 years
Social Studies credits 3 years
World History
US History 1
US History 2
Science credits 3 years
Biology
Chemistry, Environmental Science, or Physics
Math credits 3 years
Algebra 1
Geometry
World Language credits 2 years
Physical Education credits 4 years
Health credits 4 years
Visual & Performing Arts 5.0 credits
21st Century Life & Careers 5.0 credits
or Career Technical Education
Financial Literacy credits
Career Exploration Satisfied through modules completed in the Naviance Program
*Credits are based on how many periods per week a class meets.

4. 4-Year College-Bound Student Course Recommendations
English 4 years
Math 4 years
Social Studies 3-4 years (Depending on college choices)
Science years (Depending on college choices)
World Language 3-4 years
Electives: Students should take meaningful electives throughout high school.

5. Importance of Course Selection
Keep in mind:
Rigor or level of courses
Graduation requirements
Courses that align with colleges requirements
Courses that align with what college majors require
Take electives that are meaningful beyond what is required
Discuss future plans with school counselor

6. Course Selection Process
Academic course recommendations will be made by teachers by the beginning of February
NEW! Parents and students will be able to choose electives in Genesis. The portal will be open from February 7 – 10.
Course Selection Day is February 7th at the high school
Course Selection Night for parents is February 7th at 7:00 pm in the cafeteria
High school counselors will meet with rising sophomores, juniors and seniors individually from February 14 through the end of March
Mrs. Luecke will meet with all rising freshmen at the middle school from February 21st through the first week in April

7. Testing Graduation Requirement Classes 2018 - 2019
English Language Arts
PARCC ELA Grade 9 >=750 (Level 4) or PARCC ELA Grade 10 >=750 (Level 4) or
PARCC ELA Grade 11 >=725 (Level 3) or
SAT Reading (Prior to March 2016) >= 400 or
SAT Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing (After March 2016) >=450 OR SAT Reading >= 22 or
ACT Reading or ACT PLAN Reading >= 16 or
Accuplacer Write Placer >= 6 or Accuplacer Write Placer ESL >= 4 or
PSAT Reading (Prior to October 2015) >= 40 or PSAT Reading (After October 2015) >= 22 or
ASVAB-AFQT Composite >=31

8. Testing Graduation Requirement Classes 2018 - 2019
Mathematics
PARCC Algebra I >=750 (Level 4) or PARCC Geometry >=725 (Level 3) or
PARCC Algebra II >=725 (Level 3) or
SAT (Prior to March 2016) >= 400 or SAT (After March 2016) >=440 OR SAT Math>= 22 or
ACT or ACT PLAN >= 16 or
Accuplacer Elementary Algebra >= 76 or
PSAT/NMSQT (Prior to October 2015) >= 40 or PSAT Math (After October 2015) >= 22 or
ASVAB-AFQT Composite >= 31

9. Testing Graduation Requirement Beginning with Class 2020
English Language Arts
PARCC ELA 9 (must take if eligible*) and
PARCC ELA 10 (must take if eligible*) and
PARCC ELA 11 (must take if eligible*) and
If passing score is not met on at least one of the three, then the student can use the following:
SAT Reading or
ACT Reading or
Accuplacer WritePlacer or
Accuplacer WritePlacer ESL or
PSAT10 Reading or PSAT/NMSQT Reading or
ASVAB-AFQT Composite or
Meet the criteria of the NJDOE Portfolio Appeal

10. Testing Graduation Requirement Beginning with Class 2020
Mathematics
PARCC Algebra I (must take if eligible) and
PARCC Geometry (must take if eligible) and
PARCC Algebra II (must take if eligible) and
If passing score is not met on at least one of the three, then the student can use the following:
SAT Math or
ACT Math or
Accuplacer Elementary Algebra or
PSAT 10 Math or PSAT/NMSQT Math or
ASVAB-AFQT Composite
Meet the criteria of the NJDOE Portfolio Appeal

11. 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.
Refer to the Student Agenda for more information.

12. Preparing for College Entire transcript
Academically challenging courses
College Prep vs. Honors and Honors vs. AP
Practice good study habits!
Extra-curricular activities, volunteer work, community service
Work experience

13. National Association for College Admission Counseling College Admission Factors
Strength of Curriculum %
Admission Test Scores ACT/SAT 59%
Essay or Writing Sample %
Counselor Recommendation Letter 19%
Class Rank %
Teacher Recommendation Letter 17%
Subject Test Scores (AP) %
Portfolio and/or Interview %
SAT Subject Test %
Extra Curricular Activities 5%
Work/Volunteer or Community Service 2%

14. PSAT All sophomores and juniors will take the PSAT in October.
Only junior year scores will qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
The exam will be given at CHS during the school day.
Students who take the PSAT will receive a login to begin college/career planning and receive information regarding colleges. 

15. SAT vs. ACT
SAT ACT
Scaled score between Scaled score between on each section on each section
Reasoning test based on broad Achievement test focused on themes curriculum
 Make sure you check particular colleges’ and requirements before taking either test to ensure the best course of action for your student.
 Refer to or for more information.

16. SAT ACT What is the test structure? Five-section exam:
Evidenced-Based Reading/Writing
65 min. Reading Section
35 min. Lang. & Writing Section
1 Essay Test (Optional)
1 Math Test
55 min. with calculator
25 min. without calculator
Five-section exam:
1 – English 45 min
1 – Math 60 min
1 – Reading 35 min
1 – Science Reasoning 35 min
1 – Writing (Optional)
What is the test content?
Math: up to basic geometry and Algebra II
Science: included in readings
Reading: “Expression of Ideas” and “Standard English Conventions” through passages relating to Careers, History/Social Studies, Humanities, and Science
No Wrong Answer Penalty
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
No Wrong Answer Penalty
Page 16

17. The Role of Standardized Test Scores in College Admissions
SAT/ACT a critical piece of the admissions application
Only reliable benchmark that admissions can use to evaluate students across the board
Competitive Edge
Number of students who apply increases every year
Students need to set themselves a part from others
More scholarship money is given to students with higher test scores
Test Score Differentiation
Schools will “super score” the SAT & ACT
Essay is only sample of what student can do on his/her own

18. The Role of Standardized Test Scores in College Admissions
Application Cut-Off Point
SAT/ACT initial filter for applications
Several colleges will not even “open” an application unless students reach a specific benchmark score
The more prestigious the college the higher the cut-off will be
It is imperative that the scores at least meet the cut-off scores to be considered

19. 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 . . .
Check Search for “Credit and Placement” and “Credit Policy Search”

20. Each year the Guidance Department presents a Naviance Parent Night
Naviance Training
Training will be given to students at each grade level:
Naviance: Family Connection
Strengths Explorer Inventory
Career Exploration
Resume
Career Cluster Profile
Super Match College Search
Counselor Survey / Teacher Survey
Parent Survey
Each year the Guidance Department presents a Naviance Parent Night

21. Naviance Family Connection
To connect to Naviance please use this link: connection.naviance.com/cinnaminsonhs
Enter your unique user name (last name/first initial) and password (student ID#).
You will find important information (specific to your grade level) on the next slide.

22. Naviance Family Connection
 Upcoming events
 College search assistance
 Career information
 Scholarship information
 Summer enrichment programs
 Volunteer opportunities
 Part-time jobs
 Graduation requirements
 College application process
 Much more . . .

23. College Acceleration Program (CAP)
Students can earn college-level credit from Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) for select courses taken at CHS.
Students pay a fee to RCBC and must earn a grade above 70 in the course to receive RCBC credit. (Currently $ per course)
Credits will be accepted and given by RCBC.
Contact all colleges and 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.

24. Guidance Website: General Information Welcome Counselors
Naviance Login
Graduation Requirements
Freshmen
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
PSAT

25. Guidance Website: College Visit Schedule Course Selection I&RS/504
SAT/ACT/AP
Scholarship & Financial Information
Financial Aid
Volunteer & Community Service Opportunities
School Profile

26. Other Useful Websites www.actstudent.org www.collegeboard.org
To register for the ACT & search for colleges
To register for the SAT & search for colleges
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
Pre-FAFSA for determining financial aid eligibility for college
Occupational Outlook Handbook to find out educational and skill requirements for various careers as well as salary and job market projections

27. Questions & Comments Thank you for coming! We are here to assist you
in navigating through your
child’s high school career.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for anything!
Don’t forget to fill out the survey for this evening’s presentation . . .