1. Program Planning for 2017 – 2018
Class of 2018

2. What we’ll cover today:
Important dates of program planning
How this process works
Verification Sheets & the Course Change Policy
Graduation requirements
College admissions and narrowing your search

3. PROGRAM OF STUDIES
The Program of Studies is now available online at
Under “Parents/Students”
It’s interactive! Click on the course name in the index, and you will be taken to the course description.
Please check course prerequisites!

4. Go to District Website, www.cbsd.org.
Hover over “Parents/Students,” then click “For Students”
Click on “ Program of Studies”

5. IMPORTANT INFO
Counselors are coming to each English class during 1st and 2nd semesters
Tell your friends not to worry, we will see them soon!
During these sessions, students can fill out course planning grids, which they can use to guide their input of courses into the Student Portal
During class, your teachers will also talk with you about what level/course they recommend for you next year.

6. IMPORTANT INFO
During advisory (Jan 4th – 11th) multimedia presentations are being shown to give you an idea of what electives are available to you.
Counselors will also call you from class to meet individually.
You should not make an appointment with your counselor to discuss scheduling!
We will schedule with your classroom teachers to call students down a few students at a time
When you meet with your counselor has NO impact on how likely you are to receive your desired courses

7. IMPORTANT DATES Friday, January 13th Sunday, February 5th
Student Portal opens for online course registration
Sunday, February 5th
All course requests must be entered by 11pm
February 6th to March 3rd
Counselors will meet with students individually to review course requests, teacher recommendations, and discuss any specific plans/questions

8. VERIFICATION SHEETS March 13th March 15th
Verification sheets will be available to view/print through the Student Portal.
March 15th
Signed Verification sheets must be returned to HR/Advisory teachers ONLY if you need to make a change
You should take the time to make sure you are satisfied with your course requests
Pick your electives AND alternate requests carefully!

9. PLEASE CHOOSE ALL CORE COURSES AND ALL ELECTIVES CAREFULLY
COURSE CHANGE POLICY
No changes to course requests for next year will be accepted after March 21st, except:
Requests based on failure to meet a prerequisite, or
Requests to change levels, with teacher recommendation
These are the only reasons why you will be permitted to request a course change for next year
PLEASE CHOOSE ALL CORE COURSES AND ALL ELECTIVES CAREFULLY

10. HOW TO ENTER COURSES ONLINE
Read the course descriptions in the Program of Studies for all courses you plan to take.
Follow the detailed instructions on the back of your pink sheet.
First enter in your core courses, then add your electives.
Be sure to provide alternative courses, or you may be stuck with a study hall or whatever elective happens to be open

11. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Can be found on page 3 of the Program of Studies
For the Class of 2018 – you need credits:
English – credits
Social Studies – credits
Math – credits
Science – credits
Biology credit
PE – credits
Perf. Assessment – credit
Electives – credits

12. Scholar’s Diploma 4.0 total Science credits 3 AP courses
At least 2.0 credits of World Language
3.4 overall GPA
Scholar’s Diploma is an honor determined at the time of graduation, not in advance.
You should not put “Scholar’s Diploma” on college applications.
You need credits to graduate from CB with a Scholar’s Diploma.

13. Senior Perks You ARE NOT guaranteed Late Arrival or Early Release
If you intend on taking LA/ER, you still must attend your 1st or 4th block study hall until you complete the application, found under “for students” on the CB West website
Once approved, Late Arrival or Early Release will appear on your schedule

14. One more thing about credits. . .
All students must register for at least 6 credits in Senior year
Even if this means having more credits than are required for graduation.
Students can only have a maximum of one Study Hall, Late Arrival, or Early Release each marking period.
[ Mike Start ]
Since everyone here will be a senior next year, be sure to remember you must take at least 6.25 total credits, with no more than 1 late arrival or early release each marking period.
This doesn’t mean that you should take one late arrival or early release each marking period, as colleges will still expect a fairly challenging schedule during your senior year.
If you want to request an early release or late arrival, there is a specific course code you can enter in different from a study hall; similar to how team study’s are done.
Keep in mind that these will get the least preference when schedules are created, and depending on when your other classes are offered, you may or may not be able to have early release or late arrival.

15. The Next Step in the College Search
SAT / ACT information
Understanding admissions
naviance
College navigator
Spring college fair
End of year goals

16. Take the SAT and ACT
All students should plan on taking the SAT once and the ACT once
Compare scores, and retake whichever exam you score higher on or feel most comfortable with
Use your PSAT scores to identify areas of concern
You have MANY options for test prep
Khan Academy, ePrep (CB West)

17. SAT / ACT SAT Dates ACT Dates
March 11th, May 6th, June 3rd
ACT Dates
April 8th, June 10th
Google “SAT Test Dates” or “ACT Test Dates”
SAT
ACT

18. SAT / ACT Scores: NOW WHAT?
Check your scores against admission requirements of target colleges
25%-75% ranges are generally available for each school
Use your scores to see where you fall in line with the application pool
Keep in mind that HS course selection and GPA will heavily impact admissions as well
Narrow the search
Eliminate schools too far out of reach based on admissions criteria
Begin to group your desired schools into “application categories”

19. Application Categories
Using GPA and SAT/ACT Scores, breakdown your list:
2-3 safety schools
No question, student exceeds requirements
Opportunities for Merit Aid
4 - 6 target schools
Within the middle 50% of admission criteria
Pick one or two nearby, one or two out of state
2-3 reach schools
Close to lower 25% of admission criteria
Acceptance not likely, but possible based on additional factors

20. Application Process
We will hold an assembly later this year to review the procedural specifics of applying to college.
The BASIC steps include:
Completing the college’s application online or through the Common App
Writing essays
Sending transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and teacher/counselor recommendations
Completing the FAFSA and possibly the CSS Profile
Applying to scholarships

21. Live Demo of Resources Naviance College Navigator
You can access the advisory presentation that covers the College Search feature in Naviance on the Class of 2018 guidance page.
Naviance
College Search
College Match
Scattergrams
College Planning Worksheet
College Navigator
Net Price
Retention & Graduation Rates
Programs/Majors

22. Spring College Fair March 22nd
Held at CB South in the gym
More than 150 colleges and universities will attend
Make a list of colleges you’re interested in:
Meet the admissions representative
Sign their postcard / get on the mailing list
Pick up materials
Look for info regarding Spring campus tours

23. End of Year Goals Narrow down what majors you are considering
Career Plan career info can be helpful in choosing your major
We can reset these if you would like to take them again.
Plan for a visit to your top schools, especially if they are in the area
You will start applying early during senior year, so use these tools now!

24. Questions?