1. SCHOLARS ACADEMY 9th Grade Orientation Meeting: April 8th, 2015
Mission Statement: The Scholars Academy seeks to provide a diverse group of highly motivated students with a truly world-class secondary education that prepares them for life in a global scholarly community.

2. WELCOME! Scholars/IB Office—Room 708 305-532-4515 ext. 2708
Ms. Carro, Lead Teacher Scholars Academy
Mr. Donohue, Principal
Ms. Larkin, Assistant Principal
Mr. Rodriguez, IB Coordinator
Ms. Chain, IB/Scholars Secretary
Ms. Sahwell, CAP Advisor
Ms. Shelley Groff and Mrs. Marina Gallian, Parent Advisory Board
Scholars Student Board
Scholars/IB Office—Room 708
ext. 2708

3. Paperwork Needed: Green Contract Form– most have completed
Schedule for next year – feeder schools have completed; private/charter need to complete
Get form and complete tonight after general session or call for appointment
Registration and Transfers
Feeder pattern students are automatically registered if in area
Private/charter students in our feeder pattern must withdraw from current school and register here
Transfer students need form FM3281 from home residence high school and submit to MDCPS
Transfer students cannot be registered until transfer granted by MDCPS
Registrar: Kathy Lopez, 7-11 AM only

4. Need For Rigor in High School
Colleges are getting much more rigorous in their admission requirements.
Admission has become more highly competitive.
Scholars students should take a rigorous schedule of classes to have the best opportunity for successful acceptance.
Research shows a correlation in completing the HIGHEST level of courses and elite college admission.

5. High School Course Rigor
When researchers control for as many observable characteristics as are available, they find a consistent positive association between curricular intensity and the following:
Student test scores (Attewell and Domina 2008),
College entry (Long et al. 2012)
Type of college entry (Attewell and Domina 2008)
College grades (Klopfenstein and Thomas 2009)
College graduation, (Adelman 2006; Attewell and Domina 2008)
Wages (Altonji 1995; Rose and Betts 2004).
Academic Preparation for College
Evidence on the Importance of Academic Rigor in High School
Michal Kurlaender, Associate Professor of Education, University of California at Davis
Jessica S. Howell, Executive Director of Policy Research, The College Board

6. What Highly Selective Institutions Recommend:
SA students should strongly consider taking the most rigorous courses in all core areas.
Calculus and Physics are highly recommended and required for STEM
AP and IB are preferred over dual-enrollment
Show how you “stand out” in leadership and community service
Test scores are important
College writing ability and character qualities are predicted from your essay

7. New State Requirements for Scholars and Merit Designation
Scholar designation - In addition to the requirements of Florida Statute , as applicable, in order to earn the Scholar designation, a student must satisfy the following requirements: 
Mathematics.—Earn one credit in Algebra II and one credit in statistics or an equally rigorous course.  
Science.—Pass the statewide, standardized Biology I end-of-course assessment and earn one credit in chemistry or physics and one credit in a course equally rigorous to chemistry or physics. 
Social studies.—Pass the statewide, standardized United States History end-of- course assessment. 
Foreign language.—Earn two credits in the same foreign language. 
Electives.—Earn at least one credit in an Advanced Placement, an International Baccalaureate, an Advanced International Certificate of Education, or a dual enrollment course.  
A student is exempt from the Biology I or US History assessment if the student is enrolled in an AP, IB, or AICE Biology I or US History course and the student takes the respective AP, IB, or AICE assessment AND the student earns a minimum score to earn college credit.
Merit designation - In addition to the requirements of  Florida Statute , as applicable, in order to earn the Merit designation, a student must attain one or more industry certifications from the list established under s

8. Scholars Academy Requirements:
Must take English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language all 4 years, regardless of FLVS or summer classes
Must complete Math through PreCalculus
Must take a minimum of 1 AP class in 9th grade (AP World History)
Must take a minimum of 1 AP class in 10th grade (AP European History)
Must take a minimum of 2 AP classes in each of the 11th and 12th grades
IB Diploma students meet the requirements

10. Scholars Academy students must maintain a minimum un-weighted GPA of 3
Scholars Academy students must maintain a minimum un-weighted GPA of 3.0 to remain in good standing.
Students who fall beneath this requirement are placed on academic probation and must return to a “B” average to remain in the academy and receive their senior graduation cords.

11. School begins at 7:20 and ends at 2:20
You must wear uniform and ID at all times at MBSH

12. You are allowed a maximum of 5 absences in a semester course
You are allowed a maximum of 5 absences in a semester course and 10 absences in a year course. Because of block schedule, each day’s absence is actually counted as 2 absences missed!

13. The uniform includes solid red or white tops and black, khaki or blue jean pants or slacks; outerwear should be red or white.
Electronic devices (BYOD) are allowed at teacher’s discretion.

14. SCHEDULE: 8 periods spread over even and odd days
1 7:20 – 9:00
3 9:05 – 10:35
10:40 – 12:10
11:15 – 12:45
12:50 – 2:20
EVEN:
2 7:20 – 9:00
4 9:05 – 10:35
Lunch at :40 – 11:10
or :15 – 12:45

15. Scholars Academy students must meet the highest standards of academic integrity.
MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH STUDENT HONOR CODE:
I affirm that all work I submit is mine alone, and that I will give proper credit to others when I use their words or ideas.
I will neither give nor receive unauthorized assistance on any assignment, and I commit myself to academic conduct that will reflect well upon my school, my community and myself at all times. I understand that there are severe penalties for violating this affirmation.

16. Summer Reading Assignment:
Available at the school website student tab.
Must complete the reading and take annotated notes which can be used during the essay writing the first week of school.
Eng I and Eng I Honors (All Students must read)
1) Anthem - Ayn Rand
Free copies will be brought to the middle school and will be available here May 1st for others.
Scholars students may be required to read an additional book.
Information will be posted on the school website.

17. UPCOMING Important Events:
Registration hours from 7 – 11 AM
Contact the registrar for additional information
DO THE SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT!
FLVS classes require counselor approval and must be completed prior to enrollment to be placed in the proper class next year.
Summer orientation and pizza lunch on Monday, August 10th, 9am –noon
Get schedule
Get acquainted, find classrooms, meet peer-tutors

18. Thanks for your continued support!
Students needing schedules can work on them now.
Contact the Scholars Office or us individually for other questions…
ext. 2708