1. Advanced Courses at BCP Parent Presentation March 4, 2009

2. Honors Classes
Advanced Placement
Seminar Classes

3. Honors and AP courses offered in all departments except P. E
Honors and AP courses offered in all departments except P.E. and Religion

4. How Much Work is Involved in an Honors/AP Course?
Expect one hour of work per hour of class time
Add to that a minimum of 30 minutes of review and study per hour of class time
New skills to learn that require some discomfort for students unused to having to seek teacher assistance

5. How Much Work is Involved in an Honors/AP Course?, (cont.)
Meeting with teachers regularly is recommended
Individual work, group projects, study groups
Use of outside resources is a necessity

6. How challenging are these courses?
Honors classes = High school course moving at a faster pace, deeper comprehension
Advanced Placement classes = equivalent to freshman college level course; students work somewhat independently in research and projects

7. Who Should Take Advanced Courses?
Students with great work ethic,
willing to work hard
Students who enjoy or have passion
for the subject matter
Students who are skilled but not
challenged currently
Students who have a history of success
with a rigorous course schedule (More As than Bs)

8. Who Should Take Advanced Courses? (cont.)
Students who are looking to stretch academically
Students with great organizational skills
Students who are self starters
Students who are ready for a new set of skills
Students who can balance academics and co - curricular activities well

9. How does course selection affect college applications?
Public and Private Colleges and Universities look at both grades and course selection to determine if students have challenged themselves within the curriculum available at their high schools.

10. How does course selection affect college applications? (cont.)
For the University of California and California State University systems (as of Feb. 2009):
Weighting grades: will consider up to 8 semesters of weighted grades for courses at the junior level and above to calculate the UC/CSU gpa for admissions
AND!
Rigor of curriculum: consider the number of advanced courses taken in the admissions decision!

11. How does course selection affect college applications? (cont.)
For most private colleges and universities,
each has it’s own way of looking at grades and courses
Many will use a weighted g.p.a., adding points for college prep coursework taken at the honors or AP level and all consider rigor of curriculum
Each will include/disregard courses according to their own system

12. How does course selection affect college applications? (cont.)
UCs and CSUs look at courses taken in 10th and 11th year for g.p.a. consideration, but courses in all years to meet course requirements
Most private colleges look at 9 – 12th years (seven semesters including Fall of 12th) for courses taken and grades earned

13. Open Enrollment Informed Enrollment
Open- must pass prerequisite courses, no gatekeeper, no form turn in
Informed- form to teacher by deadline, teacher provides input of student strengths and challenges, student decision based on input+ conferring with parents & counselor

14. Most are Informed Enrollment
Has slightly different meanings in each department
Students must complete a form to obtain teacher input before requesting Honors/AP course.

15. Open Enrollment Very few Open Enrollment Honors /AP courses
There is no form to turn in; student satisfying pre-requisites may request the course

20. BALANCE !!!!!! ACADEMICS +++++
Time to relax, eat and sleep!
Time for family
Time for a social life and to develop good relationships
with others
Time for a faith life- time to reflect, ponder
COLLEGES are interested in the student that has a personal journey, not a check off list!

21. Scheduling . . . Current Freshmen
Informed Enrollment Forms due Friday, March 6th
Scheduling meetings take place March 23 – 26th
Course Request Forms with signatures due no later than April 3rd

22. Scheduling . . . Current Sophomores
Informed Enrollment Forms due Friday, March 6th
Scheduling Meetings take place
March 30 – Apr 2nd
Course Request Forms with signatures due no later than April 8th (just before Spring Break!)

23. Scheduling Current Juniors
Informed Enrollment Forms due Friday, March 6th
Scheduling Meetings take place April 20 – 24th
Course Request Forms due with signatures no later than May 1st

24. Questions?
Your son’s counselor is available to answer any questions you might have!