1. WELCOME PARENTS CLASS OF 2012

2. What is tonight about?  Now that your “children” have made it this far, what is next?  What happens when they leave SCHS?  Are they on track for life after high school?  What should you be doing now to help them get ready?  How can you all get help to make some decisions?  Answers to your burning questions

3. Administrators you should know... Ms. Pam Tapley, Principal Mr. Michael Hague, Assistant Principal Mr. Jeff Schwartz, Assistant Principal

4. Get to Know Your Counselors… Ms. Crowell A-E Ms. Smith F-MAP Ms. Metts MAQ-ROD Ms. Short ROE-Z

5. MEET OUR GUIDANCE SUPPORT PERSONNEL… Ms. Buehler Ms. Woodruff Ms. Barber College and Career

6. Meeting with a counselor is easy...  Call the Guidance office to schedule a parent/teacher conference with all teachers or speak with your counselor directly.  Students should meet with their counselor once every nine weeks this year and every month their senior year!  Students may come to the Guidance Office before school, during lunch, or after school to make an appointment with their counselor.  Remember…Ms. Barber is also available in the Career Center!

7. What it takes to be a Senior...  18 credits  On track for graduation  2.0 GPA* (recommended) *Students must have a cumulative 2.0 GPA to walk at graduation

8.  24 Total Credits:  4 English  4 Math (Algebra 1 & above)  3 Social Studies  1 World History  1 American History .5 Economics .5 American Government  3 Science  1 H.O.P.E.  1 Performing Fine Art  8 Elective Credits What it takes to graduate... Pass FCAT 1926 Read/1889 Math 2.0 GPA

9. Problems with the FCAT ?  Substitute ACT/SAT scores  18 on Reading and 15 on Math for ACT  420 in Reading/340 in Math for SAT  Walk with the class, receive a Certificate of Completion, retake until you pass (must have 24 required credits and a 2.0 GPA)  Take classes at community college and earn an AA degree (must have 24 required credits, 2.0 GPA, and pass CPT)  Earn a GED  Attend a tech school or take a job that does not require a high school diploma

10. Consider the options...

11. LIFE AFTER ST CLOUD HS... or preparing for the future! FASTEST GROWING INDUSTRIES Education & Health Services 30.6% increase Healthcare & Social Services 30.3% increase Professional & Business Services 27.8 % increase

12. Working: where, what, how?  Type of work desired  Additional training  Resume  Dress for Success  Practice interview skills  Check out benefits: insurance, tuition reimbursement, chances for advancement  Needed for ALL jobs  Good attendance  Communication and computer skills  Ability to work as a team member

13. TAKE A LOOK AT… Osceola & Orange County Technical Schools TECO Mid-Florida Tech Orlando Tech Westside Tech Winter Park Tech Avalon Center

14. Military  Investigate jobs of interest  Research all branches for those jobs  Take the ASVAB  Talk to a recruiter

15. College Admissions 2-year and Community Colleges  Standard High School Diploma or GED  CPT: Computer Placement Test  Certificate of Completion with  24 required credits, 2.0 UW GPA, & passing CPT scores 4-year Colleges and Universities  Standard High School Diploma  GPA for College Admission - Based on Academics ( 3.0+)  Appropriate SAT/ACT scores (at least 1000 SAT, 23 ACT)  Rigorous academic courses in HS: AP, Honors, DE  Minimum of 18 Academic Credits (20+ Recommended):  4 English, 4 Math (Algebra I & above, Algebra II Req.)  3 Science, 3 Required Social Studies (Recommend 4)  2 Foreign Language, 2 other academic credits Note: LA Math will only be accepted for students entering SUS summer/fall 2011-spring 2013 on a limited basis as meeting minimum number of math credits for admission.

16. What it REALLY takes to get in… Mid-Range GPA’s and test scores for Fall admission:  FAU3.2-3.81510-1720 SAT/VMW22-26 ACT  FSU3.6-4.21750-1970 SAT/VMW26-30 ACT  UCF3.5-4.21700-1890 SAT/VMW25-28 ACT  UF4.1-4.41870-2100 SAT/VMW28-32 ACT  UNF3.41-4.11140-1270 SAT/VM23-26 ACT  USF3.51-4.121090-1290 SAT/VM24-28 ACT

17. What Will College Cost?  That depends...you must consider the cost of tuition, books, room, food, transportation, parking, clothing.  Average tuition and fees (per year) as follows:  4-year Public Institution$4,650  2-year Public Institution$2,700  4-year Private Institution$33,000  Room & Board/Public$8,728  Books/Misc. Expenses$4,600  Estimated costs (per year):  FSU $16,833  Stetson University $44,124  University of Miami $50,000  Rollins College $54,030

18. Bright Futures Scholarship  Florida Academic Scholars Award  3.5 GPA in selected subjects  1270 SAT or 28 ACT (will rise in 2013!)  75 hours community service  Florida Medallion Scholars Award  3.0 GPA in selected subjects  980 SAT or 21 ACT (this is new!)  Note: FAS and FMS require 2 years of FL and completion of Algebra 2; Inf Geom and LA Math do not count as college preparatory math for BF.  Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award  3.0 in selected subjects  3.5 in 3 sequential vocational courses  Test scores:  SAT – 440 verbal, 440 math or  ACT – 17 English, 18 Reading, 19 Math, or  CPT 83 Reading, 83 Sentence Structure, 72 Math See www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org for changes in awards/renewalwww.floridastudentfinancialaid.org

19. WHEN SHOULD YOUR STUDENT TEST? ACT OR SAT?  SAT is a Reasoning test…it tests your student’s  Reasoning ability  A good test for students who excel in math  College admissions test  May be used for placement at Valencia  FCAT alternative 420/340  ACT is a test of Knowledge...it tests your student’s  Learned knowledge  A good test for students who excel in language  College admissions test  May be used for placement at Valencia  FCAT alternative 18/15 SAT & ACT are comparable tests & should be taken in winter/spring of junior year. Hint: Recommend students take both & repeat the test the better – SAT or ACT Planning to attend college? Take SAT/ACT with Writing. ACT or SAT req. for FAS & FMS. Your student may qualify for a fee waiver.

20. OTHER TESTS TO CONSIDER…  Take the CPT if your student…  Plans to take Dual Enrollment classes (3.0 GPA – test spring ‘11)  Plans to attend community college after graduation (test Spring ‘12)  May qualify for Bright Futures GVS  PSAT is…  A great way to practice for SAT – Individualized Score Report for each student  the test that determines National Merit Scholars (top ½ of one percent nationwide), National Hispanic Scholars, and National Achievement Scholars  9 th, 10 th, and 11 th WILL TEST ON OCTOBER 13TH!

21. College and Career Center Learn about educational opportunities after graduation from high school. Discover career information – just ask! Access financial aid & scholarship information – Check CONNECT ED for available scholarships and post-secondary planning Find answers: Register with NCAA Clearinghouse, schedule a college visit, complete college/scholarship applications, request transcripts. Questions? Ask your counselor or see Ms. Barber TODAY!

22. www.facts.orgwww.facts.org – check it out!  Update ePep 4-year Plan!  Check out their unofficial Bright Futures GPA. On track for BF?  Take a CHOICES interest inventory!  Visit SUS university websites to help find the right college. Check out majors, school size, location, cost to narrow choices. (3-5 by senior year)  Apply to colleges during summer/fall after junior year! Remember – “early bird” applicants are more likely accepted. Your student can…

23. The Search for the Green  Community service – Remember to document hours earned - Bright Futures FAS requires 75 hours.  Check CONNECT ED scholarship opportunities & get a head start on senior year!  Planning to play sports in college? Register online with NCAA Clearinghouse at end of junior year.  Bright Futures - Academic, Medallion and Gold Seal - apply online senior year (opens December 1 of senior year).  www.facts.org Use your ePEP account for an unofficial Bright Futures GPA evaluation! www.facts.org

24. WHAT TO DO NOW! Fall: Write down your abilities, preferences, and personal qualities Evaluate your options for senior year and after high school Attend college night Retake the FCAT if necessary Consider taking an SAT/ACT prep course or practice online Set up an account on www.facts.org for college searches, BF evaluation, college admissions information Begin your college search Winter/Spring: CPT @SCHS for students registering for Dual Enrollment classes (must have a 3.0 GPA & Valencia application on file) Register to take the SAT &/or ACT Meet with your counselor to review your options for senior year Sign up for an FLVS class to make up credits or raise GPA – Impact Lab may be an option during summer. Arrange for college visits over spring break or summer vacation Narrow your college choices to 5 Do research on scholarships (Internet, College & Career Center, college websites)

25. Summer Fun? Summer Fun?  July 1Begin NCAA registration online for students planning on athletic recruitment ; access new website @ www.ncaa.org/wps/portal  July-AugNarrow post-secondary options (3-5 choices are good)  University-bound students should begin writing college application essays  Complete brag sheet & resume Bring a copy to your counselor  August-SeptComplete state university applications – set a deadline and get it done! (UF applications open July 1 – most others August 1) - after Oct 15 to Nov 1 priority deadlines, many schools accept students on a space available basis only!

26. Web Resources  http://www.schs.osceola.k12.fl.us - access grades, stay current with Connect Ed, check important dates http://www.schs.osceola.k12.fl.us   www.act.org - ACT registration; sign up for the writing section if planning to attend college; educational planning www.act.org  www.campustours.com - college admissions; virtual campus tours; web/cam broad casts and college admissions message board www.campustours.com  www.collegeboard.com - SAT registration (Reasoning or Subject Tests); test taking tips/practice questions; financial aid information; college admission tips www.collegeboard.com  www.facts.org - information about financial aid; career/interest inventory (CHOICES); ePEP www.facts.org  http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool - college opportunities; college search; list of internet resources http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool SAT ®

27. IMPORTANT! CLASS RINGS September 23 Junior Class Meeting Presentation 1:40 PM Sat. Sept. 25 (Sat) Orders taken 10AM to noon Sept. 29 & 30 (Wed & Thurs) Orders taken 6 to 8 PM Sept. 30/Oct. 1 (Thurs & Fri) Orders taken both lunches Oct. 2 (Sat) Orders taken 10AM to noon

28. Is your junior interested?  College Readiness 101  an all-day 4-week credit course planned for early summer  What’s it about? ACT/SAT test prep, important study skills, need-to-know tips for gaining acceptance to college  Who’s providing? SCHS through the FL Partnership with College Board  Sign-up before leaving tonight if interested…

29. Junior Parents… Thank you for attending and completing our evaluation form.