1. 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.  Mr. Guthrie: Lead Teacher Scholars Academy  Mr. Donohue: Principal  Mrs. Larkin: AP for Scholars Academy  Mr. Rodriguez: IB Coordinator  Mrs. Sahwell: CAP Advisor  Mrs. Carro: Scholars/IB Teacher  Counselors: 9-Gibbs, 10-Nunez, 11-Clarke, 12-Mingel  Mrs. Shelley Groff: Parent Advisory Board email contact: sjgroff@the-beach.net  Scholars Student Board Scholars/IB Office—Room 708 305-532-4515 ext. 2708 dguthrie@dadeschools.net

3.  College Rigor  Scholars Academy Requirements  New State Requirements for Scholars/Merit Designation  Honor Societies  Subject Selection for 2015-2016  Academy Fair  IB Programme  Important Dates

4.  Colleges are getting much more rigorous in their admission requirements.  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 college admission.

5. 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),  High school graduation (Schneider, Swanson, and Riegle-Crumb 1998)  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. HS Diploma Enrolled in College Enrolled in Highly Selective 4 – Year College Basic Math or Pre-Algebra 61.3% 30.4% 0.2% Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II 86.3% 61.5% 2.7% Trigonometry, Statistics, or PreCalculus 98.6% 89.3% 18.9% Calculus 99.6% 97.3% 52.2%  From US DOE Longitudinal Study: Source: Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS : 2002).

7.  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  Writing ability and character qualities are predicted from your essay

8.  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 9 th grade (AP World History) in the classroom  Must take a minimum of 1 AP class in 10 th grade (AP European History) in the classroom  Must take a minimum of 2 AP classes in each of the 11 th and 12 th grades in the classroom  Required AP classes cannot be taken online  IB Diploma students meet the requirements

9.  Scholars Academy students must maintain a 3.0 un-weighted GPA (B average) in each of their core subjects.  Students falling below a B average are placed on academic probation and must improve performance by the next year to remain in the program.  Seniors who have failed to maintain a B average or complete SA requirements will not receive a SA graduation cord.

10.  Scholar designation - In addition to the requirements of Florida Statute 1003.4282, 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 1003.4282, as applicable, in order to earn the Merit designation, a student must attain one or more industry certifications from the list established under s. 1003.492

11.  MBSH has eleven Honor Societies  Most Honor Societies are for grades 11-12, but some allow earlier admission ◦ Check with the sponsor  Invitations for National Honor Society (NHS) are given to sophomores in April based on a 4.0 weighted GPA  Each Honor Society has its own admission requirements, GPA, dues, etc.  All MBSH Honor Society members must do 16 hours of peer tutoring each year

12.  Forms will be distributed next week during your English class.  You should have a SA form which is different from the general subject selection form.  You will have until January to complete the form properly.  You need to get your current teachers to help recommend classes and sign your forms.  Choose electives in order of preference.  Sign and have your parent sign.  English classes will meet with each counselor during articulation in January to turn in forms.

13.  All AP and Honors classes now require a signed red “ticket” from your current teacher that recommends you for the class.  If you have 6 AP and Honors classes, you will have 6 tickets attached.  All AP classes require an AP contract that is signed by you and your parent and attached.  All FLVS classes, including summer, MUST BE APPROVED by your counselor and be fully COMPLETED before the school year begins.

14.  Only for 11 th and 12th grade students with a minimum un- weighted scholastic grade point average of 3.00.  Excellent school attendance.  Internship application (must be typed) FORM 7525.  Deadline to submit application is February 6, 2015.  Students are required to keep a log sheet that is signed by the internship provider every visit. A copy is to be submitted by fax or email to the Office of Community Engagement (Fax: 305 995- 2888, Email: Internships@dadeschools.net) by the student two weeks prior to completion of grading period.Internships@dadeschools.net  Students with one period of internship must complete 5 hours a week (45 hours per quarter), students with two periods of internship mush complete 10 hours a week (90 hours per quarter).  Student cannot intern with a family member or in a home-based business.  A grade sheet must be submitted by the internship provider directly to the Office of Community Engagement two weeks before the end of the grading period.

15.  Students are expected to carefully consider and honor their requests for classes.  There will be NO SCHEDULE CHANGES made next year.  We will not switch students from an AP level class to honors because these classes are filled to maximum capacity due to class size rules.  Seniors will be given preference for FLVS classes during school hours.  FLVS classes taken over the summer must be approved and completed prior to the opening of school.

16.  Typical SA Subject Selection Form:

20.  Academies and lead teachers will be available in the media center for answering questions  9 th and 10 th graders will attend during their English class  Others may attend during lunch

21.  Current students in grade 10 may apply for the IB Diploma Programme for grades 11-12  Applications are currently available online or in the SA/IB Office, Room 708 – Due Jan 16 th  If considering IB: ◦ Italian is currently not offered in IB ◦ Pre-Calculus must be completed to qualify for Mathematics (Alg. 2 students enter Math Studies) ◦ Chemistry must be completed to qualify for IB Chemistry (Biology students enter IB Biology) ◦ AP Gov/Econ is a recommended elective for students wanting IB in grade 10.  IB Schedules will be completed individually once accepted into the program.

22.  SA students may choose between the IB Diploma Programme or continue with the SA curriculum and AP classes in grades 11-12.  A student may choose a variety of individual AP classes based on his/her strengths. ◦ AP test over one year’s material ◦ More elective choices  IB curriculum includes six areas of study, Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, CAS ◦ Balanced, rigorous program in all areas ◦ IB tests in grade 12 cover two year’s material  Both AP and IB classes count the same in weighted GPA and may receive college credit with passing test scores.

23.  Subject selection sheets next week  Academy Fair: December 15-16  Articulation: January (by English class)  Scholars Applications for 8 th graders due by January 9 (available online or Room 708) ◦ 8th grade students will complete schedules at their school or make an appointment in March/April ◦ Acceptance letters early March, Open House early April  Nautilus Night on Feb. 3rd  IB Applications for 10 th graders due by January 16 (available online or Room 708) ◦ See CRod with questions

24. Contact the Scholars Office or email us individually with questions…