1. High School Choice

2. What is high school Choice? Grade 8 Students attending a Downcounty Consortium (DCC) middle school or residing in the DCC attendance area rank in order of preference the high school they would like to attend on a lottery Choice form during the fall of their Grade 8 year.

3. Learn…  There are five great high schools in the DCC: ◦ Montgomery Blair High School ◦ Albert Einstein High School ◦ John F. Kennedy High School ◦ Northwood High School ◦ Wheaton High School  Do your research and explore them all  Keep an open mind and consider your interests

4. How do I become informed?  Learn about the academies at all five high schools  Talk with your family about your choices.  Attend one of the Options Fairs in September and speak with the Academy Coordinators from each high school.  September 21 at Kennedy HS  September 28 at Paint Branch HS  Visit the high school open houses in October.  Consider how your interests, strengths, favorite subjects and future plans relate to careers and academies.  Attend a game, play or school event at one of the high schools

5. How are the DCC schools similar? All five DCC high schools offer: ◦ Academies ◦ Advanced classes (AP and Honors) ◦ College preparedness ◦ Music opportunities ◦ Varsity sports ◦ Clubs ◦ More freedom and independence

6. What is an Academy?  Academies are specialty programs that you choose based on your interests.  A sequence of courses designed around a central career theme  A way to connect the courses you take with your interests  Field trips, guest speakers and possible internship opportunities related to academy theme  Every high school has something for you!

7. Differences Academies ◦ Each high school has 4 to 5 different academy offerings based on career themes ◦ Think about your career interests as we explore the academies at each high school ◦ Use your Cornell notes page to write down 1 academy at each high school that you wish to learn more about

8. Albert Einstein High School ACADEMIES: International Baccalaureate Program  Challenging and exciting courses with a focus on writing, thinking, communicating and experimenting – no application needed  Program stresses a global focus and prepares you for college  Earn an internationally recognized diploma Visual & Performing Arts (VAPA) Academy  Relates to careers in the creative and performing arts  Dance, Theatre, Art, Music Academy of Finance, Business Management, and Marketing  Relates to careers in the financial services industry  Accounting, banking, entrepreneurship, financial planning, marketing Renaissance Academy  Math, reading, writing and public speaking in the arts and sciences  Prepares you for college

9. John F. Kennedy High School ACADEMIES: Health Careers Academy ◦ Relates to careers in physical therapy, medical careers, wellness ◦ Medical careers pathway – learn CPR, receive certification as a CNA, direct patient care ◦ Health careers – focus on science, math and healthcare Broadcast Journalism & Communications Academy ◦ Relates to careers in broadcasting, TV production, radio production, pod casting and journalism ◦ Work at Kennedy’s TV station, take courses in journalism and media production International Baccalaureate Program ◦ Challenging and exciting courses with a focus on writing, thinking, communicating and experimenting – no application needed ◦ Program stresses a global focus and prepares you for college ◦ Earn an internationally recognized diploma Business Management Academy Relates to careers as a small business owner, marketing, management, economics, stock market Take courses in accounting, business management, software applications Special Programs: Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC)  Leadership, military history, military law, drill team

10. Montgomery Blair High School ACADEMIES: Science, Technology, Engineering & Math ◦ Relates to careers in engineering, computer science, robotics, medicine, science math and research ◦ Take courses in computer programming, advanced math and science, engineering Media, Music and the Arts ◦ Relates to careers in film, radio, video, television, theater, literature, journalism, photography ◦ Take courses in media arts, theatre, dance, music, photography, fashion design, journalism Entrepreneurship & Business Management ◦ Relates to careers as a business owner and in the financial world ◦ Take courses in marketing and advertising, finance and accounting, economics, law, human resources Human Service Professions ◦ Relates to careers in physical therapy, fitness, emergency medical technician, nursing, athletic training, teaching, social work, psychology ◦ Take courses in child development, psychology, human development, anatomy and physiology International Studies & Law Relates to careers in politics, law, international business, government Take courses in global issues, justice, law and society, comparative governments and religions

11. Northwood High School ACADEMIES: Academy of Musical Theatre and Dance: ◦ Relates to careers in musical theater, dance, vocal music, and instrumental music ◦ Take courses in vocal music, dance, drama, instrumental music Montgomery College Middle College Program @ Northwood (MC 2 @N) Students are afforded the necessary opportunities to complete BOTH high school graduation and an AS degree from Montgomery College Take classes on both the Northwood and Montgomery College campus Academy of Politics, Advocacy, and Law Relates to careers in government, law enforcement, criminal justice, public safety, law Take courses in justice, law and society and administration of justice Academy of Humanities, Arts, and Media ◦ Relates to careers in film production, culture and languages, architecture, art history, literary analysis, childcare ◦ Take courses in child development, video production, world languages, art, music, theatre Academy of Technology, Environmental and Systems Sciences take courses in environmental science, computers, engineering

12. Wheaton High School ACADEMIES: Bioscience Academy ◦ Related to careers in medicine, biomedical research, healthcare ◦ Take courses in human body systems, medical interventions, biology, biomedical science Academy of Information Technology ◦ Related to careers in web design, game development, graphic arts, computer animation, programming ◦ Take courses in software applications, digital media, digital art, web design Academy of Engineering ◦ Related to careers in all engineering fields ◦ Take courses in engineering design, digital electronics, civil engineering and architecture ◦ Strong emphasis on critical problem solving skills Institute for Global and Cultural Studies (IGCS) ◦ 3 pathways - digital music, digital art, global studies ◦ Related to careers in leadership roles, graphic design, music fields ◦ Take courses in music technology, digital art, photography, global issues

13. Hear what students have to say… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBr2kJoA4M0

14. How else are they different? School Enrollment Location ◦ Distance from your home ◦ Explore your bus route and consider how it will fit into your day: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/transportation/busroutes/

15. Location Kennedy Northwood Blair Wheaton Einstein

16. County Wide Application Programs  Available to all MCPS students - competitive  Applications available on-line and in counseling office towards end of September  Applications due on November 6 (except VAC and Edison)  Testing - December 5 (except VAC & Edison)  Teacher recommendations needed - see applications for details 1. International Baccalaureate – Richard Montgomery HS 2. Global Ecology – Poolesville HS 3. Science, Math, Computer Science – Blair HS 4. Thomas Edison HS of Technology - grades 10 -12 5. Visual Art Center (VAC) - Einstein HS ◦ Contact Coordinator for a portfolio review

17. More Application Programs 1. Leadership Training Institute (LTI)* @ Kennedy HS 2. Biomedical Program @ Wheaton HS 3. Engineering Program @ Wheaton HS 4. Communication Arts Program (CAP) @ Blair HS Available to students living in the DCC or attending a DCC middle school only Applications due on November 6 Recommendations needed – see application packet for details Testing - December 5 (* no testing for LTI)

18. Reconsider…  Think about your career interests, skills and favorite subjects.  Think about which academies match the above.  Review the academies you wrote down.  Explore the academies that interest you most further by going to the high school’s website and by asking questions at the options fair and/or open houses.  Think about what schools fit you best based on your favorite academies.

19. Talk…  Discuss what is important in choosing a high school with your parents (location, academies, etc.).  Share what you’ve learned about academies.  Ask questions about anything you need more information about.

20. Do your research…  Visit high school websites to research academies. Start by navigating to the DCC website – http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/downc ounty/  Attend all high school open houses in October to experience the school in person.  Open House Schedule: ◦ October 1 - Kennedy HS ◦ October 5 – Blair HS ◦ October 14 – Northwood HS ◦ October 19 – Einstein HS ◦ October 26 – Wheaton HS

21. Choose…  Complete your Choice Form with as much information as you can gather!  Be assured that ALL 5 high schools will provide you an excellent education and that your varied interests can be met at all 5 schools

22. Your Choice Form  Every 8 th grade student that lives in the DCC must complete and return a signed choice form.  You will receive your choice form in the mail - check your mailbox!  Choice Forms are due in the counseling office on or before November 6.  Your base school is guaranteed if it is indicated as your first choice on your Choice form.  Choices may not be changed once they are submitted into the Round 1 lottery.

23. Questions?

24. EXIT CARD Which two academies interest you the most? If you had to fill out your choice form today, what high school would your place as 1 st choice? 2 nd choice?