1. Transition to High School 8 th grade, June 17, 2010

2. Guest Speaker Why I became a teacher? High school and college experiences that prepared me for my career.

3. Diploma Options There are 2 FCPS diploma options Standard Diploma: 22 Credit Advanced Diploma: 26 Credit Which diploma do you think colleges look for? What are the differences between the two?

4. Standard Diploma Course Requirements (22 credits) Subject AreaCreditVerified Credit English42 Mathematics31 Laboratory Science31 History & Social Sciences41 Health & P.E.2 Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education 1 Electives5 Student Selected Test1 Total Credits226

5. Advanced Diploma Course Requirements (26 credits) Subject AreaCredit Verified Credit English42 Mathematics42 Laboratory Science42 History & Social Sciences42 World Languages3 Health & P.E.2 Economics & Personal Finance1 Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education1 Electives3 Student Selected Test1 Total Credits269

6. Choosing the right Courses in HS Consider your academic strengths and decide whether to take Honors, or AP/IB courses. Review the requirements for the diploma you are seeking to make sure you take every class required to graduate. Consider your career interests when choosing courses and extra curricular activities.

7. Academies Academies - A high school academy is a center within an existing high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses that successfully integrate career and academic preparation. Career Experiences - Students have the opportunity to enhance their career technical education (CTE) through internships, job shadows, apprenticeships, community service and student run businesses.

8. Academies Chantilly Academy Engineering & Scientific Technology Health & Human Sciences Edison Academy International Studies & Business Engineering & Scientific Technology Fairfax Academy Communications & The Arts Falls Church Academy Health & Human Services Marshall Academy International Studies & Business Engineering & Scientific Technology West Potomac Academy Communication & the Arts Health & Human Services

9. Frequently Asked Questions 1. For which students are academy courses scheduled? Only 11th & 12th grade students may enroll in academy classes 2. How are students transported to Academy programs from their base schools? Students may be provided with transportation between their base schools and an academy. 3. What are advantages of taking an Academy course? Eligible academy students have the opportunity to participate in career-related internships and experiences in the local business community. Each academy has a career experience specialist available to assist academy students in finding meaningful career experience programs. Ask you counselor during you freshman year for more information.

10. Career Trivia: Making smart choices to prepare for your future career Directions: Work in groups of four to select core courses, electives, extra-curricular activities or an FCPS academy that will help you prepare for the following careers.

11. Career #1: Career Cluster: Government & Public Administration Career Title: Foreign Affairs Officer, State Department Description: formulate, represent and implement US foreign policy. Civil Service employees support the foreign policy mission from offices in Washington, DC and worldwide. This position influences, develops, manages, and implements the President's Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) program

12. Career # 2 Career Cluster: Finance Career Title: Financial Advisor Description: Advise clients on financial plans utilizing knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives to establish investment strategies.

13. Career #3 Career Cluster: Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications Career Title: Video Game Designer Description: Create detailed design documents. A design document contain descriptions of all aspects of an electronic game - mission, plot, rules, flow charts, sound, artwork, and special features. The design document is the blueprint used by graphic artists, sound designers, and programmers to create the software that results in the video game.

14. Career #4 Career Cluster: Architecture & Construction Career Title: Architect Description: Design, plan, and supervise the construction of buildings. They are responsible for the safety, usefulness, and aesthetics of their buildings. They must design structures that satisfy their clients' needs while conforming to the laws and regulations of the areas in which the structures will be built.

15. Personal Reflection 1. What careers am I interested in? 2. What courses will help me prepare for my future career interests? 3. Do I want to attend college? 4. Am I willing to work hard in high school? 5. Will I be able to complete fours years of each core subject? 6. Am I willing to complete the 3-year (or 2 + 2 years) world language requirement? 7. What diploma type am I currently seeking? 8. What is my rationale for choosing to seek that diploma?