Academic Planning at All Levels
Tonight’s Agenda
• Long-term planning
• Academic Planning Roadmap & Web
Resources
• College & Career Readiness
• Short-term planning
• Middle School Options
• Navigating the Course Request Form (CRF)
Academic Planning
• Let’s develop a common understanding of
academic planning…
• When you hear the words “Academic
Planning,” what are the first thoughts that
come to mind? Share with someone
sitting at your table.
Aspire2Excellence
http://bcove.me/01mpk2w3
Academic Planning in
Elementary School
Why are we talking about this now?
• It should begin early (now!)
• School counselors provide information on various options
in APS to families and students
• In middle and high school the school counselor advises
students and families as they make informed decisions
about what opportunities are available to meet rigorous
graduation requirements in middle and high school
• Early planning and understanding the importance of
taking challenging courses leads to more choices in postsecondary education
Academic Planning in
Middle and High School
• School counselor discusses available course options,
career interests, current achievement levels, credits
earned and needed, rigorous courses of study, postsecondary plans and available academic supports
• Each year in middle school, counselors meet with students
in classroom groups to complete the academic plan form
• Students meet individually with their high school
counselor to review the academic plan annually
• Parents are invited to contact the counselor at all grade
levels for individual academic plan meetings
• Academic planning forms are mailed home each year
6-year Plan : Example
What is the 6-year plan?
• Helps you understand requirements for
graduation from high school
• Helps you understand the Standards of Learning
(SOLs) and their impact on diplomas
• Helps you understand what course options are
available
• Provides you with a roadmap for the next 6 years.
College & Career Readiness
Highly competitive post-secondary institutions look for students who
have completed:
• Advanced diploma
• AP, IB, dual enrollment (DE)
• Advanced level math & science courses
• Multiple years of a world language
• Proficient to advanced proficient on the SOL assessments
• College entrance assessments: Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude
Test (PSAT), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), American College
Test (ACT)
• Career interests & career pathways through Naviance
• Develop a post-graduation plan with educational & career
goals
College & Career Readiness
•Begin with the end in mind
•
5th graders have completed Academic Planning Guide
http://www.apsva.us/cms/lib2/VA01000586/Centricity/Domain/95/AcademicPlanning_Companion-3-5_revised.pdf
•Course Requirements for an Advanced Diploma—begins in
Middle School
•Math Literacy
•
Algebra I by 8th Grade
•World Languages starting in Middle School
•Rigorous and AP/IB Coursework
Academic Planning Tools
www.apsva.us/academicplanning
• Pre-K to 12 Academic Planning Roadmap
• Student Academic Planning Guides
• Academic Planning Videos
• College & Career Corner
• Resources
Explore the Roadmap
Take a few minutes to explore the online resources.
• How to access:
Oakridge > Counseling > Academic Planning >
www.apsva.us/academicplanning
Helpful links:
• Resources > Program of Studies
• Academic Planning Map PK-12
• Academic Planning Map > Grades 3-5
Please ask questions/comment as you explore!
Standard v. Advanced Diploma
Key Differences
+1 Mathematics
+1 Laboratory Science
+1 History and Social Science
+3 Foreign Language
In addition: Verified Credits
2 Math credits (+1)
2 Laboratory Science (+1)
2 History & Social Science (+1)
What Middle School
Could Look Like
•Students can earn up to 5 high school credit classes while in middle school!
•Parents have the option to waive credits taken in middle school from the high
school transcript. This removes the credit and grade.
Math Pathways
High
School
Credit
High
School
Credit
High
School
Credit
High
School
Credit
6th Grade Math Course Placement
• In June, all 5th graders will take a placement
exam
• Over the summer a team of Math Coaches will
meet to discuss several data points
• The team will assign your child to Math 6 or
Math 7
• Over the summer, a letter will be sent home with
the class level that is suggested for your child
• Parents have input too!
Middle School Options
• Neighborhood School:
– Gunston Middle School
• Transfer Schools (application was due 1/16):
– Kenmore Middle School
– Thomas Jefferson Middle School
– HB Woodlawn
Course Request Form
• 6th Grade Programs
– Grade 6 Program
• most common program
– High Intensity Language Training Program
• for English Language Learners, teacher recommended
– Montessori Program
• Typically just for students from the Montessori Program at Drew,
but if you are interested, please contact Barry Leopold at
barry.leopold@apsva.us
– Spanish Immersion Program
• Prerequisite is elementary immersion program (Claremont or Key),
but students can test into the program
Course Request Form (cont)
• Elective Choices
– Exploratory Rotation/Wheel
• Students rotate through courses such as: Chorus, Art,
Keyboarding, Tech ED, Family Consumer Science,
Theater Arts, Journalism and World Language
– Band (beginning/intermediate)
– Orchestra (beginning/intermediate)
– Chorus
Upcoming Middle School Dates
• February 4th at 7pm
– Kenmore Middle School Information Night
• February 9th
– Elementary Counselors receive Course Request Forms
– Ms. T will explain to student in classrooms throughout the month
• February 17th at 7pm
– Jefferson Middle School Information Night
• February 24th
– Gunston visits Oakridge
• April 9th or 10th
– Oakridge students visit Middle Schools
Comments/Questions
Thank you SO much for coming!
Please take a few minutes to complete a quick survey
online to provide us for feedback.
Oakridge > Counseling > Academic Planning >
Link at bottom
Thank you!
Contact Information
Anne Terwilliger
Counselor
anne.terwilliger@apsva.us
703-228-8158
Dr. Marcia Jackson
Supervisor of Counseling
Debra Gaeta
Counselor (M, W, Th)
debra.gaeta@apsva.us
703-228-8165
Gladis Bourdouane
Communications Coordinator:
Family Engagement & Public Information
marcia.jackson@apsva.us
703-228-6062
gladis.bourdouane@apsva.us
703-228-7667
Laura Harrington
Counselor (T, F)
laura.harrington@apsva.us
703-228-8165
Michael W. Swisher
Asset Liaison
Arl. Partnership 4Children, Youth & Families
Mswish@arlingtonva.us
703-228-1671