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.
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Ms. Carro, Lead Teacher Scholars Academy
Mr. Donohue, Principal
Ms. Larkin, Assistant Principal for Scholars Academy
Mr. Rodriguez, IB Coordinator
Ms. Sahwell, CAP Advisor
Mrs. Carro, Scholars/IB Teacher
Counselors, 9-Ms.Echemendia, 10-Mr. Ellis, 11-Ms. Nunez,
12- Ms. Clarke
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
sacarro@dadeschools.net
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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
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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.
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
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From US DOE Longitudinal Study:
HS Diploma
Basic Math or Pre-Algebra
Enrolled in College
Enrolled in Highly
Selective 4 – Year
College
61.3%
30.4%
0.2%
86.3%
61.5%
2.7%
or PreCalculus
98.6%
89.3%
18.9%
Calculus
99.6%
97.3%
52.2%
Algebra I, Geometry,
or Algebra II
Trigonometry, Statistics,
Source: Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Education
Longitudinal Study of 2002
(ELS : 2002).
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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
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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 9th grade
(AP World History) in the classroom
Must take a minimum of 1 AP class in 10th grade
(AP European History) in the classroom
Must take a minimum of 2 AP classes in each of
the 11th and 12th grades in the classroom
Required AP classes cannot be taken online
IB Diploma students meet the requirements
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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.
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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-ofcourse 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.
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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
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MBSH has eleven Honor Societies
Most Honor Societies are for grades 11-12,
but some allow earlier admission
◦ Check with the sponsor
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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
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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.
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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.
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Only for 11th and 12th grade students with a minimum unweighted 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 9952888, Email: Internships@dadeschools.net) by the student two
weeks prior to completion of grading period.
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.
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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.
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Typical SA Subject Selection Form:
Student Name: ____________________________________________ ID#: __________________
SCHOLARS ACADEMY SUBJECT SELECTION
Teachers please initial next to recommended course.
Students are expected to carefully consider and honor their course selections. Schedule changes will not be permitted.
Language Arts
___A82 Eng. 2H
A83 Eng. 2 HG
Mathematics
B82 Algebra 2H
___B83 Algebra2 HG
B64 PreCalc H
Science
___C83 Chemistry H
___C84 Chemistry HG
___C51 Physics H
___C90 AP Biology
___C92 AP Chemistry
Social Studies
Foreign Language
D91 AP European
Hist (Req.)
___F82 Spanish 2 FL
___F53 Spanish 3H FL
___F32 Portuguese 2
__D71/72 AP US Gov/AP
Econ (IB elective)
___F54 Spanish 4H FL
___F33 Portuguese 3H
___C96 AP EnvSci
___C94 AP Physics 1
___F62 Spanish 2 S
___F34 Portuguese 4H
___F63 Spanish 3H S
___F22 Italian 2
___F64 Spanish 4H S
___F23 Italian 3H
___F57 AP Span Lang
___F24 Italian 4H
___F12 French 2 FL
___F25 AP Italian Lan
___F13 French 3H FL
___F14 French 4H FL
___F17 AP French Lan
Write 4 electives in order of preference (not to include the above core selections).
If you do NOT write down electives, they will be selected for you.
Course Code
1.
2.
3.
4.
Course Name
Teacher Signature (if required)
I will be taking the following
FLVS class over the summer
(needs approval from
counselor and must be
completed 2 weeks prior to
opening of school).
_____________________
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Scholars Academy students must take Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Foreign Language every year in school, regardless of summer or
online courses. Sophomores must take at least 1 AP course to include AP European History. Pre-Calculus is required for Scholars Academy. Spanish, Portuguese, or
French is required if you intend to pursue the IB Diploma. AP US Government/AP Economics is an elective recommended for students wishing to enter the IB
Programme. Students should consult the Scholars Office to inquire about pre-requisites for the IB Diploma Programme. One FLVS course is required prior to
graduation. Required AP classes must be taken in the classroom and cannot be taken online. Students are not allowed to register for multiple required core classes in
the same discipline during school. Please inquire with the Scholars Office for additional information.
Given out next week in English classes and
returned during articulation in January.
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Academies and lead teachers will be available
in the media center for answering questions
9th and 10th graders will attend during their
English class
Others may attend during lunch
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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 16th
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.
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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
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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
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Both AP and IB classes count the same in
weighted GPA and may receive college credit with
passing test scores.
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Subject selection sheets next week
Academy Fair: December 15-16
Articulation: January (by English class)
Scholars Applications for 8th 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
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Nautilus Night on Feb. 3rd
IB Applications for 10th graders due by January 16
(available online or Room 708)
◦ See Mr. Carlos Rodriguez for questions
Contact the Scholars Office or email us
individually with questions…