Senior Parent Night
Class of 2015
Anderson County High School
Mrs. Bridget Wells, Associate Principal
Ms. Cindy Miracle, Guidance Counselor
Ms. Candice Tankersley, Guidance Counselor
Mrs. Bridget Wells, Asst. Principal
What is the Senior year?
1. Senior trip
2. Project Graduation
3. Symbolic final events like homecoming, prom,
graduation
4. Memorable times to share with cherished friends!
** Is it TIME to take it easy??
No, students should be buckling down and preparing to
make major adult-like decisions.
Questions to Answer
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What are your son or daughter’s post-secondary
plans?
What do they need to complete before getting
there?
What criteria is required to accomplish their
goals?
How can my senior year be socially
MEMORABLE and academically
MEANINGFUL?
Am I College and Career Ready?
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College Ready
ACT – CPE benchmarks
 COMPASS/KYOTE – CPE benchmarks
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Career Ready:
KOSSA/ Industry Certificates
 ASVAB or ACT Work keys
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College Career Readiness
College Ready
(1 Point)
A student must meet
benchmarks on one of
the following:
ACT
or
COMPASS
or
KYOTE
Career Ready
(1 Point)
A student must meet
benchmarks on one from each
of the following columns:
Career Ready
Academic
College & Career
Ready
(1.5 Points)
A student must meet
benchmarks on one from each
of the following columns:
Career Ready
Technical
ASVAB
KOSSA
Or
ACT
or
Industry
WorkKeys Certificate
College Ready Career Ready
Technical
Academic
ACT
or
COMPASS
or
KYOTE
KOSSA
or
Industry
Certificate
Benchmark Scores
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ACT Benchmark scores:
 English,
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18; Math, 22; Reading, 22; Science, 23
CPE ACT/COMPASS Benchmark scores:
 English-
18/74; Math- 19/36; Reading- 20/85
ACT Matters!
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ACT testing dates here at ACHS :
October 25th & December 13th
 Additional testing dates available at other locations
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What is ACHS offering?
Practice ACT embedded in individual classrooms
 ACHS ACT Online – www.ACTpreponline.com
 ACT – www.actstudent.org
 * ACHS Boot Camp – fall, spring, and summer
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ACT Matters!
KNOW THE ADMISSION CRITERIA
& SCHOLARSHIP STANDARDS
FOR YOUR COLLEGE CHOICE!
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GPA is important, but most University scholarships
are figured on ACT scores.
Big $$ scholarships are typically 30 composite
scores and above.
Consistently scholarships awarded at Universities
with 3.5+ GPA and 28+ ACT.
3.2 GPA and higher; as well as 24/25 or higher
ACT, look at the websites.
What if I don’t meet the college
readiness benchmark scores?
 College
– take remediation classes;
 You
$$pay$$ for class = 0 credit
 ACHS tiered interventions in reading and math for
seniors who do not meet benchmarks
Eligible to take COMPASS/KYOTE – College placement
exam
 COMPASS/KYOTE will be required component of
math and English final exams
 Cannot be an office aide

Incentives for Testing

All seniors who meet college readiness
benchmarks on ACT shall receive a
certificate good for an exemption from a
final exam of their choice. Seniors who
meet all will be earn an extra college day.
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All seniors who pass the ASVAB with a 50
or higher will earn final exam exemption.
All seniors who pass KOSSA exam will
earn final exam exemption.
All seniors who met or exceeded junior
ACT goals will earn lunch pass.
Important Senior Testing/ Info
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ASVAB – September 18
KOSSA – February and March
ACT Work keys: January – March
COMPASS/KYOTE – math and English classes or April
Going out of state– need to take the SAT – See Ms. Miracle for
details.
Re-taking ACT – If students did not meet college readiness
benchmarks, they should re-take the ACT their senior year.
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October 26
December 14
Am I challenging myself at school?
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Early College classes – dual credit with BCTC
Advanced Placement course offerings – pass
exams and earn college credit
Completing Career Majors to take/pass KOSSA
tests and earn articulation agreement college
credit
Striving for Kentucky Scholars Advanced
Kentucky Scholars certificates
Kentucky Scholars Certificate
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All ACHS students must complete 26 credits to be eligible for graduation.
Kentucky Scholars Certificates will be awarded to students who complete the following course of
study. No yearly grades below a “C” will be accepted toward credit and a student must have at
least a final 2.5 grade point average. On rare occasions, a substitution may be made.
English: 4 Credits – English I, II, III, and IV
Social Studies: 4 Credits – Geography, U.S. History, World Civilization, Government &
Economics (required), and one approved upper level class, AP class, or BCTC Social Studies class.
Mathematics: 4.5 credits – Algebra I, Geometry, Data & Measurement, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus,
or one approved upper level, AP class, or BCTC MAT 150
Science: 4 credits – Biology, Chemistry, Integrated/Physical Science, and one approved upper
level, AP class, or BCTC Science class.
Health & PE: 1 credit
Foreign Language: 2 credits – 2 credits of the same language
Humanities: Art and Drama ½ credit & Music and Dance ½ credit
Electives: 5.5 credits
Advanced Kentucky Scholars
Certificate
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All ACHS students must complete 26 credits to be eligible for graduation.
Advanced Kentucky Scholars Certificates will be awarded to students who complete the following
course of study. No yearly grades below a “C” will be accepted toward credit and a student must
have at least a final 2.5 grade point average. On rare occasions, a substitution may be made. In
addition to the listed course of study, students must take 4 A.P. courses: English, Science or Math,
and 2 additional AP courses.
English: 4 Credits – English I, II, III, and IV
Social Studies: 4 Credits – Geography, U.S. History, World Civilization, Government &
Economics (required), and one approved upper level class, AP class, or BCTC Social Studies class.
Mathematics: 4.5 credits – Algebra I, Geometry, Data & Measurement, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus,
or one approved upper level, AP class, or BCTC MAT 150
Science: 4 credits – Biology, Chemistry, Integrated/Physical Science, and one approved upper
level, AP class, or BCTC Science class.
Health & PE: 1 credit
Foreign Language: 2 credits – 2 credits of the same language
Humanities: Art and Drama ½ credit & Music and Dance ½ credit
Electives: 5.5 credits
Valedictorian / Salutatorian Policy
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Valedictorian and Salutatorian awards shall be given to the two students in the
graduating class with a class rank of 1 and 2 respectively.
To be eligible for Valedictorian/Salutatorian consideration, a student must
have at least 30 credits.
If we have two or more students who have earned above a 4.0 GPA, we will use the total
number of quality points to determine Rank 1 and 2.
Quality points will not be added for student aide or work-based
learning.
Transfer students’ transcripts will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the
counseling office and the administration.
Beginning with the Class of 2005, the class rank awards of Valedictorian and
Salutatorian shall be determined using this method.
Am I being a responsible student?
Loss of Privilege Policy
 Seniors who end up on Loss of
Privilege Policy jeopardize walking
at graduation. It is really important
that they are behaving responsibly
at school and take care of details,
like notes.
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Phase II:
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3 additional days of ISS
3 additional days of OCS
3 additional unexcused absences
3 additional unexcused tardies
Any additional out of school
suspension
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Phase I:
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6 or more days of ISS/OCS
Suspended out of school
6 or more unexcused absences
6 or more unexcused tardies
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Warning/ student conference and
parent contact
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Students lose all privileges, except
graduation.
Phase III:
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Any additional violation.
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Lose walking at graduation
Who/what are my resources?
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Mrs. Wells, Ms. Miracle, Mrs. Kays and Ms. Tankersley
are senior advisors for credit checks, recommendations,
etc.
Make sure you know exactly what you need to do to
graduate in May – student handbook.
Keep up with your grades; parents can access Parent
Portal through Mr. Derek Shouse at Board of
Education Office; students get student portal.
Mrs. Hollon – Senior trip
Mrs. Seraji – Balfour: invitations, caps & gowns, etc.
Mr. Fore – senior principal
Ms. Candice Tankersley
Guidance Counselor
COMMUNICATION: “KEEPING YOU IN
THE KNOW”
 The Counselors’ Website
 One Calls
 Ms. Miracle’s Weekly E-mail
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Cynthia.miracle@anderson.kyschools.us
The Counselor’s Website
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On the ACHS homepage, click Academics
click Counselor’s Office
Here you will find 12th Grade News You Can Use,
ILP Information, Scholarship Listings and the
Daily Announcements
Ms. Miracle’s Weekly E-mail
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Every Friday, Ms. Miracle sends out an e-mail
with information about important events,
deadlines and activities relating to ACHS
students.
Call or e-mail Ms. Miracle to give her your e-mail
address if you would like to be added to her
distribution list.
Cynthia.miracle@anderson.kyschools.us
The following items are available for
pick-up:
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College Planning Checklist
Getting In books with
KEES, FAFSA info.
Info. for college-bound
athletes
ACT & SAT Schedule
AP Test Schedule
College Career Readiness
Benchmarks
ACT Online information
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How to apply for college
and for Financial Aid
Recommendation forms
Transcript Requests
Types of Scholarships
College Visit Policy
(Ms. Miracle in guidance office.)
The Individual
Learning Plan (ILP)
What is it?
An online college and career planning
tool used to help students prepare for
post secondary decisions.
How can SENIORS utilize their
ILP?
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Search for colleges in all states; compare tuition rates,
available majors, by-college scholarship opportunities,
student demographics and housing plans.
Research different careers; find out the level of education
required, expected salary and job outlook
Record their extracurricular activities, awards,
work/volunteer experiences, etc.
Create a professional resume
Receive notifications about scholarships and program
opportunities that you may qualify for.
Before graduation, Seniors MUST
complete the following sections in the
ILP:
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Annual ILP Review
Annual Student Survey
Careers that Interest Me
Schools that Interest Me
Career and Life Goals
Career Cluster Interests
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Post-Secondary Goals
Career Planning
Activities
Organizations and
Activities
Community Service
Course of Study-Grade
12
The Parent/Guardian ILP Tool
allows YOU to:
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View the work your child has entered in his or
her ILP.
Learn more about the careers and schools that
your child is interested in.
Keep track of your child’s ILP completion
status.
Ms. Cindy Miracle,
Guidance Counselor
Preparing for the
Next Steps
Most Common Scholarship Types
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Academic: Grades & ACT/SAT Scores
Athletics: NCAA or NAIA divisions.
Community Service/Volunteerism
Health/Disability: Physical/mental/learning disabled.
Church/Faith Based: Specific religion/belief
Essay: Most likely to not focus on academics.
Institutional: Specific to the particular College/University
Transfer: Institutional specific and varies
Please review the scholarship applications for
eligibility!!
Scholarship Terms
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Full Scholarship: Usually means that the scholarship covers tuition,
housing, meal plan, books and fees.
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Full Tuition Scholarship: Pays only the Tuition costs of a full
time student. (Does not include housing, meals, books, fees.)
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Partial Scholarship: Only awards funding for a portion of the tuition
or fee costs.
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Renewable Scholarship: Student must renew each year for
scholarship, and usually requires ‘conditions’ and reapplying.
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Nonrenewable Scholarship: Usually meaning a one time award.
Top 10 Scholarship Myths
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Only straight- “A” students win scholarships
Only minority students win scholarships
My child will get a full-ride scholarship
Only athletes win scholarships
Only the poor win scholarships
Scholarships are just for high-school seniors
The cost of private high school is earned back in scholarships
$6.6-billion in scholarships went unclaimed last year
Colleges will just reduce other aid if a student has a scholarship
Applying for scholarships is more work than it’s worth
Local Scholarships
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Local Scholarships
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Local Scholarship packets will be available in spring term–
after January.
Scholarship packets may be picked up in guidance office.
Each scholarship has varying deadlines and varying amounts.
Scholarship recipients will be notified.
All Scholarship information that is returned to Ms. Miracle in
the spring will be announced at the Senior Awards Program
in May and will be submitted to the Anderson News after
graduation. If we are not aware of it, we cannot share it.
Mrs. Holly Peyton
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One parent’s personal experience with high
school to college transition.
College Application Process
COLLEGE APPLICATION & CAREER READINESS
WEEK – Nov. 17 - 21
Dec. 2nd, 6:30 p.m. - Financial aide workshop with
KHEAA, Toni Wiley
•Finalize your list of colleges. Be sure you list "safety" colleges, as well as
“probable” and "reach" colleges.
•Review college applications and informational materials. Organize
materials into separate files by college.
•If you plan to apply through an early decision or early action program, get
started on your applications right away. Deadlines for early applications
tend to be in November.
•Begin working on your college essays. Think of topics that focus on your
experiences and make you stand out from the crowd.
KHEAA
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Getting In Guide
KEES
Getting the Facts- Your
Personalized College Guide
Create a My KHEAA account! Apply for state
scholarships!
Early Decision vs. Early Action
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Early decision plans are binding. You agree to attend the
college if it accepts you and offers an adequate financial aid
package. Although you can apply to only one college for early
decision, you may apply to other colleges through the regular
admission process. If you're accepted by your first-choice college
early, you must withdraw all other applications.
Early action plans are similar to early decision plans, but
are not binding. If you’ve been accepted, you can choose to
commit to the college immediately, or wait until the spring.
Under these plans, you may also apply early action to other
colleges. Usually, you have until the late spring to let the college
know your decision.
Tips for Making the Most of Your
Counselor’s Time
www.collegeboard.com
1. Be Responsible
 Ultimately, you want to go to a college that’s a
good fit for you. Take charge of the application
process. Find out your school’s process, know
your deadlines, keep in contact with your
counselor and perform the legwork necessary to
get the job done.
2. Be Organized
 Make a chart to keep track of different colleges'
requirements, and mark a calendar with your
application deadlines. Have a separate folder for
each application so you can keep materials
organized and easy to access. Know your
school’s process and schedule for asking for
recommendations, and write your essays well
ahead of the deadlines.
3. Be Early
 In the case of college applications, on time might not
be good enough. Essays, recommendations and
transcript request forms should all be completed and
submitted at least two weeks before the application
deadline. Counselors and support staff members
usually fill these requests on a first-come, first-served
basis, so get in line as early as possible.
4. Be Ready
 Even when you apply to a college online, some parts of
the application must be sent by mail. Leave time for the
U.S. Postal Service to deliver your application and for
the college's internal mail service to process it. And
don’t wait until the last minute to submit online — the
website could have technical problems if too many
students are trying to use it at the same time. Finally,
factor in some additional time for unanticipated errors
and delays.
5. Be Positive
 The college application process, although timeconsuming, is a good chance for you to discover
yourself, what you are interested in and your
opportunities for the future. This may be one of the
most complex tasks you’ve ever taken on, but it’s a
good introduction to the multifaceted projects you’ll be
handling in college and in life. Organization,
communication, patience and reasonable expectations
are the keys to making it a manageable and successful
experience.
Guidance office forms
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College Visit Form -Must fill out and turn in
to Ms. Miracle or Ms. Tankersley
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the top page before you go on visit (to prevent
being counted absent)
validation sheet upon returning to school after
college visit
Transcript request form -must have parent
sign form if under 18
Recommendation form
College Search Resources
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College Board www.collegeboard.com
Department of Education www.ed.gov
Go to College www.gotocollege.ky.gov
KHEAA (Kentucky Higher Education
Assistance Authority) www.kheaa.com
Final Thoughts
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Call us if you have questions, we are here to help!
Judy Craft, our guidance secretary, is the only one of us
that can say she’s been where you are…the rest of us
have not experienced the senior year as parents.
Financial Aid Workshop – January 22nd
This power point will be online. If you do not have
access, let us know, we will get this information to you!