High School
on the
Horizon
Making the
Transition to
High School
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Content
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What’s New About High School?
School Policy and Procedure
Student Success: Making Good Grades, Homework, Goal Setting and
Parent Involvement
High School Lingo
Future Ready Core Graduation Requirements
Schedules
Honor Courses, Advanced Placement and Earning College Credits
Promotion Requirements/Understanding GPA / Transcripts
College Planning in High school
High School Options (Admissions/Requirements/ Deadlines) Early
College
Leadership Academies
Magnet Schools
PowerSchool Parent Portal
Career Pathways
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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What’s new about High
School?
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More expectations
Higher demands
Zeros are allowed
More class work and homework
More students
More freedom/independence/responsibility
More class choices
More requirements to be promoted
Everything counts towards college and career
opportunities
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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School Policies and Procedures
It’s important to read the WCPSS Student/Parent Hand
book regarding school policy and procedure AND to be
familiar with how each individual school handles breaking
these policies.
Typical Offenses
• Dress Code – no hats or head coverings
• Electronic Devices- They are not allowed to be used or
visible during the school day.
• Bullying and Harassment- Zero Tolerance Policy, this
includes bullying or harassment through social media
• Tardies- After 3 tardies in the same class; tardies can
lead to Saturday School, ASD, and suspension
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Attendance
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Attendance is taken during each period.
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If your child has to be absent you must turn a
note in to the attendance office within two days
of the return to school in order for it to be
considered an excused absence.
•
When absent, it is your student’s responsibility
to make up any missing work, quizzes, or tests.
Most teachers will expect them to do so before
school, during lunch, or after school.
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Attendance
•
Wake County policy dictates that a student absent for
more than 10 days in a semester class or 20 days in a
yearlong class can be assigned a grade of FF indicating
failure due to excessive absences. This includes both
excused and unexcused absences.
•
1 absence in a block scheduled class is like missing 2
days of learning.
•
Talk to your teachers and counselor about
extenuating circumstances that will lead to over 10
absences.
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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How do students make good grades?
• Keep Up so you don’t have to Catch Up
o Students have to learn how to manage their
time and stay organized in high school
• Get Extra Help
o Tutoring is available before school, after
school, during lunch, and even online
• Ask Questions!!
o Especially when things are unclear
• TRY!!!
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Good study habits start on
the 1st day of class, NOT the day before a test!
1. Show up to each class on time
2. Have the required materials for class
3. Be attentive and participate
4. Take good notes that they will understand
5. Review their notes daily
6. Do their homework
7. Stay organized and keep track of deadlines
8. Review their progress reports online often
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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What is homework?
The average amount of homework each night should be between 1-3 hours
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Written assignments, worksheets
Daily review of class notes (flash cards, rewrite notes)
Reading (in preparation for daily quizzes)
Projects
Study guides
Check to make sure that your child is doing their homework.
• You do not have to know the subject to be able to help your child with
their homework.
• Sometimes, the best lesson is showing your student how to find an
answer.
• Ask your student to explain their work to you. This is a great way for
you both to see if he/she really understands the work.
• If you are both stuck, help your student come up with the question that
he/she needs to ask the teacher
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Help Your Student Set Goals
Do they know what they are working towards?
• Ask about your children’s future plans
• Help your child research more information about
their career goal and what steps they need to
take to reach their goal
• If they do not have any career goals yet, help
them find their passion
• Share with them how you did reach your goals,
and how you did not reach some goals
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Other Tips…
Other things you can do to help your child transition
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Make time to listen, and hear them out
Communicate clear expectations
Know your child’s friends and their parents
Be supportive and encouraging
Be an example and emphasize the importance of
education
Help out with homework
Come out to Open Houses, games, and other school
events with your student
Teach them how to be safe on the internet
Expose them to different career options
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Parent Involvement
“9th grade is the time for me to
be less involved as a parent so
my child can be more
independent”
Adolescence is one of the most difficult and
important times of your child’s life. Add in the
academic pressure, the social pressure, and
everything else that comes with the transition to
high school and it’s easy to see why 9th graders
need so much positive support at school and at
home.
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Keep in touch
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Maintaining communication with the school is very important for
your child’s success.
Make sure the school always has updated contact information for
you
Know when progress reports and report cards come out
Email teachers and counselors when you have questions
Many teachers have websites/Blackboard/Edmodo accounts with
important class information, including daily homework
assignments
If needed, schedule a parent-teacher conference through the
school counselor
Get an Home Base account and use it
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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High School Lingo
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PowerSchool - new operating system; Students and Parents have access to Powerschool to check
grades and attendance formerly accessed through NCWISE)
PowerSchool Number—Student identification number
Future Ready Core – Curriculum that all students are currently following; students must meet
all FRC requirements in order to graduate
Blackboard—Website allowing parents and students access to class assignments and syllabi
NCVPS—North Carolina Virtual Public School, online courses available to students enrolled in NC
public schools
NCAA Clearinghouse—National Collegiate Athletic Association, student athletes must register
with this organization in order to participate in varsity college sports, see Athletic Director or coach
for more information
NHS—National Honor Society, organization for academically successful students
ACT—American College Testing, admissions assessment accepted at almost all colleges and
universities
SAT – Scholastic Aptitude Test, admissions assessment accepted at almost all colleges and
universities
IB—International Baccalaureate, advanced academic program available at some Wake County high
schools
Three EOC’s students must pass in order to graduate (Common Core Math I, Biology, English II)
CTE Exams—State-mandated final exams for CTE courses
SAP—Student Assistance Program counselor, works with all students typically for personal/social
issues
CDC—Career Development Coordinator, coordinates career development activities for the entire
high school
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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English
English I, II, III, IV
4
Mathematics
Common Core Math I, II, III, and a 4th Math OR
Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and a 4th Math
4
Science
Earth Science or AP Environmental Science, Biology,
Physical Science/ Chemistry/ Physics
3
Social Studies
World History, Civics & Economics, American History I & II
4
Health and Physical Education
Healthful Living I
1
Electives
Two must be from CTE/ ART/ or Foreign Language
10
Total required Credits:
May vary at WCPSS Magnet Schools and in other counties
26
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Math – 4 Credits
For 9th graders entering in 2014-2015 and later:
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All students (except OCS) must complete 4 math courses to
graduate.
Future Ready Core – Common Core I, Common Core II,
Common Core III and a 4th math course beyond Algebra II to be
aligned with the student’s post high school plans.
In the instance that a principal grants an exception to a student
from the Future Ready Core math sequence, the student will
be required to take Common Core Math I and Common Core
Math II plus two other application-based math courses.
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Mathematics
Typical Sequences for Academic Students under the Future Ready Core
Year 1
Year 2
B
Common Core
Math I
Common Core
Math II
Common Core
Math III
Advanced Functions
& Modeling
C
Common Core
Math I
Common Core
Math II
Common Core
Math III
Discrete
Mathematics
D
Common Core
Math II
Common Core
Math III
Advanced Functions &
Modeling
AP Statistics
A
Year 3
Year 4
Foundatio
Common
Foundatio
Common
Common
ns of
Common
Core
ns of
Advanced Functions
Core
Core
Advanced Core Math
Math IA
Geometry
& Modeling
Algebra
Math IB
Math II
III
(elective)
(elective)
(elective)
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Mathematics
Typical Sequences for Honors Students under the Future Ready Core
Year 3
Year 1
Year 2
Year 4
E
Special
Topics in
Math
(elective)
Common
Core
Math II
(Honors)
F
Common Core
Math II
(Honors)
G
Common Core
Math III (Honors)
Common Core
Math III (Honors)
Common Core
Math III (Honors)
Precalculus
Precalculus
AP Calculus AB/BC
and/or
AP Statistics*
Precalculus
AP Calculus AB/BC
and/or
AP Statistics*
AP
Calculus
AB
AP
Calculus
BC
Math Analysis
and/or AP Statistics*
*AP Statistics may also be taken in the same year as Pre-calculus.
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Foreign Language
Foreign Language is generally not recommended for 9th
graders unless continuing the language from middle school:
Spanish, French, German, Latin, etc.
Language course offerings vary from school to school.
Not required for graduation. But 2 credits required to meet
MAR (minimum application requirements) for admission to a
university in the UNC system.
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Future Ready Core Checklist
School Schedule
The block schedule pace is fast
• 4 classes per semester
• 90 minutes each class
Traditional
• 8 classes all year
• 45 or 90 minutes each class (A/B
day)
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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It all starts with recommendations…
• The eighth grade teachers will
make ninth grade courses
recommendations and
counselors will assist students
register.
• As parents you should review
these course selections
carefully. You make the ultimate
decision in course selections.
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Sample Course Selections for 9th Graders
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English I
Math
Science (Earth Science or Biology)
World History
Healthful Living
Additional Course (Elective*)
Additional Course (Elective*)
Additional Course (Elective*)
*Electives are courses you “choose” to take. You can take a core
course as an elective.
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Promotion Requirements
The student must pass English each year as well as having the
required number of credits each year in order to be promoted to
the next grade.
From
Grade
9
Promotion Criteria
Credits
English I, credits in mathematics, social studies, science, and
additional credits
6
10
English II, one credit in mathematics, one in social studies,
one in science, and two additional credits
12
11
English III and enrollment in a program which, if successfully
accomplished, will result in the completion of graduation
requirements
18
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Grading System
Letter Grades
Standard
(Regular)
Honors
(Advanced)
AP (Advanced
Placement)
A =
93-100
4
5
6
B =
85-92
3
4
5
C =
77-84
2
3
4
D =
70-76
1
2
3
0
0
0
F = less than 70
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Calculating the Grade
Point Average (GPA)
Steps:
1.
2.
3.
Determine quality points for each letter grade.
Total the quality points.
Divide total quality points by the total number
of potential credits (including any Fs received)
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Calculating the Grade
Point Average (GPA)
Example:
If a student takes all academic courses and makes 2 A’s, 1 B, and 1C,
to calculate the GPA add:
(A) 4.0 + (A) 4.0 + (B) 3.0 + (C) 2.0 = 13.0
13.0 quality points divided by 4 courses = 3.25 GPA
Wake County determines official GPA based on final grades. Your GPA
is figured and reported on the transcript both weighted and unweighted.
To calculate an unweighted GPA, use the academic scale only.
Students are ranked from highest to lowest GPA using cumulative
weighted grades.
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Promote or Retain?
9th Grade Final Report Card
Grade
Course
Final Grade Quality Points
Standard
A
4
CC Math 1A
B
B
3
Visual Arts
A
C
2
World History
F
D
1
Child Development
B
F
0
CC Math 1B
C
English I
C
Healthful Living
A
Earth Science
F
Total Quality Points: 18
GPA:
2.25
Promote or Retain? retain
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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What are the benefits of taking
an Honors/AP/IB course?
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Personal and academic growth
Rigorous courses look favorable for college admissions
Rigorous work helps improve SAT and ACT scores
Earn college credit in high school with AP/IB exams
Students are exposed to college level work with high school support
Helps ease the transition from high school to college freshman
Weighted Credit for final course grade
Grade
Academic
Honors
AP/IB
A
B
C
D
F
4
3
2
1
0
5
4
3
2
0
6
5
4
3
0
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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The High School Transcript
The 9th grade year is extremely important:
• Every course taken in high school (passed or failed)
will appear on the student’s transcript and is used to
calculate the Grade Point Average (GPA)
• The GPA is a critical component in the college
admission process
• Course selection and the level of difficulty (rigor) is
also heavily considered for college admission
• The GPA, entrance exams and other criteria are the
primary indicators of scholarship offers
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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End of Course (EOC) Requirements
Students must achieve a level 3 or 4 for proficiency in the End of
Course Exams (EOCs) in:
• Biology
• Common Core Math 1 or 1B
• English II
EOC exams count as 25% of the final course grade
Career & Technical Education Courses count as 20% of the final
course grade
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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College Planning?
In the 9th grade!?!?
IT’S VERY IMPORTANT TO START COLLEGE PLANNING IN 9TH
GRADE
Students need to start thinking about which colleges and
careers suit their interests.
College Admission Offices pay careful attention to
 Grade Point Average (GPA)
 Class rank
 Difficulty of course load
 SAT/ACT scores
 High school and community activities
 Recommendations
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Need College Information?
Research potential future colleges and universities at:
www.cfnc.org
Visit colleges/universities on open house days
Visit the Student Services BlackBoard
Ask your school counselor!
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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4-Year College or not,
High School is still important!
Students who drop out are more likely than
high school graduates to be unemployed, in
poor health, living in poverty, on public
assistance, and become single parents
with children who drop out of high school.
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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It’s not ALL about academics
Responsibility
Meet expectations
Face challenges
Leadership
New experiences
Learn to work with
others
Build
character
Finding a place to fit in
Clubs & Organizations
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Spanish
Beta Club, Key Club ….
National Honor Society
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Student Government Association
PTSA
FFA
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Get Involved
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Science Club
Yearbook
Drama
Step Team
Fashion Club
Marching Band
JROTC
Team Sports
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Driver Education
• Students may take Driver Education at 14.5 years of
age
• To be eligible to obtain a Driver’s Permit or maintain
driving privileges, student must pass 3/4 (75%) of their
classes each semester
• Only juniors and seniors are eligible to drive to school
and they must meet the guidelines of the school
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Athletic Eligibility
All incoming freshmen are eligible for athletics fall semester of their
freshman year.
After the first semester of their freshman year, students are eligible
when:
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ARE IN ATTENDANCE 85% (CANNOT MISS MORE THAN 13.5 DAYS IN THE PREVIOUS
90-DAY SEMESTER).
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THIS INCLUDES ALL ABSENCES (EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED)
At the end of each semester, any participant who failed to attend school
85% of that semester is immediately ineligible.
WCPSS requires the athlete to be present the entire day in order to
participate in activities or practices.
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Minimum Work Load for Athletic
Eligibility
TRADITIONAL
SCHEDULE
Must pass
five
courses
BLOCK
SCHEDULE
Must pass
three
courses
90 min. classes
A/B
SCHEDULE
Must pass
six
courses
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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WCPSS High Schools
Apex, Athens Drive, Broughton, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Green
Hope, Heritage, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Leesville, Middle
Creek, Panther Creek, Rolesville, Sanderson, East Wake
High School of Health Science, East Wake School of Arts,
Education and Global Studies, East Wake School of
Engineering Systems, East Wake School of Integrated
Technology, Wake Forest, Wakefield.
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Wake County Early Colleges
Wake Early College of Health and Sciences
Wake NC State STEM Early College High School
Career and Technical Education Early College (not yet open)
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Wake County Early Colleges
Early College High Schools are small schools
where students have the opportunity to earn an
Associate degree (Arts or Science) or two years of
transferable college credit. They offer personalized
learning environments, a common and coherent
focus, and they emphasize accelerated learning for
students.
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Career and Technical
Education Early College
The pre-application for the CTE high school is open for grades 10 to 12.
Step 1: Early College Pre-Application
Applicants must complete the pre-application and submit it by December 6, 2013. To
apply, visit ctehs.wcpss.net
Step 2: Magnet Application
They must also complete the early college part of the magnet application which will be
available online January 28 – February 9, 2014. Interested students may apply for up to 3
programs but should only apply to those programs that truly interest them.
Step 3: Notification
If a student is selected, he or she will receive a permanent assignment to the CTE High
School. Students who are selected for the school will not have the option to decline the
assignment in the school or specific CTE program for which they applied. For this reason,
students should consider carefully their interest and commitment to the CTE program
before applying.
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Wake Early College of
Health and Sciences
WECHS features a partnership among the Wake County Public
School System, Wake Technical Community College, and
WakeMed Health and Hospitals.
The school is located on the Wake Tech Health Sciences and
Northern Campuses.
WECHS students have the opportunity to graduate in five years
with a high school diploma and an Associates of Arts (AA),
Associates of Science (AS), transferable diploma in science or arts,
or a health science certificate.
College credits completed while enrolled in the school are tuitionfree and are transferable to one of North Carolina’s sixteen public
universities.
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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WECHS Information Sessions
The sessions will be small group format with a maximum of six families
per session. Location: HS Campus, Conference Room, Health Education
Building, Room 130. Registration is required, see the link below.
• 11/18 9-10 am and 1-2 pm
• 11/20 9-10 am and 1-2 pm
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4FAAAC2DAB9-wechs2
WECHS Online Application Available since November 2, 2013
magnetcenter@wcpss.net, 919-431-7333
• WECHS accepts 75 freshmen each year and a few sophomore students
depending upon availability
• For additional information, please contact: Monnie Sutton, Magnet
Coordinator, msutton@wcpss.net
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Wake NC State STEM Early
College High School
• Is a joint project between the Wake County Public School
System, NC State University, and the NC New Schools Project.
• The STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math)
ECHS will allow students to earn both a high school diploma and
up to two years of college credit at NC State University at the
conclusion of their five year program.
• It is essential that students who come to our program are highly
interested in one or more of the content areas of science,
technology, engineering, and/or math, have a strong desire to
attend college. This will require students to be dedicated and
focused since they will be both high school and college students.
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A Unique Focus
STEM ECHS
Internships
Job Shadowing
Guest Presenters
Field Experiences
Application Deadline: December 6th
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Leadership Academies
Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy
Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy
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Wake Young Women's
Leadership Academy
• Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy (WYWLA) is a 612 single-gender academy.
• Young women are inspired to lead and to learn as they travel a
path to academic and personal excellence.
• As an early college program, WYWLA has a partnership with St.
Augustine's University that allows students to earn up to 64
hours of transferrable college credit.
Application Deadline: December 6th
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Wake Young Men's
Leadership Academy
• WYMLA is a 6-12 single-gender academy within the
WCPSS.
• WYMLA’s mission is to develop young men into leaders who
have a positive impact on their communities through
Scholarship, Service, and Success.
The school opened in the Fall of 2012 and
currently serves 150 students in the middle
school (6-8) and 100 students in the upper
school (9-10).
Application Process: November
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Magnet Schools
The Wake County Public School System
has 4 Magnet high schools
The application will open in January 2014
for the 2014-15 school year
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Enloe High School
GT/IB Theme Description
1.
2.
3.
4.
Extensive elective menu for exploration of interests, acceleration, and rich, indepth study in all subject areas to enhance the standard course of study
Foreign language instruction offered through high school
Expanded visual and performing arts opportunities
Extensive AP course offerings in high school
Tours
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November 20
December 4, 18
January 8, 15 and 29
February 6
Tours begin at 8:15, parents should arrive no later than 8:10.
Tours will run from 8:15-9:25.
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Garner High School
Curriculum:
International Baccalaureate Diploma Years Programme
IB High Schools offer the last two years of the Middle Years Programme
(grades 9-10) and the Diploma Programme (grades 11-12).
INFO SESSION DATE
• Rising Freshman Expo/Magnet Open House on January 22nd at 6:30
pm
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Millbrook High School
Curriculum:
International Baccalaureate Diploma Years Programme
IB
High Schools offer the last two years of the Middle Years Programme
(grades 9-10) and the Diploma Programme (grades 11-12).
• November 19, 2013 at 1:00 p.m., Magnet Open
House at 6:30 p.m.
• December 4, at 8:00 a.m.
• December 11, at 9:00 a.m.
• December 17 at 1:00 p.m.
• January 9 at 8:00 a.m.
• January 14 at 1:00 p.m.
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Southeast Raleigh High School
Center for Leadership & Technology
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•
November 19, 2013
December 3, 2013
January 9, 2014
January 28, 2014
February 6, 2014
Tours will begin at 8:00 am.
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Questions?
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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HomeBase “Parent Portal”
With MariaRosa Rangel
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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Career Pathways
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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11:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Visit with the MS/HS Counselors and
Informational Booths
12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Panel Discussion
Parent Academy / Academia de Padres
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