The Choice Process in the
Northeast Consortium (NEC)
for Students Entering Grade 9
in 2012-2013
Montgomery County Public Schools, MD
What do the Northeast Consortium
high schools have in common?
• Comprehensive high school curriculum
• Academic rigor
• Honors & Advanced Placement (AP)
courses
• Special Education & ESOL programs
• Students from at least five middle
schools
• Student activities, clubs, athletics
• Partnerships with colleges,
universities and businesses
• Signature programs
What is a Signature Program?
• Instructional program developed
around a central theme:
– Rigorous course work
– Variety of course offerings in
the thematic area
• Appeals to students’ interests
• Offers students opportunities for:
– Interdisciplinary projects
– Capstone experiences
– College courses
Choice Process Timeline for 2011-2012
September
 Evening Options information meetings held at two high schools:
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September 19 at Northwood HS
September 26 at Springbrook HS
 NEC special education meeting held at Options meeting on
Monday, September 26 at Springbrook HS at 6pm
 Grade 8 students participate in college/career exploration
activities in school
October –NEC High School Open Houses – 7:00 pm
VISIT ALL 3!
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James Hubert Blake HS
Paint Branch HS
Springbrook HS
Wednesday, October 5
Thursday, October 13
Wednesday, October 19
 Preprinted Choice form mailed to NEC students’ homes (mid
October)
Choice Process Timeline for 2011-2012
November - Choice Process – Round 1
 Evening enrollment for parents of NEC non-MCPS
students held at Spring Mill Field Office on Tuesday,
November 1, 2011, from 5:00-8:00 pm
RSVP: Please call 301-592-2040 to find out what
documents to bring.
 Completed Choice forms due to NEC middle schools by
Monday, November 7
January
 Parents/students notified by mail of high school
assignment.
NEC Choice Process
Choice Form Information
NEC parents/students will complete a
preprinted Choice form:
• Rank the three high schools in order of
preference.
• On the form, indicate if you would like
the child to attend the same NEC
school that an older sibling will attend in
2012-2013.
• Return the completed Choice form to
your middle school counselor by Monday,
November 7, 2011.*
Choice forms will be processed through a
computerized lottery system to determine
high school assignments.
*NEC students on transfer out of area can return the Choice
form to the DCCAPS office.
Sample Choice Form
James Hubert Blake HS
Fine Arts and
Humanities Signature
Which Signature courses and course sequences
are unique to Blake?
Humanities
• Film and American Culture • Humanities
• Comparative Religion
• Mythology
History and Government
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We the People: U.S. Law & Global Issues
Ancient History
Medieval History
New for 2011- Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School
Visual and Media Arts
• 4 Distinct Advanced Television Production
Courses –TV News, features, mixed media and
journalism
• 28 national awards as an outstanding High
School Media Arts Program in Metro DC
• Fashion Design and Production – 3 courses
• 4 Distinct AP Studio Art Courses – 2-D, 3-D,
Photography and Digital Arts
9
Which Signature courses/academies are unique to Blake?
Theater
Music
Dance
•4 year Acting Sequence
•Musical Technology & Theory
•Musical Theatre
•Adv.Percussion Ensemble
•3 levels of Tap, Jazz,
Modern & Ballet
•State Design
•Philharmonic Orchestra
•“Text Alive!” Program with
Shakespeare Theatre
•Recording Studios
•More awards than any
school in the state at the
National HSTheatre Festival
•Onsite Black Box Theater
and Amphitheater
•Professional-in-Residence
program, recently Maynard
Ferguson, Gordon Goodwin
•Marching Band Marine Corps
Marathon Star Performers
2005-10
•Participates in learning
programs with Broadway
choreographers from NYC
• Select Dance Company
• Two expansive dance
studios
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Special Academy initiatives at Blake!
The Freshman Academy Program
•HS 101 Summer Academy
•Academic Teaming
•Dedicated 9th Grade Counselors
•AP United States History
•Tutor-Mentor Program
•CORE Study Skills
Business and Marketing Pathway
• Entrepreneurship, International Business
• School Store and Capstone Experience
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Pathway
• Multi-media Development and Gaming Design-Three Course Sequence
• Web tools and Digital Media-Three Course Sequence
• Capstone Experience
Initiatives-Infusion of Signature Theme in Academics
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NSL Government and Statistics (exit poll with stat class analyzing data)
Environmental Science (combining biodiversity, local history, and satellite technology
Physics (analyze properties of stage lighting and creation of musical instruments)
Summer Academic and Arts Academy, C-SPAN Students and Leaders Program
11
What else makes Blake students and staff proud?
An Academic High School of Achievement
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AP Exams Performance - 80% Passing with a 3,4 or 5
6 National AP Scholars, 44 AP Scholars with Distinction, 37 AP Scholars
with Honors and 141 AP Scholars.
$12.5 Million in Scholarships Won by Class of ‘11; 35% of senior class!
Newsweek Top 1% of High Schools in the Nation
23 students from the class of 2012 have received a 2000 on their SATs!
“It’s Academic” team advancing to the semifinals in 9 of 10 years!
Athletic Powerhouse: Basketball, Poms, Gymnastics, Baseball regional
champions in the past 6 years. Girls Lacrosse regional champions 06,07
and 09, Division champions 7 years straight!
World Class Instruction and Leadership
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3 Washington Post Agnes Myer Award-winning Teachers for MCPS
25 National Board Certified Teachers have taught at Blake. Most in MCPS!
Mae I. Graham Award for Outstanding Media Program in Maryland
Maryland Assistant Principals of the Year – Joseph Duboyce & Chris Berry
Nationally Recognized Signature Programs
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Blake participates in learning/performance programs with Olney Theater,
Wolf Trap, and more!
Blake Beat ranked by Time Magazine & Weekly Reader News as a top 5
high school paper in the nation; Best in the Nation in 2006 & 2009!
Business Academy - MCPS Competition Champions
Largest/most decorated/most traveled marching band in the NEC
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Paint Branch High School
Academy of Science and Media
Academy of Science and Media
A whole school program
emphasizing research and
experimentation, inquiry and
critical thinking in all courses
and activities.
14
Which Signature courses / academies
are unique to Paint Branch?
Science
Media
Academy of Health Professions
 Medical Careers
 Medical Terminology (with Montgomery
College)
Pharmacy
 Foundations of Medicine and Health Sciences
 Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professionals
 Fundamentals of Pharmacy
• Television (Video) Production
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Electronic Video Field Production
Media, Management and Operations
Radio Production
Electronic Audio Field Production
Radio Station Management and Operations
Engineering Science
Forensic Science
Restaurant Management
Unique Course Sequence
• Physics – Grade 9
• Grade 10
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Double Period Biology
Double Period Chemistry
(in separate semesters)
15
What are the special Signature and
Academy initiatives at Paint Branch?
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Academy of Engineering Technology
 Academy
of Finance Program
 Naval
JROTC Program
 Artist–in-Residence Programs
• Animation, Poetry, and Music
 Japanese
Foreign Language Program
– one of 2 schools in the county
 Summer Academy
 Science and Media Exposition
 Psychology Fair
 Shake Fest
 Math Honor Society
 Science Honor Society
 Foreign Language Honor Society
 T3I™ - Transferable Skills
Technology, Information,
Investigation, and Interpersonal Skills
 Integrated into all courses through common tasks
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16
What else makes Paint Branch students
and staff proud? We have . . .
Outstanding Teachers
• 2011 Educator of the Year – Maryland PTA – Ms. Dixon
• NAACP-MCPS Principal of the Year
• Maryland Teachers of the year in Science, Math and Art
National Leader in AP Scores
147 AP Scholars
Highest in Country for African American Students in
AP World History – 2009 AND 2011
Panther Trust – MCT School Bank
Award-winning Marching Band and Jazz Singers
Gold Medalist – Columbia Scholastic Press Award
• BOTH yearbook and newspaper for the past 7 years
Outstanding Educational Facility –
New Paint Branch Building – Opening in June 2012!
We are . . . Nationally Recognized
$ 700,000 U.S. Department of Education SLC Grant
“America’s Best High Schools” by Newsweek magazine
CINE Golden Eagle Awards in Animation
Academy of Finance Program
Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and
New American High School
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Springbrook High School
IB World and
Information Technology
Signature
Which Signature courses are unique to Springbrook?
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP)
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IB Biology
IB Chemistry
IB Computer Science
IB English
IB Extended Essay
IB French
IB History
IB ITGS
IB Middle Years Program
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IB Math
IB Math Studies
IB Pre Calculus
IB Physics
IB Spanish
IB Music
IB Theory of
Knowledge
IB Visual Arts
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Personal Project
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English, Humanities, Science,
Math, Foreign Language,
Technology, P.E., the Arts
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Languages Justice, Law and Society
MYP Capstone project
for grade 10
Based upon student’s
interest
May take any form
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Arabic
German
Italian
Academy of Information Technology
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Microcomputer Technologies
Network Engineering and Management
Network Engineering and Management,
Advanced
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Justice, Law and Society, Intro
Law and the Administration of Justice
Advanced Level, Contemporary issues in
JLS
Practical Experience in JLS Internship
Network Engineering and Management,
Internship
National Academy of Info. Tech Internship
National Academy of Info. Tech Research
What sequence of signature courses are available at
Springbrook that differ from the other schools in the NEC?
IB Middle Years Program
Students study subjects from each of the eight
subject groups through the five areas of
interaction: approaches to learning, community
and service, human ingenuity, environment, and
health and social education.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Diploma Program (Grades 11-12)
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IB English 1, 2
IB History 1, 2
IB Physics 1,2
IB Chemistry
IB Biology
IB French/Spanish
Arabic/German/Italian 1&2
• IB Music 1, 2
• IB Visual Art 1, 2
• IB Theory of
Knowledge
• Extended Essay
• Creativity, Action, &
Service
Academy of Information Technology
• Microcomputer Technologies
• Network Engineering and Management
• Network Engineering and Management,
Advanced
• Network Engineering and Management,
Internship
• National Academy of Info. Tech Internship
• National Academy of Info. Tech Research
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Design Technology Solutions
AP Computer Programming 2
Computer Programming 3
Research Project in Computer Programming
What are some special initiatives at Springbrook?
AOIT Paid Internships
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Arts on the Block
Lockheed Martin
FDA
NASA
NOAA.
College Career Center Programs
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ASVAB Testing
Career Lecture Series
College Representative Meetings
College and Scholarship Exploration
Service Projects
International Baccalaureate Resources
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Service oriented international spring and summer trips
IB Cultural Exchanges
Approaches and Strategies Study Skills Seminars
IB Mentoring
Jazz Camp
What else makes Springbrook students and staff proud?
Local Recognition
• Named one of “30 Great High Schools” in
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metro area by the Washington Post
National and metro-area award-winning
“BotBall” and Math team
Award-winning literary magazine,
newspaper, and yearbook - newspaper
published biweekly and online
Boys Basketball State champions 20082010
Nationally & Internationally Recognized
• Music program received prestigious Grammy
Signature Gibson Award in March 2008
• Pat Yongpradit wins 2010 Microsoft Worldwide
Innovative Educator Award
• Only school in MD to participate in Baby Think
It Over National Survey (in connection with
Honors Health)
How are students assigned to a
school?
A computerized lottery assignment
system is used to assign students to
a high school. A variety of factors
are considered when running the
lottery.
What variables may impact school
assignment?
• School capacity as determined by MCPS
• Ranking of school choices
• Number of students selecting their base
high school
• Sibling link, if indicated on the Choice form
• Socioeconomic status
(number of students who receive free or reduced meals)
• Gender
Base Area High School Selection
A student’s base area high school is determined
by the home address. Assignment to the base
area school is guaranteed if it is selected as:
• FIRST choice on the Choice form
OR
• Second choice on the Choice form
AND
the first choice is not available.
To identify your base area school, visit:
http://gis.mcps.k12.md.us/gis/PublicLocator.asp
If I have an older sibling at a high
school, am I guaranteed assignment
to that school?
Every effort will be made to assign siblings
who live in the same household to the same
NEC school, if indicated on the Choice form.
However, school assignments are made on
a space available basis.
Will transportation be provided?
All students who reside within the NEC
attendance area, beyond walking distance of
their assigned high school as determined by
MCPS, are provided bus transportation to the
three NEC high schools.
How do students who live inside the NEC but
attend a DCC middle school participate in the
Choice process?
• Students who live in the NEC participate in Round 1 of
the NEC Choice process in November.
• Students who live in the NEC and attend a Downcounty
Consortium (DCC) middle school may also participate in
Round 2 of the DCC Choice process in February. They
will receive a preprinted Choice form in the mail.
• Students who attend DCC middle schools are also
eligible to apply to the Communication Arts Program
(CAP) at Blair HS and the Leadership Training Institute
(LTI) at Kennedy HS, Bioscience and Engineering
(PLTW) at Wheaton HS in addition to other MCPS high
school application programs.
NEC Choice Process After Round 1
February
– Choice Process – Round 2 (Deadline: Friday, February 17, 2012)
• Choice forms due from Grade 8 students who are new NEC residents
• Choice forms due from Grade 8 students on transfer into an NEC middle school who
choose to participate in the process
• Written requests due from parents of students who did not get their first choice in Round 1
asking for original school choices to be resubmitted in Round 2.
Note: Students who receive their first choice in Round 1 may NOT participate in Round 2.
March
– Round 2 high school assignment letters mailed to participants’ homes
– Appeals letters due March 28
April
– Appeals reviewed (late April)
High School Change of Choice
In February of each school year, high school students
have the opportunity to request a change of NEC school
assignment for the following school year.
Change of Choice forms will be available in NEC high
school counseling offices in early February.
The completed form, signed by the parent, must be
returned by the Friday, February 17, 2012, deadline in
order to be considered.
Change of Choice results are based on the number
of seats available, socioeconomic status and gender.
What high school application programs are
available to MCPS students?
Global Ecology Program – Poolesville HS
Coordinator: 301-972-7976
International Baccalaureate Program (IB) – Richard Montgomery HS
Coordinator: 301-610-8100
Science, Mathematics, Computer Science Magnet – Montgomery Blair HS
Coordinator: 301-649-8240
Visual Art Center (VAC) – Albert Einstein HS
VAC Office: 301-962-1027
Thomas Edison High School of Technology
(Offers half-day professional career and technology education programs.
Accepted students attend their assigned high school for the remaining half-day).
Counseling Office: 301-929-2181
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------DCC Application Programs*
Communication Arts Program (CAP) – Montgomery Blair High School*
Coordinator: 301-649-2854
Leadership Training Institute (LTI) – John F. Kennedy High School*
Coordinator: 301-962-5930
Bioscience and Engineering (PLTW) – Wheaton High School*
Coordinator: 301-929-2217
*Programs available only to Grade 8 students who reside or attend middle school in the DCC
Parents and Students ~
Thank you for joining us this evening!
NEC Signature Coordinators
James H. Blake HS
Paint Branch HS
Springbrook HS
Peter Daddone 301-879-1327
Peter_A_Daddone@mcpsmd.org
Brian Eichenlaub, 301-989-5680 Brian_E_Eichenlaub@mcpsmd.org
Mark Griffiths, 301-989-6077
Mark_H_Griffiths@mcpsmd.org
Division of Consortia Choice and
Application Program Services (DCCAPS)
DCCAPS Office: 301-592-2040
Website: www.mcpsmd.org/schools/nec
Please complete your evaluation form and
return it to the collection box.
Thank you!
We look forward to seeing you at the Open Houses!
If you are interested in hearing about
Countywide Magnet or Application
Only Programs, please report to the
auditorium for a 6:00 presentation.