TH
11
GRADE
PARENT & STUDENT MEETING
JANUARY 2015
GRADUATION
REQUIREMENT CHECKLIST
FIRST TAB – CREAM PAPER
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
• PE – ½ credit
• Health – ½ credit
• Economics – ½ credit
• Government – ½ credit
• AP Science courses – 2 credits
• Senior Specialized Course – 1 credit
• Senior Capstone Experience – 1 credit
SENIOR YEAR
SCHEDULE
COURSE REQUESTS
CREATING YOUR SENIOR SCHEDULE
• Required Courses (purple sheet)
• English
• Math
• Physics
• Economics (one semester)
• Government (one semester)
• Senior Specialized Course (1 credit)
• Senior Capstone Course: Research IV or Internship (1 credit)
ENGLISH
• AP English Literature
• Dual Enrollment English 1101 and 1102 (GPC student fees)
• English 12
MATHEMATICS
• AP Calculus AB
• For those currently enrolled in Accelerated Math III/Pre-Calculus
• Magnet Calculus II
• For those currently enrolled in Magnet Calculus I
PHYSICS
HAVE YOU TAKEN TWO AP SCIENCE COURSES?
• AP Physics 1
• One period
• AP Physics 1 & 2
• Two periods
• Algebra-based
• AP Physics 1 & C
• Two periods
• Calculus-based
ECONOMICS & GOVERNMENT
Economics
Government
• RCHS class (one semester)
• RCHS class (one semester)
• Online during summer 2015
• Online during summer 2015
• Online during fall semester 2015
• Online during spring semester 2016
• Dual Enrollment
• Dual Enrollment
• AP Economics (one semester online)
• AP Government (full year – online or in
class)
SENIOR CAPSTONE COURSE
• Magnet Research IV
– Full year or fall semester only if also taking internship
– Application based
• Magnet Scientific Internship
– Full year
– Application based
Capstone Experience Options
Research IV
• Complete a
continuation or new
project
• Compete for
Scholarship $$$
• Siemens, Intel STS,
ISEF, GJSHS
• Spring: Serve on the
editorial board of
the Magnet
Research Journal
• Capstone Products:
Research Paper,
Poster, and Logbook
Internship
• Work experience
with a local STEM
related business
• Most require
transportation
• Limited spots on
campus
• Most unpaid
• Course with grades:
time sheets,
journals, article
reviews
• Capstone Products:
Internship Portfolio
& Service Learning
project/Mini
dissertation
Internship & Research
IV
• Need room for a
class period for each
in your schedule
• Spring Research IV
is optional
• Do not have to
complete an SLP or
mini dissertation if
taking both
Capstones
• Must have a strong
resume and research
plan to be selected
for both
Capstone Scheduling Logistics
Research IV
Internship
• One class period during the
school day
• Must take Fall & Spring if
not taking Internship
• Spring is optional for
students also taking
internship
• Must have a quality
research plan to be
accepted for this capstone
experience
• One class period or double
blocked
• Limited spots
• Can identify your own
internship sponsor – get
information from Mr.
Bolen before approaching
a business
• Transportation is the
student’s responsibility
• Must have a strong resume,
interview skills, and time
management to earn
placement at an internship
SENIOR SPECIALIZED COURSE
• Biological Sciences
• Anatomy (fall semester)
• Physiology (spring semester)
• Microbiology (fall semester)
• Organic Chemistry (spring semester)
SENIOR SPECIALIZED COURSE
• Engineering and Technology
• Senior Engineering Design
• AP Computer Science
• Mathematics
• Math in Industry & Govt (fall semester)
• History of Math (spring semester)
MAGNET ELECTIVES
• Any senior specialized course not already selected
• Astronomy (fall semester)
• Forensics (spring semester)
• Etymology (fall semester)
• Ethics (spring semester)
• Scientific Internship
• Community Service
RCHS/IAT/RCA ELECTIVES
• IAT
• Programming Principles
• Programming, Apps, & Game Design
• Digital Media & Communication
• RCHS
• AP Spanish Language or Spanish Literature online
• Band, Chorus, AP Music Theory, AP Studio Art
• AP Psychology
• AP European History
• Yearbook, Writer’s Workshop
• PE, Health, Weight Training, ROTC
• RCA
SUMMER 2015 – ENRICHMENT OPTIONS
RVC - $50 estimated fee for each course
• PE
• Health
• Economics
• Government
or
TRANSCRIPTS
FOURTH TAB – WHITE PAPER
NAVIANCE
GPA AND RANK IS UPDATED
GPA AND CLASS RANK
• Un-weighted GPA
• A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1
• Weighted GPA
• AP and most Magnet courses are weighted
• A = 5.2, B = 4.2, C = 3.2, D = 2.2
• Class Rank (Weighted GPA)
• Top 5% - Rank 1 - 19
• Top 10% - Rank 20 - 37
• Top 15% - Rank 38 - 56
GPA AND CLASS RANK
• When applying to college…
• GPA based on grades from 9th – 11th grade
• This semester is crucial!
• Some colleges will calculate their own GPA for
you, weighting what they feel is rigorous
VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN
• Determined by numeric average for the top 10 students of the class
• All grades (for students in top 10) will be added and then divided by
total number of courses.
•
Example:
•
Student A: Numeric average = 95.2
•
Student B: Numeric average = 96.3 (VAL)
•
Student C: Numeric average = 94
•
Student D: Numeric average = 95.7 (SAL)
•
Student E: Numeric average = 94.8
PSAT RESULTS
5TH TAB - REPORT
PSAT SCORE REPORT
• Student copy- In left pocket in College Planning Binder
• School copy- Keep in College Planning Binder
• Naviance
PSAT SCORES GROWTH
Class of 2016
Data
Critical Reading
Math
Writing Skills
Selection Index
Goal
9th Grade
Average
47.6
49.53
48.12
145.01
45
10th Grade
Average
51.57
53.27
50.74
155.44
55
11th Grade
Average
56.67
56.02
55.56
168.26
60
**National Mean scores of Juniors taking the PSAT in 2014:
Critical Reading (47.4)
Math (48.6)
Writing (45.9)
JUNIOR YEAR & PSAT RESULTS
• National Merit
• National Achievement
• Scores do not automatically qualify a student for the
Scholarship
• The corporation reviews student’s grades
4 Major Parts of Your PSAT/NMSQT Results
Understanding
Your
PSAT/NMSQT
Results
Your Scores
Your Skills
Your Answers
Next Steps
3 Test Sections
Critical Reading
Mathematics
Writing Skills
Your Scores
Score
You can see your projected SAT
score online in My College QuickStart
(www.collegeboard.org/quickstart).
Score Range
Percentile
If you are a junior, your scores are
compared to those of other juniors.
If you are a sophomore or younger
student, your scores are compared to
those of sophomores.
National Merit Scholarship
Corporation Information
My College QuickStart
My College QuickStart
My College QuickStart
My College QuickStart
Log in to your personalized account at
www.collegeboard.org/quickstart
PREPARING FOR THE PSAT & SAT
RCPS purchased for Magnet School
No cost to parents and student
recommended…
• www.collegeboard.com/satonlinecourseschool
(Expires at the end of July 2015)
WHEN TO TAKE THE SAT?
• Beginning spring semester of your junior year!
• March 14th
• May 2nd
• June 6th
• The PSAT is the practice test for the SAT.
• Prepare and practice for the SAT.
• Take the SAT when you are prepared and ready!
WHEN TO TAKE THE ACT?
• Beginning spring semester of your junior year!
• April 18th
• June 13th
REGISTERING FOR THE SAT AND ACT
• SAT: Collegeboard.org
• ACT: Actstudent.org
• All Juniors needs take at least 1 ACT and 1 SAT by June
• Students need to complete testing by November of senior
year
• Counselor can not register students anymore
TEST FEE WAIVERS
• See Mrs. Lewin for the form
• Students who qualify for Free & Reduced lunch may use a
payment waiver to take the SAT and ACT
• Students who use the waivers can also be qualified to use
application fee waivers
SAT SUBJECT TESTS
WHAT IS THE SAT SUBJECT TEST?
• Subject Tests are hour-long, multiple-choice, content-based
tests that allow you to showcase achievement in specific subject
areas.
• In any given sitting of the SAT Subject Tests, you can take one, two or three tests. You
are free to change which tests and the number of tests that you want to take on test
day.
• You choose the tests that best showcase your achievements and
interests.
WHY TAKE SAT SUBJECT TESTS?
• Some colleges require or recommend that you take SAT Subject Tests
• Focus on subjects that you know well to call attention to strengths on your college
application
• Send colleges a strong message about programs or majors that you’re interested in
• Potentially satisfy basic course requirements to be eligible for admission
• Potentially place out of introductory college classes
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SAT SUBJECT TESTS AND AP TESTS?
• SAT Subject Tests are high school–level tests, reflecting high school
curricula. These tests indicate a student’s readiness to take college-level
courses in specific subject areas.
• AP exams assess a student’s college-level knowledge, skills and abilities,
learned in the corresponding AP courses. AP Exams typically cover
more advanced topics.
• In general, students who have taken more rigorous courses (e.g., AP,
Magnet) are better prepared for the SAT Subject Tests.
WHICH TEST SHOULD I TAKE?
• The SAT Subject Tests that you take should be based on your interests and
academic strengths.
•
List the subjects in which you do well and that truly interest you.
•
Think through what you might like to study in college.
•
Consider whether your current admission credentials (high school grades, SAT scores, etc.) highlight your strengths.
• Determine if the college you are interested in requires or recommends Subject
Tests.
•
Make a list of the colleges you’re considering.
•
Research admission requirements
• Look @ the College Admissions link on the college’s website and find the
detailed admission requirements
•
Find out how many tests are required or recommended and in which subjects.
WHAT NEXT???
(DURING JUNIOR YEAR…MORE TO COME!)
• April 2nd @ 6:30PM – Rising Senior Parent/Student meeting
• VERY important!!
• Classroom guidance (building college list, SAT Subject tests,
Resume, Research Abstracts) with Mrs. Lewin
• Individual meetings with Mrs. Lewin to discuss college list
PARENT INVOLVEMENT:
• Rockdale Regional Science Fair
• Friday, January 30
• Public Viewing 5-6pm
• Awards at RCHS Auditorium
6:30pm
• Magnet Student Showcase
• Tuesday, February 10 @ 5-8pm
• Magnet Family Picnic
• Thursday, April 23 @ 5:30pm
• Magnet Awards Banquet
• Friday, May 8 @ 6:30pm
• Magnet Fund Spring Plant Sale
• Professional Portfolios
THANK YOU