9th Grade Orientation Meeting: April 8th, 2015
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
Mr. Rodriguez, IB Coordinator
Ms. Chain, IB/Scholars Secretary
Ms. Sahwell, CAP Advisor
Ms. Shelley Groff and Mrs. Marina Gallian, Parent
Advisory Board
Scholars Student Board
Scholars/IB Office—Room 708
305-532-4515 ext. 2708
sacarro@dadeschools.net
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Green Contract Form– most have completed
Schedule for next year – feeder schools have
completed; private/charter need to complete
◦ Get form and complete tonight after general session or
call for appointment
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Registration and Transfers
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Registrar: Kathy Lopez, 7-11 AM only
◦ Feeder pattern students are automatically registered if in
area
◦ Private/charter students in our feeder pattern must
withdraw from current school and register here
◦ Transfer students need form FM3281 from home
residence high school and submit to MDCPS
◦ Transfer students cannot be registered until transfer
granted by MDCPS
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Colleges are getting much more rigorous in
their admission requirements.
Admission has become more highly
competitive.
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 elite
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),
 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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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
College writing ability and character qualities
are predicted from your essay
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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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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)
Must take a minimum of 1 AP class in 10th
grade (AP European History)
Must take a minimum of 2 AP classes in each
of the 11th and 12th grades
IB Diploma students meet the requirements
Scholars Academy
students must maintain a
minimum un-weighted
GPA of 3.0 to remain in
good standing.
Students who fall beneath
this requirement are
placed on academic
probation and must
return to a “B” average to
remain in the academy
and receive their senior
graduation cords.
School
begins at
7:20 and
ends at 2:20
You must
wear uniform
and ID at all
times at
MBSH
You are allowed a maximum of
course and
5 absences in a semester
10 absences in a year course. Because of block
schedule, each day’s absence is actually counted as 2
absences missed!
The uniform
includes solid red or
white tops and
black, khaki or blue
jean pants or slacks;
outerwear should be
red or white.
Electronic devices
(BYOD) are allowed
at teacher’s
discretion.
SCHEDULE: 8 periods spread
over even and odd days
ODD:
1
3
5
7
EVEN:
2
4
6
8
Lunch at
or
7:20 – 9:00
9:05 – 10:35
10:40 – 12:10
11:15 – 12:45
12:50 – 2:20
7:20 – 9:00
9:05 – 10:35
10:40 – 12:10
11:15 – 12:45
12:50 – 2:20
10:40 – 11:10
12:15 – 12:45
Scholars Academy
students must meet
the highest standards
of academic integrity.
MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH
STUDENT HONOR CODE:
I affirm that all work I submit
is mine alone, and that I will
give proper credit to others
when I use their words or
ideas.
I will neither give nor receive
unauthorized assistance on
any assignment, and I commit
myself to academic conduct
that will reflect well upon my
school, my community and
myself at all times. I
understand that there are
severe penalties for violating
this affirmation.
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Available at the school website student tab.
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◦ Must complete the reading and take annotated
notes which can be used during the essay writing
the first week of school.
Eng I and Eng I Honors (All Students must read)
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1) Anthem - Ayn Rand
Free copies will be brought to the middle school and will be
available here May 1st for others.
Scholars students may be required to read
an additional book.
Information will be posted on
the school website.
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Registration hours from 7 – 11 AM
◦ Contact the registrar for additional information
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DO THE SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT!
FLVS classes require counselor approval and
must be completed prior to enrollment to be
placed in the proper class next year.
Summer orientation and pizza lunch on
Monday, August 10th, 9am –noon
◦ Get schedule
◦ Get acquainted, find classrooms, meet peer-tutors
Students needing schedules can work on
them now.
Contact the Scholars Office or email us
individually for other questions…
sacarro@dadeschools.net
305-532-4515 ext. 2708