North Atlanta H S Junior Guidance Night Welcome

North Atlanta H. S. Junior Guidance Night Welcome Warriors !!!!! Dr. Howard Taylor, Principal Mrs. Sadia Khan, 11 th Grade Academy Leader Mrs. Kaye Boykin, 11 th Grade Counselor

Counseling Support Team: • • Graduation Coach, Ms. Naomi Whiters Social Worker, Mr. Anthony Whatley College Access Counselor, Mr. Austin Lyke Outreach Services Junior Advisors: 11 -1 11 -4 11 -7 11 -10 11 -13 Brackin, L. Bagot, G. Lockhart, D. Elghotni, A. Bartlett, A. 11 -2 Womack, K. 11 -5 Harris, B. 11 -8 White-Kayea 11 -11 Zhao, F. 11 -95 Oglesby 11 -3 Hiers, E. 11 -6 Grant, T. 11 -9 Costarides, D. 11 -12 Killory, M. 11 -97 Benoit

2013 -2014 Advisement Topics: § § August Ø September Ø Ø § October § November Ø § December Ø Orientation: “Getting to Know. You” /Expectations/Goal Setting Defining Success: Attendance/Time Mgt. /Study Skills/Test Preparation Educational Planning: Academic Intervention/ Transcript Analysis/Plan of Study -Drug Awareness/Red Ribbon Week Development : Personal & Career Development / Communications Connections: “ Celebrating & Embracing Cultural Diversity”/Connecting Communities

2013 -2014 Advisement Topics: § January Ø § February Ø § March Ø § April Ø Ø § May Ø Re-Defining Goals : Moving Ahead/Test Interpretation Relationships: “Matters of the Heart”/Health y Choices/Conflict Resolution Registration (Parental Involvement) Career Planning: Summer Opportunities and Post-Secondary Options Assessments: “Gearing Up and Getting Results Post -Assessment : Surveys/Resolutions / Exit Plans

Overview of the Junior Year • Graduation Requirements • Core/Graduation/College Testing Requirements • Academic Recovery/Support/Acceleration • College/Career Portfolio via Advisement • Post-secondary Planning

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS RE-VISITED:

Graduation Rule (Atlanta Public Schools) Areas of Study: Units Required English/Language Arts * 4 Mathematics* 4 Science* 4 Social Studies* 3½ Modern Language/Latin 2 CTAE and/or Fine Arts and/or Foreign Lang. 1 Health and Physical Education* 1½ Community Service ½ Required 20 ½ Electives ( 2 units related to thematic pathway) 3½ Total Units (Minimum) 24 • Required Courses and/or Core Courses

English/Language Arts Changes • 4 units of English/Language Arts required, including: – 1 unit of 9 th Grade Literature and Composition – 1 unit of American Literature and Composition or AP Language or IB English SL – 2 additional units

Mathematics • Unit Requirement Changes – Mathematics • 4 units required of ALL students – – Math 1 or equivalent Math 2 or equivalent Math 3 or equivalent Additional units may be chosen from the list of GPS/AP/IB designated courses

Science • 4 units of Science required, including: – 1 unit of Biology (can be AP/IB) – 1 unit of Physical Science or Physics (AP/IB) – 1 unit of Chemistry, Earth Systems, Environmental Science, or an AP/IB course – 1 unit of a 4 th science, including any AP/IB, academic science, or career tech science (ex: Agricultural Science) • 4 th science unit may be used to meet both the science and elective requirements.

Social Studies Changes • 3 units of Social Studies required, including: – – 1 unit of World History or AP 1 unit of United States History or AP/IB ½ unit of American Government/Civics ½ unit of Economics or AP *APS requires an additional ½ unit of World Geography

Class of 2015 HOPE Rigor Student must receive at least two credits in courses from the following categories, prior to graduating from high school: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Advanced math, such as Advanced algebra and trigonometry, math III, or an equivalent or higher course; Advanced science, such as chemistry, physics, biology II, or an equivalent or higher course; Advanced Placement courses in core subjects (English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language); International Baccalaureate courses in core subjects (English, math, science, social studies and foreign language); Dual credit courses in Core subjects taken during Dual Credit Enrollment at an Eligible Postsecondary Institution; Courses taken at a unit of the University System of Georgia in core subjects (English, math, science, social studies and foreign language) where such courses are not remedial and developmental courses; or Advanced foreign language courses.

AP vs IB • • • Both courses are college level in rigor and students may receive college credit. Both programs receive 10 points added to the grade. Both programs have assessments in the Spring at end of course. AP courses are independent and IB courses are interdisciplinary. IB Students are required to take six different subject areas: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. • Native tongue Foreign Language Humanities Science Math Elective IB Diploma Candidates have the CORE requirements: Extended Essay, CAS, and Theory of Knowledge

Electives: Requirements for Health/PE • All students must complete 1 ½ unit of Health/PE. (Personal Fitness is required) • 3 units of JROTC may be substituted for Personal Fitness and Health • 1 unit of Advance Band may be substituted for the onehalf required elective unit of physical education. • Students completing two or more varsity athletic programs sanctioned by the Georgia High School Athletic Association (GHSA) may exempt the one-half required unit of elective physical education without earning unit credit.

Community Service • Students are required to complete seventy-five (75) clock hours of volunteer service to the community. The volunteer service must be completed with a non-profit organization approved by the Atlanta Public Schools. The volunteer service is to be completed during the period of time between the end of the eighth and eleventh grades. • CAS hours may be used but must be documented separately.

Continue to Pursue Extracurricular and Community Activities • • • Intramural Sports Leadership Organizations Subject Discipline Area Organizations Community Projects Academic Competitions Activities which demonstrates multiyear commitment and leadership are most helpful!

Atlanta Public Schools Promotion/Grade Placement Requirements Classes of 2015 10 th Grade. 6 units (4 must be from core) 11 th Grade 12 units (8 must be from core) 12 th Grade 18 units (12 must be from core)

Credit Recovery/Acceleration Atlanta Virtual Academy Crim Evening School/Saturday School Dual Enrollment/Accel/MOWR Advance Academies Georgia Virtual School

CORE/GRADUATION/COLLEGE TESTING REQUIREMENTS:

Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT) • For Class of 2015, the Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT) is required in order to participate in graduation ceremony exercises and receive a diploma. • Students have five opportunities to take the test in order to graduate by May 2015.

End of Course Tests (EOCT) • End-of-Course Tests are state-mandated achievement tests that measure how well students are performing in four core subject areas and are required for graduation. • Students are given the EOCT at the conclusion of eight high school courses, two in each subject area, including –Ninth Lit. , Am. Lit. , Math II, Phy. Science, Biology, U. S. History, and Economics.

AP Testing • (Advance Placement) Tests administered to those students enrolled in AP courses. Students scoring a 3 or higher may potentially earn college level credit. *Check with the college /university you’re interested in for their requirements.

IB Testing • (IB) Tests administered to those students enrolled in IB courses. Students scoring a 4 or higher may potentially earn college level credit. • Some universities do not offer college credit in Standard Level (SL) courses, only in Higher Level (HL) coursework. Other offer both. *Check with the college/university you’re interested in for their requirements.

Standardized Testing ASVAB – for career exploration as well as for scholarship financial awards or offers from branches of the military • CTAE End of Pathway Assessments-

Prepare for Exams for College Admission Testing • PSAT/NMSQT ü Take the PSAT with a purpose in mind ü Review your test results ü Create your account for the free SAT Online Course at www. collegeboard. com ü North Atlanta’s CEEB Code: 110205 ü Sign-up for My College Quick. Start for college and career planning

College Entrance Exams: SAT I • (Scholastic Achievement Test) A college entrance examination, generally taken during the junior and/or senior year. Students receive a critical reading, math and writing score (scale ranges from 200 -800).

College Entrance Exams: SAT II Subject Test • One-hour tests that measure a student’s knowledge in specific areas. These tests are required by some of the more competitive college. • Students with high SAT Subject scores may potentially earn college level credit or be placed in higher level classes. *Check with the college/university you’re interested in for their requirements.

College Entrance Exams: ACT • (American College Test) A college entrance examination, generally taken during the junior and/or senior year. Student receive scores in English, Reading, Math and Science reasoning, as well as a composite score (scale ranges from 1 -36) • A writing component is optional.

Junior Student Athletes Must: üRegister to take the ACT, SAT or both and use the NCAA Eligibility Center code “ 9999” as a score recipient. ü Double check to make sure that they are taking courses that match their high school’s List of NCAA Courses. ü Request that your high school counselor send an official transcript to the NCAA Eligibility Center after completing their junior year. (The NCAA Eligibility Center does NOT accept faxed or emailed transcripts. )

POST-SECONDARY OPTIONS/ PLANNING:

In the United States… ü 65% of the fastest growing occupations require some postsecondary education or training. ü By 2010, 42% of all new jobs will require a vocational certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree or higher. ü By 2018 – all new jobs requiring a college education is expected to increase to 63 %.

Postsecondary Options After High School • • • College Military Technical College Apprentice Programs Work Remember – decision making is a PROCESS, not an event

The college selection process is based upon self reflection… • What are my strengths and weaknesses? • What classes have I enjoyed? • What are my interests? • What are my career goals? • What activities are important to me? “College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won. ” ~ Frank Sachs – National Association for College Admissions Counseling

Visit Colleges • Use school breaks and weekends to visit colleges that interest you. • Check college websites for information on information sessions and campus tours, dates and times. • Keep notes on various aspects of each college and compare them. • Be sure to let admissions office know that you visited the campus.

Consider College Characteristics: Location – Do I prefer large metropolitan areas or small college towns…? Does the distance from home matter? Size – the entire campus population as well as the average size of classes should be considered. Admission requirements

College Characteristics (continued)… Discover which academic departments are strong at each school, such as engineering, foreign languages, etc. Reputation – selectivity, success of graduates Degree Requirements - specific core curriculum or flexibility in fulfilling requirements? Diversity? Costs?

Types of Colleges • • Public 4 year-Large State Research Universities Public 4 year--Regional State Universities Public 2 year—Colleges Military, Technological, Art, and Trade Schools Private/Liberal Arts Colleges/Universities Ivy League Christian/Catholic Colleges

Types of Admissions: Regular Admissions: usually January deadline Early Decision: usually November 1 st deadline. Application to only 1 school. Decision binding Early Action: usually November 1 st deadline. Decision not binding Rolling Admissions: decisions made as applications are received Priority Deadline: will ensure that you receive full consideration for all of the institutional scholarships and financial aid that you may be eligible for. BE AWARE OF DEADLINES

Narrow Your List • REACH SCHOOLS: More selective than your qualifications but you’d love to go there. (10 -15% chance of admission) • TARGET SCHOOLS: Matches your qualifications (chance of admission is 50%) • LIKELY SCHOOLS: Schools where your academic qualifications typically exceed that of the average accepted student.

How Do Colleges Select Students? q q q q q High school grades/rigor of courses SAT/ACT scores Letters of recommendations Essays Leadership Demonstrated intellectual curiosity Special talents and experiences Extracurricular activities Demonstrated interest in the school

Teacher Letters of Recommendation • If you think you will need letters of recommendation, think about one or two junior teachers to ask spring semester. • As a courtesy ask the teacher - “Are you able to write a letter of recommendation for me for college? ” • Be sure that you provide good information about yourself to the teacher in the form of a resume or brag sheet. • Give the teacher good evidence that you are an asset in a classroom setting.

Counselor Letters of Recommendation • Get to know your guidance counselor so she can write a good letter about you. A Counselor’s Recommendation may help: ü Merit scholarship candidates at any college ü Borderline admissible candidates at any college ü Competitive candidates at the most selective colleges

Essays and Resume • Begin working on your college essays. Select the Common Application prompt that is best for you. • Spend some time alone and get to know who you are. Identify your skills, talents and personal qualities. • Attend College Essay Workshops • Put together your resume with your extracurricular activities, community service, work experiences, honors, awards etc. (College/Career Portfolio)

Demonstrated Interest • Website – enter your information as a prospective student • College Visits – make arrangements through admissions department • Email – contact college representative about your interest and ask questions.

Final Words • Make this an enjoyable journey for all by: – – – – starting early planning ahead. getting organized spreading tasks over months, not weeks or days. being realistic and staying flexible. expecting a good outcome knowing there is a right college for you

“Students who make the connection between their academic coursework and future goals are more likely to graduate from high school, complete post-secondary education and succeed in the workplace. ” Source: America’s Career Resource Network Association, January 2006.