1 / 23

Scholars Academy High School Transition Night

Scholars Academy High School Transition Night. December 1, 2016. Alumni Introduction. Jared Wagler (‘14) – IB at Myers Park and Harper Middle College (AP & Associates Degree Path) Sita Tayal (‘14)- IB at Myers Park HS Katelyn Mitchell (‘16)- Gray Stone Day School AP

aruss
Download Presentation

Scholars Academy High School Transition Night

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Scholars Academy High School Transition Night December 1, 2016

  2. Alumni Introduction • Jared Wagler (‘14) – IB at Myers Park and Harper Middle College (AP & Associates Degree Path) • SitaTayal (‘14)- IB at Myers Park HS • Katelyn Mitchell (‘16)- Gray Stone Day School AP • Evan Hemming (‘14)- Providence HS • Charlotte Pair (‘16) Pair – South Meck HS • Elle Trejo (‘15)- AP at Charlotte Latin • Olivia and Amelia Probst (‘14)- ArdreyKell HS

  3. Magnet Programs • Magnet schools are public schools inside of larger county wide school systems with a specific theme. • International Baccalaureate, Early College, World Languages, STEM, and Arts • Magnet schools have lotteries with strict deadlines

  4. International Baccalaureate • Many Scholars graduates have chosen an IB program for its rigor and global recognition • IB is considered a magnet option • IB-Middle Years Program: Grades 6-10 • IB- Diploma Program 11-12 Take international exams • CMS IB Programs: Myers Park, Harding, East, North, and West Mecklenburg High Schools • Union County IB Program: Marvin Ridge High School • Cabarrus County IB Program: Concord High School

  5. Advanced Placement • AP courses available most high school • Students can select which courses are the best fit for their academic interests and future. • Exam in early May-scores of 4 or 5 on an AP exam may earn college credit (varies among colleges) • AP courses taken for the rigor provided in these courses as well as the quality points often awarded in the GPA.

  6. IB vs AP Resources • Link to CMS Talent Development Department: • http://www.cms.k12.nc.us/cmsdepartments/ci/astd/Pages/default.aspx • Articles on choosing between IB and AP programs: • http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/entry/A10701 • http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/ap-vs-ib/

  7. High School Classes at SA • Math I, II, II • Spanish I or Chinese I • American History: The Founding Principles, Civics, and Economics • Biology • English I • Most students will have 5-7 high school credits • May be able to retake courses – depends on HS • May be able to graduate early or take a gap year • Opportunity to take advanced courses or electives

  8. Transitional Middle School Grading System • Recognize the need to help students understand grades before HS • Forgiveness in system for middle school students • <80% opportunities to bring grade up • Minimum qtr grade of 60% for qtr 1 and qtr 2 – opportunity to pass course

  9. Transitional Middle School Grading System • All 8th grade courses (Math, Science, SS, LA, and FL) are high school courses • Only high school classes received percentage grades prior to this year • Students can earn HS credit with a 70% or higher (10 point scale mirrors NC grading scale)

  10. Transcripts • SA Transcript • Your HS will request this from us – no action is necessary on your part • Transcript will include final grades for all classes taken in 8th grade plus all HS classes taken prior to 8th grade • HS Transcript • SA HS classes will appear at the bottom of the HS transcript as credit

  11. Alumni Survey • Surveyed SA alumni who are currently in high school and asked some questions about their HS transition • 89 students responded!

  12. Alumni Survey Foreign Language • 78% all respondents stayed with same foreign language in HS • 73% of those who studied the same foreign language placed in level 2 or higher

  13. What Alumni Wished They Knew About HS • Importance of grades • Amount of homework • There are lots of other smart kids out there • It just takes time to adjust

  14. Alumni Survey: SA response • Credit for Chinese I, Spanish I • Transitional grading system • HS information night

  15. Preparing Academically • Tour the schools you are considering • Talk to guidance counselor about the best courses for your child • Get into consistent study routines this year • Increase amount of responsibility for school work

  16. Developmental Considerations • Teen brain is in a “pruning” process • Prefrontal cortex is still developing • Rely on a part of the brain called the amygdala to make decisions and solve problems more than adults do. • Associated with emotions, impulses, aggression and instinctive behavior

  17. Social Challenges • Kids in the new school have been friends since elementary: making new friends can be a challenge • May be the only freshmen in most classes since they took 9th grade courses at SA • “Regular” kids may have more experience with socially mature activities (dating, fashion, make-up)

  18. Emotional Challenges • Anxiety, stress, or fear about the change • Will miss the close connection that they had with students and teachers at SA • Not sure how to act with “normal” kids • May be overwhelmed by the size of the new school

  19. Easing the Transition • Attend some events at the school • Get involved early with age level peers: clubs, sports, academic teams • Meet in person with the guidance counselor to discuss the unique needs of your child • Stay connected to your SA family

  20. Change is how we grow! • For most SA alumni, this is a scary, but exciting time. • No “one solution fits all HS” for SA students. • We are here to help if you need recommendations for the best fit for your child.

  21. Advice from SA Alumni • What advice could you give to Scholars Academy 8th graders about transitioning to high school? • Most common themes: Work hard, try new activities, and don’t worry!

  22. Wise and Witty Words of Wisdom from SA Alumni • Regarding Making Friends: • “Make friends early and don't be afraid to ditch them later on.” • Regarding Academics: • “You'll be fine, probably. Don't rub your "gifted" status in other people's faces. Also, you might end up in a math class with seniors during your freshman year. Don't stress; you'll be the honorary class pet. It's not that bad.” • On Extracurricular Activities: • “Be involved. Play a sport, join a club, do something that actually matters to you. “

  23. Remainder of the Evening • Information tables • Handouts from a few schools • Alumni and Parent tables • Myers Park Marvin Ridge • Providence Charlotte Latin • South Meck Middle College • ArdreyKell

More Related