The Choice Process in the Northeast Consortium (NEC) for Students Entering Grade 9 in 2014-2015

1. The Choice Process in the Northeast Consortium (NEC)for Students Entering Grade 9 in 2014-2015 I See Me at All Three!

2. Northeast Consortium (NEC) Boundaries School Locator Tool: http://gis.mcpsmd.org/gis/PublicLocator.asp

3. 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

4. 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 I See ME at All 3! 3 Great Schools! 3 Great Choices!

5. Choice Process Timeline for 2013-2014 • September 2013 • Evening Options information meetings held at two high schools: • September 25 at Blair HS • September 30 at SpringbrookHS • NEC special education meeting held at Options meeting on • Monday, September 30 at SpringbrookHS 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! • Paint Branch HS Wednesday, October 16 • Springbrook HS Thursday, October 24 • James Hubert Blake HSTuesday, October 29 • Preprinted Choice form mailed to NEC students’ homes (mid October)

6. Choice Process Timeline for 2013-2014 October/November - Choice Process – Round 1  Evening enrollment for parents of NEC non-MCPS students held at Spring Mill Field Office on Tuesday, November 5, 2013, from 5:00 to 7:30 pm RSVP:Please call 301-592-2040 to find out what documents to bring. Completed Choice forms due to NEC middle schools by Friday, November 8 End of January 2014 Parents/students notified by mail of high school assignment.

7. NEC Choice Process Sample Choice Form 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 • this child to attend the same NEC • school that an older sibling will attend in • 2014-2015. • Return the completed Choice form to • your middle school counselor by • Friday, November 8, 2013.* • Choiceforms will be processed through a computerized lottery system to determine high school assignments. • *NEC students on transfer out of area should return the Choice form to the DCCAPS office.

8. Paint Branch High School Academy ofScience and Media

9. Academy of Science and Media PAINT BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL A whole school program emphasizing research and experimentation, inquiry and critical thinking in all courses and activities. 9

10. Signature courses and course sequences offered at Paint Branch High School • Media • Television Production • Advanced Television Production • Media, Management and Operations • Radio Production • Radio Station Management and Operations • Digital Art • Journalism- Editing/News Production • Journalism- Advanced Techniques • Literary Magazine- Advanced Composition • Yearbook • Photography • Science • Academy of Health Professions • Foundations of Medicine and Health Science • Structures and Functions of the Human Body • Fundamentals of Pharmacy • Medical Science with Clinical Applications • Medical Careers in Science • Introduction to Medical Terminology & Careers (in partnership with Montgomery College) • Medical Careers Internship • Engineering Science • Horticultural Science • Environmental Science • Advanced Forensic Science • Astronomy • Food Science • Unique Science Course Sequence Offered • Physics – Grade 9 • Grade 10: • Double Period Biology • Double Period Chemistry (in separate semesters) 10

11. Special Signature, Academy Programs, and Initiatives at Paint Branch • Academy of Health Professions • Academy of Engineering Technology • Academy of Finance Program • Naval JROTC Program • Restaurant Management Program • Japanese Foreign Language Program • Math, Science & Foreign Language Honor Societies • Science and Media Exposition • Summer Academy • Internship Program • Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab • Holy Cross Hospital • NASA Goddard Space Flight Center • FDA (Food & Drug Administration) • NIH (National Institute of Health) • Local Engineering Firms, Doctor’s & and Dentist’s Offices, Pharmacies and other businesses. 11

12. What makes Paint Branch students and staff proud! We have . . . • Outstanding Teachers • Maryland Teachers of the year in Science, Math and Art • High Academic Achievement • 130 AP Scholars and 5 National Scholars in 2013 • Highest in Country for African American Students in • AP World History – 2009 AND 2011 • 667 Students enrolled in AP courses for the 2013-2014 year. • 18 AP courses currently offered • 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 9 years • Outstanding Educational Facility • We are . . . Nationally Recognized • $ 700,000 U.S. Department of Education SLC Grant • CINE Golden Eagle Awards in Animation • Academy of Finance Program • Blue Ribbon School of Excellence • New American High School 12

13. Springbrook High School IB World and Information Technology School

14. Signature courses and course sequences offered at Springbrook High School • IB Math Studies • IB Pre Calculus • IBSpanish • IBMusic • IB Theory of Knowledge • IB Visual Arts • IB Environmental Systems & Societies • IB Design Technology • IB Biology • IBChemistry • IB Computer Science • IB English • IB Film Studies • IB French • IB History • IB Math • IB Physics International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) • Languages • Arabic • German • Italian • French • Spanish IB Middle Years Program (MYP) English, Humanities, Science, Math, Foreign Language, Technology, P.E., the Arts • Personal Project • MYP Capstone Project for Grade 10 • Based on student’s interest • May take any form • Programs of Study • Justice, Law and Society • Environmental Horticulture • Hospitality Management • Child Development Academy of Information Technology (AOIT) • 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

15. International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (Grades 11-12) • Arabic/German/Italian 1&2 • IB Advanced Music • IB Visual Art 1, 2 • IB Film 1,2 • IB Theory of Knowledge • IB English 1, 2 • IB History 1, 2 • IB Physics 1,2 • IBChemistry • IB Biology 1,2 • IB Env. Sys. & Soc • IB French/Spanish 5,6,7 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 • Designing Technology Solutions • AP Computer Programming 2 • Computer Programming 3 • Research Project in Computer Programming Sequence of Signature courses offered at Springbrook High School International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (Grades 9 & 10) 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.

16. Special Initiatives at Springbrook? • AOIT Paid Internships • Lockheed Martin • FDA • NASA • NOAA Arts on the Block Service Projects • Justice, Law and Society • Industry Professional Briefings • Montgomery County Police • FBI • Homeland Security • Street Law • International Baccalaureate Resources • Service oriented local and international trips • IBCultural Exchanges • Approaches and Strategies Study Skills Seminars • IBMentoring • Service Trips - Costa Rica/2013;Thailand/2014 Jazz Camp • Other Programs of Study • Hospitality Management • Child Development • Environmental Horticulture

17. What else makes Springbrook students and staff proud? • Local Recognition • Local recognition as a top-rated school in the D.C. metropolitan area that supports minorities and students with special needs • Most National Merit Scholar Semifinalists in the NEC – 2012 & 2013 • Top rated Math Team in the NEC three years in a row. Currently ranked 7th in the County • Award-winning literary magazine, newspaper, and yearbook - newspaper published biweekly and online • The class of 2013 earned over 13 million in scholarship offers • Nationally & Internationally Recognized • International Service trip to Costa Rica in June of 2013 • Third year of sponsoring Fulbright Scholars • Music programs have placed in the top three consistently in national competitions • IBDP 2013 graduate attends Univ. of Edinburgh

18. Fine Arts andHumanities Signature James Hubert Blake HS

19. Signature courses and course sequences offered at Blake High School • Humanities • Film and American Culture • Comparative Religion • Graphic Novels as Literature • History and Government • We the People: U.S. Law & Global Issues • Since 2011- Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School • Latin American History • Ancient Mediterranean History • Medieval History • Visual and Media Arts • 5 Distinct Advanced Television Production Courses – TV News, features, TV/Video Acting, mixed media and journalism • Fashion Design and Production – 3 courses • 4 Distinct AP Studio Art Courses – 2-D, 3-D, Photography and Digital Arts • AP Art History • Mythology 19

20. Signature academies and pathways offered at Blake Performing Arts • Theater • 4 year Acting Sequence • Musical Theatre • Won more competitive awards than any MCPS High school at the MCPS Theatre Festival in 2012 • Stage Design • Play Directing • “Text Alive!” Program Shakespeare Theatre • Onsite Black Box Theater & Amphitheatre • Music • MusicTechnology • Adv. Percussion Ensemble • Professional-in-Residence program, most recently with NY Voices • Perform with U.S. Navy Band - Fall 2012 • Dance • 3 levels of Tap, Jazz, Modern & Ballet • Learning programs with Broadway choreographers from NYC • Select Dance Company • Two expansive dance studios • Music Theory • Recording Studios 20

21. Academy & Pathway initiatives at Blake High School! • 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 Completer Program • Web tools and Digital Media-Three Course Completer Program • Capstone Experience • Cross Curricular Connections • 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) 21

22. An Academic High School of Achievement 2013 AP Exam Performance: 65% of students scoring a 3, 4, or 5 Higher Mean AP score than the State of Maryland 5National AP Scholars, 155 AP Scholars in 2013 $15 Million in Scholarships Won by Class of 2013 20 students from the class of 2013 received a 2000 on their SATs “It’s Academic” team is the reigning 2012 & 2013 DC Champion(bestof 81) and the defending Super Bowl champion (best of 171 schools) World Class Instruction and Leadership 3 Washington Post Agnes Myer Award-winning Teachers for MCPS Over 25 National Board Certified Teachers have taught at Blake Mae I. Graham Award for Outstanding Media Program in Maryland Nationally Recognized Signature Programs “We The People” – Maryland State Champions 2012 & 2013 In the past 6 years, The Blake Beat has twice been named the besthigh school newspaper in the USA and three times the best in Maryland! Business Academy - MCPS Competition Champions Blake participates in learning/performance programs with Olney Theatre, Roundhouse Theatre, Wolf Trap, Broadway Dance Studios to name a few Largest and most traveled marching band in the NEC What else makes Blake students and staff proud? 22

23. How are students assigned to a school? A computerized lottery assignment process is used to assign students to a high school. A variety of factors are considered when running the lottery.

24. 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

25. How does the high school assignment process work? 1st Choice Non-Base/Lottery 1st Choice Older Sibling 1st Choice = Base

26. Base High School Selection A student’s base area high school is determined by the home address. Assignment to the base area school is guaranteedif it is selected as: FIRSTchoice on the Choice form OR Second choice on the Choice form AND the first choice is not available. To identify your base high school, visit: http://gis.mcpsmd.org/gis/PublicLocator.asp

27. If I have an older sibling who will be in an NEC high school next year, am I guaranteed assignment to the same 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.

28. Will transportation be provided to all three NEC high schools ? Transportation will be provided for students who live within the NEC attendance area and beyond walking distance of their assigned NEC high school. Walking distance is determined by MCPS, and is about two miles for high school students.

29. How do students who live in 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, the Biomedical and Engineering Programs (PLTW) at Wheaton HS in addition to other MCPS high school application programs.

30. NEC Choice Process After Round 1 • February • – Choice Process – Round 2 (Deadline: Friday, February 14, 2014) • Choiceforms 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 • Changes to the Choice form will not be accepted • 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 • – Appeal letters due March 21 • April • – Appeals reviewed (late April)

31. 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 deadline in order to be considered – Friday, February 14, 2014. Change of Choice results are based on the number of seats available, socioeconomic status and gender.

32. What high school application programs are available to MCPS students? Global Ecology Program – Poolesville HS Coordinator: 301-972-7976 International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme – 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 Biomedical (PLTW) – Wheaton High School* Coordinator: 301-929-2050 Engineering (PLTW) – Wheaton High School* Coordinator: 301-929-2050 *Programs available only to Grade 8 students who live or attend middle school in the DCC Be sure to submit your Choice form too!

33. Parents and Students ~Thank you for joining us this evening! NEC Signature Coordinators James H. Blake HS Elizabeth Yargici 301-879-1327 Elizabeth_H_Yargici@mcpsmd.org Paint Branch HS Samantha Candia 301-388-9911 Samantha_N_Candia@mcpsmd.org Springbrook HS 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! I See Me at All 3! 3 Great Schools! 3 Great Choices!

34. If you are interested in hearing about Countywide Magnet or Application-Only Programs, please remain in the auditorium for the 8:00 presentation.