High School Planning

1. High School Planning

2. There are great options for everyone. Think about what will work for your student & family needs. What works for one student may not work for another.

3. Things to Consider: • Location • School Size • Interests Areas, Curriculum and Courses • Extracurricular Activities • Class competition and the College Process

4. High School Choices *Make sure to cover all you options! • Academic Center students may stay at Taft if: • They are passing all classes and have no discipline referrals • IB, AVID & ROTC-have completed the appropriate applications and • met all requirements.

5. application changesNew this year: PINs will be provided to all eighth grade students via the eligibility letter. The eligibility letter will also identify the programs for which you are eligible to apply, based on your seventh grade standardized test scores and/or final grades. CPS/Charter Students will receive their eligibility through their school counselor in September. Non-CPS Students must submit a Non-CPS Student Eligibility Letter Request Form (accessible at www.cpsoae.org – click ‘Apply’), along with their seventh grade scores and final grades. After the form is processed, an eligibility letter will be sent to your home. You will be able to use the online application site, www.apply.cps.edu, to schedule and reschedule your own appointments.NOTE: The scheduling process opens September 23rd. Applications are accepted starting October 1st. If you plan to apply online, you must schedule your appointments BEFORE you submit your applications. If you do not want to schedule/apply online, submit a paper application and your appointments will be scheduled by the Office of Access and Enrollment (or, in the case of Senn Fine and Performing Arts Program, by the school). You will receive letters notifying you of the dates, times, and locations of your appointments.

6. SELECTIVE ENROLLMENT HIGH SCHOOLS Report a problem

7. SELECTIVE ENROLLMENT TEST DATES

8. Selective Enrollment www.apply.cps.edu • May select up to 6 Selective Enrollment Schools • Rank Schools in order of 1 Most Interested to 6 Least Interested • Only select schools you are interested in attending • APPLY ONLINE: notification receipt of application, easier for CPS to process and instant communication. • SEHS exam-general knowledge exam, CPS does not recommend Test Preparation • IB application now online with SE application-MUST attend IB informational meeting

9. The Admissions Exam • The Selective Enrollment High Schools admissions exam is approximately three hours long. • The exam covers four subject areas: reading comprehension, vocabulary, language arts (grammar), and math word problems. • Calculators are not allowed (unless this is specified in the accommodations on an IEP).

10. Test Study Guide • http://tafths.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=48824&type=u • A link for an enrollment test study guide is available on the Academic Center student created website!!!

11. S.E. Application Points 7th grade final grades 300 Points 7th grade ISAT scores 300 Points Entrance Exam 300 Points 900 Total Points • 30 % students selected on highest point rank • 70 % students selected on point rank from each of the 4 SE tiers

12. Selection Process • NO sibling preference. • NO consideration for proximity. • First 30% of seats at each school are filled by rank score ONLY. • Remaining seats are divided equally among the four tiers. • Selective Enrollment High Schools do not have waiting lists. • Students who decline offers, or who have not received an offer, remain in the applicant pool. • If schools have seats remaining, it is possible for a student in the applicant pool to receive an offer in a subsequent round.

13. Useful websites www.selectiveenrollment.org • Overview of application process • FAQ • Point System Calculator • For details on how the tiers are populated: www.cpsoae.org www.schoollocator.cps.k12.il.us

14. Important Dates

15. Why Choose Taft? • Freshmen Year transition is one of the most difficult transitions. “9th grade transition has been called the “make-or-break transition”. Struggle happens not only with the academic challenges of high school but social concerns, unfamiliar school situations and change in school relationships.” John Hopkins University • Students know the building, processes and procedures • Students have established relationships with teachers and staff • Top of the class and leaders within the school • Opportunity to create unique college profile • Sports and Activities

16. What is the IB Diploma Programme? A rigorous, college preparatory curriculum which focuses on international perspectives of learning and teaching, while insisting that students fully explore their home culture and language for the 11th and 12th grades. IB curriculum emphasizes development of strong critical thinking, analytical, writing and communication skills through a variety of assessments. Students at Taft prepare for the program by entering the 9th grade into the two year Honors IB Preparatory Program. IB provides established international standards for schools, teachers, and students, resulting in IB schools being recognized as some of the top schools in the nation, according to Newsweek and US News and World Report.

17. Who is the IB student? A motivated, hard working individual looking for a challenging program that will prepare them for university studies in a global society.

18. How to apply for IB Go to https://apply.cps.edu. Make sure to select IB Diploma Programme and apply to Taft. 7th grade final grades 450 Points 7th grade ISAT scores 450 Points Eligible students will receive notification for a required information session at Taft from the OAE. • There is no preference for applicants of siblings who are already enrolled. • Students are given preference based on their home address, not tiers • 50 points will be applied to attendance area students prior to information session notification 900 Total Points Info Session REQUIRED • Seats are filled by rank based on an overall applicant score (total 900 points). • Notification letters are sent to parents by the OAE in February 2013. • Confirmation forms to accept an offer are sent by parents to the OAE in • March 2013.

19. AVID(Advancement Via Individual Determination)

20. What Is AVID? • Selective four year college preparatory program • A daily class where students develop writing, reading, inquiry, and collaboration skills while designing their college and career dreams • An elective course selection that counts towards graduation

21. AVID Mission: • succeed in a rigorous curriculum • complete a college preparatory path • will enter mainstream activities of the school • enroll in a 4 year college/university

22. AVID Students will: • Become stronger writers & readers Develop public Speaking skills • Utilize structured note-taking Build leadership skills • Attend bi-weekly, in-class tutorials Work on organizational skills • Be held accountable for core classes Visit minimum 2 colleges per year • Attend guest speaker colloquia Enroll in Honors/AP courses • Prepare for Standardized Tests Develop academic & career goals • Research & apply to colleges & universities (minimum of 5) • Apply for college scholarships (minimum of 5)

23. Application Procedure • Application available on the Taft website • Interview with AVID team

24. TAFT NJROTC ACADEMY Distinguished Unit Twelve Consecutive Years To 2012 William Howard Taft NJROTC Academy

25. Next year at Taft you have to make a very important decision.NJROTC or PE If you attend William Howard Taft High School, you will have an opportunity to enroll in one of the top Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) Academies in Chicago and the nation. When you register to attend Taft, you will have to make a choice. Either enroll in two years of Naval Science or two years of Physical Education (P. E.). The NJROTC Program is a challenging college prep course. Students that are selected to be cadets will not be enrolled in Physical Education, but they will be able to select any Education to Careers Cluster. William Howard Taft NJROTC Academy

26. The NJROTC Program does not require cadets to enlist into the military service after graduation.  Naval JROTC cadets are encouraged to maintain an average grade of “C” or better, and the program is run with discipline and military bearing. Cadets are expected to act like mature individuals and will learn to give and receive orders. For more information see our website http://tinyurl.com/2rpat4, or please call (773) 534-1058 EXCITING ACTIVITIES IN NJROTC Academic Teams, Drill Teams, Orienteering Teams, and Physical Fitness Teams; Various Competitions; Summer Basic and Advanced Leadership Camps; Trips to various military bases. William Howard Taft NJROTC Academy

27. Benefits from enrolling in Naval Scienceand being a part Taft Naval JROTC Academy • Leadership and Discipline • College Prep • Scholarships: College ROTC Scholarships worth $200,000.00 • Service Academy Selections worth $400,000.00 • Advanced Enlistment into the Military (optional) • Travel: Spring Break Trips, Competitions, College Visits • Citizenship: Community Service and involvement William Howard Taft NJROTC Academy