11 th Grade Parent & Student Meeting

1. 11th Grade Parent & Student Meeting January 2015

2. Graduation Requirement ChecklistFirst Tab – Cream paper

3. Graduation Requirements • PE – ½ credit • Health – ½ credit • Economics – ½ credit • Government – ½ credit • AP Science courses – 2 credits • Senior Specialized Course – 1 credit • Senior Capstone Experience – 1 credit

4. Senior Year Schedule Course Requests

5. Creating Your Senior Schedule • Required Courses (purple sheet) • English • Math • Physics • Economics (one semester) • Government (one semester) • Senior Specialized Course (1 credit) • Senior Capstone Course: Research IV or Internship (1 credit)

6. English • AP English Literature • Dual Enrollment English 1101 and 1102 (GPC student fees) • English 12

7. Mathematics • AP Calculus AB • For those currently enrolled in Accelerated Math III/Pre-Calculus • Magnet Calculus II • For those currently enrolled in Magnet Calculus I

8. PhysicsHave you taken two AP science courses? • AP Physics 1 • One period • AP Physics 1 & 2 • Two periods • Algebra-based • AP Physics 1 & C • Two periods • Calculus-based

9. Economics & Government Economics Government RCHS class (one semester) Online during summer 2015 Online during spring semester 2016 Dual Enrollment AP Government (full year – online or in class) • RCHS class (one semester) • Online during summer 2015 • Online during fall semester 2015 • Dual Enrollment • AP Economics (one semester online)

10. Senior Capstone Course • Magnet Research IV • Full year or fall semester only if also taking internship • Application based • Magnet Scientific Internship • Full year • Application based

11. Capstone Experience Options

12. Capstone Scheduling Logistics

13. Senior Specialized Course • Biological Sciences • Anatomy (fall semester) • Physiology (spring semester) • Microbiology (fall semester) • Organic Chemistry (spring semester)

14. Senior Specialized Course • Engineering and Technology • Senior Engineering Design • AP Computer Science • Mathematics • Math in Industry & Govt (fall semester) • History of Math (spring semester)

15. Magnet Electives • Any senior specialized course not already selected • Astronomy (fall semester) • Forensics (spring semester) • Etymology (fall semester) • Ethics (spring semester) • Scientific Internship • Community Service

16. RCHS/IAT/RCA Electives • IAT • Programming Principles • Programming, Apps, & Game Design • Digital Media & Communication • RCHS • AP Spanish Language or Spanish Literature online • Band, Chorus, AP Music Theory, AP Studio Art • AP Psychology • AP European History • Yearbook, Writer’s Workshop • PE, Health, Weight Training, ROTC • RCA

17. Summer 2015 – Enrichment Options RVC - $50 estimated fee for each course • PE • Health • Economics or • Government

18. Transcripts Fourth Tab – white paper

19. Naviance GPA and Rank is Updated

20. GPA and Class Rank • Un-weighted GPA • A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1 • Weighted GPA • AP and most Magnet courses are weighted • A = 5.2, B = 4.2, C = 3.2, D = 2.2 • Class Rank (Weighted GPA) • Top 5% - Rank 1 - 19 • Top 10% - Rank 20 - 37 • Top 15% - Rank 38 - 56

21. GPA and Class Rank • When applying to college… • GPA based on grades from 9th – 11th grade • This semester is crucial! • Some colleges will calculate their own GPA for you, weighting what they feel is rigorous

22. Valedictorian and Salutatorian • Determined by numeric average for the top 10 students of the class • All grades (for students in top 10) will be added and then divided by total number of courses. • Example: • Student A: Numeric average = 95.2 • Student B: Numeric average = 96.3 (VAL) • Student C: Numeric average = 94 • Student D: Numeric average = 95.7 (SAL) • Student E: Numeric average = 94.8

23. PSAT Results5th tab - report

24. PSAT Score Report • Student copy- In left pocket in College Planning Binder • School copy- Keep in College Planning Binder • Naviance

25. PSAT Scores growth **National Mean scores of Juniors taking the PSAT in 2014: Critical Reading (47.4) Math (48.6) Writing (45.9)

26. Junior Year & PSAT Results • National Merit • National Achievement • Scores do not automatically qualify a student for the Scholarship • The corporation reviews student’s grades

27. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results 4 Major Parts of Your PSAT/NMSQT Results Your Scores Your Skills Your Answers Next Steps 3 Test Sections Critical Reading Mathematics Writing Skills

28. Your Scores Score You can see your projected SAT score online in My College QuickStart (www.collegeboard.org/quickstart). Score Range Percentile If you are a junior, your scores are compared to those of other juniors. If you are a sophomore or younger student, your scores are compared to those of sophomores.

29. National Merit Scholarship Corporation Information

30. My College QuickStart

31. My College QuickStart

32. My College QuickStart

33. My College QuickStart • Log in to your personalized account at • www.collegeboard.org/quickstart

34. Preparing for the PSAT & SAT RCPS purchased for Magnet School No cost to parents and student recommended… • www.collegeboard.com/satonlinecourseschool (Expires at the end of July 2015)

35. When to take the SAT? • Beginning spring semester of your junior year! • March 14th • May 2nd • June 6th • The PSAT is the practice test for the SAT. • Prepare and practice for the SAT. • Take the SAT when you are prepared and ready!

36. When to take the ACT? • Beginning spring semester of your junior year! • April 18th • June 13th

37. Registering for the SAT and ACT • SAT: Collegeboard.org • ACT: Actstudent.org • All Juniors needs take at least 1 ACT and 1 SAT by June • Students need to complete testing by November of senior year • Counselor can not register students anymore

38. Test Fee Waivers • See Mrs. Lewin for the form • Students who qualify for Free & Reduced lunch may use a payment waiver to take the SAT and ACT • Students who use the waivers can also be qualified to use application fee waivers

39. SAT Subject Tests

40. What is the SAT Subject Test? • Subject Tests are hour-long, multiple-choice, content-based tests that allow you to showcase achievement in specific subject areas. • In any given sitting of the SAT Subject Tests, you can take one, two or three tests. You are free to change which tests and the number of tests that you want to take on test day. • You choose the tests that best showcase your achievements and interests.

41. Why Take SAT Subject Tests? • Some colleges require or recommend that you take SAT Subject Tests • Focus on subjects that you know well to call attention to strengths on your college application • Send colleges a strong message about programs or majors that you’re interested in • Potentially satisfy basic course requirements to be eligible for admission • Potentially place out of introductory college classes

42. What is the difference between SAT subject tests and AP tests? • SAT Subject Tests are high school–level tests, reflecting high school curricula. These tests indicate a student’s readiness to take college-level courses in specific subject areas. • AP exams assess a student’s college-level knowledge, skills and abilities, learned in the corresponding AP courses. AP Exams typically cover more advanced topics. • In general, students who have taken more rigorous courses (e.g., AP, Magnet) are better prepared for the SAT Subject Tests.

43. Which test should I take? • The SAT Subject Tests that you take should be based on your interests and academic strengths. • List the subjects in which you do well and that truly interest you. • Think through what you might like to study in college. • Consider whether your current admission credentials (high school grades, SAT scores, etc.) highlight your strengths. • Determine if the college you are interested in requires or recommends Subject Tests. • Make a list of the colleges you’re considering. • Research admission requirements • Look @ the College Admissions link on the college’s website and find the detailed admission requirements • Find out how many tests are required or recommended and in which subjects.

45. What Next???(During Junior year…more to come!) • April 2nd @ 6:30PM – Rising Senior Parent/Student meeting • VERY important!! • Classroom guidance (building college list, SAT Subject tests, Resume, Research Abstracts) with Mrs. Lewin • Individual meetings with Mrs. Lewin to discuss college list

46. parent involvement: Magnet Family Picnic Thursday, April 23 @ 5:30pm Magnet Awards Banquet Friday, May 8 @ 6:30pm Magnet Fund Spring Plant Sale Professional Portfolios • Rockdale Regional Science Fair • Friday, January 30 • Public Viewing 5-6pm • Awards at RCHS Auditorium 6:30pm • Magnet Student Showcase • Tuesday, February 10 @ 5-8pm

47. Thank you