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Academic Rigor and Preparing for College: An Overview. Dave Anderson School Counseling Director / Freedom High School Town Hall Meeting October 27, 2011. Academic Rigor. Almost 80% of today’s fastest-growing occupations require some postsecondary education.
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Academic Rigor and Preparing for College: An Overview Dave Anderson School Counseling Director / Freedom High School Town Hall Meeting October 27, 2011
Academic Rigor • Almost 80% of today’s fastest-growing occupations require some postsecondary education. • Students who take more challenging coursework are more likely to enroll in and complete a college program. • In our new global economy, a rigorous academic curriculum is indispensable for all students.
Number of Credits to Graduate Standard Diploma: 22 Credits • 4 Credits of English • 3 Credits of Math • 3 Credits of Science • 3 Credits of History and Social Sciences • 1 Credit of Fine or Practical Art • 2 Credits of HPE • 6 Electives (2 must be sequential)
Number of Credits to Graduate Advanced Studies Diploma: 24 Credits (26 credits for new 9th graders) • 4 Credits of English • 4 Credits of Math • 4 Credits of Science • 4 Credits of History and Social Sciences • 3 Credits of a Foreign Language or 2 credits of 2 different languages • 1 Credit of Fine or Practical Art • 2 Credits of HPE • 1-2 Electives
SOL Requirements Standard Diploma: 6 Total (1) English Reading (1) English Writing (1) Math (1) Science (1) Social Studies (1) Student Choice Advanced Diploma: 9 Total (1) English Reading (1) English Writing (2) Math (2) Science (2) Social Studies (1) Student Choice
Factors That Influence College Acceptance and Success • GPA (Grade Point Average). • Strong SAT or ACT scores. • Taking a challenging course load including Pre-AP and AP courses in particular. • A demonstrated, well rounded student experience; such as, participation in athletics, clubs, and other student organizations. • Job and volunteer experience in the community is a definite plus. • Leadership roles large and small.
Web sites to remember… • Naviance: excellent web site for researching and maintaining college and career information. http://connection.naviance.com/freedom • Virginia Wizard: an online career planning program for students to take interest assessments, explore occupations, research colleges. Visit www.vawizard.org • CollegeBoard: SAT Testing, but also a wealth of national college related information as well. Good user friendly articles. www.collegeboard.com
Parent Involvement • Your young person needs you. • The area that controls judgment in the brain is not fully developed on average until age 25. • Teenagers are generally more driven by emotions and must learn self control over time. • Help your child think about their future and formulate an initial plan. It can always change and probably will… • Sleep and proper nutrition are crucial to learning. • Help create a study routine in the home.
Words Of Wisdom “Try to become not a man of success, but try rather to become a man of value.” -Albert Einstein