Preparing for college in the 9 th grade

1. Preparing for collegein the 9th grade By Jacklynn Sprague

2. Why is college important? Financial Security: Individuals with a 4-year college degree earn an average of $22,000 MORE per year than those with only a high school diploma. Health: Young adults with a 4-year college degree are much less likely to be obese. Job Security: Individuals with a 4-year college degree are about half as likely to be unemployed as those with only a high school diploma. **For most students who go to college, the increase in lifetime earnings far outweighs the cost of their education.

3. IMPORTANT DATE • College Fair at Ohlone College (Fremont Campus) this coming Tuesday, October 1st from 6:30 – 8:30 pm in Epler Gymnasium.

4. Preparing for college in 9th grade • Explore career options • Participate in extracurricular activities • Meet with your teachers and school counselor • Save for college • Explore summer opportunities • Create a 4 year plan

5. Career Options • Students should begin exploring career options. The following websites have career interest surveys that can help students explore career options: • https://connection.naviance.com/family-connection/auth/login/ (See counselor for login information) • www.cacareerzone.org • www.californiacolleges.edu • www.bigfuture.org • Once students begin to narrow down which careers they are interested in, they can begin to choose some possible college majors. • Students can make an appointment with Mrs. Janelle Coleman in the College/Career Center in Room 204 to get help with career interest surveys. • Take the ASVAB. This test is a free career exploration survey. Register with Mrs. Coleman in room 204 to take this test on Thursday, November 7 at 8 AM. Find more information about this program at www.asvabprogram.com

6. Extracurricular Activities • Explore interests in a sport, club, leadership, music or drama group, or community programs • If you want to play sports in college go to www.ncaaclearinghouse.net to verify what courses are needed in high school to be eligible • Remember…colleges would rather see real involvement in one activity instead of loose connection to several • Clubs: 540, Afghan, Anime, Asian, AVID, College Bound, CSF, Debate, DECA, Desi, Engineering, Environmental, Fashion, Filmology, Interact, Journalism, Korean, LEO, Musicality, National Honor Society, Pakistani American Culture, Performing Arts, and Vietnamese Student Association. (www.jfkhs.org – Click Students – Click Clubs) • Sports: Badminton, Baseball/Softball, Baskteball, Cheer, Cross Country, Dance Team, Football, Golf, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball, and Wrestling (www.jfkhs.org – Click Athletics) • (Mr. McDermott – Athletic Director - pmcdermott@Fremont.k12.ca.us)

7. Meet with school staff • Students should check in with their teachers to see how they are doing and how they can improve. They can always ask for tips on how to pass each course. • Students and Parents should register for School Loop to stay up on grades, assignments, and school activities. Register at: https://kennedy-fusd-ca.schoolloop.com • Students should check in with their counselor if they are concerned about not being on track for graduation or college. School counselors will meet with every student in March to help them pick their classes for the following year. • Teacher and staff information can be found on the school website (www.jfkhs.org) or on School Loop (kennedy-fusd-ca.schoolloop.com).

8. Save for college • Begin thinking about ways to save for college • Review financial aid information at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov • For undocumented students see www.csac.ca.gov/dream_act.asp • Review scholarship opportunities at www.jfkhs.org or www.fastweb.com • Set aside a small amount each month if possible to get a small fund for college • PSAT/PLAN/EXPLORE - Tests – 9th-11th($35, $15) • SAT/ACT Tests - Spring 11th grade, Fall 12th grade($45-$48) • College Applications 12thGrade (Varies at $55 & up) • AP Tests – Whenever taken ($90 per test)

9. Explore summer opportunities • Look for a job, internship or volunteer position that will help you learn about a field of interest.

10. 4Year Plan • The counselors presented 4 year plans in the English 9 classes. For students with Term 2 English, a separate presentation was done as well. • To graduate, students need to complete: • 230 Credits • 40 Service Learning Hours • English and Math High School Exit Exams (CAHSEE)

11. FUSD Graduation Requirements • 40 English Credits • 30 Social Studies/History Credits • 30 Mathematics Credits • 20 Science Credits (Physical and Life) • 20 PE Credits • 10 Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) , World Language, or Career/Technical Education (CTE) • 5 Health and 5 Computer Credits • 70 Elective Credits

12. CSU/UC A-G Eligibility Requirements • Area A: 20 Credits of Social Studies/History • Area B: 40 Credits of English • Area C: 30 Credits of Mathematics (40 recommended) • Area D: 20 Credits of Lab Science (30 recommended) • Area E: 20 Credits of the same World Language (30 recommended) • Area F: 10 Credits of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) • Area G: 10 Credits of a College Prep Elective

13. SAMPLE 4 YEAR PLAN – FUSD & A-G Requirements • 9thGrade 11th Grade • English 9A or English 9 H English 11A or English 11 AP • Algebra 1 or higher US History or US History AP • Integrated Science or Biology H Intermediate Algebra (Algebra 2) or higher • Spanish 1 or French 1 Chemistry or Chemistry H • Health/Computers Spanish 3 or French 3 (recommended) • PE 9 3 Electives • 2 Electives • 10th Grade 12th Grade • English 10A or English 10 H English 12A or English 12 AP • World History or World History H Gov’t/Econ, Gov’t/Econ H, or Gov’t/Econ AP • Geometry or higher Trigonometry or higher (recommended) • Biology or Biology AP Physics or Physics AP (recommended) • Spanish 2 or French 2 4 Electives • PE 10 • 2 Electives

14. Electives Options • History • Big History • Math • PreCalculus, PreCalculus H, Calculus, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, Introduction to Statistics, AP Statistics • Science • Biology AP, Chemistry AP, Anatomy (ROP), Physics, Physics H, or Physics AP • Fine Arts • Art, Band, Ceramics, Choir, Digital Photo, Digital Imaging, Digital Video (ROP), Drama, Sculpture • PE • Weight Training or PE 11/12

15. Elective Options Other Ohlone ROP AVID English Intro to Hospitality (GVA) Construction (ROP) Intro to Business Culinary Arts 1, 2 (GVA) Work Experience Philosophy Event Planning (GVA)(Internship) Yearbook Psychology Auto Body or Tech Journalism Sociology Careers in Education (Internship) CAHSEE Prep Computer Anim. or Graphics Leadership Digital Sound Design Peer Resources 1, 2 Fire Science/EMT AVID Tutor Game Design TA Law Enforcement Medical or Nursing Assistant (Internship) Sports Therapy (Internship)

16. Service Learning Hours • Students must complete 40 Service Learning Hours by the time they graduate. • Kennedy’s Service Learning Coordinator is Mrs. Dee Clark. She is in Room 114 and can be reached at dclark@fremont.k12.ca.us or at 510-657-4070 x27114. • To get information on Service Learning Opportunities see our website. • Go to www.jfkhs.org • Click on Students • Click on Service Learning

17. CA High School Exit Exams (CAHSEE) • The State of California requires all student to pass an English and Math Exit Exam on top of their other district requirements to graduate. • Students take the English and Math CAHSEE for the first time in March of their Sophomore year. • Once students pass they will no longer take it again. If they do not pass one or both sections they have several chances to take it again. • The English exam includes multiple choice questions and an essay. This exam covers through 9th grade English. • The Math exam includes multiple choice questions. This exam covers through Algebra 1 with a little Geometry. • For more information see the CA Dept. of Education’s CAHSEE Website: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/

18. What to do in 10th grade… • 10th Grade • Students should check in with their counselor to make sure they are on track to graduate and to meet the college entrance requirements • Students should take the PSAT. This test is offered in October on a Saturday at Kennedy and will cost around $30 • Visit college campuses and attend college fairs • Continue participating in extra curricular activities • Make an email account for college “stuff”

19. What to do in 11th grade… • 11th Grade • Students should check in with their counselor to make sure they are on track to graduate and to meet the college entrance requirements • Students should take the PSAT. This test is offered in October on a Saturday at Kennedy and will cost around $30 • Visit college campuses and attend college nights and fairs as a way to begin a list of potential college to apply to • Continue participating in extra curricular activities • Take the ACT or SAT in Spring (April – June) (ACT: www.actstudent.org ) (SAT: www.collegeboard.com) • Make a list/calendar of college and financial aid deadlines • If you plan to play sports in college, begin registering with NCAA at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net • Work on building a resume that includes your accomplishments, activities, work experience, and life experiences • Review financial aid and scholarship resources

20. What to do in 12th grade… • 12th Grade • September • Narrow down your list of college applications • Create a calendar that includes test dates, registration deadlines, college application due dates, financial aid application due dates, and other deadlines • If on free/reduced lunch, see your counselor about testing and college application fee waivers • Retake the ACT or SAT if needed(ACT: www.actstudent.org ) (SAT: www.collegeboard.com) • October • Ask teachers/counselors for letters of recommendation if needed • Begin drafting your college essay(s) prior to the college application deadlines • Request your ACT, SAT, AP, and SAT Subject Tests to be sent to colleges you are applying to • Begin and submit applications for the California State University (CSU) schools (www.csumentor.edu)

21. What to do in 12th grade… • 12th Grade • November • Finalize your college application essay(s) • Begin and submit applications for the University of California (UC) schools (www.universityofcalifornia.edu) • Being working on and submitting your out-of-state and private college applications (Deadlines will vary) • December • Continue and submit your out-of-state and private college applications (Deadlines will vary) • Sit down as a family and review the FAFSA application and gather financial information prior to completing the application (www.fafsa.ed.gov)

22. What to do in 12th grade… • 12th Grade • January • Continue and submit your out-of-state and private college applications (Deadlines will vary) • Complete the FAFSA as a family at www.fafsa.ed.gov • Complete an official transcript request for colleges/universities requesting a copy • February • Continue working hard in your classes and keeping grades up (NO SENIORITIS!) • Follow up with any requests made by the colleges/universities for further information • March • Follow up with any requests made by the colleges/universities for further information • Complete Community College applications (www.cccco.edu)

23. What to do in 12th grade... • 12th Grade • April • College acceptances, denials, and financial aid offers will begin coming in. Review them as a family to make a final decision on which college to attend. • Review placement test, housing, financial aid, and intent to enroll documentation and follow any deadlines given • May • Submit your letter of intent to enroll (Usually May 1st) • Review placement test, housing, financial aid, and intent to enroll documentation and follow any deadlines given • Request a final official transcript to be sent to the college you will be attending • June • GRADUATE!!!

24. Contact Information • Counselors 510-657-4070 • A-D: Mrs. Tifni O’Neill toneill@fremont.k12.ca.us x27017 • E-K: Mr. Dave Reska dreska@fremont.k12.ca.us x27019 • L-Q: Mrs. Stacey Bamford sbamford@fremont.k12.ca.us x27018 • R-Z: Ms. Jacklynn Sprague jsprague@fremont.k12.ca.us x27006 • College/Career Specialist: Mrs. Janelle Coleman jcoleman@fremont.k12.ca.us x27204 • Principals • Principal: Mr. Edward Velez evelez@fremont.k12.ca.us x27306 • Assistant Principal (Seniors): Ms. Silvia Carrillo scarrillo@fremont.k12.ca.us x27016 • Assistant Principal (A-K): Ms. Nafeesah Rasheed nmustafa-rasheed@fremont.k12.ca.us x27003 • Assistant Principal (L-Z): Dr. Ronaldo Fisher rfisher@fremont.k12.ca.us x27008