What is the Northeast Consortium (NEC)? The NEC is made up of:

1. High School Optionsfor Students in theNortheast Consortium (NEC)NEC Signature Programs, the Choice Process, and Application ProgramsInformation Meeting for NEC Grade 7 Students and Parents Francis Scott Key Middle SchoolWednesday, May 4, 2011

2. Tonight’s Outcomes:Hear an overview of the --• Northeast Consortium (NEC) High School Signature Programs•Choice Process and Timeline • Application Programs Available to NEC Students:--Magnet programs at Montgomery Blair, Richard Montgomery, & Poolesville high schools--Visual Art Center (VAC) at Albert Einstein HS --Professional-Technical Programs at Thomas Edison High School of Technology (TEHST) Provide feedback by completing an evaluation form

3. James Hubert Blake HS Paint Branch HS Springbrook HS What is the Northeast Consortium (NEC)? The NEC is made up of: 3 high schools, 5 middle schools, and their feeder elementary schools The NEC: 3 Great Schools . . .3 Great Choices!

4. What do ALL NEC high schools offer? • A comprehensive high school education •Athletics and extracurricular activities • Lots of opportunities for you to make friends! •School plays, newspaper, yearbook, music program • Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses •Special education and ESOL services • TV studio – students produce daily announcements on TV •Use of technology/computers throughout the school • Signature programs – programs of instruction based on a central theme or focus

5. Instructional program developed around a central theme that includes: • Rigorous course work • Variety of course offerings in the thematic area • Sequential course offerings to build knowledge and skills Themes that appeal to students’ interests. Thematic programs that help students make connections with their future – and think about life after high school – college, military, and possible future careers. What is a Signature program? The NEC: 3 Great Schools . . .3 Great Choices!

6. What Signature programs are available in the NEC? James Hubert Blake HS – Arts and Humanities • Visual and Performing Arts – Media Arts & Visual Arts Arts, Humanities, & Communication – Humanities & Justice, Law & Society Springbrook HS – International Studies and Technology • International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB), Justice, Law & Society, Languages Information Technology & Digital Media – Computer Programming, Networking/Hardware, & Engineering Paint Branch HS – Science and Media Medical Careers, Pharmacy & Biotechnology Media Arts & Gilder Lehrman U.S. History Academy

7. Explore Your Options! An engaging, interesting and informative website designed for the middle school student! • career interest quiz • advice on high school courses • search for college majors • explore interesting careers • ask questions to experts in the field • learn about hobbies www.bridges.com Hear from NEC high school students about their interests and the exciting high school experience! www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/ departments/schoolchoice/ youchoose/northeast/

8. NEC High School Choice Process Step #1 Complete a Choice form. Parents/students rank the 3 NEC high schools in order of preference, based on the Signature programs at each school.

9. Step #2 Choice forms are run through a computerized lottery process. Step #3 High school assignment letters are mailed to students’ homes. Every effort is made to assign students to their first choice. Some students may be assigned their 2nd or 3rd choice school. • Factors which may impact the • school assignment process: • School capacity (space availability) • Number of students who choose their base school • Ranking of schools on Choice form • Sibling link • Socio-economic diversity • Gender balance

10. The base area high school is determined by a student’s home address.* Assignment to a student’s base high school is guaranteed if it is: 1) Indicated as 1st choice on the Choice form OR 2) Indicated as 2nd choice on the Choice form AND the 1st choice is not available. *To determine your base high school, visit: http://gis.mcps.k12.md.us/gis/PublicLocator.asp What if my child wants to attend her/his base area high school?

11. September • Choice and Signature program information mailed to Grade 8 students’ homes • Evening parent/student information meetings October • Evening Open House at each NEC high school • College and career development activities for middle school students •Choice forms mailed to Grade 8 students’ homes November • Evening parent enrollment meeting for non-MCPS students • Completed Choice forms due to NEC middle schools January • High school assignments mailed to students’ homes What is the Grade 8 NEC timeline?(Proposed for School Year 2011-2012)

12. On average what percentage of students received their 1st choice over the last five years? What are some frequently asked questions? 92% Is transportation available? Students will receive bus transportation if they live: • in the Consortium attendance area AND • beyond walking distance of their assigned school (about 2 miles, as determined by MCPS).

13. Summary • All 3 NEC high schools provide: • A comprehensive educational program, including after school activities, athletics, and clubs. • Excellent programs that appeal to students’ interests. • TheChoice process encourages discussion about student interests, high school opportunities, and future goals. The NEC: 3 Great Schools . . .3 Great Choices!

14. Application-Only Programs Available to NEC Students*: • Science, Math & Computer Science Magnet at Montgomery Blair HS • International Baccalaureate (IB) at Richard Montgomery HS • Global Ecology Studies Program at Poolesville HS • Visual Arts Center (VAC) at Albert Einstein HS • Half-day Academic, Professional & Technical Career Education Programs at Thomas Edison High School of Technology (TEHST) *NOTE:Students who apply for application-only programs must still complete and turn in an NEC Choice form by the due date. What other high school options are available?

15. Science, Mathematics, Computer Science Magnet Program at Montgomery Blair HS • Contact Mr. Peter Ostrander, magnet coordinator, at 301-649-8240 • International Baccalaureate (IB) Magnet Program at Richard Montgomery HS • Contact Ms. Jennifer Hoover, magnet coordinator, at 301-610-8100 • Global Ecology House at Poolesville HS • Contact Ms. Billie Bradshaw, magnet coordinator, at 301-972-7976 Countywide Application Programs

16. Applicant Characteristics Parents, ask yourselves: To an exceptional degree, does my child… Show curiosity about ideas, events and how things work, or have a questioning attitude? Demonstrate initiative and intellectual curiosity? Have an ability to learn at a faster rate? Have an unusual understanding and use of language? Have strong critical and creative thinking abilities? Show empathy and sensitivity towards others? Have an ability to see relationships and detect patterns? Have a positive self-concept? Understand his or her strengths and know when and how to ask for help? Prefer long-range goals to short-term or immediate needs?

17. The Magnet Program offers accelerated, interdisciplinary courses in science, mathematics, and computer science for highly able students particularly interested in these subjects. Each semester, students take 4 courses within the magnet curriculum (science, mathematics, research, and computer science), and 4 courses in other disciplines (English, fine arts, foreign language, social studies, etc.) with the rest of the Blair student body. Magnet students can (and do!) take full advantage of Blair's other extracurriculars such as athletics, student clubs, the school's bands and plays, and other activities. Students in Grade 8 with a strong interest in science, mathematics, and computer science who are enrolled in at least Algebra I may apply. Applicants must be residents of one of the following high school clusters: the Downcounty Consortium, the Northeast Consortium, B-CC, Churchill, Walter Johnson, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Sherwood, Whitman, or Wootton.* * Students from other high school clusters can apply to the Science/Mathematics/Computer Science House at Poolesville High School. Science/Mathematics/Computer Science Magnet Program at Blair

18. The IB Program at RMHS was established in 1987 as a countywide program for academically capable and committed students interested in pursuing a rigorous pre-university course of studies in: English Language; Foreign Language; Individuals and Societies Economics, Psychology, History; Experimental Sciences; Mathematics; and The Arts and Electives. Students successfully completing the program earn an MCPS diploma, a Maryland Certificate of Merit, and the internationally recognized IB Diploma. Students from RMHS have received as much as 60 credit hours and/or advanced standing at colleges and universities. Grade 8 students from any MCPS high school cluster who are enrolled in at least Level I of Spanish, French, or Chinese (or are qualified bilingual students who are fluent in those languages), Algebra I, and have taken 2 G/T or advanced courses may apply. *The IB diploma earned at any high school offering an IB diploma program adheres to the same rigorous testing and essay requirements. Richard Montgomery IB Magnet Program*

19. Poolesville Global Ecology House* • Poolesville High School began its whole school magnet program with Grade 9 students in fall 2006; however, the Global Ecology program has existed for over 10 years. • The high school features a whole-school magnet program in which students select a specific area of concentration from 3 “houses,” all of which provide options for rigorous and advanced academic coursework. • Global Ecology House students have the opportunity to specialize in environmental science and social studies as they pursue rigorous interdisciplinary science and social studies curricula focused on human impact on the natural environment. • Grade 8 students from any MCPS high school cluster who are in Algebra I or higher may apply to the Global Ecology House. • * Grade 8 students who live in one of the following high school clusters who are in Algebra I or higher may also apply to the Science/Mathematics/ Computer Science House and/or to the Humanities House: Clarksburg, Damascus, Gaithersburg, Magruder, Northwest, Poolesville, Quince Orchard, Seneca Valley, or Watkins Mill

20. Students who live in the NEC and attend a DCC middle school (and students who live in the DCC) are also eligible to apply to the following programs in the fall of Grade 8: Communication Arts Program (CAP) at Blair HS • Designed for students who wish to develop their intellectual, creative, and communication skills in the fields of media and the humanities. • For additional information, contact Anne Cullen, Program Coordinator, at (301) 649-2854 or visit http://cap.mbhs.edu/ Leadership Training Institute (LTI) at Kennedy HS • A rigorous interdisciplinary education emphasizing experiential learning, community service projects, and leadership theory and application. • For additional information, contact Yolanda Rious, Program Coordinator, at (301) 962-5930, or visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/kennedyhs/lti.htm Project Lead the Way (PLTW) at Wheaton HS • A rigorous competitive engineering and biosciences program • Additional information will be available in Fall 2011 CAP, LTI and Wheaton’s Project Lead the Way (PLTW)

21. Information nights: Mid-October 2011 – hosted by each high school application program* • Application deadline: Early November 2011 • Testing: Early December 2011 • Notification: Early February 2012 Proposed Application-Only Timeline *Note: Students may apply to multiple programs.

22. Half-day program for students in Grades 10-12. Students attend home HS for ½ day and TEHST for ½ day. Programs such as: Interior Design, Medical Careers, Cosmetology, Professional Restaurant Management, Network Operations, Carpentry, Masonry, Plumbing, Autobody Repair, HVAC. Contact: 301-929-2181 Thomas Edison High School of Technology (TEHST)

23. High level half-day program offering a broad perspective of the fine arts, art history, contemporary artists, and artwork. Students can do ½ day at home high school and ½ day at Einstein OR transfer to Einstein. Admission is selective. Applicants are evaluated on completed art courses, portfolio, personal interview, teacher recommendations, and transcript. Contact: 301-962-1027 The Visual Art CenteratAlbert Einstein High School

24. THANK YOU PARENTS AND STUDENTS! Need more information? Presenters will be available to answer individual questions this evening until 8:30. Please complete your evaluation form and return it to the collection box. Thank you!

25. Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services (DCCAPS) www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/schoolchoice Phone: 301-592-2040 NEC Signature Program Offices James H. Blake HS: 301-879-1327 Paint Branch HS: 301-989-5680 Springbrook HS: 301-989-6077 Application Programs Global Ecology Program – Poolesville HS Coordinator: 301-972-7976 International Baccalaureate Program – Richard Montgomery HS Coordinator: 301-610-8100 Science, Mathematics, Computer Science Magnet – Montgomery Blair HS Coordinator: 301-649-8240 Communication Arts Program (CAP) – Montgomery Blair HS Coordinator: (301) 649-2854 Leadership Training Institute (LTI) – Kennedy HS Coordinator: (301) 962-5930 Project Lead the Way (PLTW) – Wheaton HS Coordinator: (301) 929-2068 Visual Art Center (VAC) – Albert Einstein HS VAC Office: 301-962-1027 Thomas Edison High School of Technology (TEHST) Counseling Office: 301-929-2181