The Choice Process in the Northeast Consortium (NEC) for Students Entering Grade 9 in 2013-2014

1. The Choice Process in the Northeast Consortium (NEC)for Students Entering Grade 9 in 2013-2014 Montgomery County Public Schools, MD

2. Northeast Consortium (NEC) Boundaries School Locator Tool: http://gis.mcpsmd.org/gis/Publiclocator.asp

3. What do the Northeast Consortium high schools have in common? Comprehensive high school curriculum Academic rigor Honors & Advanced Placement (AP) courses Special Education & ESOL programs Students from at least five middle schools Student activities, clubs, athletics Partnerships with colleges, universities and businesses Signature programs All 3 high schools were ranked in the top 1% of high schools in the nation by Newsweek in 2012

4. What is a Signature Program? Instructional program developed around a central theme: Rigorous course work Variety of course offerings in the thematic area Appeals to students’ interests Offers students opportunities for: Interdisciplinary projects Capstone experiences College courses

5. Choice Process Timeline for 2012-2013 • September • Evening Options information meetings held at two high schools: • September 24 at Blake HS • October 1 at WheatonHS • NEC special education meeting held at Options meeting on • Monday, September 24 at Blake HS at 6pm • Grade 8 students participate in college/career exploration activities in school • October –NEC High School Open Houses – 7:00 pm VISIT ALL 3! • Springbrook HS Thursday, October 11 • James Hubert Blake HSWednesday, October 17 • Paint Branch HS Tuesday, October 23 • Preprinted Choice form mailed to NEC students’ homes (mid October)

6. Choice Process Timeline for 2012-2013 October/November - Choice Process – Round 1  Evening enrollment for parents of NEC non-MCPS students held at Spring Mill Field Office on Tuesday, October 30, 2012, from 5:00-7:30 pm RSVP:Please call 301-592-2040 to find out what documents to bring. Completed Choice forms due to NEC middle schools by Friday, November 2 End of January Parents/students notified by mail of high school assignment.

7. NEC Choice Process Sample Choice Form Choice Form Information • NEC parents/students will complete a preprinted Choice form: • Rank the three high schools in order of • preference. • On the form, indicate if you would like • the child to attend the same NEC • school that an older sibling will attend in • 2013-2014. • Return the completed Choice form to • your middle school counselor by • Friday, November 2, 2012.* • Choiceforms will be processed through a computerized lottery system to determine high school assignments. • *NEC students on transfer out of area can return the Choice form to the DCCAPS office.

8. Springbrook High School IB World and Information Technology Signature

9. Signature courses and course sequences offered at Springbrook High School • IB Math Studies • IB Pre Calculus • IBSpanish • IBMusic • IB Theory of Knowledge • IB Visual Arts • IB Environmental Systems & Societies • IB Biology • IBChemistry • IB Computer Science • IB English • IB Film Studies • IB French • IB History • IB Math • IB Physics International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) • IB Middle Years Program • English, Humanities, Science, Math, Foreign Language, Technology, P.E., the Arts • Personal Project • MYP Capstone project for grade 10 • Based upon student’s interest • May take any form • Languages • Arabic • German • Italian • Justice, Law and Society • Justice, Law and Society, Intro • Law and the Administration of Justice • Advanced Level, Contemporary issues in JLS • Practical Experience in JLS Internship Academy of Information Technology (AoIT) • Microcomputer Technologies • Network Engineering and Management • Network Engineering and Management, Advanced • Network Engineering and Management, Internship • National Academy of Info. Tech Internship • National Academy of Info. Tech Research

10. International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (Grades 11-12) • Arabic/German/Italian 1&2 • IB Advanced Music • IB Visual Art 1, 2 • IB Film 1,2 • IB Theory of Knowledge • IB English 1, 2 • IB History 1, 2 • IB Physics 1,2 • IBChemistry • IB Biology 1,2 • IB Env. Sys. & Soc • IB French/Spanish 5,6,7 Academy of Information Technology • Microcomputer Technologies • Network Engineering and Management • Network Engineering and Management, Advanced • Network Engineering and Management, Internship • National Academy of Info. Tech Internship • National Academy of Info. Tech Research • Designing Technology Solutions • AP Computer Programming 2 • Computer Programming 3 • Research Project in Computer Programming Sequence of Signature courses offered at Springbrook High School International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (Grades 9 & 10) Students study subjects from each of the eight subject groups through the five areas of interaction: approaches to learning, community and service, human ingenuity, environment, and health and social education.

11. Special Initiatives at Springbrook? • AOIT Paid Internships • Lockheed Martin • FDA • NASA • NOAA Arts on the Block Service Projects • Justice, Law and Society • Industry Professional Briefings • Montgomery County Police • FBI • Homeland Security • Street Law • International Baccalaureate Resources • Service oriented local and international trips • IBCultural Exchanges • Approaches and Strategies Study Skills Seminars • IB Mentoring • Other Programs of Study • Hospitality Management • Teacher Academy of Maryland • Certified Professional Horticulturalist Jazz Camp

12. What else makes Springbrook students and staff proud? • Local Recognition • Local recognition as a top-rated school in the D.C. metropolitan area that supports minorities and students with special needs • Most National Merit Scholar Semifinalists in the NEC - 2012 • Award-winning literary magazine, newspaper, and yearbook - newspaper published biweekly and online • Nationally & Internationally Recognized • Pat Yongpradit wins 2010 Microsoft Worldwide Innovative Educator Award • Jeanni Kim was one of only four teachers in the Middle States Region to win the 2011 AP Award for her contribution to Springbrook’s AP program • Only school in MD to participate in Baby Think It Over National Survey (in connection with Honors Health)

13. Fine Arts andHumanities Signature James Hubert Blake HS

14. Signature courses and course sequences offered at Blake High School • Humanities • Film and American Culture • Comparative Religion • Graphic Novels as Literature • History and Government • We the People: U.S. Law & Global Issues • Since 2011- Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School • Latin American History • Ancient Mediterranean History • Medieval History • Visual and Media Arts • 4 Distinct Advanced Television Production Courses – TV News, features, mixed media and journalism • Fashion Design and Production – 3 courses • 4 Distinct AP Studio Art Courses – 2-D, 3-D, Photography and Digital Arts • AP Art History • Mythology 14

15. Signature academies and pathways offered at Blake Performing Arts • Theater • 4 year Acting Sequence • Musical Theatre • Won more competitive awards than any MCPS High school at the MCPS Theatre Festival in 2012 • Stage Design • Play Directing • “Text Alive!” Program Shakespeare Theatre • Onsite Black Box Theater & Amphitheatre • Music • MusicTechnology • Adv. Percussion Ensemble • Professional-in-Residence program, most recently with NY Voices • Perform with U.S. Navy Band - Fall 2012 • Dance • 3 levels of Tap, Jazz, Modern & Ballet • Participates in learning programs with Broadway choreographers from NYC • Select Dance Company • Two expansive dance studios • Music Theory • Recording Studios 15

16. Academy & Pathway initiatives at Blake High School! • The Freshman Academy Program • HS 101 Summer Academy • Academic Teaming • Dedicated 9th Grade Counselors • AP United States History • Tutor-Mentor Program • Core Study Skills • Business and Marketing Pathway • Entrepreneurship, International Business • School Store and Capstone Experience • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Pathway • Multi-media Development and Gaming Design-Three Course Completer Program • Web tools and Digital Media-Three Course Completer Program • Capstone Experience • Cross Curricular Connections • NSL Government and Statistics (exit poll with stat class analyzing data) • Environmental Science (combining biodiversity, local history, and satellite technology) • Physics (analyze properties of stage lighting and creation of musical instruments) 16

17. An Academic High School of Achievement 2012 AP Exam Performance: 68% of students scoring a 3, 4, or 5 Highest % in the NEC of Seniors scoring a 3,4 or 5 2 National AP Scholars, 151 AP Scholars in 2012 $16.2 Million in Scholarships Won by Class of 2012 23 students from the class of 2012 received a 2000 on their SATs “It’s Academic” team is the reigning DC Champion (best of 81) and the defending Super Bowl champion (best of 171 schools) World Class Instruction and Leadership 3 Washington Post Agnes Myer Award-winning Teachers for MCPS Over 25 National Board Certified Teachers have taught at Blake Mae I. Graham Award for Outstanding Media Program in Maryland Nationally Recognized Signature Programs “We The People” – Maryland State Champions 2012 In the past 5 years, The Blake Beat has twice been named the besthigh school newspaper in the USA and three times the best in Maryland! Business Academy - MCPS Competition Champions Blake participates in learning/performance programs with Olney Theatre, Roundhouse Theatre, Wolf Trap, Broadway Dance Studios to name a few Largest and most traveled marching band in the NEC What else makes Blake students and staff proud? 17

18. Paint Branch High School Academy ofScience and Media

19. Academy of Science and Media PAINT BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL A whole school program emphasizing research and experimentation, inquiry and critical thinking in all courses and activities. 19

20. Signature courses and course sequences offered at Paint Branch High School • Science • Academy of Health Professions • Medical Careers • Medical Terminology(with Montgomery • College) • Pharmacy • Foundations of Medicine and Health Sciences • Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professionals • Fundamentals of Pharmacy • Media • Television (Video) Production • Electronic Video Field Production • Media, Management and Operations • Radio Production • Electronic Audio Field Production • Radio Station Management and Operations • Engineering Science • Forensic Science • Restaurant Management • Unique Science Course Sequence Offered • Physics – Grade 9 • Grade 10 • Double Period Biology • Double Period Chemistry • (in separate semesters) 20

21. Special Signature, Academy Programs, and initiatives at Paint Branch • Academy of Engineering Technology • Academy of Finance Program • Naval JROTC Program • Restaurant Management Program • Artist–in-Residence Programs • Animation, Poetry, and Music • Japanese Foreign Language Program – one of 2 schools in the county • Summer Academy • Science and Media Exposition • Psychology Fair • Shake Fest • Math Honor Society • Science Honor Society • Foreign Language Honor Society • T3I™ - Transferable Skills • Technology, Information, Investigation, and Interpersonal Skills • Integrated into all courses through common tasks 21

22. What makes Paint Branch students and staff proud! We have . . . • Outstanding Teachers • 2012 Washington Post Montgomery County Principal of the Year • 2011 Maryland PTA Educator of the Year– Ms. Dixon • NAACP-MCPS Principal of the Year - 2010 • Maryland Teachers of the year in Science, Math and Art • National Leader in AP Scores • 138 AP Scholars and 8 National Scholars • Highest in Country for African American Students in • AP World History – 2009 AND 2011 • Panther Trust – MCT School Bank • Award-winning Marching Band and Jazz Singers • Gold Medalist – Columbia Scholastic Press Award • BOTH yearbook and newspaper for the past 8years • Outstanding Educational Facility • We are . . . Nationally Recognized • $ 700,000 U.S. Department of Education SLC Grant • CINE Golden Eagle Awards in Animation • Academy of Finance Program • Blue Ribbon School of Excellence • New American High School 22

23. How are students assigned to a school? A computerized lottery assignment system is used to assign students to a high school. A variety of factors are considered when running the lottery.

24. What variables may impact school assignment? School capacity as determined by MCPS Ranking of school choices Number of students selecting their base high school Sibling link, if indicated on the Choice form Socioeconomic status (number of students who receive free or reduced meals) Gender

25. How does the high school assignment process work? 1st Choice Non-Base/Lottery 1st Choice Older Sibling 1st Choice = Base

26. Base Area High School Selection A student’s base area high school is determined by the home address. Assignment to the base area school is guaranteedif it is selected as: FIRSTchoice on the Choice form OR Second choice on the Choice form AND the first choice is not available. To identify your base area school, visit: http://gis.mcps.k12.md.us/gis/PublicLocator.asp

27. If I have an older sibling at a high school, am I guaranteed assignment to that school? Every effort will be made to assign siblings who live in the same household to the same NEC school, if indicated on the Choice form. However, school assignments are made on a space available basis.

28. Will transportation be provided? All students who reside within the NEC attendance area, beyond walking distance of their assigned high school as determined by MCPS, are provided bus transportation to the three NEC high schools.

29. How do students who live inside the NEC but attend a DCC middle school participate in the Choice process? Students who live in the NEC participate in Round 1 of the NEC Choice process in November. Students who live in the NEC and attend a Downcounty Consortium (DCC) middle school may also participate in Round 2 of the DCC Choice process in February. They will receive a preprinted Choice form in the mail. Students who attend DCC middle schools are also eligible to apply to the Communication Arts Program (CAP) at Blair HS and the Leadership Training Institute (LTI) at Kennedy HS, Biomedical and Engineering Program(PLTW) at Wheaton HS in addition to other MCPS high school application programs.

30. NEC Choice Process After Round 1 • February • – Choice Process – Round 2 (Deadline: Friday, February 15, 2013) • Choiceforms due from Grade 8 students who are new NEC residents • Choice forms due from Grade 8 students on transfer into an NEC middle school who • choose to participate in the process • Written requests due from parents of students who did not get their first choice in Round 1 • asking for original school choices to be resubmitted in Round 2 • Changes to the Choice form will not be accepted • Note: Students who receive their first choice in Round 1 may NOT participate in Round 2. • March • – Round 2 high school assignment letters mailed to participants’ homes • – Appeals letters due March 22 • April • – Appeals reviewed (late April)

31. High School Change of Choice In February of each school year, high school students have the opportunity to request a change of NEC school assignment for the following school year. Change of Choice forms will be available in NEC high school counseling offices in early February. The completed form, signed by the parent, must be returned by the Friday, February 15, 2013, deadline in order to be considered. Change of Choice results are based on the number of seats available, socioeconomic status and gender.

32. What high school application programs are available to MCPS students? Global Ecology Program – Poolesville HS Coordinator: 301-972-7976 International Baccalaureate Program (IB) – Richard Montgomery HS Coordinator: 301-610-8100 Science, Mathematics, Computer Science Magnet – Montgomery Blair HS Coordinator: 301-649-8240 Visual Art Center (VAC) – Albert Einstein HS VAC Office: 301-962-1027 Thomas Edison High School of Technology (Offers half-day professional career and technology education programs. Accepted students attend their assigned high school for the remaining half-day). Counseling Office: 301-929-2181 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DCC Application Programs* Communication Arts Program (CAP) – Montgomery Blair High School* Coordinator: 301-649-2854 Leadership Training Institute (LTI) – John F. Kennedy High School* Coordinator: 301-962-5930 Biomedical and Engineering (PLTW) – Wheaton High School* Coordinator: 301-929-2217 *Programs available only to Grade 8 students who reside or attend middle school in the DCC Be sure to submit your Choice form too!

33. Parents and Students ~Thank you for joining us this evening! NEC Signature Coordinators James H. Blake HS Elizabeth O’Brien 301-879-1327 Elizabeth_H_Obrien@mcpsmd.org Paint Branch HS Brian Eichenlaub 301-989-5680 Brian_E_Eichenlaub@mcpsmd.org Springbrook HS Mark Griffiths 301-989-6077 Mark_H_Griffiths@mcpsmd.org Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services (DCCAPS) DCCAPS Office: 301-592-2040 Website: www.mcpsmd.org/schools/nec Please complete your evaluation form and return it to the collection box. Thank you! We look forward to seeing you at the Open Houses!

34. If you are interested in hearing about Countywide Magnet or Application Only Programs, please remain in the auditorium for an 8:00 presentation.