Welcome To Traverse City, Michigan "The land of fresh water and lush forests"

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1 Traverse City Area Public Schools Building Bridges to the World Welcome To Traverse City, Michigan "The land of fresh water and lush forests" A beautiful and safe community where world class high schools, academics, arts, music and athletic programs provide students with the tools they need to be ready for college, ready for career and ready for life. Learn from world class teachers Study at one of two nationally recognized high Schools Live with first class host families in a first class community Receive an American diploma Access to a multitude of Advanced Placement courses Opportunity to take part in many additional academic clubs and events Earn college credits at the oldest community college in Michigan Apply to top United States Universities Enjoy all seasons and the best recreational activities available in the US NA

2 Traverse City, Michigan, U.S. Population: 89,112 Climate: 14 C/ 81 F Nestled in beautiful northern Michigan, Traverse City is a community that is rapidly becoming a major tourist destination. The Most Beautiful Place in America Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Good Morning America (August 2011) America s Favorite Towns Travel & Leisure Magazine (October 2013) 10 Best Small Towns in America Fodor s (March 2013) Known for its stunning landscape, outdoor sports, beautiful wilderness, arts, and events, Michigan s very own Cherry Capital of the World is a great place to visit and a great place to call home. Traverse City Film Festival World-Class Golf, Skiing and Water Sports National Cherry Festival Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) NMC is Michigan s first community college. It serves more than 5,000 learners each year and houses a University Center. This center is an on campus gateway to 10 additional senior Michigan Universities that offer bachelor degree-completion, gradute, and certificate programs. Visit:

3 About Traverse City Area Public Schools Engaging, Inspiring, and Challenging our Students to Reach Higher! Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) is a high performing public school that serves: 10,000 students 300 square miles 14 elementary schools (including Montessori and International schools) 2 middle schools 2 senior high schools 1 alternative high school TCAPS exchange program provides students with Western-style learning and a comprehensive curriculum that also includes: Qualified Teachers 100% are highly qualified in their area of study, 76% hold a Master s Degree or higher Technology Each student receives a laptop computer University Connections TCAPS has long-standing partnerships with many universities, including Harvard, Columbia, Northwestern, and Michigan State University Community College Partnership Nearby Northwestern Michigan College provides dual-enrollment opportunities, allowing students to gain college credit or earn an Associate s Degree College Planning Resources High school counselors assist students to prepare and apply for college English Language TCAPS academic and extracurricular program offerings provide engaging opportunities for students to improve their English speaking skills Advanced Placement Achievement District TCAPS is one of 477 school districts in the United States to be honored by the College Board for making Advanced Placement (AP) courses available to more students, while maintaining or improving the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on the AP exam. (College Board, November 2013)

4 Traverse City Area Public Schools High Performing Students The Washington Post and U.S. News and World Report ranked Traverse City West Senior High School and Traverse City Central High School among the Best High Schools in the nation for two consecutive years. The percentage of TCAPS students that meet or exceed the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks for all four subject areas is higher than national and state percentages for the ACT College Readiness Test. In 2014 a TCAPS student, one of 1042 in the US, scored a perfect 36 on the ACT exam. In , 792 students took 1,230 Advanced Placement (AP) exams in more than twenty subject areas. 216 students earned distinctions as AP Scholars in recognition of their exceptional performance on the college-level Advanced Placement exams. Universities grant credit hours to students who score between 3 and 5 on an AP test, with five being the highest score. 77.8% of the 1,230 AP tests taken by TCAPS students scored between 3 and Graduation Rate for TCAPS High Schools: Traverse City Central High School: 90% Traverse City West Senior High School: 91% 70% of the Class of 2013 graduates enrolled in college and are attending some of the following colleges and universities: Michigan: Northwestern Michigan College, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Michigan Technological University, Northern Michigan University, Lake Superior State University, Central Michigan University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan University, and others. United States: Purdue University, Iowa State University, Loyola University Chicago, University of Utah, and many more.

5 There s A Lot To Like About TCAPS High Schools High quality public school facilities are structured into smaller learning communities to provide a small school, neighborhood setting where teachers and students work together. High schools provide opportunities that include: Advanced Placement courses, Science-Math-Technology Academy (SCI-MATECH), robotics, online courses, and elective course choices. TCAPS music, theatre, and arts programs earn top recognition at regional and state competitions. Schools offer large and small ensemble courses in choir, marching band, jazz, and orchestra. Visual and theatre arts programs offer annual musical productions, exhibitions, master classes, and more. Extensive academic and extracurricular clubs: Chess, Dance, Debate, Drama, French, Key Club, Model United Nations, National Honor Society, Newspaper, Odyssey of the Mind, Yearbook, and more. TCAPS' Front Street Writers Program is a creative writing program for high school students led by published writers-in-residence, enthusiastic TCAPS teachers, and nationally renowned guest authors who conduct master classes with students. The program treats the young writer as a serious artist and as a working professional. Over 25 athletic sports programs (Michigan High School Athletic Association) are offered. Every year numerous teams and individuals win titles including: Downhill Skiing State Champion, and Regional Champions in Cross-Country, Tennis, Boys Soccer, Boys Golf, Track, and Volleyball.

6 About TC Central High School 1,450 students in grades 9-12 The students at Central High School (CHS) excel in academics, fine arts, athletics, and serve as model citizens in our community. Students also take advantage of the variety of advanced placement and dual-enrollment opportunities offered by Northwestern Community College. CHS creates student-centered communities where strong relationships are developed between students and with staff to further advance learning. Personalized learning within Academies 18 Advanced Placement classes Science, math, and technology academy (SCI-MA-TECH) All students receive and use laptops Dual-enrollment with Northwestern Michigan College Articulation agreements with Davenport and Ferris State Universities College level Linear Equations and Calculus III on-site in partnership with Northwestern Michigan College

7 About TC West Senior High School 1,700 students in grades 9-12 At West Senior High School (WSH), our caring staff is committed to creating a learning community where everyone is treated with dignity, honesty, respect and trust. WSH offers students excellent academic opportunities in mathematics, social studies, language arts, and science, as well as, fine arts, foreign language, and physical education. WSH also offers exceptional music and visual arts and sports programs. Currently, WSH offers more than 132 different classes and offers: Personalized learning within Neighborhoods 18 Advanced Placement classes Four vocational programs on-site All students receive and use laptops Dual-enrollment with Northwestern Michigan College Articulation agreements with Davenport and Ferris State Universities College level Linear Equations and Calculus III on-site in partnership with Northwestern Michigan College

8 LEARNER OUTCOMES Self Motivation Strong Communication Community Contributor Adaptability / Innovation Mind-set Learn from Experiences and Practice Resiliency Problem Solving DISTRICT GOALS TCAPS will be a destination district. Families and organizations will choose to move to Traverse City area to be a part of TCAPS. TCAPS provides the strongest academic and extracurricular programming; any time, any place, any way. TCAPS students achieve the highest student performance per educational dollar invested. All community members have a genuine and dynamic relationship with TCAPS. TCAPS Graduation Requirements ( 22 Credits ) ENGLISH ( 4 credits required ) English Language Arts - 9 Required ( 1 credit ) English Language Arts - 10 Required ( 1 credit ) English Language Arts - 11 Required ( 1 credit ) English Language Arts - 12 Required ( 1 credit ) Additional credit course offerings include: Front Street Writers, AP Language & Composition, AP Literature & Composition SCIENCE ( 3 credits required ) Biology Required ( 1 credit ) Chemisty, Honors Chemistry, or Physics Required ( 1 credit ) Environmental Science, Forensic Science, Nutrition Science, Prin. of Technology, Physiology, Physics, Honors Physics, Extended Biology, AP Biology, or AP Chemistry Required ( 1 credit ) HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION ( 1.5 credits required ) Health & Physical Education I and II or Working on Wellness I or II Required ( 1 credit ) Personal Fitness, Intro to Dance, Sports Activities, Phsical Outdoor Ed, Or Weights & Conditioning Required (.5 credits ) MATH ( 4 credits required ) Algebra I or Geometry Required ( 1 credit ) Geomerty or Algebra II Required ( 1 credit ) Algebra II, Algebra II a & b, Trig/Pre-Calc, AP Calc AB, AP Calc BC, AP Statistics Math Extensions, Math Made for Me, Math Boot Camp, or Intro to Statistics Required ( 2 credits ) Additional credit course offerings include and may satisfy college requirements: Accounting I, Accounting II, Personal Finance, Physics SOCIAL STUDIES ( 3 credits required ) US History & Geography Required ( 1 credit ) World History & Geography Required ( 1 credit ) Economics, AP Macroeconomics, or AP Microeconomics (.5 credits ) Civics, or AP U.S. Government & Politics (.5 credits ) WORLD LANGUAGES ( 2 credits required ) 2 credits required VISUAL, PERFORMING, and APPLIED ARTS ( 1 credit required ) VPAA Course Required ( 1 credit )

9 TCAPS offers a huge selection of electives across all diciplines. TCAPS also offers many specific Engineering / Manufacturing / and Industrial Technology electives at the Career- Tech Center. Please contact program coordinator for more details: thieljo@tcaps.net Dual Enrollment / Early College The dual enrollment program offers students, who qualify, an opportunity to enroll in college level courses. Qualifying students are eligible to earn college credit in approved courses while completing their high school education. Different than duel enrollment, Early College provides students with a defined pathway towards both high-school graduation and earning up to two years of college credit or an associates degree. Prepare for college by experiencing college classes Earn college credit that will transfer Reduce your overall college cost Reach your full potential as a student Advanced Placement (AP) Courses This rigourus program exposes high school students to college-level material through involvement in an AP course and it gives them the opportunity to show they have mastered the material by taking an optional exam. The AP program also allows to learn a subject in a greater depth, practice higher level thinking skills, lay the groundwork for future challenges, and aquire the self dicipline necessary for high academic achievement. AP Biology AP Calculus/AB AP Calculus/BC AP Chemistry AP English Language and Composition AP English Literature and Composition AP History - European AP History - United States AP Macroeconomics AP Microeconomics AP Psychology AP Statistics AP Statistics with Mathematical Extensions AP Studio Art - Drawing AP Studio Art D Design AP Studio Art D Design AP United States Government & Politics AP World History

10 Traverse City Welcomes International High School Student Achievers Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) wants to recruit student scholars for the school year. Graduation certification will be issued by TCAPS. Students will attend Traverse City Central High School or Traverse City West Senior High School. To enroll, student applicants must meet or complete the following: High school student, age 14 years old to no more than 19 years old TCAPS Student Registration Form (translated versions available ) Stamped academic transcripts including course descriptions TCAPS High School English test Immunization Record in accordance with State Statute Two letters of recommendation describing academic abilities and moral character. Must be signed by past or current teachers. Additional proof of English language ability: IBT, TOEFL, ACT, SAT, WIDA, or IELTS. Applicants that cannot pass the TCAPS English exam or show additional English proficiency will be evaluated individually and may choose an alternative English proficiency option, at an additional expense. TCAPS staff will conduct a thorough applicant interview prior to acceptance into the International Exchange Program. To be accepted, student applicants must complete the following prior to attending his/her first day of school: TCAPS Student Registration Form (translated versions available ) Stamped academic transcripts including course descriptions Proof of Citizenship Immunization Record in accordance with State Statute Student Handbook Acknowledgement Code of Conduct Temporary Gardianship Agreement MHSAA Medical History and Medical Clearance Consent to Treatment Student Interest Profile Parent Permission for Off-Campus Events photo credit to Traverse City Tourism

11 Traverse City Area Public Schools China Exchange Social Life and Home-Stay Accommodation The American High School Study Program includes a homestay option that provides a high quality, robust, and wellrounded American educational experience at a superior value, to comparable private high school programs. Students daily social life will be supported with home-stay, tutors, mentors, and information. Host family placements will provide each student with his/her own bed and shared bathroom. Three healthy meals per day and snacks are provided. Host families will work with TCAPS to coordinate student academic needs, tutors, and will arrange special after school field trips and weekend activities. Transportation to from school is provided. Nearby recreation and amentities include: beaches, supermarket, shopping malls, walk-in medical clinic, cinema, gyms and walking paths, ice skating rinks, down hill skiing, cross country skiing, indoor swiming pools, water park, state campgrounds and parks, and more.