The information in this guide has been compiled based on what last year s class said they needed. This guide is also based on lessons they learned

Transcription

1 The information in this guide has been compiled based on what last year s class said they needed. This guide is also based on lessons they learned from their freshman year and captures their advice to you! Please take what they have to say seriously and ask any questions of your fellow students, teachers or other adults as you start your journey through high school and beyond! Our goal is that you truly take advantage of every opportunity at Lake View High School Early College STEM.

2 What is Early College STEM? Early College As a Lake View student, you may earn college credit hours during high school. Those who are really ambitious can start the path to earning up to two years of college credit! But our goal is to make sure that you are COLLEGE ELIGIBLE by the time you graduate. Those wishing to pursue an Associate s or two-year degree in IT can articulate into a degree program for free at City Colleges. Others may wish to complete more college credit courses in other subjects to get a head start on college (and save money!). Studies have shown that students who take one or more college-credit courses in high school are more successful at staying in college. There are three ways to earn college credit: After you become a rising junior, and COLLEGE ELIGIBLE by maintaining a 2.5 GPA, 90% attendance, and obtain a qualifying placement test score, you can take either a DUAL ENROLLMENT course (courses at City Colleges for credit hours) or DUAL CREDIT course (course at Lake View HS for credit hours). You can also take an AP course and receive a passing score on the AP Exam, accepted by most colleges for credit hours. AP classes can be taken at any grade. STEM At Lake View HS, we believe students should choose a pathway or focus area that will lead to deeper learning. We have three EC STEM Pathways for you to choose: Science, Mathematics & Technology Humanities Music & Visual Arts Within each pathway, there are courses that will provide you with the skills that are required for college and career. We offer you many choices to tailor your four years around your future goals. While you do not have to focus on the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math), you will definitely gain the skills these fields require including problemsolving and computational thinking. Across the country (and the world), career data shows that STEM fields are in demand. By having solid foundational STEM skills, you are more likely to be college and career ready. How do LVHS s partnerships with Microsoft and DePaul University affect student programming? Through our various partnerships, including our main partners Microsoft and DePaul, we offer students many opportunities to explore college and career experiences. For example, this past year, we matched students with mentors from Microsoft who worked with students on perseverance and helped students acquire new skills. We have hosted many guest speakers in various fields from Microsoft s partners to share their insights on what is current and innovative in technology careers and other fields. DePaul University has provided similar support for students in terms of college awareness, hosting tours, providing college advisement, and offering priority to Lake View students for special programs (College Connect, School of Computing &

3 Digital Media and more). These partnerships will continue to grow this year though field trips, special after school and summer opportunities as well as through coursework relevant to what is happening in the world right now. Why do I need to take Honors Exploring Computer Science as a freshman? Exploring Computer Science Honors introduces students to the skills required in any field: problem solving, collaboration, reflection, and data analysis. Computational thinking, programming and web design are also essential for work in any of the LVHS Pathways. For example, even if you want to focus on Art rather than Science, we use a project-based approach in all of our classes, and the Exploring Computer Science course will give you the skills needed to engage with others and develop new ideas. When do I have to choose a pathway? We ask all students to choose a pathway by the middle of freshmen year as you choose classes for your sophomore year. We ask all students to plan their four years in advance so that each one of you can take advantage of opportunities and make the right decisions for coursework ahead of time. To view the online catalog, go to: mylvhs/catalog. Also ask your teachers and counselors for guidance. What are the Pathways? Science, Mathematics & Technology (SMT): The goal of the SMT Pathway is to prepare students for 21st century careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, by providing them with the content, skills, and experiences needed to succeed in college and career. Students will be given the opportunity to work in a variety of fields through internships, mentorship, and real-life experiences. Within the SMT Pathway, students are able to choose where they would like to focus their course of study. The Pathway gives students the opportunity to take a variety of mathematics, science, and technology (computer science) courses. Students are encouraged to take classes across all three disciplines (Science, Math & Technology) in the SMT Pathway. Some of the careers the SMT Pathway will help prepare students for are: nursing, criminal justice, sociology, economics, business, medicine, marine biology, veterinary medicine, forensic science, doctor, sports medicine, physical therapy, computer science, game programmer, web developer, robotics, biotechnology, actuary and engineering. Humanities (HUM): The Humanities represents this intersection of ideas and forms of communication and includes the study of literature, history, philosophy, theology, languages and the appreciation of the fine arts and music from around the globe. However, the skills developed within our program will give students the proper foundation for entering any professional arena. At the core of all Humanities courses at Lake View High School lies the belief that students

4 need the ability to think critically and analyze information found in traditional and new forms of media. Students interested in the Humanities pathway will begin their quest through required courses that will provide them the exposure to the skills necessary to eventually explore topics of their interest, resulting in the possible participation in a self-directed senior capstone seminar. Humanities pathway students will develop strong oral and written communication skills that enable them to become part of the new creative class of individuals who will lead us in this age of accelerated technological development. More importantly, they will foster civic responsibility and the capacity to work together to solve the problems of tomorrow. Visual Arts & Music (VMA): The Music and Visual Arts Pathway develops, supports and challenges all students regardless of their incoming abilities. The skills that build successful musicians and artists are absolutely the same skills needed in any college and career: creativity, critical thinking, presentation, adaptability, risk-taking, craftsmanship, self-reflection and cultural awareness. In this pathway we offer a rigorous classroom experience that promotes these ideals through actively painting, sculpting, designing, photographing, performing, composing and recording. We provide students with an amazing number of exhibits, concerts, recitals, workshops and collaborative opportunities in our many partnerships with professional art and music organizations. The 21st century world needs citizens who not only work with current technological and societal issues but who also IMAGINE new worlds, ideas, objects and sounds. For more information on the pathways, go to the online course catalog at: mylvhs.com/catalog. Please be sure to seek answers as you decide which pathway is right for you. What are some new changes at Lake View HS? This past summer, we underwent major construction. In addition to an updated theater, pool, and locker rooms, we have seven new science labs and five new computer labs! We are also now partnered with the US Navy, After School Matters and Northwestern University who are providing more STEM programming for students after school and during the summer. For more details, check the LVHS website under EC STEM or contact the EC STEM Program Manager at jmsutton@cps.edu. Updates will be provided on a continual basis. Updates will be coming soon about LVHS s new Facebook page where you can find out about new opportunities as well.

5 Lessons from last year s freshmen: We asked--what are things you would have changed or done differently? Here is their advice to you. Teachers: Don t be scared of your teachers. If you need help, go to them. Classes: Take as many honors classes as possible. Choose your classes wisely. Learn about what you are interested in. Pay attention in class. Work harder. Manage your time wisely for homework. Take what you are learning more seriously. Ask for help. Read more books. Study for your quizzes and tests. Get the best grades. Freshmen year grades count for college. Sports & Clubs: Join clubs and get involved. Find out when the try-outs are. Joining clubs provides you with more opportunities. Balance the time between sports and schoolwork. Don t quit a sport once you start. Try a sport!! Friendships: Get to know more people. Stay away from drama and focus on after school activities and schoolwork. School is more important than your friends. Attendance: Work on attendance! Be on time! Get to school on time everyday. Service Learning: Do your hours as much as possible.