ACADEMIC POLICIES & GUIDE TO COLLEGE PLANNING

Transcription

1 ACADEMIC POLICIES & GUIDE TO COLLEGE PLANNING 11 Last Updated: 7/13/12

2 The School Faith Christian Academy (FCA) was established in 1980 as a ministry arm of Faith Assembly of God, Orlando, Florida, by David Arnold. Under the leadership of Pastor Carl Stephens the school continues to grow. The FCA student body reflects the diverse mixture of races and cultures found in the Greater Orlando, Florida community. The school is operated as a co-ed day school program. FCA s mission from the beginning has been dedicated to training students in a program of study, activity and learning that is Christcentered. In partnership with home and church, FCA seeks to prepare each student scholastically, socially, and spiritually for the challenges in the twenty-first century. FCA believes that all personnel should be ever conscious that they are role models for students as Christ was a role model to all. Mission Statement Faith Christian Academy, in partnership with the home and church, seeks to prepare each student scholastically, socially and spiritually for the challenges in the twenty-first century. We exist to prepare our students to make a mark on society Accreditation The Florida League of Christian Schools has served as the standard for Christian accreditation since FLOCS accreditation is recognized nationally through an exclusive partnership with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and internationally through a partnership with AdvancED. Additionally, according to the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), a senior high school or middle/junior high school located in the state of Florida may become a member if the school is accredited by an agency approved by the FHSAA. The Florida League of Christian Schools is an approved accrediting agency recognized by the FHSAA. The self-evaluation and accreditation process must be maintained on a periodic basis to ensure a school's adherence to its stated responsibilities and purposes and to the FLOCS Standards. 2

3 Curriculum and Faculty The academic program is designed to challenge students to think critically and articulate a biblical worldview in all areas of life. All students will be required to enroll and follow a prescribed program of study toward graduation. Academic Standing All new students are placed on academic probation for the first quarter of attendance at FCA. At the end of the first nine weeks, a student s academic performance and behavior will be evaluated by the Administration. Students are considered in good academic standing unless the student earns a failing grade or a combination of two grades of D. In such cases, a student may be placed on academic probation for the remainder of the semester. Academic probation is designed to encourage the student to improve and to achieve success. Continually low academic progress may result in dismissal from FCA. Advanced Placement Program FCA will be working toward adding Advanced Placement Courses as part of our academic curriculum. Advanced Placement Courses are organized and designed according to the College Board Advanced Placement Program. The work load and academic expectation for an AP course is comparable to a college level course. The calculated weight for an AP course is 1.0 point and will be added to the student s final cumulative average. All students must make application to enroll in an advanced placement course. Teacher recommendation, administration approval, and prerequisite courses must be secured before a student is officially enrolled in an advanced placement course. At the end of each school year, students are required to register and take the appropriate AP exam. Homeschooled students will be required to pay a $50 fee per exam to cover expenses incurred by the school. College Credit Dual Enrollment FCA does not promote early graduation from high school. Our desire is for all students to attend high school and be involved in extra-curricular activities before attending college. FCA works toward the academic preparedness of every student to be successful in college. In addition to the courses we offer, students have an opportunity to be involved in dual enrollment. The purpose of dual enrollment is to allow students to 3

4 investigate areas of interest with courses that could not be offered at FCA. Students will also have the experience of taking college level courses and receiving college credit. Students may take any class that is not required for graduation as an off-campus, dual enrollment course. Participation in dual-enrollment is a privilege at FCA. Students who would like to participate need to meet with the guidance counselor to begin the application process. Students must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA to participate in dual enrollment. Valencia also requires scores from either the ACT, SAT, PERT or CPT placement test at time of application or shortly thereafter ( Once approved, the high school office will sign all appropriate paperwork and return it to the student. The parents and student must then follow all directions according to the dual enrollment form provided by Valencia. Testing appointments for enrollment must be made by the student through the Valencia College Dual Enrollment Guidance Office. All classes must be approved by the student s guidance counselor before enrollment is final. To continue in the program, students must earn and maintain a minimum of a 3.5 GPA independently on both Valencia and FCA campuses. Additionally, students will be required to submit a current VC online username and password to the guidance counselor. The guidance counselor will monitor all academic progress during the duration of the class. Failure to provide current online access will result in disciplinary action. At the completion of the course, an official transcript will be placed in his/her permanent record. A student will be eligible to participate in dual enrollment at the end of their sophomore year. He/she will be permitted to take one class during the summer term and one class per semester during the junior year and senior year. As part of participating in dual enrollment, students must visit the VC Career Center and take the four-part career program at a cost of $ This is not included in your VC or FCA fees. Please contact the Career Center at to schedule an appointment. The results must be turned into the guidance counselor as part of the student s permanent academic folder. Graduation Requirements Students must meet the credit requirements for graduation in order to receive a diploma from FCA. A credit is earned by successfully completing courses according to school policy. The standard unit of credit is based on a minimum of 140 hours of instruction. 4

5 All prospective graduates must: 1. have taken the SAT and/or ACT before receiving a diploma regardless of their plans for college, 2. have applied to a college before the end of the first semester of the senior year, 3. maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) on a 4.0 scale to qualify for graduation. 4. Community service hours 80 hours total Students who have not successfully passed all subjects required toward graduation may not be allowed to participate in commencement. If summer school is required by any senior, the student will receive the diploma after the course has been successfully completed. A homeschooled student must complete all required courses before graduation. It is the responsibility of the parent of a homeschooled student to monitor the percentage of completion in any given course, at any given time during the year. Diplomas Standard, Honors, and Modified The Standard Diploma and Honors track are designed to prepare students for college. Required credits for each track will begin in 9 th grade (beginning with the eighth grade class). Subject Standard Diploma Honors Diploma Bible 4 4 English 4 4 Math Science Social Studies Foreign Language Life Management/ PF/PE Practical Arts Performing Arts Electives TOTAL REQUIREMENTS A unit of credit is based on 140 instructional hours. 5

6 Note: 1. All math credits must come from the following courses: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or other courses above the level of Algebra I. 2. All science credits must come from the following courses: Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics or other approved science courses. 3. All social studies credits must come from the following courses: Geography, World History, U.S. History, U.S. Government (0.5), Economics (0.5), or other approved social studies courses. 4. For the Honors Diploma, students must have 3 credits from the same foreign language. 5. Credit may be awarded to students who regularly participate in activities outside the school. Approval from the administration must be secured before credit will be awarded. 6. Students must have seven credit hours each year (including dual enrollment). Honors Diploma Students may follow a regular program of study to meet the Standard Diploma requirements or an advanced program to meet the Honors Diploma requirements. Students who elect to pursue an Honors Diploma must meet the following criteria consistently each year: 1. Receive credit for four honors courses each year. 2. Maintain a grade point average of 3.0 in all honors courses. 3. Maintain an overall average of 3.0. Modified Diplomas Generally, students who enroll at FCA earn credits towards our two diplomas: Standard Diploma and Honors Diploma. However, to broaden our service base and accommodate students who have special needs, FCA is now offering a new diploma a Modified Diploma. The modified diploma requires students to earn 18 credits as prescribed by the state of Florida. The requirements are not listed due to the special situation for each student. Each case is handled on an individual basis. 6

7 Dropping & Adding of Classes Students may add or drop classes to their academic schedule with written parental permission and approval from the guidance counselor and division principal. There are no withdrawals accepted for Advanced Placement classes. Grading Scale: A B C D F 59 & below Grade point averages are calculated on the traditional 4.0 scale each quarter. The semester grade is an average of two quarters to give an overall update of the student s progress. The overall GPA is computed with weighted credits. Final transcripts only include final semester grades. Homeschooled Students Seniors who plan on graduating must complete all course work by July 30 th. If course work is not successfully completed according to FCA graduation requirements, the student will not receive a diploma from FCA. The student may elect to enroll again for the fall semester and graduate the next academic school year. A homeschooled student must complete all required courses before graduation. New senior students, either entering from another school or from FCA, will not be accepted into the homeschool program. Homework Students are expected to turn in assignments on time. Completing each assignment allows the student to show understanding of the material covered in class. Repeated instances communicate to the teacher and the school a lack of effort and desire to maintain an academic performance valued by the school. A student who turns in no assignment is subject to disciplinary action according to the discipline plan. Students may be required to attend HELPS sessions and/or remain after school with the teacher or an approved supervisor until the work is complete. 7

8 Honors Program The honors program is for students who want to be challenged academically. A student must maintain As and Bs in all classes to qualify and continue in the program. Students who wish to earn additional credit (0.5) may elect to take an approved class as an honors course. Honors courses may be offered in core courses and will require prior approval from the Administration before the course begins. Course that qualify as honors are: English 9, English 10, English 11, English 12 Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus Biology, Chemistry, Physics Geography, World History, US History, Government/Economics Some courses are already considered honors by nature of the content, ability, and coverage of the course: Advanced Math, Physics, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, and the third year study of a foreign language. Honors courses are only available for the core courses. Students who want to receive honors credit for a course must have approval from the Administration. The following criteria will be used when awarding honors credit: 1. Four additional assignments are given to students who elect to take a course as an honors course. Partial credit towards honors courses will not be given. 2. All assignments must be completed within the allotted time as assigned by the teacher. 3. Exams, tests, and quizzes will include extra sections/parts that require higher level thinking to reflect the ability of an honors level assessment. 4. The cumulative average for the honors course must be 3.0 GPA or above to qualify for honors credit. 5. All course work must be complete as defined by the course syllabus. No exceptions will be made. 6. All of the above requirements must be met before honors credit is awarded. The course will be designated as an honors course on the student s transcript at the end of the year. 8

9 Honor Roll Student academic performance is evaluated quarterly. The three levels of recognition are; President s Academic Excellence: awarded to students who achieve a minimum of 90% in all subjects and score an 85% or higher on SAT 10. Principal s Honor Roll: awarded to students who achieve grades of A in all subjects. General Honor Roll: awarded to students who achieve grades of A and B in all subjects. National Honor Society The National Honor Society (NHS) is a student organization designed to recognize academic achievement, leadership, service, and character. Induction into NHS is by invitation only. Students must have an accumulated GPA of at least 3.25 to be considered. Input is solicited from the faculty, the NHS advisor, and the school administration. If accepted into NHS, students will be expected to lead the student body in academic excellence, spiritual growth, and Christ-like service. Students who receive a suspension for violating school policies or failing a major class may be placed on probation or permanently withdrawn as a member of NHS. Semester Exams All students in grades 6-12 must take end-of-semester exams. Students must demonstrate competency in the knowledge and skills covered each semester by successfully passing the semester exam. By not passing the semester exam, the student is communicating that the skill was not learned sufficiently to demonstrate understanding and/or the student did not study. In either case, the goal is to demonstrate understanding by passing the exam. Therefore, a student who does not pass an exam must take and successfully pass a make-up exam. Attendance to HELPS classes will be required and strictly enforced or the student may be subject to disciplinary action. 9

10 Service Hours Service Hour Policy Volunteer service is defined as work for which a student does not receive school credit or monetary payment. Service hours help demonstrate to the community an interest to better the lives of others directly or indirectly through practical acts. Likewise, loving others honors the Lord and sets an example for students to be involved in the local community. Students must complete 80 hours of approved community service for graduation from FCA. Students should complete 20 hours each year for a total of 80 accumulated hours. In order to receive community service credit, the community service form must be signed by a supervisor who witnessed the work. The form must then be turned in to the guidance counselor, preferably within two months of completion of the service. This applies to all service activities. Any exceptions to the definitions and guidelines can only be made with the knowledge and approval of the Administration. The following guidelines should help students understand the parameters for meeting the service hour requirement for graduation. 1. The student cannot profit monetarily. 2. All service cannot be done for a profit-making organization. Students may earn up to five hours by volunteering for a profitmaking organization. 3. No activity performed for a family member will be approved. 4. Activities performed for any organization that you are a member of will not be approved (i.e. a member of Royal Rangers, Boy Scouts will not receive credit for any service performed for the club). It is considered part of your membership in the club or organization. 5. School service organization requirements cannot be used to count for student service hours (National Honor Society or Student Council). Student Withdrawals & Transfers In all grade levels, should a student chose to withdraw, a withdrawal form must be completed. The parents must have a meeting with the division principal as part of the withdrawal process. Office personnel will collect all materials (textbooks) from the student or family, and the necessary information will be secured from the teachers regarding academic grades. Parents should be aware that failure to complete the proper withdrawal procedure may result in a delay transferring records. All 10

11 transcripts will be held until financial obligations are satisfied with the Business Office. Summer School In high school each subject is passed or failed individually each semester. If a semester is failed, no credit is awarded. In this case, a course must be successfully completed in an approved summer school program or repeated the following year in order for credit to be awarded. Florida Virtual School (FLVS) is one example of an approved summer school program. A student must have approval from the school to be officially enrolled in FLVS. Once successfully completed, FCA will receive a grade report from FLVS, adjust the student s academic grade, and permit him/her to receive credit for the course. Students will only be permitted to take a FLVS if he/she fails an academic subject grade replacements are not permitted otherwise. Transfer of credit Additional guidelines for transfer of credit: 1. Home schooled students who transfer will only be given honors and AP credit for courses taken at a qualified, approved, and accredited institution or community college. 2. Students transferring from schools using a 10 point scale will transfer the letter grade of their institution. 3. Students transferring from schools with + and letter grades will transfer credits to the 4.0 weighted scale. Valedictorian and Salutatorian Students who could be considered as the Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the current graduating class will have their academic grades reviewed at the end of the third nine weeks. The student with the highest grade point average will be considered as the Valedictorian and the student with the second highest grade point average will be considered as the Salutatorian. Only seniors who have attended FCA their entire junior and senior year may receive the honor of being named Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Homeschooled students will not be eligible. Both the Valedictorian and Salutatorian must be in good standing with the administration and faculty in relation to academics, conduct, and character. The school administration will review the academic record two weeks before the end of the school year. Faculty input will be considered in the final selection process. 11

12 FCA desires all students to be encouraged and honored during the graduation ceremony, this includes speeches delivered by the speaker and students. Traditionally, the Valedictorian and Salutatorian prepare and deliver a speech during graduation. This is considered a privilege, not a right. If invited, each candidate will submit his/her speech prior to graduation. The administration reserves the right to request edits to submitted speeches. If a student chooses not to honor the edits requested by the administration, the student will not be allowed to speak. Once approved, the student will be expected to deliver the speech as written. Weighted Credits Students in grades 9-12 may elect to take honors level courses. Honors courses carry an additional 0.5 quality point that is part of the student s grade point average. When offered, Advanced Placement courses will carry an additional 1.0 quality point that is part of the student s grade point average. Students must receive approval from the Administration and subject teacher before enrolling in an honors or AP course. Dual enrollment courses carry an additional weight based on the course. The Administration at FCA reserves the right to modify, alter and/or adopt any policies that help facilitate offering a quality academic program in a Christ-like environment. 12

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14 Student College Planning Information Faith Christian Academy is very proud of the fact that every year our seniors are accepted at a wide variety of colleges and universities throughout the country. The guidance department believes strongly in working closely with our students to help them assess their strengths, identify their academic and career goals, and develop an understanding of themselves. This is integral to the college selection process because there are over 3,500 colleges and universities from which to choose. Our goal is to help students make appropriate choices by acquainting them with the many research tools available to them. We prepared this guide to introduce students and parents to the college admissions process. We encourage you to contact the guidance counselor with any questions you may have. It is our goal that this process will be an exciting and productive one, as well as a thoughtful, planned experience for all students at FCA. The guidance department is here to assist you and make the journey be a learning experience with guided steps. If you follow each of the steps, in the appropriate grade level, the end result will be a planned choice rather than a haphazard decision at the last minute. We believe that a cooperative, informed effort with the student, parents, and counselor will set you on the path God has for you once you graduate from Faith Christian Academy (Jeremiah 29:11). Here to assist with a willing heart! Mrs. Cynthia Shoaf Guidance Counselor Faith Christian Academy shoafc@fcalions.org College Planning Timeline Section 1 Developing a Working List of Colleges Section 2 Factors to Consider When Choosing Section 3 Dual Enrollment Section 4 College Admission Terms Section 5 Table A Section 6 14

15 Section 1 College Planning Timeline Senior Year Checklist September: Schedule your first application meeting with your counselor and begin submitting applications. Research the Bright Futures website and requirements. Retake the ACT or SAT exams if you have not met Bright Futures requirements. Schedule a meeting with the counselor to review your transcripts. Bring a list of colleges you are interested in attending. Compile a list of application deadlines; please note early decision/early action deadlines. Ask two teachers to write letters of recommendation. Your counselor may not write recommendation letters; your counselor has separate forms for the college admission process. College admissions representatives visit FCA. Be sure to attend and ask pertinent questions. Continue with the highest level of academic preparation; colleges demand rigorous courses even in your senior year. Maintain the best grades you can - colleges look at first semester grades but require second semester grades as well. Research sources of scholarships and financial aid Bright Futures requirements should be kept foremost, even if you think you may be attending and out-of-state university Make sure you continue to meet high school graduation and college admission requirements. Maintain a folder with a calendar to organize and record relevant due dates to plan your senior year efficiently. Keep records of everything you submit. Make copies of your admissions and financial aid forms. Meet with visiting admissions representatives. Many times they offer free applications when they visit FCA. If seeking athletic scholarships, contact the coaches from the schools you are considering and include a resume of your accomplishments. Check with our Athletic Director for help with this process. 15

16 Avoid Senioritis! Senior grades can be crucial to your admission. All acceptances are conditional until colleges see your final grades. Colleges may rescind their offer if your grades drop. October: Arrange visits to schools you are considering and schedule admissions interviews if required. Make the final preparation of your portfolios, personal essays, copy of your community service hours forms or other evidence of talent required for admission and/or for scholarships. Finalize your resume to send with your applications. Submit your college admissions applications. Meet ALL deadlines. Discuss your freshman year budget with your parents. Know what a year of college will cost - all inclusive - including transportation. Follow up with the two teachers writing your recommendation letters. Letters could also come from an extracurricular advisor, a principal, or an employer. Give the recommendation forms to teachers, counselors or others at least one month before they are due. Go back and ask the teacher if it has been finished (weekly) until you have it in your hands. Counselors often have other forms to complete for your college and may not be able to write a letter of recommendation. November / December: Review all application deadlines; continue to submit completed applications watch Bright Futures requirements. Determine required financial aid forms and create a list of deadlines for each for example, FAFSA. Print out the FAFSA form and have your parents fill in the blanks so you are prepared to enter all information on January 1st. Turn in your community service hours to the guidance counselor. Complete your application for Bright Futures in December. Fill this form out completely and write down your login information. ( ). January / February: Apply for financial aid by completing and submitting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after January 1st as possible. The FAFSA is available online at 16

17 (write down your password). Submit any remaining college applications. If you have not chosen your college/university you must attend the CFCPSC February Annual College Fair at UCF. Call the school of your choice and confirm that they have received your admissions applications materials, including letters of recommendation and housing applications. Request a copy of your transcript from the high school office. It is your responsibility to ensure your transcripts arrive to the college admissions office. Make sure your first semester senior year grades are included on the transcript. The information you receive back after the FAFSA is processed as the Student Aid Report (SAR). If any portion of the information on the SAR is incorrect, please correct it and resubmit it to the processing center. Submit any additional financial aid forms and documentation that is required by the school of your choice. Schools offer their own financial aid, go online and fill out necessary forms. Notify the school(s) in writing by their deadline as to whether you are accepting or declining admission. Review your financial aid award letter(s) with your parents and be sure that you understand the terms and conditions that accompany each kind of aid. Make sure to compare apples to apples when it comes to financial aid from schools this could be a major factor in your decision. Sign your financial aid award letter and return it to the school. Notify the guidance counselor of all scholarships and/or grants that you have been offered, even if you have not decided to attend each school offering you funds. Be aware of due dates for tuition, fees, room and board and other expenses. Find out how your financial aid will be disbursed and whether you can defer payments until the funds are available. Dorms go very quickly; reserve your room as soon as possible. Respond immediately to all correspondence regarding school, scholarships and financial aid. Participate in summer orientation programs for incoming freshmen after graduation. Meet all college class registration deadlines (keep an excel sheet). 17

18 March / April: Respond to college acceptance letters in a timely manner. Recognize their established deadlines. Watch deposit deadlines for acceptance. (Remember, rooms are the first to go). If you need more time to make a decision, send a request in writing to the admissions office. Notify the guidance counselor of all college letters of acceptance and scholarships offered (even if you are uncertain about attending). May: Notify your guidance counselor and your high school principal of your final decision. Submit your final transcripts form request to the high school office. Update your counselor of your financial awards and/or scholarships from all sources. GRADUATION - CONGRATULATIONS! Junior Year Checklist Participate in the College and Career Planning course. Immerse yourself in the information provided about the SAT and ACT test methods, career planning and researching potential colleges. The information provided in the College and Career Planning course will help make the steps to planning your future education much easier. Listen carefully and do all the work! Create a College and Career Planning folder in Google Docs. Save all your work in this folder in Google Docs and share all your work with your guidance counselor. August through December: You must attend College Planning Night at FCA. Take the PSAT and PLAN to practice taking college entrance exams and to establish eligibility for scholarships. The PSAT scores are used to qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship and the National Achievement and the National Hispanic Scholars Programs. Create a user account for the SAT and ACT online test preparation courses. Keep your user information in your Google Docs. Attend sessions with college representatives who visit FCA. 18

19 You must attend the college fair at UCF sponsored by the CFCC; this will be a grade. Visit other local college fairs for free stuff and great information. Research colleges and develop a list of possible post-secondary schools. Consider your planned major while researching colleges online. Request admissions literature and applications (to research requirements) from schools you are interested in attending. Become acquainted with and fully understand the requirements for Bright Futures. Requirements change annually. Narrow down your choices for post-secondary schools. Upload this information in your College and Careers folder (this will be a major grade). Write your college essay and ask your English teacher to edit it for errors. Allow your teacher one week to edit it. Your essay must be edited before submitting to your guidance counselor; this will be a grade. Contact colleges to make appointments for spring visits. Watch for dates for auditions and sports try-outs. Talk with the admissions representatives of the schools in which you are interested. Make sure to leave your name every chance you get so you are recognized when you apply. Research private sources for scholarships offered. Request financial aid bulletins from all potential schools. January through May: Take the SAT and the ACT. Schedule campus visits. Consider an overnight trip that would allow for you to get a feel for what life is like on a particular campus. Speak with someone in the admissions office ask for their name (write it down) and leave your name with as many people as possible (make a great impression). Research online, libraries, and community organizations for the names and addresses of possible scholarship sources. Send for applications as soon as possible. Keep records of dates and people you speak with concerning grants or scholarships. Create a FastWeb account. FastWeb has thousands of scholarships and will match them to you, based on your interests and talents. Develop portfolios, audition tapes, or other evidence of talents required for college admission and/or for scholarships. If you plan to play sports in college, contact the coaches at your target schools. Register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearing 19

20 house. Develop a sports resume with accomplishments including a DVD and relevant articles about your successes. Talk with our Athletic Director for suggestions and application assistance. Compile a list of all awards and all community service hours. Turn in your community service records to the guidance counselor (keep copies of all your service hours). In May, schedule an appointment with the guidance counselor (with your parents) to discuss next year s schedule, your SAT and ACT scores, Bright Futures requirements, and your college or university choices. June through July: If you do not have a summer job, consider community service in your intended career area. Practice writing online applications, and filling out rough drafts (without submitting them). Create a spreadsheet in Google Docs to stay organized with communications received and sent; include dates and names. Apply for scholarships whose deadlines are in the fall. You may be too busy once school starts. Sophomore Year Checklist Visit your guidance counselor and explore college websites, and other college materials including; financial aid information, test score requirements, and majors offered. Take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) and the PLAN (Preliminary ACT) to prepare you for college entrance exams. Take these tests seriously; the PSAT may qualify you for certain scholarships. Statistics show that by taking the PSAT more than one time you may increase your score by 146 points. If you are considering pursuing athletics in college, speak with our Athletic Director and check out NCAA requirements online. Create a FastWeb account. FastWeb uses your information to search through thousands of scholarships that may be available to you. Keep your login information in your Google Docs create a folder titled passwords so you will not forget user information for the many websites you will be utilizing in your college preparation. Create online user accounts to practice the ACT and SAT tests. (see Table A). 20

21 Freshman Year Checklist Build a flexible schedule allowing for study time, extracurricular activities and your other interests. Use the agenda provided by FCA to stay organized. Get involved only in extracurricular activities in which you have an interest and are willing to make the necessary commitment. Talk to your guidance counselor to help you create a four-year schedule of classes that will increase your eligibility to attend the college of your choice. Begin to develop your resume by keeping records of your accomplishments including; articles about yourself, your awards and achievements, and activities in which you have participated. Awards include FLOCS and the end of the year awards. This is important information and will help with college applications. Schedule an appointment with your guidance counselor to discuss your post-secondary interests; parents are welcome. Take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) and the EXPLORE/PLAN (Preliminary ACT) to help prepare you for college entrance exams. Take these tests seriously; they are used as a measuring tool by the college counselor. Turn in your community service forms to your guidance counselor; make sure to keep a copy for your records. Explore summer jobs or community service opportunities. Ask your teacher(s) in advance if you can use them as a reference on your applications. 8th Grade Year Checklist Speak with your teachers, your friends and your family about careers and possible school choices. Discuss your financial situation with your parents to see how they can assist you in paying for your education. Work together to establish a savings plan in which you can participate. Be an active participant in the careers class. Keep notes in a spiral notebook for career and college planning. Take the EXPLORE test seriously. This can be a helpful tool for planning your career and college decisions. 21

22 Section 2 Developing a Working List of Colleges In your junior year, you should prepare an initial list of colleges for exploration. This list should be based on your intended program of study, high school academic records and preference regarding the size of the college/university. You have the opportunity to use the various computer programs to simplify the research process and help you obtain a list of colleges that meet your criteria. Speak with your counselor and set a personal timetable for completing research, visiting colleges, and taking standardized tests. Self Evaluation What are your immediate and long-range goals? Why do you want to go to college? What are your academic capabilities and how well have you used them? To what extent are you motivated to study? How do you respond to intense competition and/or academic pressure? Do you prefer open dialogue in a classroom (Socratic Reasoning) or do you prefer a lecturing environment? List the aspects of your academic, social and extra-curricular experiences you have enjoyed most. Making a List: Reach, Realistic & Safety Schools Reach: This is the list of colleges or universities that you have dreamed of attending but you are uncertain whether your grades and test scores are high enough. The admissions criteria are competitive and a small percentage of applicants are admitted. Realistic: These are the colleges or universities where you would be happy and comfortable. The academic programs fit your interests, abilities, and needs. Your qualifications closely match those of the average student admitted. Finances may play a part in this list research available scholarships. Safety: This is a list of colleges or universities where your grades and test scores are in the upper end of the requirement range. Schools in this category should be a secure match for your acceptance. 22

23 Where to Begin your Search Starting Points Colleges of interest to you. Suggestions from family and friends. Suggestions from counselors, teachers and coaches. Research - computer searches and videos. College Fairs find out when and where they are being held and attend. Resources Available Online catalogs and videos. Online tours, applications, brochures, and information request cards. Summer programs offered by colleges. Public library - college reference books (including majors and cost and financial aid opportunities). Public library - college scholarship books. Free online SAT and ACT prep guides and practice tests (see Table A). Meeting with College Representatives Admissions officers from a number of schools visit FCA. Generally, the junior and senior classes attend these sessions. You will be expected to be polite, ask pertinent questions when appropriate, and by no means, interrupt the speaker. Be prepared with a list of questions when we have an admissions officer or a recruiter speaking. While visiting FCA, several colleges offer deferment of the admission fee. The admissions officers are anxious to speak with students about their school. The meetings are generally informal group sessions, be prepared to ask questions. Look online and print a copy of a College Fair Checklist to use if you need a jump start. Attend these sessions with questions pertinent specifically to you and your major 23

24 Section 3 Factors to Consider When Choosing a College Location Setting (rural, urban, or suburban) Proximity to home Region (north, south, east, or west) Size In considering size, make sure to look beyond the raw number of students attending. Do not simply look at the total number of students; consider the average class size for first year-students. Investigate not just the number of faculty, but also how accessible the faculty is to students. If you choose a school with large classes, be prepared for auditorium style classrooms. Academics Intensity / Competitiveness Appropriate majors Grading system Faculty accessibility Special programs study abroad internships career services/counseling Campus Life Diversity / Political tolerance Student body are students residents or commuters Social life Extracurricular activities Cultural opportunities Suitcase college - do students leave on the weekends Campus safety 24

25 Section 4 Dual Enrollment Most importantly, you must have a 3.5 GPA with FCA. Once you are a DE student you must also maintain a 3.5 GPA with Valencia College and FCA. If you are approved, remember you must: Go to Valencia College s website, print and complete the application. Make sure to check the deadlines for enrollment. Return the completed out application, signed by your parents, to your guidance counselor for signature. It is your responsibility to ensure the signed application reaches Valencia College s Dual Enrollment office. Once your paperwork has been processed, you will receive a VID from Valencia which you will use to sign up for you Atlas Account (this is how VC stays in contact with their students). You must take and pass the PERT. The PERT is proctored and used by VC to confirm college readiness. You must give your FCA guidance counselor your log-in name and password. If you change your user information, you must notify your guidance counselor. Failure to do so may result in prohibiting further dual enrollment courses. If you have any questions regarding VC dual enrollment policies or procedures, please call the VC dual enrollment office. FCA;s guidance counselor is not responsible for resolving dual enrollment issues. After all of the above has been completed, you may register for classes. Watch the dates for registration. Student Success course is highly recommended for your first course at Valencia College. This course will assist you in your post-secondary education in many ways. You must take the Career Center four part test (at a cost to you of $15.00). Do not drop any classes without speaking to the guidance counselor or high school principal. All classes need to be approved by the guidance counselor and/or the high school principal. 25

26 Section 5 College Admission Terms SAT - The College Board s test of developed verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities, given on specified dates throughout the year at test centers in local high schools. The SAT is required by many colleges and sponsors of financial aid programs. Begin taking the SAT in your junior year. Bright Futures and many colleges super score so take the SAT and ACT more than once. o SAT website and Information - ACT - American College Test battery, which includes tests in English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. This test demonstrates your knowledge of your high school curriculum (how much you remember). The ACT should be taken in addition to the SAT. Begin taking the ACT in your junior year. o ACT website and Information High school students need ACT and/or SAT scores for almost all college admissions, many scholarships and for graduation. The ACT should be taken in addition to the SAT. If you've already taken the ACT, you should know that 55% of students who retake the ACT improve their scores. Bright Futures and many colleges super score so take the SAT and ACT more than once. Early Decision - Students who apply under early decision commit to enroll at the college if admitted. Application deadlines are usually in November or December with a mid-to-late December notification date. Early Action - Students who apply under a college s early action plan receive a decision earlier than the standard response date but are not required to accept the admission offer or to make a deposit prior to May 1. Rolling Admission - An admission procedure by which the college considers each student s application as soon as all the required credentials, such as school records and test scores, have been received. The college usually notifies an applicant of its decision without delay. At many colleges, rolling admission allows for early notification and works much like non-binding early action programs. Please note, some schools send negative responses via . Deferred Decision - An admission decision by the college is postponed until a future time. FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid. A form completed by all applicants for federal student aid. There is no charge to students for completing the FAFSA. Forms may be filed any time after January 1 of senior year. FAFSA must be submitted yearly to receive Bright Futures. 26

27 Section 6 Table A Below are helpful websites that will assist you in financial aid information and testing information. If you are reading this on-line, simply right click and select open hyperlink or copy and paste the URL address into your web browser. Collegeboard.org Act.org Act.org/readiness Youcango.collegeboard.org/ Fastweb.com Petersons.com KapTest.com Testu.com Number2.com Testprep.com INeedAPencil.com Fafsa.gov Studentaid.ed.gov/guide Studentaid.ed.gov/collprep Floridastudentfinancialaid.org PSAT and SAT info. Study help, test questions and preparation. On-line test registration. ACT information. Study help, test questions and preparation. On-line test registration. College and Career Readiness System FREE. College planning and prep tips from REAL students. Explore scholarship sites. On-line coursework and test preparation for ACT and SAT. On-line coursework and test preparation for ACT and SAT. On-line coursework and test preparation for ACT and SAT. On-line coursework and test preparation for ACT and SAT. On-line coursework and test preparation for ACT and SAT. SAT preparation. FAFSA on the web is now smarter and easier than ever. Detailed info about federal student aid programs. Helps to prepare, academically and financially for college. All about Florida Bright Futures program. Faith Christian Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate in the administration of its educational policies, athletic and other school administrative programs. 27