COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM 9 TH GRADE English Algebra or geometry Biology Ancient Civilizations French or Spanish, level 1 or 2 Foundation Art Concert Band, Orchestra, Chorus, Theater Arts Foundation Skills
COLLEGE PREP ADVANCED English A Geometry A or Algebra II A Biology A Ancient Civilizations A French or Spanish II A (or higher) Foundation Art Concert Band, Orchestra, Chorus or Theater Arts Foundation Skills
COLLEGE PREPARATION A LA CARTE English A Algebra Biology Ancient Civilizations A French 2A Foundation Art Theater Arts Foundation Skills
9 th grade is the transition year to high school. It is a time to: Learn and establish good study habits Discover your passions and interests Identify your strengths Target your challenges for improvement Develop a growth and improvement mentality Investigate and get involved in service and extra-curriculars
STAYING THE COURSE: CONTINUING COLLEGE PREP 9 TH G R A D E P R O G R A M English B Algebra B- Biology C+ Ancient civilizations A- Spanish II B- Foundation art A- Concert Band A Foundation Skills P 10 TH G R A D E P R O G R A M English Geometry Chemistry Modern civilizations Spanish III [elective] Concert Band Health
WHAT DO COLLEGES LOOK FOR? A C H A L L E N G I N G P R O G R A M A N D A N A B I L I T Y T O S U C C E E D Portledge students are required to take 4 years of English and 4 years of math; 98% also do 4 years of science and history. C O M M I T M E N T T O P R O G R A M A N D A C H I E V E M E N T Sticking with a second language for 4 years Playing in the band or orchestra or singing in chorus for 4 years The most elite colleges expect this commitment
COURSE SELECTION MATTERS Review your child s progress and accomplishments before deciding which courses to enroll in. Encourage your child to discuss options with the advisor. If you are unsure, talk to the college counselor. Course selections sheets must be signed by the advisor, the college counselor and a parent. The advisor wants to know if you have made your choices deliberately and thoughtfully. The college counselor checks to see if you are meeting the requirements and are on schedule to graduate. Parents should sign only if they have discussed options with the student.
HOW DO I DISTINGUISH MYSELF AS ACADEMICALLY READY? Portledge offers a rigorous college prep program, but a student can make himself stand out if he shows commitment, excels in appropriate level courses, challenges himself, and gets involved in extra curricular activities that are meaningful to him. Portledge offers several options to help distinguish yourself: Art Scholar program Advanced Placement classes International Baccalaureate
AP courses in: Calculus English Literature French Language Spanish Language US History Statistics Chemistry Biology Physics Music Theory Environmental Science Psychology
THE IB COURSE OF STUDY Diploma candidates must take courses in each of six subject groups below. Language A Language B Individuals in Society Experimental Science Mathematics The Arts
OTHER PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS R E Q U I R E M E N T Theory of Knowledge W H A T I T I S TOK is a dialectic-style seminar on epistemology. The Extended Essay Creativity, Action, Service Independent research culminating in a 4,000 word paper CAS requires 150 hours of community service, participation in arts, athletics, civic organizations and clubs
CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL IB STUDENTS They have an average of B or better in all 9 th and 10 th grade classes They work well independently They want to take those courses that satisfy the IB diploma requirements They have the intellectual commitment and organizational skills necessary to pursue a rigorous academic program, in addition to their non-academic commitments They want to grow as scholars They are interested in the wider world around them