8 TH GRADE PARENT COLLEGE INFORMATION PROGRAM Amy Skinner, MJHS Counselor Pam Tackett, MHS Counselor, Grades 9-10 Amanda Leszczuk, MHS Counselor, Grades 11 12
LEARNING TARGETS 1. Familiarize yourself with high school and college terms 2. Understand an overview of college planning 3. Learn what you can do to help your child
4 YEAR PLAN It is vital for students to have a four-year academic plan. This can change, but it is important to start thinking about this. Students should consult the MHS Course Description Book will receive with registration materials in February.
H. S. Course Preparation for College Minimum 4 English 4 math 3 science 3 social studies 2 world language 1 fine arts *Note world languages are not required for MHS graduation. Selective 4 English 4+ math 4+science 4 social studies 3-4 world language 1+ fine arts STRONGEST CURRICULUM POSSIBLE
Honors and A.P. Courses Teachers recommend students for this level of course. It is not necessary to take all honors courses to get into college even to get into a good college. Students should strive for balance. Advanced Placement vs. Honors courses Dual Credit courses we currently have a plan with U.C. Clermont where our students can earn both MHS credit and UC college credit. The course is taught by our MHS teacher at MHS. At this time, there is no cost and courses include: honors biology, honors chemistry, algebra III, precalculus cp & honors, and cp calculus. This is subject to availability. Flex Credit students can apply to take courses that are not offered at MHS that may pertain to a specific and unique curriculum area of interest.
Honors Courses at MHS English I, English II Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus, Multivariable Calculus Biology, Physics, Chemistry World History I Computer Science AB
A.P. Advanced Placement courses are consistent across the country. It is a national curriculum. There is an A.P. exam - $89. Students can earn college credit or place out of college courses. This will vary from college to college. Seniors to Sophomore Program many high school students can enter college with enough college credits already earned to be of sophomore status. *See handout for an example of how colleges award credit for A.P. courses.
A.P. Courses at MHS 10 th grade European History 11 th English Language, U.S. History 11/12 th Statistics, Calculus AB, Biology, Psychology, Computer Science A 12 th English Literature, U.S. Government, Physics C, Studio Art, Calculus BC, Latin The last two years we have had a few students go to Indian Hill H.S. for AP Chemistry. Sometimes their students come here for AP Calculus BC.
A.P. Success We gave 243 exams to approximately 135 students. Students can score from a one to a five on the A.P. tests. A score of three is considered passing. 93% of MHS students scored a 3 or higher. 58% is the national average for scoring a 3 or higher. A.P. Scholars MHS had 67 students who were AP Scholars this year. In order to achieve this, students need to score a 3 or higher on 3 or more exams throughout high school.
Tests Students take the CTP IV in grades 9 10 and WrAP in grades 9 11. Teachers review results and do intervention as needed like MJHS. OGT 5 Ohio Graduation Tests reading, writing, math, science, & social studies. End-of-Course Exams PLAN students take sophomore year practice ACT PSAT- students can take sophomore year and should take junior year. This is how a student can qualify as a National Merit Finalist. ACT/SAT colleges will take either. In general, students usually take both and sometimes retake the one in which they did better.
Test Prep Research shows that students who prepare for ACT and SAT do much better than if they didn t prepare. Higher test scores can mean getting into a more selective college. Higher test scores can mean getting scholarship awards (or more scholarships). Naviance PrepMe free to our students. Lunch Crew Offering commercial prep class at MHS in the winter. Free online test prep through SAT (college board) and ACT.
Extracurricular Activities Students should pursue their interests. Colleges are looking for passionate students. Colleges are looking for students who are involved and demonstrate their commitment. MHS has many clubs, sports, and theatre options. See handout with list of club opportunities. Fall play and spring musical Students may also get involved off campus their church or whatever interest they have.
Freshman Calendar Set goals Focus on study skills Contribute in class Explore Naviance Family Connection for career and college ideas Get involved with extracurricular activities Make purposeful summer plans (See Freshman Calendar handout)
Admission Criteria Grades and curriculum ACT/SAT scores (there are test-optional schools) Class rank Essay Counselor Recommendation Teacher Recommendation Interview Documented interest - starting junior year Extracurricular commitments
MHS Profile Colleges know MHS and our standards. College matriculations are on the back of the profile. Profile is a handout in your packet.
What do colleges want? Colleges ask themselves: 1) Can the student succeed? 2) Will the student succeed? 3) What will the student bring to my college community?
About college selectivity Over 2000 four-year colleges in USA 8 Ivy League schools On average, four-year institutions nationwide accepted about 2/3 of all students who applied for admission Common Application has been a factor in the increase in applications submitted There are simply more high school students than there used to be and more of them are applying to college Typically there are more girls than boys applying to college
Is it worth the investment? YES. Numerous articles state that college graduates are much more likely to get jobs than high school graduates. They also state that job security is stronger for college graduates. It is also noted that college graduates make a significant amount more over their lifetime than high school graduates.
Resources Naviance Family Connection www.collegeresults.org www.collegeboard.org www.actstudent.org The MHS College and Career Planning Center coming soon thanks to the Mariemont School Foundation. Coordinator of College and Career Planning coming soon thanks to the Foundation and the Oxley Foundation. College Planning Handbook students will each receive a notebook with information from college testing to visiting to researching the best college for them.
What can parents do? Encourage your student to pursue his/her interest. Encourage your student to develop smart study skills review regularly. Expose your students to careers. Be wary of burn-out don t push too hard with tests. Strive for balance. Save money for college. Listen to your child and enjoy your child.
QUESTIONS? Comments?