Rising 10th-12th

Academic Advising and Curriculum Night

West Potomac High School February 2, 2015

Welcome Class of 2019Tonight’s Agenda

• 6:00-7:10pm

– Overview of Advanced Academics

– Overview of Academic Advising

• 7:20 – 8:40pm

– Curriculum Breakout Sessions – Quander Rooms

– Electives Open House - Cafeteria

Advanced Academics atWest Potomac High School

Sara Veinbergs

Advanced Academics Coordinator

Rigorous academic studies

Open access to all students

Academic exploration and knowledge beyond the standard course of study

Require dedication of time and individual effort beyond the school day

College preparatory (Honors) and college-level (AP) courses

Visit http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/index.shtml

What are Advanced Academic Programs?

Honors courses are college preparatory courses courses offered to either prepare students for AP Courses or are courses where a comparable AP course does not exist.

Students who do well in Honors courses have a foundation for doing well in AP and college courses.

The Basics - Honors

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Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) coursesare college-level courses offered in high school. AP courses reflect what is taught in top introductory college courses

At the end of course, students take AP Exams—standardized exams that measure how well students have mastered college-level course work. (Some also have an SOL.)

The Basics - AP

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The MOST significant factor leading to success in college is the rigor of the high school curriculum.

Advanced academic courses expand student’s ability to read, write, and think critically; analyze and solve problems; and build 21st century skills.

Honors and AP courses can bolster a HS transcript and improve college acceptance.

Honors courses have .5 and AP courses have 1.0 (with completion of class and exam) weighted grades which add to a student’s GPA.

Many colleges grant credit for courses in which students earn a qualifying score on AP examinations.

Benefits of Participating in Advanced Academic Programs

Often the most interesting and fulfilling courses a student takes in high school

Students develop confidence, and learn strong study habits and time management skills

Colleges rank “Grades in college prep courses” and “Strength of curriculum” as the top two factors in the admission decision.*

* 2009 State of College Admission, NACAC

Benefits of Participating in AP Programs

85% of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admission decisions.**

Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely than their peers to complete a college degree on time. ***

31% of colleges and universities consider a student’s AP experience when making decisions about which students will receive scholarships.****

** Unpublished institutional research, Crux Research Inc. March 2007 *** IPEDS database, 2008*** Linda Hargrove, Donn Godin, and Barbara Dodd, “College Outcomes Comparisons by AP and Non-AP High School Experiences.” The College Board, 200**** Unpublished institutional research, Crux Research Inc. March 2007

Benefits of Participating in AP Programs

Advanced Placement courses typically demand more of students than regular or honors courses.

Classes tend to be fast-paced and cover more material .

More time, inside and outside of the classroom.

Advanced Academics teachers expect their students to thinkcritically, analyze and synthesize facts and data, weighcompeting perspectives, and write clearly and persuasively.

What to Expect from AP

West Potomac is a CLT School: Working collaboratively, teachers can structure common activities, interventions, and instruction based on analysis of assessments.

Advanced Academics Mentoring Program: Underclassmen students in advanced courses are invited to be mentored by upperclassmen with experiences in taking similar courses, providing advice on time management and study skills.

First Quarter Skills Workshops: Students have the opportunity to work with Advanced Academics and AVID teachers on essential skills in an effort to start the school year off on the right foot.

Supports

• You! (Parents/Guardians)

– Advanced Academics is for the PREPARED not the ELITE

– Rigor ≠ More work…BALANCE is key

– Play to strengths and interest areas when selecting courses

Most Important Support

All registration materials are located on the WPHS website through the Student Services office http://www.fcps.edu/WestPotomacHS/studentservices/studentservices.html

Further information on Advanced Academic Programs can be found on the FCPS website http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/index.shtml

Further Information

Sara Veinbergs

Advanced Academics Coordinator

smveinbergs@fcps.edu

Drew Hamlin

Advanced Academics Assistant Principal

MAhamlin@fcps.edu

Contact Information

Resources for Academic Advising

• WPHS Student Services Website

General Standard Diploma Requirements

Total Credits to include Virtual Course (credit or non-credit bearing) and CTE Industry Certification – See Course Catalog for more information

General Advanced Studies Diploma Requirements

Totals Credit to include Virtual Course (credit or non-credit bearing) – See Course Catalog for more information

Review your specific Graduation Requirements

• Students who first entered 9th grade in 2011-12 and 2012-13– SD – no Industry Certification Requirement

– No Virtual Requirement

• Students who enter 9th grade in 2013-14 and beyond– SD – Industry Certification Requirement (EPF)

– Virtual Requirement (EPF)

• BOTH have EPF Requirement

Typical Schedule(Seven Courses)

• English

• Social Studies

• Math

• Science

• Health and PE or Elective

• World Language (see later slide) or Elective

• Elective

Math Courses

• Algebra 1/Algebra 1 HN

• Geometry/Geometry HN

• Algebra 2/Algebra 2 HN

• Precalculus/Precalculus HN

• AP Maths/Math Electives

Teacher recommendation is very important!

World Language

• French

• German

• Latin

• Spanish

• Spanish for Fluent Speakers (designed for students with a background in Spanish or who speak Spanish at home)

Consult with current teachers for upper level recommendations!

Special Education

• Utilize case manager as support - Case Manager submits feedback regarding levels of support based on the student’s IEP

• Level of services (SC, TM, General ed)

• Special Education courses as needed

• (Strategies for Success, Reading, Personal Development, etc.)

ESOL – English for Speakers of Other Languages

• ESOL 1

• ESOL 2

• ESOL 2/3 –

• ESOL 3 – Core Math, Science, and Social Studies are included in schedule

• ESOL 4 – English Core added to schedule

• Students who take English 9 in 9th grade must complete four years of English

EPF Requirement

• Multiple ways to complete this requirement

– Traditional EPF course (612000)

– AP Micro/Macro Economics

– Self-paced EPF as 8th course/summer course

• $100 fee with course

– Online EPF (full course) – during year or summer

• May have associated fee depending upon when you take it

• Consider all options in determining best for you

• We recommend course in 11th/12th grade

Electives

• Review all options

• Consider your interest areas or areas you may want to learn more about

• Use High School to explore subjects

• Family Connection has tools to help students identify areas that may be good fits

• Talk with Teachers – Electives Fair February 4

AVID – an elective option!

• Advancement Via Individual Determination

• AVID is an academic program designed to increase the rigor of coursework taken by West Potomac students.

• Every AVID student is in at least one Honors/AP.

• Over the last four years all AVID seniors who applied to a four year college were accepted into at least one four year school!

• Tutorials, College Visits, Family Nights, Guest Speakers…

• Application required – see Ms. Hubbard’s break out session tonight for more information

Honors vs. On-Level

• Course-specific information by each dept.

• Student interest/motivation

• Higher-order thinking skills

• Interdisciplinary connections

• Overall workload of seven courses

• Balance with other commitments (extra-curricular activities, family time, leisure, etc.)

• Time management and organizational skills are important

Tips for Academic Advising

• Talk with your teachers

– Academic Days of Emphasis are February 5 and 6

• Utilize the Electives Fair – February 4

• Be prepared for your counselor meeting

– Rising 10th and 11th through PE

– Rising 12th through English 12

• Review Course Catalog on Student Services website

• Have you completed a planning card for all four years?

Upcoming Dates/Action Items

• February 3, 2015 – Distribution of Scheduling Materials via Wolverine

Time (WT) and WT Video describing process

• February 4, 2015– Electives Fair –– Modified Schedule – 1, 7, 5, Electives Fair

• February 5 and 6, 2015– Academic Days of Emphasis

• Late April – Course Selection Verification mailed home – all corrections/updates encouraged ASAP as some courses will fill up

Academic Advising Materials

What’s Next

What’s Next

Break Out Sessions

• Visit Breakout Sessions

– Beginning at 7:20, 7:40, 8:00, and 8:20pm

• See handout for break out opportunities

– Stop in Cafeteria for Electives Open House

– Have you visited the College and Career Center? It is open this evening – stop by (door in cafeteria) and meet Ms. Stewart!