MARCOS DE NIZA HIGH SCHOOL

Gifted Program Orientation

Leah Lang, Coordinator of Gifted Servicesllang@tempeunion.org (480) 480.730.7658

How Did You Get Here?

Students are identified as Gifted by scoring in the 97th percentile on a standardized test.

Most here took the TUHSD Honors Placement Test. CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test)

Others may have previous tests or will test “Gifted” after starting high school (PSAT, etc.).

Haven’t Taken Honors/Gifted Test? Final chance is Sat, Jan. 25, 2014 McClintock High School Online Registration:

http://www.tuhsd.k12.az.us/surveys/Hongiftapp.htm

Or call 480-752-8696 for more information

*2014-15 online open enrollment applications are available on our district website. www.tuhsd.k12.az.us*Applications must be submitted online by February 1.*Turn in a complete MdN registration packet to the front office at MdN by Feb. 3rd.

Marcos de Niza Open Enrollment?

MdN Gifted Philosophy

Student-focused program, family-centered

Offers opportunities that are Individualized Flexible Developmental

Partnership between family, student, and school

Gifted Coordinator Duties

Develops and monitors Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) with students

Coordinates resources for students Academic programs GATS club/activities

Works with faculty and staff to develop Individual accommodations Awareness and opportunities for special

programs

Individualized Learning Plans ILPs are a plan between the gifted

coordinator, student, and family

Include several components 4-year academic plan College and career preparation ECAP (Education Career Action Plan

Use Kuder Navigator website & Canvas account

Utilize the Whole Person Approach

The Whole Person Approach

Academics Co & Extra CurricularActivities

GPA

Class Rank

Test Scores

Academic Challenge &

Rigor

Clubs &

Sports

Leadership

CommunityService

OtherActivities

Honors&

Awards

Value of the Whole Person

Develops each student to his/her fullest potential

Maximizes the high school experience Prepares students for consideration by

competitive colleges/universities

Graduation/AdmissionCredit Requirements

Courses Graduation Requirements

AZ Universities Requirements

Highly Selective University Requirements

English 4 credits 4 credits 4 credits (including composition & literature)

Mathematics 4 credits(2 AIMS, 1 upper level)

4 credits (Alg. 1-2, Geometry, Alg. 3-4, College Math and beyond)

4 credits (including college prep math)

Lab Science 3 credits 3 credits 4 credits (including Chemistry & Physics)

Social Studies 3 credits 2 credits 4 credits

Foreign Language 2 credits (same language)

4 credits (same language)

Fine Art/CTE/Practical Arts

2 credits 1 credits (Fine Art) 1 credit (Fine Art)

Phys. Ed./Health 1.5 credits

Electives 5.5 credits

23 credits 16 core credits

MdN Honors Courses

27 Honors courses Rigorous core and elective classes Offered at all grade levels Weighted rank points awarded Eligibility is determined by score on

honors/gifted test Teacher recommendation/current grades may

also be used

MdN Dual Enrollment Courses

35 Dual Enrollment (DE) courses Core and elective classes Offered at all grade levels Rio Salado College courses at MdN with college-

certified MdN teachers Financial assistance is available

Both high school &college credit are earned upon successfully completing the course

Credit is accepted at in-state public universities and many out-of-state universities. Check for college equivalency credit at specific

universities at az.transfer.org

MdN AP Courses

15 Advanced Placement (AP) courses Offered at all grade levels Gain college level skills Earn college credit and/or placement into

advanced courses in college by taking the AP Test in May

Check for college equivalency credit at specific universities https://apscore.collegeboard.org/

creditandplacement/search-credit-policies

Gifted-only Courses

Designed for highly-focused gifted students

Offered to juniors and seniors Advanced Studies

Specialized independent study project, or Enrollment in college coursework

Honors Professional Internship Program High-level internship opportunity Work with a professional mentor Designed to give student career insight

High School Registration Info. Counselors visit each feeder middle

school Early-mid January: Registration Orientation Late Jan.: Actual Registration (collect &

process paperwork) 8th Grade Open House

Monday, January 13th at 6:00 pm Meet department representatives, coaches,

club sponsors

Scheduling Recommendations for Gifted Students

Most competitive colleges require 4 years: English, Math, Science 3-4 years: Foreign Language 4 years: Social Science 1+ year: Fine Art

6 classes x 4 years = 24 credits Graduation requirement is 23 credits

Competitive Track

Full load with as many Honors classes as possible

Aimed at producing the top 5-10% of the class

Only one “free” class choice per year All others are Honors or Required Freshman: English, Math, Science, Foreign

Language, PE, and elective Sophomore through senior: add Social

Studies in place of PE

Honors Scheduling Considerations Take Honors classes in areas of

strength and interest to provide a challenge, demonstrate academic rigor, boost class ranking

Take PE, Health, and other non-Honors classes during Summer School to open opportunities for electives

Math Placement Freshman Year is based on the fall and spring Final Exam grades in 8th Grade.

G.P.A. vs Rank Points

G.P.A. Rank points

An “A” in a regular class = 4.0 =4 rank points

An “A” in an Honors/AP class =4.0 =5 rank points

Grade points

A = 4

B = 3

C = 2

D = 1

F = 0

Rank points (Honors/AP)

A = 5

B = 4

C = 3

D = 2

F = 0

G.P.A. vs. Rank Points

Calculation of Class RankClass rank is computed by calculation of a student’s total rank points.

1st Core courses that are weighted 2nd Core courses that are not weighted 3rd Non-core courses that are weighted 4th Non-core courses that are not

weighted

Downside of Competitive Track Typically involves 18 Honors classes in

24-credit high school transcript: 3-5-5-5 Issues of overload and stress

Can ruin motivation, grades, overall happiness

Balance challenging work load and the ability to be a “teenager”

Individual Track

An option for students with different academic and career pursuits

Less emphasis on competitive track classes and objectives

More emphasis on helping students transition into and out of high school, and with making life choices

Focused on personal interests and out-of-school experiences

Bottom Line

Freshman year is a transition year Classes will be more challenging Workload will increase More activities in which to participate:

more opportunity for “positive” distraction High school is flexible

Can do all three core classes Honors or just one or two Honors

Consider all of this when selecting classes

Honors & AP Drop/Add Policy

Be sure to read the Registration Information in the Registration book you will receive in January

Students may change to a regular level of the same course prior to the end of the 6th week of the semester, but not earlier than the 4th week. Date of Parent/Teacher Conference Teacher and Department Chair must agree There must be room in the regular section Your entire schedule may have to change

Teachers are staffed based upon your initial scheduling decisions; choose correctly the first time

National Honor Society

The fall of junior year List of eligible students

Class rank GPA

Teachers nominate – from list of eligible students Very important you remind your previous

teachers who you are early in the year. Students are invited to apply Applications include essays

Important to have leadership Important to have extracurricular activities Important to have community service

If not selected Junior year – keep up grades, make changes, apply senior year.

THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

The Padre Experience

Marcos Scholars Malachai Payne Casey Silva Lily Wick Christina Winkler

Want a head start as to what our current students and parents see?

Visit the Marcos de Niza website and Counseling page.https://www.tuhsd.k12.az.us/

mdn/

Marcos Guidance

https://twitter.com/MarcosGuidance

Next Step…

Turn in Student and Parent Questionnaires or bring them to the ILP meeting

Sign up for ILP session (I will send you a reminder)

Thank you for coming!

Questions?

If you have further questions or concerns contact Leah Lang: llang@tempeunion.org 480.730.7658