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Excelsior Academy Informational MeetingJanuary 28, 2014

Royal Palm Beach Community High SchoolMrs. Laurie Cotton, Academies Coordinator

The faculty of the Excelsior Academy join me in welcoming you to Royal Palm Beach High School. We are delighted to share the following information about the in-house Excelsior Academy available to our high-achieving students.1

Excelsior - Latin meaning:

HigherLoftierSuperior qualityEver UpwardDistinguishedEminentElevatedExcelsior academy

Excelsior is a Latin adjective meaning higher, loftier, that of superior quality. In English it is often used as an interjection with a poetic meaning of ever upward. At Royal Palm Beach High School, Excelsior refers to those high achieving students who have made a commitment to the most rigorous course of study available on our campus.

Excelsior academyAccelerated Academy

The Excelsior Academy is a diverse community of inquiring, lifelong learners. Students scheduled in the Excelsior Academy are educated in a safe, caring, and respectful environment through differentiated instruction. Students are provided opportunities to take risks, reflect upon learning, and be effective communicators.

Excelsior academyAdvanced PlacementCollege-level survey courses Nationally administered examinations in MayStudents passing AP tests receive college credit

The College Board's Advanced Placement courses are college-level classes in a wide variety of subjects that students take while still in high school. They offer rigorous and challenging course work and a taste of what college classes are like. With AP, students do not have to wait for college to start contributing, because AP is college in a high school setting. AP courses not only give students the knowledge and skills to their college or university, but scoring well on AP Exams can result in credit and placement there too.

Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE)Cambridge University Department of Assessment

Excelsior academy

The Cambridge AICE Diploma program is used by schools around the world. It was successfully piloted between 1997 and 2000 in Florida, where it continues to receive legislative support and funding. Students who earn the Cambridge/AICE Diploma are guaranteed the top level of Bright Futures Scholarship funds, which can be used at all Florida public universities pending the completion of 100 community service hours.

Excelsior academySmall Learning Community. . . small learning communities can be remarkable for improving the intellectual and social life of youth, educators, and parents. . . they provide an educational environment where all students can achieve at high levels and where staff have exciting opportunities to teach and learn.

M. Fine and J. Somerville, Essential Elements of Small Schools, p. 104. (1998)

Research shows that students scheduled in a small learning community cohort achieve at higher levels both on standardized achievement tests and other measures.

Excelsior academyCommon ClassesCommon Course SequenceCommon Locker AreasCommon LunchCommon TeachersCommon Planning for Teachers (When Possible)

Excelsior Academy Students Will Have:

Excelsior Academy students at RPBHS share common classes in the same course sequence over the four-year period to graduation. As members of the cohort they have common locker areas and are assigned the same lunch period. Students have the same teachers and when the master schedule permits, teachers of Excelsior students have a common time to plan instruction.Excelsior Course Sequence Class of 2018

Students in the Excelsior Academy take on a rigorous course of study. They take a combination of Advanced Placement and Advanced International Certificate of Education courses and fulfill the requirements to graduate in the state of Florida.8Excelsior Course Sequence Class of 2018

Incoming ninth graders will take Pre-AICE Biology, AICE General Paper and AICE Thinking Skills. They will take their first College Board AP course in Human Geography as well as math and Introduction to Information Technology (IIT) or a fine arts course. We recommend a world language course for college-bound students.9Excelsior Course Sequence Class of 2018

As 10th graders, students will take AP World History, AICE General Paper II, AICE Biology, and AICE English Language. They will be scheduled for math and chemistry at the honors level, and we recommend a continuation in world language.10Excelsior Course Sequence Class of 2018

For the AICE diploma, students are required to take six courses in three categories plus AICE Global Perspectives. So that students can complete those requirements by the end of the junior year, 11th graders take the second half of AICE English Language, AICE US History, and the required AICE Global Perspectives class. They are invited to take math at an honors level or AP Calculus as well as AP Chemistry or Physics honors. There is room in their schedule to continue with world language and take an additional elective.11Excelsior Course Sequence Class of 2018

In the senior year students take AICE English Literature. United States Government and Economics are each semester courses and requirements for graduation. Students are encouraged to take Advanced Placement Calculus or AP Statistics and there is room for multiple electives at this stage.12

Excelsior academy3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA)4 or 5 on FCAT- both Math and Reading (7th Grade)Algebra 1 (Strongly Recommended)Passing Score on Entrance ExamAcceptable Conduct and Attendance

Entrance Requirements:

Students must apply here at Royal Palm Beach High School for the Excelsior Academy. Applicants must fulfill all entrance criteria in order to be accepted into the program. Students must currently have a 3.0 Grade Point Average and have achieved a 4 or 5 on their previous years FCAT Math and Reading. It is strongly recommended that students have completed Algebra 1 as eighth graders. Students must report to RPBHS for a written test and receive a passing score on that examination. A history of acceptable conduct and attendance is expected of Excelsior Academy applicants.

Excelsior academyWill be administered March 27 OR April 1.Report by 5:30 p.m.Students are asked to Bring a Picture I.D. from their current school.All necessary supplies including writing instruments will be provided.

Entrance Exam:

A writing prompt will be administered Thursday, March 27 and again Tuesday, April 1 at 5:30 in the evening at RPBHS in designated classrooms. Please note students need to report either not both days. All supplies will be provided at the test administration but we do ask the students to bring photo identification from their current school. For students applying to the Excelsior Academy, sitting for the written test is required.

Excelsior academyExam will be a 45-minute writing sample.Grading Rubric and Topic will be provided at the time of the test.Sample will be graded on content, organization style, and mechanics.

Entrance Exam:

The writing examination will take 45-minutes to complete. The purpose is to capture a writing sample which will be graded according to content, organization style and mechanics. The grading rubric and prompt will be provided at the test administration March 27 or April 1.

Excelsior academyRigor of ProgramAcademy LifePressure PackedTime Management IssuesNo Guarantees of Passing Exams Why You Should Not Apply:

Applying for the Excelsior Academy should not be approached lightly. It is a rigorous course of study and students need to be fully cognizant of what they are taking on. The academic pressures of academy life are not for everyone. Students who have major time commitments in other realms such as athletics or music might not be able to devote the necessary time to these courses. When students pass the courses there is no guarantee they will pass the examinations.

Excelsior academyCollege Credit in High SchoolFinancial Reasons Academic ChallengesRigorous and Relevant CurriculumInternational OpportunitiesWhy You Should Apply:

Yet for many students, the Excelsior Academy offers the perfect opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school, which can translate into tuition dollars long-term. Students willing to work hard and assume these academic challenges will know what it means to strive in a rigorous and relevant curriculum that prepares them to pursue their studies beyond high school.

Excelsior academyApplication can be found in folder.Application is due April 1, 2014.Send applications to Royal Palm Beach High School, attention Laurie Cotton.Notification of acceptance by April 11, 2014.Accept/Decline form returned to RPBHS by April 18, 2014.Application Process:

The application distributed at the informational meeting is available at this website. Applications are due at Royal Palm Beach High School by April 1. Please note that Excelsior is RPBHSs in-house academy so the application is submitted directly to the school rather than to the District. Students accepted into the Excelsior Academy will receive notification during the week of April 7. Parents and students at that stage must accept or decline by signing the agreement received with the acceptance letter and returning it to the school by April 18.

Excelsior academy

Royal Palm Beach Community High SchoolQuestions? Contact Mrs. Laurie CottonRoyal Palm Beach High SchoolPhone: Academies Office (561) 792-8659 Main Office (561) 753-4000Fax: (561) 792-8613E-mail: laurie.cotton@palmbeachschools.org

Thank you for your interest in the Excelsior Academy at Royal Palm Beach High school. Should you have questions or seek additional information, do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to working closely with you as we provide a challenging educational program for our students.19