Navigating Bishop O ’Dowd

Course Planning for Grades 9 to11

January 10, 2013

Bishop O’Dowd Counseling

• Six Full-time Counselors• Personal & College Specialists• Academic Support Services• Assigned by last name:

– Ms. Janet Huff– Mr. Marc Dominguez– Ms. Kristina Taggart– Ms. Patricia Cross– Ms. Fran Warmerdam– Ms. Eva Marlatt

Academic Counseling

We provide the following services: • Assistance to students in the selection of

appropriate courses for each school year. • Meeting with parents, students and

teachers when appropriate to discuss academic issues.

• Referrals to educational therapists, tutors, support services and outside

testing agencies when necessary. • Scheduling conferences with

students who are in academic jeopardy.

Academic Counseling

We provide information about: • Courses and graduation requirements for

Bishop O'Dowd High School. • PLAN/PSAT/SAT I & II/ACT tests and results. • Summer school and accelerated

or special talent programs for students.

• Appropriate study strategies and techniques.

• College search and application process.

Course Selection – Important Dates

• Jan. 8 – Course Worksheets Distributed• Jan. 18 – Course Information Collected• Jan. 23 – February

Counselors meet with each student to discuss course selections and register for 2010-2011 classes

• Feb. 1 – AP Applications due to Ms. Promes in Room 11

Course Requirements

• English: 4 years• Religious Studies: 4 years • Mathematics: 3 years • Social Studies: 3 years• Fine Arts: 1 year• Foreign Language: 2 years• Physical Education: 2 years• Science: 2 years

Honors Courses

• Grade Point Averages (GPAs) • An extra honor point is added to GPAs for

the following courses:– AP courses– Honors English 3– Honors Pre-Calculus – Honors Chemistry– Honors Physics – Honors third-year & fourth-year

languages

Advanced Placement (AP)

• Partnership between high schools and colleges

• Students may earn college credit • Course guidelines developed by the

College Board • 90% of the nation's colleges

grant credit• Students apply for admission

into individual courses

Advanced Placement Courses• AP Biology• AP Chemistry• AP Environmental Science• AP Calculus• AP English• AP French, Spanish• AP Studio Art• AP Psychology• AP Computer Science• AP American Government• AP Comparative Government• AP Macro-Economics• AP U.S. History• AP Statistics

10th grade courses• English – 1 year• Religion – 2 semesters

– Christian Scriptures/Catholic Experience

• Mathematics – 1 year– Mathematics course options vary

• Science – 1 year– Biology, Chemistry or Earth Science

• World Language – 1 year• Physical Education – 1 year• Electives – 1 year; could

include study

11th grade courses• English – 1 year• Religion – 2 semesters

– Christian Morality/Religion Elective

• Mathematics – 1 year– Mathematics course options vary

• Science – 1 year– Chemistry, Earth Science, Electives

• World Language – 1 year• U.S. History – 1 year• Electives – 1 year; could

include study

12th grade courses

• English - 1 year• Religion - 2 semesters• Social Studies -

Amer. Govt/Econ or AP Government

• Electives - 4 years (should consider college requirements); could

include study or TA

Is Online for You?• The Possibilities• Limited to one class

per semester• 11th & 12th Grade

– American Government– Christian Morality– Expository Writing– Psychology– Science Fiction– AP Art History (CSC)– Immigrant Experience

(CSC)– Sociology (College of the

Siskyous) (college credit only)

Summer Advancement Possibilities: Why?

• Alg 2/Trigonometry• American Government Online• Chemistry• Christian Morality Online• Science Fiction Online• Geometry• Psychology Online• Science Fiction Online• Expository Writing Online

What to expect…Freshmen…September - Meet w/ CounselorRegister on Naviance, complete

Learning Styles inventory January – Apply for Honors

Courses January – Complete

Scheduling WorksheetFebruary – Meet w/ CounselorOngoing - Self-refer as

appropriate

What to expect…Sophomores…

October – Complete PLAN testNovember –Discuss PLAN results January – Apply for Honors/AP

Courses January – Complete

Scheduling WorksheetOngoing - Self-refer as

appropriateOngoing – Visit Career

Resource Center

What to expect…Juniors…

October – Complete PSAT test January – Meet w/ Counselor to

discuss PSAT results January – Apply for Honors/AP January – Complete

Scheduling WorksheetOngoing – Visit Career

Resource Center

What to expect…Juniors…

Ongoing – Schedule Initial College Appt.

Ongoing – Conduct College VisitsOngoing – Register for College

Admissions Tests (SAT, ACT, SAT Subject)

Ongoing – Enroll in Test Prep as appropriate

Ongoing - Self-refer as appropriate

What to expect…Seniors…August - College Boot

CampAugust – Turn in Senior

QuestionnaireOngoing – Meet with

counselor, determine final college list

Ongoing – Bring counselor applications/essay for

review

What to expect…Seniors…

Ongoing – Check email often

Jan - March– Fill in financial aid forms

Jan – April – Wait for acceptance letters!!!

May 1st – National Student Intent to Register deadline

Resources for All

• Course Catalogue - Academic page at website

• Naviance - college & career planning

• Counselor - requirements

• Teachers – ask about placement

Questions . . .