High School Options

for Students in the

Northeast Consortium (NEC)

NEC Signature Programs, the Choice Process, and

Application Programs

Information Meeting for NEC Grade 7 Students and Parents Springbrook High School

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Tonight’s Outcomes:

Hear an overview of the --

• Northeast Consortium (NEC) High School Signature Programs

• Choice Process and Timeline

• Brief Overview of Application & SpecialPrograms Available to NEC Students:

--Magnet programs at Montgomery Blair, Richard Montgomery,Poolesville High School

--Visual Art Center (VAC) at Albert Einstein HS --Professional-Technical Programs at Thomas Edison

High School of Technology (TEHST)

Provide feedback by completing an evaluation form

Questions #1 & 2:

HOW

MUCH

DO

YOU

KNOW?

1. ____True or False: The NEC is over 10

years old.

1. True.

The NEC was formed in 1997

2. There are ____ middle schools in the

NEC.

2. b.

There are 5 middle schools in the NEC

What is the Northeast Consortium (NEC)?

The NEC is made up of 3 high schools,

5 middle schools, and their feeder elementary

Schools.

James Hubert Blake HS

Paint Branch HS

Springbrook HS

The NEC: 3 Great Schools . . .I see ME in ALL 3!

What do ALL NEC high schools have in common?

• A comprehensive high school education

• Athletics and extracurricular activities

• Lots of opportunities for you to make friends

• Newspaper, yearbook, music program

• Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses

• Special education support services and ESOL levels 4 & 5 services

• TV studio – students produce daily announcements on TV

• Use of technology/computers throughout the school

• Signature programs – programs of instruction based on a central

theme or focus

What is a Signature program?Instructional program developed around a central theme

that includes:

o Rigorous course work

o Variety of course offerings in the thematic area

o Sequential course offerings to build knowledge

and skills

Themes are designed to…

o appeal to students’ interests

o help students make connections with their future

o think about life after high school

o explore college, military, and possible future

careers

The NEC: 3 Great Schools . . .I see Me in ALL 3!

What Signature programs are available in the NEC?

Paint Branch HS:

Science and Media

Springbrook HS:

IB World and Information

Technology

James Hubert Blake HS:

Fine Arts and Humanities

Questions #3 & 4:

HOW

MUCH

DO

YOU

KNOW?

3. Fine arts is the Signature program of

which school?

a. Blake High School

4. The medical careers program is part of

the Signature of which school?

c. Paint Branch High School

James Hubert Blake HS: Fine Arts and Humanities

Arts & Communications Pathways:

• Visual Artso Painting, Drawing, Ceramics, Photography, Fashion Design

• Media Artso Video Production, Television Production, Journalism, Digital Art

• Performing Arts o Theatre, Music, Dance

Course Example: Fashion Illustration & Design

Capstone Example: Participation in Fashion Xpressions

Humanities & Public Service:

• Humanitieso History, Cultural Studies, English, World Languages

• Public Serviceo Teacher Education, Child Development, Law and Public Policy

Course Example: International Human Rights

Capstone Example: “We The People Competition” – Simulated Congressional Hearing

Paint Branch HS: Science and Media

Science:

• Academy of Health Professionso Medical Careers Pathway - Become a Certified Nursing Assistant

o Pharmacy Pathway – Become a Certified Pharmacy Technician

• Academy of Engineering Technology

• Accelerated Science Pathway

Course Example: Foundations of Medicine & Health Services

Capstone Example: Internship at medical facility (Holy Cross); Health Fair

Media Arts:• Video Production• Radio Production• Journalism, Literary Magazine,

Photography, Digital Art

Course Example: Radio Production A/B

Capstone Example: Student produced video

Questions #5:

HOW

MUCH

DO

YOU

KNOW?

5. Which high school offers Italian, Arabic

and German?

a. Springbrook High School

Springbrook HS: IB World & Information Technology

International Baccalaureate Program:

• Challenging, comprehensive curriculum based on a global perspective

• International theme - focus on understanding various culture

• World Languages - French, Spanish, Italian, German, Arabic

• Middle Years Program (MYP)o Grades 9 - 10

o Pre-IB course work

• International Baccalaureate Diploma Programo Curriculum developed by IBO

o IB courses - Grades 11-12

Course Example: Arabic I, IB Physics

Capstone Example: Extended Essay/Independent Study Project

Academy of Information Technology:

Robotics

Computer Programming

Network Management

Digital Media

Course Example: Website Development

Capstone Example: Microsoft Competition (ap design)

What is the Grade 8 NEC timeline?(Proposed for School Year 2015-2016)

September

• Choice and Signature program information provided to Grade 8 students - http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/nec/

• Evening parent/student information meetings

October

• Evening Open House at each NEC high school

• College and career development activities for middle school students

• Choice forms mailed to Grade 8 students’ homes

November• Evening parent enrollment meeting for non-MCPS students• Completed Choice forms due to NEC middle school counselors

January

• High school assignments mailed to students’ homes

Explore Your Options!

An engaging, interesting and

informative website designed

for the middle school student!

• career interest quiz

• advice on high school courses

• search for college majors

• explore interesting careers

• ask questions of experts in

the field

• learn about hobbies

www.bridges.com

Hear from NEC high

school students talk

about their interests and

the exciting high school

experience!

Montgomery County Public

Schools - You Choose

NEC Student to Student Visits:

May/June

NEC High SchoolChoice Process

Step #1

Complete a Choiceform.

Parents/students rank

the 3 NEC high schools

in order of preference,

based on the Signature

programs at each school.

Step #2Choice forms are run

through a computerized

lottery process.

Step #3High school assignment letters are mailed to students’

homes.

Every effort is made to assign students to their first choice. Some students

may be assigned their 2nd or 3rd choice school.

Factors which may impact the

school assignment process:

• School capacity (space

availability)

• Number of students who choose

their base school

• Ranking of schools on Choice

form

• Sibling link

• Socio-economic diversity

• Gender balance

The base area high school is determined by a student’s home address.* Assignment to a student’s base high school is guaranteed if it is:

1) Indicated as 1st choice on the Choice form

OR

2) Indicated as 2nd choice on the Choice form

AND the 1st choice is not available.

* To determine your base high school, visit http://gis.mcps.k12.md.us/gis/PublicLocator.asp

What if my child wants to attend

her/his base area high school?

Questions #6:

HOW

MUCH

DO

YOU

KNOW?

6. True or False: Students are guaranteed

their 1st choice if they pick their base high

school as their 1st choice.

True

What are some frequently asked questions?

On average what percentage of students received their 1st choice last year?

Students will receive bus transportation if they live:

• in the Consortium attendance area

AND

• beyond walking distance of their assigned school

(about 2 miles, as determined by MCPS).

Is transportation available?

88%

Questions #7:

HOW

MUCH

DO

YOU

KNOW?

7. Which percent reflects on average, how

many Grade 8 students picked a non-base

school in the NEC last year?

b. 41%

Summary

• All 3 NEC high schools provide:

– A comprehensive educational

program, including after school

activities, athletics, and clubs.

– Excellent programs that appeal

to students’ interests.

• The Choice process encourages

discussion about student interests,

high school opportunities, and

future goals.

The NEC: 3 Great Schools . . .I see Me in ALL 3!

Magnet Programs • Not all students apply; highly competitive

• Prerequisites to be eligible to apply

• Enrolled in Alg 1 or higher for all

• Additional prerequisites depending on program related to theme

• Theme Based

• Accelerated and enriched curriculum in that thematic area

• Application process to include

• Essays

• Teacher Recs

• Transcript Review

• Testing

• Transportation is provided (if outside 2 mile walking

distance) but typically a central stop

• Cohort classes for 3-4 periods of the day, 4 as part of

general school community

Questions #9:

HOW

MUCH

DO

YOU

KNOW?

9. True or False. Most students in grade 8 apply to

one of the special programs.

False

Applicant CharacteristicsParents, ask yourselves: To an exceptional degree, does my child…

Show curiosity about ideas, events and how things work,

or have a questioning attitude?

Demonstrate initiative and intellectual curiosity?

Have an ability to learn at a faster rate?

Answer questions with detail and elaboration?

Have strong critical and creative thinking abilities?

Have the ability to critique themselves and reflect on their

work?

Have an ability to see relationships and detect patterns?

Is an academic risk taker?

Understand his or her strengths and know when and how to

ask for help?

Look at a challenge as an opportunity for growth?

Magnet Application Programs Available to NEC Students*:

Science, Math & Computer Science Magnet at Montgomery Blair HS or Poolesville HS (depending on base area)

International Baccalaureate (IB) Magnet at Richard Montgomery HS

Global Ecology House at Poolesville HS

*NOTE: Students who apply for magnet programs must still complete and turn in an NEC Choice form by the due date.

What other high school options

are available?

Questions #8:

HOW

MUCH

DO

YOU

KNOW?

8. True or False. Students who live in the

Northeast Consortium participate in the Choice

process unless they apply to a high school magnet

program.

False –

the choice process is completely

separate from the application

process

Science/Mathematics/Computer Science Magnet Program at Blair HS

• Offers accelerated, interdisciplinary courses in science, math, and computer science for highly capable and motivated students particularly interested in these subjects.

• Applicants • must be enrolled in at least Algebra I

• have strong problem solving and critical thinking skills

• enjoy collaborative research projects

• must reside in one of the following MCPS clusters:

• Northeast Consortium (NEC), Downcounty Consortium (DCC) BCC, Winston Churchill,

Walter Johnson, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Sherwood, Whitman or Wooton*

• Magnet students have an extra period at end of day • eight period day instead of the normal seven period day• four courses with cohort

• Peter Ostrander - Magnet Coordinator, 301-649-8240

*Students from other high school clusters can apply to the Science/Mathematics/Computer Science House at Poolesville HS

Richard Montgomery IB Magnet Program*

Located in Rockville

The International Baccalaureate Programme is built upon an internationally recognized curriculum and governed by the IBO.

Program for academically capable and committed students interested in pursuing a rigorous pre-university course of studies in: English, Foreign Language, Individuals and Societies Economics, Psychology, History, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, and the Arts and Electives.

Grade 8 students from all high school clusters may apply if they are…

enrolled in at least Level I of Spanish, French, or Chinese (or are qualified bilingual students who are fluent in those languages),

enrolled in at least Algebra I

are taking a minimum of 2 advanced courses

Students successfully completing the program earn an MCPS diploma, a Maryland Certificate of Merit, and the internationally recognized IB Diploma.

Ms. Jennifer Hoover, magnet coordinator, 301-610-8100

Questions #10:

HOW

MUCH

DO

YOU

KNOW?

10. True or False: The International Baccalaureate

(IB) program at Springbrook has a different

curriculum than the one at Richard Montgomery.

False

Poolesville Global Ecology House

• Global Ecology House students study environmental issues

through rigorous interdisciplinary science and social studies

curricula

• Focus on human impact on the natural environment

• Develop field, lab and research skills in the sciences

• Grade 8 students from all MCPS high school clusters may apply

if…

• enrolled in Algebra I or higher

• The Global Ecology program has existed for over 10 years.• Ms. Billie Bradshaw, Magnet Coordinator, 301-972-7976

Application-Only Timeline

Information nights

• October 2015

• Hosted by each high school magnet application program

Application deadline

• November 2015

• Applications and information will be available in the fall at

www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/

Testing

• December 2015

• Test prep booklets available in fall in ms counseling offices

Notification

• February 2016

• Declaration of Intent Form

* Note: Students may apply to multiple programs.

The Visual Art Center(VAC)at Albert Einstein High School

High level half-day program offering a broad perspective of the fine arts with an emphasis on drawing, painting and art history

Opportunity to take AP Studio Art as juniors and seniors

Applicants from all cluster high schools in MCPS

Students can do ½ day at home high school and ½ day at Einstein OR transfer to Einstein for full day.

Transportation is not provided

Admission is selective. Applicants are evaluated on completed art courses, portfolio, personal interview, teacher recommendations, and transcript.

For additional information…

Coordinators, Jane Walsh and Mygenet Harris,301-962-1027

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/vac/

Thomas Edison High School of Technology (TEHST)

18 different career and technology classes such as interior design, medical careers, cosmetology, restaurant management, network operations, construction trades, automotive trades

Opportunities for professional certifications or state licensure

Half-day program for students in Grades 10-12.

Students dually enrolled in home school

Transportation provided

301-929-2097

SUMMARY

• 3 High Schools in the NEC

• All offer comprehensive education and have a Signature

program

• Explore interests using Choices Explorer

• Research options using High School Websites &

Signatures Publication

• Visit the NEC website :

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/nec/

• Attend Options Fair

• Attend Open Houses/Application Program Information

Meetings

• Be prepared to fill out Choice Form in the Fall

Questions #11:

HOW

MUCH

DO

YOU

KNOW?

Draw a line to match up the school to the special program:

a. Poolesville HS – Global Ecology House

b. Springbrook HS - International Baccalaureate and Technology

c. Richard Montgomery HS - International Baccalaureate

d. Montgomery Blair HS - Science, Math & Computer Science

e. Albert Einstein HS – Visual Art Center

f. James H. Blake – Fine Arts & Humanities

g. Thomas Edison High School of Technology – Cosmetology & Network

Operations

h. Paint Branch HS – Media & Science

THANK YOU PARENTS AND STUDENTS!

Need more information?

DCCAPS staff members are available to

answer individual questions this

evening.

Please complete your evaluation form

and return it to the collection box.

Thank you!