NorwalkHighSchool

CommunityofLancersAchievingSchoolSuccess

March23,2016

Allstudentscollegeandcareerready!

RyanD.Smith,Ed.D.@principallancer

Agenda•  WelcomeandIntroduc?ons•  What’snewatNorwalkHS?•  CollegeandCareerReadinessatNHS

What’sNewatNorwalkHighSchool?

Kethzia&LenniceValedictorians–4.643GPAs

JenniferSalutatorian–4.619GPA

SkillsUSAhostsAuMsmAwarenessevent!

Lancers,Eagles,andBulldogsvisitcollegesacrosstheStateofCalifornia!

LinkCrewhostsCommitmenttoGraduate!

“Exploreyourgreatness”

Joinusforourfirstcollegevisitforparents!

The Road to College

� All students will graduate and be eligible to attend a four-year college or university without the need for remediation. Our students will possess the knowledge, skills, and certifications necessary to be successful in any post-secondary environment.

� Our graduates will have a strong sense of what

occupation they would like to pursue as a career, and will have received personalized guidance as to which post-secondary institutions, training programs, or industries will best fit their personal goals.

SUBJECT AREA CREDITS/ YEARS

LANGUAGE ARTS 40/ 4 YEARS

SOCIAL SCIENCE 30/ 3 YEARS

SCIENCE 20/ 2 YEARS

MATHEMATICS 30/ 3 YEARS

PHYSICAL EDUCATION 20/ 2 YEARS

CAREERS, FINE ARTS OR FOREIGN LANG 20/ 2 YEARS

TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS 160

TOTAL ELECTIVE CREDITS 60

TOTAL MINIMUM CREDITS 220

A-G Requirements Requirements

High School (220 credits)

9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

A. History/Social Science  

(2 years required)

A. Social Science   (30 credits)

       

B. English (4 years required)

B. English   (40 credits)

       

C. Mathematics (3 years required/4 years recommended)

C. Math   (30 credits)

       

D. Lab Science (2 years required/3 years recommended)

D. Science   (20 credits)

       

E. Foreign Language (2 years required/3 years recommended)

E. Foreign Language   (10 credits)

       

F. Visual and Performing Arts (1 year required)

F. Fine Arts   (10 credits)

       

G. College Preparatory Electives (1 year required)

G. Electives   (60 credits)

       

  Physical Education (20 credits)

       

Career Pathways  

         

College Test (Circle test taken)

  PSAT PSAT and CAHSEE

ACT/SAT/SAT subject test

ACT/SAT/SAT subject test

Total Credits: (220 credits to graduate)

         

� California Community Colleges-2 year colleges. Students can choose to work toward an associate (two-year) degree or a one or two year training/certificate program in choice occupational fields, such as health professions, etc. Students may also complete a coursework to enable them to transfer to a college or university to complete a 4 year bachelors degree.

� California State University (CSU)- With 23 campuses, the California State University is the largest, most diverse, and one of the most affordable university systems in the country. The CSU system emphasizes undergraduate education, leading to a bachelors, masters, and a limited number of doctoral degrees.

� University of California (UC)- The 9 general campuses of the University of California combines the education of undergraduates (Bachelors degrees) with a strong emphasis on graduate programs (Masters and Doctorate) and world-class research programs in science & humanities.

� California Independent Colleges- The 75 independent/private, nonprofit California colleges and universities offer diverse and unique educational opportunities such as faith affiliated, women’s colleges etc. These institutions also include 2-year, undergraduate and graduate programs.

The 4 Year College Applicant What’s the difference between an Applicant and a Competitive Applicant?

2 years of History/Social Science

4 years of English

3 years Math (i.e Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2)

2 years of Laboratory Science

2 years of a Foreign Language

1 year of Visual/Performing Arts

1 year of College Prep Elective

Minimally Eligible Applicant

3 years of History/Social Science (Honors/AP)

4 years of English (Honors/AP)

4 years Math (Honors/AP)

3 years of Laboratory Science (Honors/AP)

3-4 years of a Foreign Language

1 year of Visual/Performing Arts

1 year of College Prep Elective

Competitively Eligible Applicant

Competitive Applicant

Extracurricular Activities

Examples:✔  Campus clubs and organizations

—  leadership positions—  sports

✔  Volunteering— church — hospital — Boys and Girls Club— Government offices

✔  Tutoring✔ Part-time job

Grades and classes

Universities look at: ü  Strong grades ü Test scoresü Challenging

courses

Junior Timeline JANUARY

�  Study for your finals: your grades are very important!

�  Investigate summer programs

�  Register for the SAT practice class on campus

FEBRUARY

�  Visit colleges and college websites

�  Register for a spring SAT (www.collegeboard.com ) or ACT

 (http://www.act.org) 

MARCH

�  Make final plans for summer. Consider the various opportunities.

�  Plan to visit colleges during spring break, if possible

�  Investigate colleges online and in person. Go online to  www.californiacolleges.edu and take their college search survey that will match colleges in California to your interests

�  Investigate various college majors

�  Plan your senior classes.

�  Register for Summer School if needed

 

Junior Timeline MAY-JUNE

�  During SBAC testing, be sure to take the test seriously because the Early Assessment Program (EAP) will determine college readiness in math and English. These results will help you focus on areas that may need improvement.

�  Visit college campuses; call ahead to the admissions office to take a tour conducted by students who attend the college

�  Investigate financial aid from Federal (FAFSA: www.fafsa.gov ), State (Cal Grant:  www.calgrants.org) and private sources

MAY �  Take Advanced Placement tests �  Keep your college file up to date. Request any additional

information. �  Take the SAT or ACT �  Students planning to participate in college athletics at the Division

I or II level: File with NCAA Clearinghouse at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net . Follow their course and grade requirements. 

Junior Timeline JUNE

�  Study for finals  SUMMER

�  Use your summer wisely �  Have an open and honest conversation with your parents about how you

will finance your college expenses �  Find a job and save $$ for college �  Volunteer �  Attend Summer School if needed to improve grades in college prep classes �  Visit college campuses �  Print information about the application requirements from each college �  Start the Common Application online, if applying to colleges that use the

Common App �  Try to finalize your list of colleges BEFORE the start of school in the fall �  Brainstorm ideas for your college essays �  Begin writing your UC/private college essays

Senior Timeline AUGUST: ü  Look at the universities you plan to apply to online; start

working on UC application ü  Begin writing your college essays/personal statements ü  Request Letters of Recommendations from administration,

counselors, & teachers ü  Update your Bragg sheet (resume) to use when applying for

college SEPTEMBER: ü  Decide on colleges to apply to—“Sure” and “Safety” Schools ü  Plan on taking or retaking SAT/ACT tests: last opportunity is in

December ü  Follow-up on Letters of Recommendation ü  Edit and finish your Personal statements

Senior Timeline OCTOBER: ü  Take/Retake your SATs & ACTs ü  Begin filling out CSU Applications ü  Submit your applications for Early Decision for Private Schools ü  Check with Financial Aid Offices of the Colleges you are applying

to for any financial aid forms they require ü  Check online CSS/Financial Aid Profile

@profileonline.collegeboard.com

NOVEMBER: ü  Start submitting UC applications ü  DEADLINE FOR CSU & UC APPLICATIONS IS NOVEMBER 30th. ü  Take/Retake your SATs & ACTs ü  Send your Letters of Recommendations to your colleges ü  APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!

Senior Timeline DECEMBER: - LAST CHANCE to take any SATs/ACTs - Begin working on FAFSA paper form with parents - Make sure colleges have received all of your application materials - Look for Early Decision replies from colleges. If you receive one, pay attention to deadlines, paperwork, etc. JANUARY: - FAFSA Application Opens JANUARY 1st - CA DREAM ACT Application Opens JANUARY 1st Create an account for the Cal Grant at https:// mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/ - Check to see if colleges have received all your application materials - Send your 1st semester grades to the colleges that request it from you - Be aware of deadlines for CSS/Financial Aid Profile if you haven’t submitted yet.

Senior Timeline FEBRUARY: - SUBMIT YOUR FAFSA! - Start applying to Community Colleges; Check when your Community Colleges open its applications for Fall 2016 - Make sure colleges have received your midyear transcripts, test scores, financial aid information, and other needed materials

MARCH: - FAFSA DEADLINE MARCH 2nd - Apply for Scholarships! - Look for Admission Decisions in your college accounts & Share your acceptance letters with your counselor!

Senior Timeline APRIL: - Final Admission Decisions & Financial Award Packets will be released - Decide which college to attend & provide them with any extra information that is required

MAY/ JUNE: Stay on top of Deadlines & Paperwork Request your final transcript to be sent to your college - Submit your Intent to Register to the college you chose - Submit all Housing Paperwork - Begin planning the big move to college! - Make sure to update the “college of attendance” on your Cal Grant

GRADUATION, Congratulations!

Important Tests – Be prepared….scores matter!

¡  PSAT Take Sophomore Year and Junior Year as preparation for SAT and National Merit Scholarship. Explains if students have AP potential. ¡  SAT Reasoning Test Plus Writing

Math, Critical Reading and Writing Prepare for and take before December of your Senior year. Research shows students who took test 2 times did better.

¡  ACT Plus Writing Math, Science, Reading, English, &Writing Prepare for and take before December of your Senior year. Research shows students who took test 2 times did better.

¡  SAT Subject Tests Subject tests are optional and no longer required by the UCs. Some private schools may require the subject test. Check with the individual schools.

ACT v.s. SAT

ACT Plus Writing SAT Reasoning

Test Fee:

Test Content:

Method of Scoring:

$56.50 w/writing

Math, English, Writing, & Science Reasoning

NO PENALTY FOR WRONG ANSWERS

Out of 36

Fee Waiver available, if eligible

$54.50

Evidence based reading, writing, math, essay

NO WRONG ANSWER PENALTY

Out of 1600

Fee waiver available if eligible

What the SAT Measures Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Reading Test and a Writing and Language Test ü  multiparagraph passages ü  multiple-choice questions Time allotted for Reading: 65 minutes. Time allotted for Writing and Language: 35 minutes.

Math ü  multiple-choice ü  student-produced response questions based on the math that college-bound students typically learn during their first three years of high school. Time allotted for Math – No Calculator: 25 minutes. Time allotted for Math – Calculator: 55 minutes.

Essay (optional) Asks you to read and analyze an argument and write an effective response. Time allotted for Essay: 50 minutes.

Timeline for taking the ACT and SAT

Most students take the SAT/ACT in the spring of their junior year.

ü  The first administration of the new SAT was March 5, 2016.

ü  Many students choose to take the SAT/ACT more than one time.

SAT Dates: May 7, 2016 June 4, 2016 October 1, 2016 November 5,2016 December 3, 2016

ACT Dates: April 9, 2016 June 11, 2016 September 10, 2016 October 22, 2016 December 10, 2016

SAT School Day

October 19, 2016

How SAT School Day Increases Access ü  Weekday testing does not interfere with weekend work or

family obligations. ü  Students do not have to worry about transportation or

trying to locate the testing site because they test in their own schools.

ü  Test-day stress is lower because students are in a familiar location with familiar staff.

ü  Increases access to college test and college resources to all students

Preparing for the SAT

SAT Prep Class ü Open to all grades ü Trained instructors ü 10 classes

(Wednesday and Saturdays)

ü $50 deposit is returned if student attends all 10 classes

ü Offered 3 times a year

Kahn Academy ü  Free practice for

SAT ü Visit satpractice.org

to link your college board account and Khan Academy account

ü Complete practice problems and diagnostic quizzes

Research! Research! Research! It’s NEVER too early to start

¡  Research colleges and universities

¡  Attend college fairs

¡  Visit college campuses

¡  The only way to know what is right for you is to gather as much information as possible

Thankyouforcoming!

NextMee?ng:April27

Topics:LCAPandTes?ng

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