Advanced Studies Programs at SFHS

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Advanced Studies Programs at SFHS

• South Forsyth High School
• January 24, 2008

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What is the Advanced Studies Program ?

• Academic courses centered on a rigorous,
  college-level curriculum designed by the College
  Board and IBO.
• Each course includes a rigorous end-of-course
  examination graded against national/international
  standards.

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Why take Advanced Studies Courses?

• Students taking Advanced Studies Courses in high
  school have an advantagethey are preparing for
  success in college by taking college-level
  courses while still in high school
• Explore advanced topics you like by studying in
  greater depth
• Develop advanced skills by forming disciplined
  study habits
• Build your confidence in your ability to succeed
  in college

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Benefits of the Advanced Studies Program

• For Students
• Development of academic skills necessary for
  college success
• Increase in self-confidence, motivation, and
  academic orientation
• Academic rigor for competitive college admissions
• Potential college credit depending on Exam scores

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Benefits of the Advanced Studies Program

• For Students AND Parents
• Opportunity to earn college credit or advanced
  college placement while in high school
• Possible tuition savings
• More flexibility in college course choices
• Possible early entry to graduate/professional
  schools

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What Counts in College Admissions ?
NACAC Survey College Admissions Officials
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Are Advanced Studies courses the right choice for
me?

• High school AP/IB courses are NOT an extension
  of the HORIZONS / Gifted Program.
• Students participating in the HORIZONS / Gifted
  Program are not necessarily ready for AP/IB
  courses.

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Successful Advanced Studies students tend to be

• MOTIVATED Inspired to achieve at high levels
  in college level coursework
• DISCIPLINED Consistently dedicates time needed
  to prepare for class.
• DETERMINED Is not easily frustrated by
  challenging academic material.
• INTERESTED Enjoys learning active involvement
  in the classroom

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Am I ready to take an AP course ?

• AP courses are very challenging, and potentially
  overwhelming to high school students.
• Student academic preparedness is the MOST
  IMPORTANT factor to consider in the decision to
  take an AP course.

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Am I ready to take an AP course ?

• Forsyth County Schools has an
• OPEN ACCESS policy for AP courses.
• OPEN ACCESS means any student meeting course
  pre-requisites may choose to sign up for an AP
  course.

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Am I ready to take an AP course ?

• Forsyth County Schools wants student parents to
  make informed decisions about AP courses.
• Our high schools provide this information to
  students parents through
• Teacher Recommendations
• Course Information on school system websites

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Why is a teacher recommendation so strongly
recommended?

• TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS provide detailed
  information on a students academic preparedness
  to enter an AP course after evaluation of
  student academic performance, readiness
  interest.

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What if I dont have a teacher recommendation?

• The ultimate decision on signing up for an AP
  course is made by the parent student.
• Teacher recommendations are strongly recommended,
  but are NOT mandatory.
• Parents students can sign a waiver form to
  register for an AP course if not recommended by
  a teacher.

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How many AP courses should a student take?

• Students parents should make this decision
  after considering ALL of the following
• Past current academic performance
• Student academic readiness
• Student interest motivation
• Available time competing interests, including
  Home, church, extracurricular activities, job,
  community, social calendar

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What AP courses are available ?

• INDIVIDUAL COURSE AVAILABILITY at each high
  school is determined annually by
• student registration course demand,
• AND
• the requirements of the schools overall
  instructional program.

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SFHS AP Course Offerings

• Human Geography
• World History
• US History
• US Government/Politics
• Economics
• European History
• Psychology
• Statistics
• Calculus AB
• Calculus BC
• Computer Science A

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• Biology
• Chemistry
• Environ. Science
• Physics B
• Music Theory
• Studio Art 2D or 3D
• Art History
• English Lang and Comp
• English Lit and Comp
• French Language
• German Language
• Latin Vergil and Latin Literature (alternating
  years)
• Spanish Language
• Spanish Literature

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For more information

• AP Central
• http//apcentral.collegeboard.com
• College University AP Credit Policies
• http//apps.collegeboard.com/apcreditpolicy/index.
  jsp
• AP Student Resources
• www.collegeboard.com/?student
• AP Parent Resources
• http//www.collegeboard.com/parents/

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Your AP Contacts in the Forsyth County School
System

• Mrs. Heather Gordy
• South Forsyth High School Assistant Principal
• hgordy_at_forsyth.k12.ga.us
• 770-781-2264 x 101134
• Mr. Michel Satterfield
• Forsyth County Schools AP/IB Program Coordinator
• msatterfield_at_forsyth.k12.ga.us
• 770-887-2461 x 202246

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What is the International Baccalaureate
Organization (IBO) ?

• The International Baccalaureate Organization
  (IBO) is a recognized leader in the field of
  international education headquartered in Geneva,
  Switzerland.
• The IB Program encourages students to be active
  learners, well-rounded individuals and engaged
  citizens.
• Founded in 1968, the IBO currently works with
  2,207 schools in 125 countries to develop and
  offer three challenging IB programs to more than
  593,000 students aged 3 to 19 years.

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The IBO Mission Statement

• The International Baccalaureate Organization aims
  to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring
  young people who help to create a better and more
  peaceful world through intercultural
  understanding and respect.

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What is the IB Diploma Program ?

• The IB Diploma Program is a challenging two-year
  curriculum, aimed at students aged 16 to 19. IB
  Exam performance can lead to qualifications that
  are widely recognized by the worlds leading
  universities.
• The IB Diploma Program both prepares students for
  success at a strong college or university and
  encourages them to
• ask answer challenging questions
• understand how to learn at a high level
• develop a strong sense of their own identity and
  culture.
• develop the ability to communicate with and
  understand people from other countries and
  cultures.

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IB Learner Profile

• We hope that students who participate in the
  International Baccalaureate Program develop to
  become
• INQUIRERS Who acquire the skills necessary to
  conduct purposeful, constructive research
• THINKERS Who exercise initiative in applying
  thinking skills critically and creatively to make
  sound decisions and to solve complex problems
• COMMUNICATORS Who receive and express ideas and
  information confidently in more than one
  language, including the language of mathematical
  symbols
• RISK TAKERS Who approach unfamiliar situations
  without anxiety, have confidence and
  independence, are courageous and articulate in
  defending things in which they believe
• KNOWLEDGABLE Who have spent time in school
  exploring themes with global relevance and
  importance, and have acquired a critical mass of
  significant knowledge
• PRINCIPLED Who have a sound grasp of the
  principles of moral reasoning, integrity,
  honesty, and a sense of fairness and justice
• CARING Who show sensitivity towards the needs
  and feelings of others and have a personal
  commitment to action and service

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What makes the IB Program at SFHS work for
students?

• IB teachers work collaboratively to develop
  curriculum, instructional strategies, and
  assessments.
• All SFHS IB teachers are well-trained
  experienced in IB curriculum, instruction, and
  assessment.
• Interconnections among IB courses and between IB
  courses the real world are identified and
  developed.
• Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and CAS
  develop the whole person and prepare students for
  the demands of college.
• Goals and skills are shared and reinforced by
  all.

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SFHS IB Diploma Program Course Choices
Group 1 English A1 HL
Group 3 History of the Americas HL
Group 2 French B SL / HL Spanish B SL / HL Latin
SL / HL German SL / HL
Extended Essay TOK Creativity, Action Service
Group 5 Math Studies SL Mathematics HL
Group 4 Biology SL Physics SL
Group 6 Visual Arts A SL
Psychology SL Music SL
Economics SL
Informational Technology for a Global Society SL
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What are SL and HL courses?

• Standard Level Course
• 150 hrs instruction
• Exams taken in Junior or Senior Year
• Higher Level Course
• 240 hours of instruction
• Exams taken in Senior Year
• Juniors are limited to taking only 2 Standard
  Level Exams

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Do IB Courses require students to take
standardized tests similar to AP ?

• Every IB Course has two types of required
  assessments
• Internal Assessment
• Graded by the classroom teacher
• Random samples sent worldwide to IB examiners for
  moderation of scores
• External Assessment
• Timed, standardized IB Exams given at SFHS in May
• All exams sent world-wide to IB Examiners for
  external grading.
• Scores communicated to school students in July
  after the exams.

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How do students earn the IB Diploma?
Students must earn at least 24 total points on
IB Exams.
Students take six (6) IB Exams their junior
senior years. Student performance on IB Exams
is scored on a 1 (low) to 7
(high) scale. -----------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
A maximum of 3 additional points can be earned
for a students combined performance in TOK and
the Extended Essay. A student must earn 24 of a
possible 45 points to earn the IB Diploma.
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Are there any additional criteria a student must
meet to receive the IB Diploma?

• A student must
• Score above a 1 on all IB Exams.
• Earn no more than three grades of 3 or below on
  IB Exams.
• Earn a numeric grade on IB Exams in all 6 IB
  subjects
• Earn grades of A to E for both TOK and the
  Extended Essay, with a grade of at least D on one
  of them.
• Meet all CAS requirements
• NOT be found guilty of malpractice

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What are CAS hours?
Creativity Action Service CAS Hours are
required for the IB Diploma. Approximately 150
documented hours of student interaction with the
community through the completion documentation
of individual or group-oriented projects.
Students must complete at least one project /
activity in each area (creativity / action /
service). Students should strive to distribute
hours evenly in each category.
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The IB Extended Essay

• 3600-4000 word student research paper
• Independent student research into a limited topic
  within a recognized IB subject area
• 3-5 documented hours with a supervising teacher
• Completed during junior and senior year
• Assessed by the IBO with the TOK paper to award
  up to 3 points toward a students diploma.

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How do I join the IB Program?

• Read, for understanding, the South Forsyth High
  School International Baccalaureate Program
  Informational Booklet. The Information Booklet
  can be downloaded from the South Forsyth High
  School International Baccalaureate Web Page.
• Complete the Student Information Page, Statement
  of Intent, and IB Written Response. (also
  online)
• Complete the BLUE Initial Teacher Recommendation
  Form.
• ALL Forms are due on or before Thursday, January
  31, 2008. Return completed materials to Mrs.
  Brandi Cannizzaro in room 450.

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Want to Know More About IB ?

• If you have additional questions or need more
  information, please--
• Contact Mrs. Brandi Cannizzaro at SFHS
• Research IB Programs at www.ibo.org

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Where to now

• Meet and greet sessions will be held in the
  following rooms
• Social Studies - room 1325
• Science - room 1422
• Math room 1227
• English room 1211
• Fine Arts room 1501
• World Languages room 1427
• IB Courses PLC _at_ 740 PM and 810 PM