Getting Ready for High School (and beyond

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Getting Ready for High School (and beyond)
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Getting Ready for High School

• Read
• Study
• Get organized
• Do your work turn it in all the time, every
  time
• Hit the ground running no do overs

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What to Expect in High School

• Everything counts
• Permanent record
• Post-secondary planning
• Autonomy
• Opportunities
• Freedom
• Responsibility

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What to Expect in High School

• Timelines
• Communication
• Expectations
• Organization
• Responsibility
• Self-Advocacy
• FLEX schedule

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What to Expect in High School

• Athletics
• Cheerleading
• Cross Country
• Football
• Golf
• Volleyball
• Basketball
• Gymnastics

• Swimming
• Wrestling
• Baseball
• Softball
• Soccer
• Lacrosse
• Tennis
• Track

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What to Expect in High School

• Clubs Activities
• German Club
• Future Educators of America
• Key Club
• Habitat for Humanity
• Debate
• Academic Competition
• Philosophy Club

• History Club
• Math Science Club
• National Honor Society
• Art Club
• Drama Club
• Dance Team
• Step team

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What to Expect in High School

• Clubs Activities
• Literary Arts Magazine
• Anime Club
• Outdoorsmen Club
• Hockey Club
• Keep Loudoun Beautiful
• Recycling Club
• Bible Club
• Peer Tutoring

• Book Club
• Library Club
• Student Council Association
• International Club
• Spanish Club
• Latin Club
• French Club

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Standard Diploma
Academic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits
English 4 2
Social Studies 3 1
Mathematics 3 1
Science 3 1
Foreign Language 0 0
Health/Physical Education 2 0
Fine or Practical Art 1 0
Electives 6 0
Student Selected Verified Credit 0 1
Total 22 6
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Advanced Studies Diploma
Academic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits
English 4 2
Social Studies 4 2
Mathematics 4 2
Science 4 2
Foreign Language 3 or 4 0
Health/Physical Education 2 0
Fine or Practical Art 1 0
Electives 1 or 2 0
Student Selected Verified Credit 0 1
Total 24 9
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SOL Courses

• Reading (Eng. 11) Earth Science
• Writing (Eng. 11) Biology
• Chemistry
• Algebra 1 World History 1
• Geometry World History 2
• Algebra 2 US History

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News

• Grading scale changes
• Advanced Placement weighting changes

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How to Get Into College

• Freshmen
• should place most of their focus
• on their
• ACADEMICS!

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How to Get Into College

• There is no secret to getting in.
• Stop looking for a gimmick.
• Tune out the hype.
• Study hard.
• Take the toughest curriculum that you can.
• The heart of the application is
• and has always been
• ones academic preparation.
• -- UVA Magazine

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National Association of College Admission
Counseling, Survey 2007 Ratings of Considerable
Importance

• Grades in College Prep Courses, 79.9
• Strength of Curriculum, 63.8
• Admissions Test Scores, 58.5
• Grades in all Courses, 51.6
• Essay or Writing Sample, 25.8
• Class rank, 23.4
• Students Demonstrated Interest, 22.0
• Counselor Recommendation, 21.1
• Teacher Recommendation, 20.8
• Interview, 10.8
• Subject Tests Scores (AP), 6.8
• Extracurricular Activities, 6.5 (45.7 moderate)
• SAT Subject Tests, 6.2
• Work, 1.9

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Lesson in Balance

• Take the most challenging classes you can handle.

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Lesson in Balance

• Take the most challenging classes you can
  reasonably handle.

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Lesson in Balance

• How much time do you have available to study and
  do homework?
• Do you play sports?
• Are you involved in activities?
• What does your track-record indicate?
• How committed and disciplined are you?

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Lesson in Balance

• Think long-term
• Its easier to improve your schedule each year by
  taking more challenging classes
• than it is to improve a damaged GPA!

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Lesson in Balance

• Dont forget to consider the students interests
  when determining his/her course load.

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Our Best Advice

• Enjoy high school!