Transcript College Planning Night - Bellefonte Area School District

Graduation
Planning/Scheduling Q&A
Night for Class of 2012
Parents
March 2, 2011
7:00 pm
Graduation Requirements
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SUBJECT
MINIMUM CREDIT
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English
Social Studies
Mathematics
Science
Physical Education
Health 9 or Health 10
Health 11
Introduction to Art
Driver Education
Foundations of Technology
Electives (Class of 2012, 2013, 2014)
Graduation Project
4.0 credits
4.0 credits
4.0 credits
3.0 credits
2.0 credits
.25 credit
.50 credit
.25 credit
.25 credit
.25 credit
6.50 credits
Successful Completion
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TOTAL CREDITS: 25.00
Community Service
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Must complete 30 hours by graduation
Many possible activities – no pay, no credit
Community Service Form can be found on
the School Counseling Website
PSSA
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Must score “Proficient” or “Advanced” in order to
graduate from high school
If you/your child does not score “Proficient” or
“Advanced there are several ways to score proficiency
 Writing: You must receive a 73% or better on your
Senior English Research Project.
 Reading: You must receive a 73% or better in your
senior English class. If you are receiving an English
grade between 65% and 72%, student will need to
complete a Reading Program with one of our tutors.
PSSA cont.
Math: You must receive a 73% or better in your senior
Math class. If you are receiving a Math grade lower
than 73% you will meet with our tutor to manage Proficiency.
Science: You must receive a 73% or better in your
Science class Junior or Senior year.
Keystone Exams
Starting with the class of 2015, the
Pennsylvania Department of Education
will require that students show proficiency
in literature (reading), English
composition, math, science and social
studies
Keystone cont.
as determined through one or more of the
following: use of Keystone Examinations,
local assessments, and Advanced
Placement/International Baccalaureate
Examinations.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education
will be developing 10 Keystone
Examinations to be used as final end-ofthe-course exams starting with the
following:
For the 2011-2012 school year: Algebra 1,
Literature, and Biology testing will take
place in the Spring of 2011. Field testing
for English Composition, Geometry and
Algebra 2 in May 2011.
Promotion Standards
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A student must earn a minimum of 18
credits during 9th, 10th, and 11th grade to be
awarded 12th grade standing.
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Again, 25 credits to graduate. 
Scheduling Procedures
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Students are encouraged to:
 Take a wide range of courses
 Carry a credit load exceeding the minimum
standards
 Take the most challenging courses they are
prepared for – it’s always better to be over
prepared than under prepared for
postsecondary plans
 If you are unsure of what to take,
PLEASE ask!
Prerequisites
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What is a prerequisite?
Prerequisites can be found in the CDG on
School Counseling website
Is there anything that can be done to
bypass a prerequisite? Sometimes –
teacher recommendation, administrative
approval, individual circumstances and
needs are considered.
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
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Application Procedure
Benefits are tremendous
College course credit potential with score of 3,
4,or 5 on AP exam. Check with post secondary
school and program to see if AP exam scores will
be accepted for credit.
1.07 weight awarded
See School Profile on School Counseling Website
for AP student exam success rate
Driver’s Education: Behind the Wheel
Training
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New licensure program
Requirements
How can this help you?
STUDENT REQUESTS MUST BE MADE IN PERSON to MR. WALKER !
NO PARENT EMAILS OR PHONE CALLS WILL BE TAKEN!
SAT/ACT Testing
SAT offered at BAHS every year in March
-Tests Critical Reading, Math, and Writing abilities
ACT offered at BAHS every year in February
-Tests Math, Reading, English, Science, and Writing
Try to take your first SAT/ACT prior to the Junior year,
or at least by October of the Junior year to enable
time to strengthen skill areas where scores are weak.
CPI
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How does it impact my scheduling?
Students earn 1.00 credit in math and 1.00 credit
in science with three years of attendance at CPI.
Students can go to CPI for the first time as a
senior as long as they meet all of their graduation
requirements. CPI counts as elective credits.
Students who have attended CPI through 10th and
11th grade may choose something else their
senior year, but they must take a full math and
science to make up for the lost math and science
at CPI.
College Planning
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Junior/Senior Year
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Fall Semester:
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PSAT
College Reps – at the High School
College Visits – check college web sites for Open Houses
Financial Aid Workshop – offered every winter at High
School
SAT/ACT – begin early, do not wait until March of Junior
year for first SAT experience
Spring Semester:
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Course Selection
Preparation for SAT/ACT
College Visits continued
Admission Criteria for PostSecondary Education May Include:
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Courses taken/GPA
SAT reasoning scores
Rank in class
Application questions/essays
Personal interview
Activities outside of the classroom
Special talents, skills, and interests
2 years of a lab science
2 years of a foreign language
Senior Scheduling Options
SENIOR INSTITUTE
Senior Institute looks at the ways in which art
inspires literature, literature inspires art, and
charity inspires them both. Both an English
class and an Art class, this course considers the
connections between beauty, truth and
goodness.
Students must schedule both SI English and SI
Art.
As an English class, the course covers core
content, including grammar, vocabulary, writing
and literature, with a focus on British literature.
The class also focuses on the English Senior
Research Project.
The Art side, the course tackles painting and
pottery, as well as other crafts relevant to the
readings.
SI also contains a community problem solving
component, in which students choose and
design a philanthropy to benefit the people of
Bellefonte.
Student leaders are encouraged to take SI.
Acceptance into the Senior Institute is based
upon:
Academics: Acquisition of 18 credits and
minimum of a “B” in English 11-CP or Honors 11
Attendance: Classification as a “non risk”
student relative to attendance/tardiness
guidelines (no more than 20 total absences)
Discipline: Eligibility for participation on schoolsponsored trips (no two occurrences of being
suspended from school)
Dual Enrollment
This program allows senior students the
opportunity to earn college credit while
completing their high school requirements.
Students can attend Penn State, including
Penn State World Campus, Lock Haven, or
Clarion University.
Diversified Occupations
Co-Operative Learning Experience
Supervised work experiences are available
through the Diversified Occupations
Program (CDG p. 61).
This program has limited enrollment of
thirty. Students must be employed to
maintain their enrollment in this
program.
Internship Experience
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Complete Internship Agreement
(CDG p. 77)
Students may receive credit in some
circumstances
Must be approved by School Counselor
and Principal
College Application Process
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When to apply is crucial, early Fall of 12th
grade!
Plan well ahead of appication due date
Are letters of recommendation needed?
Need SAT/ACT Scores sent directly
Need signed and sealed transcript from
school counselor
NCAA
In order for a student to be eligible for competition or
athletic aid at the division 1or 2 level he/she must
be registered with the NCAA eligibility center.
Students who apply should have all SAT/ACT
scores sent to code 9999. Scores sent from the
school are not accepted by the NCAA.
Students and parents should also review the Guide
for the college-bound student athlete found on the
NCAA site for credit/gpa requirements for division
1and 2.
Scholarship Searches
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See School Counseling Web Site
Scholarship Link and Tips on Scholarship
Searches Link
Check often for new postings
Contact the college you want to attend and
ask about scholarships
Be creative with Google Searches
Tutoring Services
Free After School
Available in all major subject areas Monday
to Thursday
Tutoring lasts from 3:25 pm – 4:25 pm,
except Tuesdays it is 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
Please pick up handout if needed.
Questions?
Please contact your School Counselor