Getting Ready for High School (and beyond

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Getting Ready for High School (and beyond)

• Dave Royhab, BWHS Guidance Director

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Todays Agenda

• What to Expect in High School
• Getting Ready for High School or a Lesson in
  Balance
• Beyond High School College!

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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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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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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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• Student Example 1
• Grade 9 Grade 10
• English C 2 English B 3
• History C 2 History A 4
• Math D 1 Math C 2
• Science D 1 Science B 3
• HPE B 3 HPE A 4
• Elective C 2 Elective A 4
• Elective C 2 Elective A 4
• Cumulative GPA 1.86 Cumulative GPA
  2.64
• Grade 11 Grade 12
• English B 3 English A 4
• History B 3 History A 4
• Math B 3 Math B 3
• Science B 3 Science B 3
• HPE A 4 HPE A 4
• Elective A 4 Elective A 4

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• Student Example 2
• Grade 9 Grade 10
• English B 3 English B 3
• History B 3 History A 4
• Math B 3 Math C 2
• Science C 2 Science B 3
• HPE A 4 HPE A 4
• Elective A 4 Elective A 4
• Elective A 4 Elective A 4
• Cumulative GPA 3.29 Cumulative GPA
  3.36
• Grade 11 Grade 12
• English B 3 English A 4
• History B 3 History A 4
• Math B 3 Math B 3
• Science B 3 Science B 3
• HPE A 4 HPE A 4
• Elective A 4 Elective A 4

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The Importance of the Freshman Year

• The difference between a 2.89 GPA and a 3.46 GPA
  can be the ninth grade year!!!
• The student with the Slow Start would have to
  earn straight As in grades 10, 11, and 12 just
  to match the student who had a stronger freshman
  year.

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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!

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Beyond High School College!

• The secret to getting into college?...
• Freshmen
• should place most of their focus
• on
• 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, 2010

• Percent of all colleges rating specific factors
  in the college admissions decision as being of
  considerable importance

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Factors of Considerable Importance

• Grades in College Prep Courses, 87
• Strength of Curriculum, 71
• Standardized Admissions Tests, 58
• Grades in All Courses, 46
• Essay or writing sample, 26
• Students Demonstrated Interest, 21 (five years
  ago 7)
• Teacher Recommendation, 17
• Counselor Recommendation, 17
• Class Rank, 16
• Extracurricular Activities, 9 (however)

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How to Get Into College

• The Bottom Line
• The best way to get to the college of your choice
  is to be an excellent
• high school student!

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Dates to Know

• February 9, 700pm Parent Information Night
• February 14 15 BWHS counselors at SHMS
  (Program of Studies)
• March 28 BWHS Activity and Athletic EXPO
• August Student Orientation and Parent Night