SCHOLARS ACADEMY Mission Statement: The Scholars Academy seeks to provide a diverse group of highly motivated students with a truly world-class secondary education that prepares them for life in a global scholarly community.

Mr. Guthrie: Lead Teacher Scholars Academy Mr. Donohue: Principal Mrs. Larkin: AP for Scholars Academy Mr. Rodriguez: IB Coordinator Mrs. Sahwell: CAP Advisor Mrs. Carro: Scholars/IB Teacher Counselors: 9-Gibbs, 10-Nunez, 11-Clarke, 12-Mingel Mrs. Shelley Groff: Parent Advisory Board email contact: sjgroff@the-beach.net Scholars Student Board

Scholars/IB Office—Room 708305-532-4515 ext. 2708dguthrie@dadeschools.net

WELCOME!

College Rigor Scholars Academy Requirements New State Requirements for Scholars/Merit

Designation Honor Societies Subject Selection for 2015-2016 Academy Fair IB Programme Important Dates

Agenda

Colleges are getting much more rigorous in their admission requirements.

Scholars students should take a rigorous schedule of classes to have the best opportunity for successful acceptance.

Research shows a correlation in completing the HIGHEST level of courses and college admission.

Need For Rigor in High School

High School Course RigorWhen researchers control for as many observable

characteristics as are available, they find a consistent positive association between curricular intensity and the following:

Student test scores (Attewell and Domina 2008), High school graduation (Schneider, Swanson, and Riegle-

Crumb 1998) College entry (Long et al. 2012) Type of college entry (Attewell and Domina 2008) College grades (Klopfenstein and Thomas 2009) College graduation, (Adelman 2006; Attewell and Domina

2008) Wages (Altonji 1995; Rose and Betts 2004).

Academic Preparation for CollegeEvidence on the Importance of Academic Rigor in High SchoolMichal Kurlaender, Associate Professor of Education, University of California at DavisJessica S. Howell, Executive Director of Policy Research, The College Board

HS Diploma Enrolled in College Enrolled in Highly Selective 4 – Year College

Basic Math or Pre-Algebra 61.3% 30.4% 0.2%

Algebra I, Geometry,

or Algebra II 86.3% 61.5% 2.7%

Trigonometry, Statistics,

or PreCalculus 98.6% 89.3% 18.9%

Calculus 99.6% 97.3% 52.2%

Typical Example of Rigorous Course Selection: From US DOE Longitudinal Study:

Source: Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Education Longitudinal Study of 2002(ELS : 2002).

SA students should strongly consider taking the most rigorous courses in all core areas.

Calculus and Physics are highly recommended and required for STEM

AP and IB are preferred over dual-enrollment Show how you “stand out” in leadership and

community service Test scores are important Writing ability and character qualities are

predicted from your essay

What Highly Selective Institutions Recommend:

Must take English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language all 4 years, regardless of FLVS or summer classes

Must complete Math through PreCalculus Must take a minimum of 1 AP class in 9th grade (AP

World History) in the classroom Must take a minimum of 1 AP class in 10th grade (AP

European History) in the classroom Must take a minimum of 2 AP classes in each of the

11th and 12th grades in the classroom Required AP classes cannot be taken online IB Diploma students meet the requirements

Scholars Academy Requirements:

Scholars Academy students must maintain a 3.0 un-weighted GPA (B average) in each of their core subjects.

Students falling below a B average are placed on academic probation and must improve performance by the next year to remain in the program.

Seniors who have failed to maintain a B average or complete SA requirements will not receive a SA graduation cord.

GPA Requirement:

Scholar designation - In addition to the requirements of Florida Statute 1003.4282, as applicable, in order to earn the Scholar designation, a student must satisfy the following requirements:  ◦ Mathematics.—Earn one credit in Algebra II and one credit in statistics or an equally

rigorous course.  ◦ Science.—Pass the statewide, standardized Biology I end-of-course assessment and

earn one credit in chemistry or physics and one credit in a course equally rigorous to chemistry or physics. 

◦ Social studies.—Pass the statewide, standardized United States History end-of-course assessment. 

◦ Foreign language.—Earn two credits in the same foreign language.  ◦ Electives.—Earn at least one credit in an Advanced Placement, an International

Baccalaureate, an Advanced International Certificate of Education, or a dual enrollment course.  

A student is exempt from the Biology I or US History assessment if the student is enrolled in an AP, IB, or AICE Biology I or US History course and the student takes the respective AP, IB, or AICE assessment AND the student earns a minimum score to earn college credit.

Merit designation - In addition to the requirements of  Florida Statute 1003.4282, as applicable, in order to earn the Merit designation, a student must attain one or more industry certifications from the list established under s. 1003.492

New State Requirements for Scholars and Merit Designation

MBSH has eleven Honor Societies Most Honor Societies are for grades 11-12,

but some allow earlier admission◦ Check with the sponsor

Invitations for National Honor Society (NHS) are given to sophomores in April based on a 4.0 weighted GPA

Each Honor Society has its own admission requirements, GPA, dues, etc.

All MBSH Honor Society members must do 16 hours of peer tutoring each year

Honor Societies

Forms will be distributed next week during your English class.

You should have a SA form which is different from the general subject selection form.

You will have until January to complete the form properly.

You need to get your current teachers to help recommend classes and sign your forms.

Choose electives in order of preference. Sign and have your parent sign. English classes will meet with each counselor

during articulation in January to turn in forms.

Subject Selection for Next Year:

All AP and Honors classes now require a signed red “ticket” from your current teacher that recommends you for the class.

If you have 6 AP and Honors classes, you will have 6 tickets attached.

All AP classes require an AP contract that is signed by you and your parent and attached.

All FLVS classes, including summer, MUST BE APPROVED by your counselor and be fully COMPLETED before the school year begins.

Special Forms Again This Year:

Only for 11th and 12th grade students with a minimum un-weighted scholastic grade point average of 3.00.

Excellent school attendance. Internship application (must be typed) FORM 7525. Deadline to submit application is February 6, 2015. Students are required to keep a log sheet that is signed by the

internship provider every visit. A copy is to be submitted by fax or email to the Office of Community Engagement (Fax: 305 995-2888, Email: Internships@dadeschools.net) by the student two weeks prior to completion of grading period.

Students with one period of internship must complete 5 hours a week (45 hours per quarter), students with two periods of internship mush complete 10 hours a week (90 hours per quarter).

Student cannot intern with a family member or in a home-based business.

A grade sheet must be submitted by the internship provider directly to the Office of Community Engagement two weeks before the end of the grading period.

Internship

Students are expected to carefully consider and honor their requests for classes.

There will be NO SCHEDULE CHANGES made next year.

We will not switch students from an AP level class to honors because these classes are filled to maximum capacity due to class size rules.

Seniors will be given preference for FLVS classes during school hours.

FLVS classes taken over the summer must be approved and completed prior to the opening of school.

Importance of Subject Selection:

Given out next week in English classes and returned during articulation in January.

Typical SA Subject Selection Form:

Student Name: ____________________________________________ ID#: __________________ SCHOLARS ACADEMY SUBJECT SELECTION Teachers please initial next to recommended course. Students are expected to carefully consider and honor their course selections. Schedule changes will not be permitted.

Write 4 electives in order of preference (not to include the above core selections). If you do NOT write down electives, they will be selected for you.

Scholars Academy students must take Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Foreign Language every year in school, regardless of summer or online courses. Sophomores must take at least 1 AP course to include AP European History. Pre-Calculus is required for Scholars Academy. Spanish, Portuguese, or French is required if you intend to pursue the IB Diploma. AP US Government/AP Economics is an elective recommended for students wishing to enter the IB Programme. Students should consult the Scholars Office to inquire about pre-requisites for the IB Diploma Programme. One FLVS course is required prior to graduation. Required AP classes must be taken in the classroom and cannot be taken online. Students are not allowed to register for multiple required core classes in the same discipline during school. Please inquire with the Scholars Office for additional information.

Language Arts Mathematics Science Social Studies Foreign Language

___A82 Eng. 2H A83 Eng. 2 HG

B82 Algebra 2H ___B83 Algebra2 HG B64 PreCalc H

___C83 Chemistry H ___C84 Chemistry HG ___C51 Physics H ___C90 AP Biology ___C92 AP Chemistry

___C96 AP EnvSci ___C94 AP Physics 1

D91 AP European

Hist (Req.)

__D71/72 AP US Gov/AP Econ (IB elective)

___F82 Spanish 2 FL

___F53 Spanish 3H FL ___F32 Portuguese 2

___F54 Spanish 4H FL ___F33 Portuguese 3H

___F62 Spanish 2 S ___F34 Portuguese 4H

___F63 Spanish 3H S ___F22 Italian 2

___F64 Spanish 4H S ___F23 Italian 3H

___F57 AP Span Lang ___F24 Italian 4H

___F12 French 2 FL ___F25 AP Italian Lan

___F13 French 3H FL

___F14 French 4H FL

___F17 AP French Lan

Course Code Course Name Teacher Signature (if required) 1. 2. 3. 4.

I will be taking the following FLVS class over the summer (needs approval from counselor and must be completed 2 weeks prior to opening of school). ________________________

Copies of the SA curriculum are available online or in

the Scholars Office

Academies and lead teachers will be available in the media center for answering questions

9th and 10th graders will attend during their English class

Others may attend during lunch

Academy Fair Dec. 15-16

Current students in grade 10 may apply for the IB Diploma Programme for grades 11-12

Applications are currently available online or in the SA/IB Office, Room 708 – Due Jan 16th

If considering IB:◦ Italian is currently not offered in IB◦ Pre-Calculus must be completed to qualify for Mathematics

(Alg. 2 students enter Math Studies)◦ Chemistry must be completed to qualify for IB Chemistry

(Biology students enter IB Biology)◦ AP Gov/Econ is a recommended elective for students wanting

IB in grade 10. IB Schedules will be completed individually once

accepted into the program.

IB Diploma Programme

SA students may choose between the IB Diploma Programme or continue with the SA curriculum and AP classes in grades 11-12.

A student may choose a variety of individual AP classes based on his/her strengths.◦ AP test over one year’s material ◦ More elective choices

IB curriculum includes six areas of study, Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, CAS◦ Balanced, rigorous program in all areas◦ IB tests in grade 12 cover two year’s material

Both AP and IB classes count the same in weighted GPA and may receive college credit with passing test scores.

Differences between IB and AP

Subject selection sheets next week Academy Fair: December 15-16 Articulation: January (by English class) Scholars Applications for 8th graders due by January

9 (available online or Room 708)◦ 8th grade students will complete schedules at their school

or make an appointment in March/April◦ Acceptance letters early March, Open House early April

Nautilus Night on Feb. 3rd IB Applications for 10th graders due by January 16

(available online or Room 708)◦ See CRod with questions

Important Dates:

Thanks for your continued support!

Contact the Scholars Office or email us individually with questions…