High School Success and Preparing for

College

Presented By: Folsom High School Counselors

Folsom High School Student/Parent Evening

Symposium:

Agenda for the Evening

How To Succeed At FHS

Folsom High School Tools/Resources

How To Devise A Plan to Meet High School Graduation

and College “a-g” Admission Requirements

Preparing For College With Honors And AP Courses

Planning a Purposeful High School Experience and Building

Your Story for College Admission

Standardized Tests

Meet your FHS Counselors

Nikka Vaughan:

L-Rd

Mike Adorjan:

E-K

Nicole Cruz:

Re-Z

Clara Brown:

A-D

Counseling OfficeThe most efficient way to contact your students counselor is to send an email

with your questions. This way we have the opportunity to research and provide the answer you are seeking. If an appointment is needed please send your

students counselor an email or call them to schedule.

Counseling Office Hours Counseling Office is open daily from 7:30am-4:00pm

Student Drop in times:

Before School

At Lunch

After School

Students may sign up for an individual appointment

How to be in the know?

Folsom High School Website - Departments/Teacher

Websites

Daily Bulletins- on the sidebar of FHS website

Sign up for the bi-weekly “Bulldog Newsletter”- link

on FHS website above the shopping cart

Helpful Planning Resources

Folsom High School Website

Folsom High School Curriculum Guide

Bookmark the Curriculum Guide for future use! It can be found on the Counseling page of the FHS website

HOW TO EARN CREDITS at FHS…

Students take 6 classes during each school year.

They will earn 5 credits for every class they pass, each semester, 10 for the year.

This means they should have earned at least 60credits end of each school year.

Grading Periods

Graduation RequirementsSubject Years/Number of Credits Required

English 4 years – 40 credits

Fine Art, World Language or CTE (Career Technical Education) 1 year – 10 credits

World Cultures 1 year – 10 credits

U.S. History 1 year – 10 credits

Government 1 semester – 5 credits

Economics 1 semester – 5 credits

Algebra and Geometry 2 years– 20 credits

Mathematics 1 year – 10 credits

Science 2 years – 20 credits

Career Technical Education (CTE) or 3rd Year of Science 1 year – 10 credits

Health Education 1 semester - 5 credits

Physical Education 2 years – 20 credits

Electives 55 credits

Total 220 credits

Transcript

Tools for Success: My student is not doing well in school, what should we do?STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: Has your student…

Spoken with the teacher about concerns?

Reread the course expectations for policies and procedures to see if late work is accepted or extra credit given?

Met with teacher before or after school for additional help?

Utilized PAWS?

Used PAWSPORT to record assignments?

Written down assignments from the teacher’s board (or taken a picture of the board)?

Visited the teacher’s website?

Worked with a Peer Tutor? Counselors have a list of Peer Tutors for hire.

Asked for a seat change to minimize distractions?

Asked for a homework buddy? These students help each other if one is absent.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES: As a parent or guardian, have you…

Limited distractions at home by making sure that the TV and cell phone are off, etc.?

Set up a regular time for studying and homework?

Checked grades and assignments on PowerSchool?

Checked your student’s PAWSPORT for assignments?

Checked your student’s backpack to see if there is a method for organization?

Helped your student prioritize assignments and set educational goals?

Help outside of the classroom

Peer Tutoring Program- Peer tutors are current junior and seniors, who have received grades of A or B in the subject and have been recommended for tutoring by their teachers. Tutoring sessions are arranged between the family and the tutor and must be done outside of school hours. There is a recommended fee of $10 per hour.

Intel Tutoring Program: Intel employees volunteer and offer our students FREE 1:1 tutoring on Wednesday before and after school for high levels of math - IM3 or higher. Applications are in the counseling office. First Come, First Serve basis.

World Language Scholars offers free tutoring every Wednesday after school in WL101 until about 4:15pm. Tutors are available for French, German and Spanish.

PowerSchoolPowerSchool Portal is a vehicle for parents and students to access grade and attendance information. Students and parents have separate login accounts. We highly recommend that this portal to be checked frequently.

NavianceWhat is Naviance? Naviance, is an interactive college and career readiness platform used by thousands of schools

across the country, to help our students develop critical skills and college knowledge that research shows increases students' likelihood of reaching post-secondary goals.

How Counselors Will Use Naviance: Naviance will help students select courses, understand the impact those choices will have on their

goals, and even consider higher-level classes based on counselor recommendations and the student’s academic history. Naviance helps counselors and students prepare a plan for enrollment in post-secondary institutions. Students will track applications, request letters of recommendation and transcripts through Naviance.

How Naviance will be integrated at FHS: With Naviance, teachers will coach and monitor students through activities utilizing both in-class

and online success planning tools that help students establish meaningful goals for their future. Students will then be guided through the process of creating personalized, task-oriented plans for achieving those goals. Through interest surveys and career planning activities, students will be inspired to learn about themselves, explore careers that match their personality types and interests, and understand what’s required to pursue those careers.

How does my student login? Students log into the Naviance Family Connection: http://connection.naviance.com/folsomhi

with their PowerSchool login.

Post High School OptionsCollege• Community College-112 options

• All high school graduates are accepted• Understand transfer agreements

• California State University-23 options• University of California-10 research colleges-highly competitive• Private University-large endowments may help financial aid - may have specific

affiliations- small classes• Out-of-state college: scholarships such as WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange)

Career/Job

Trade Schools• Electrician, Welding, Cosmetology

Military• Army• Navy• Coast Guard• Air Force• Marines

Four‐Year College Admission RequirementsUC / CSU a‐g  Requirements (College Prep Courses)

a.  History/Social Science  2 Years Required

b.  English 4 Years Required

c.  Mathematics 3 Years Required / 4 Years RecommendedIncluding Algebra 1/IM1, Geometry/IM2, and Algebra 2/IM3 

d. Laboratory Science 2 Years Required / 3 Years RecommendedChosen from Biology, Chemistry, Physics

e. Language other than English 2 Years Required / 3 Years RecommendedMust be the same language

f.  Visual & Performing Arts 1 Year Required

g. College Preparatory Electives 1 Year Required Chosen from approved UC “a‐g” course list

Remember: The SAT or ACT plus Writing is also required for most colleges.

Listed in BOLD in FHS Curriculum Guide & on registration formOfficial “a‐g” list at https://doorways.ucop.edu/list

Use your personal learning plan to map out your classes for high school.

Personal Learning Plan Worksheet

How to earn credit for a course if I cannot fit it into my schedule?

Zero Period Classes (Limited Options)

Summer School (Remedial/Enrichment - prior counselor approval required)

School Approved Online Courses

Independent Study P.E. (for National Ranked student athletes)

Community College Classes (Limited space, must be a course FHS does not offer, students must be 16 or older with 2.75 GPA, requires counselor approval)

*only courses required for graduation with prior counselor/admin approval will be placed on FHS transcript

9 10 11 12

Zero Period:eg – Biology

Zero Period:eg – World Lang

English English English English

Math Math Math Math

Fitness 1 World Cultures U.S. History Gov/Econ

Science Science Science

World Lang World Lang

Elect/World Lang Elective Elective: VAPA Elective

Elective Elective Elective

Summer School:Counselor approval

Summer School: Counselor approval

Summer School:Counselor approval

Sample Four-Year Plan:UC/CSU Eligibility + 4 Years with 2 Electives

AP(Advanced Placement)/Honors Classes

College level courses

Weighted GPA (except Hon. English 9/10): A=5.0 B=4.0 C=3.0

Potential to earn college credit with high AP test scores

Helps with demonstrating rigor and strength in your curriculum

Get Involved!

Music: Jazz, Marching Band, Concert Band, Orchestra

Drama and Arts: Film, Drawing and Painting

Student Government

Academic: California Scholarship Foundation (CSF)

Cultural: Global Perspective Studies, World Language Scholars

Technology: Robotics Club, Science Club

Athletics

Community Service: Interact, Key Club, BRO

List of clubs and advisors will be on FHS website- Student Activities

DEDICATION IS KEY!

How to “Plan A Purposeful High School Experience” and Build Your Story For College Admission

What are colleges looking for? Colleges want to see your commitment, dedication and genuine interest in expanding your intellectual horizons.

UC- Comphensive Review Grade-Point Average Test Scores Courses Completed/Planned Honors (weighted) Courses Top 9% Local Context (ELC) Quality of Senior Year Academic Opportunities in California High Schools Performance in Academic Subject Areas Achievements in Special Projects Improvement in Academic Performance Special Talents, Achievements, and Awards Participation in Educational Preparation Programs Academic Accomplishment Within Life Experiences Geographic Location

How do I demonstrate: commitment, dedication and genuine interest in expanding intellectual horizons?

Non-college prep classes in a specific area Online courses- either for credit or not for credit Reading books and articiles

Summer programs Internships/ Employment Community Service

Performances Ted Talks, NPR, exposing your mind to other avenues of learning Cultural activities/ Religious or chuch involvment

Participating in fairs and competitions DO NOT LIMIT YOURSELF! BE ORIGINIAL!

Standardize Testing: SAT and ACT

SAT: Designed to measure your critical thinking skills ACT: Designed to measure academic development (included science and

recommended to take the writing section) Colleges will accept either test Prepare during your junior year - FHS offers the PSAT (you can take test as late as

October - November of senior year)

NEW SAT: No penalty for wrong answers Writing portion is options but highly recommended Vocabulary will be more relevant Fewer math topics but will go deeper (1 section will not allow use of a calculator) Essay is longer and will ask the student to analyze the authors strategies

Additional Testing Information:

SAT Subject Tests: Students chance to demonstrate proficiency -some colleges require for specific majors (Math/Science)

AP Test: Mastery of AP classes - students can earn college credit

College Placement Test - Your SAT, AP, CAASP scores can substitute for college placement test

CAASP: California State Testing during Junior Year - This will be your ELM and EAP test

Show the colleges you are interested

Attend college fairs

Campus visits

Communication with schools and reps

Meetings with admission representatives at Folsom High School

Researching College Prospects

What do you want to study? What schools have strong programs? Do you want to live in an urban, suburban or rural environment? How far from home do you want to venture? What size school is best for you?

Tips Research colleges and majors Campus visits Keep your GPA competitive Consider all options Do not cross off a school due to financial aid

Thank you!

Question and Answer Time