10th Grade Parent Information

1
10th Grade Parent Information

• Reality Check
• The Plan Starts Now!

2
Evening Overview

• Keys to Success
• Academic and Information Resources
• PHS Graduation Requirements
• PSAT
• SAT vs. ACT
• The Minimum 15 A-G Requirements
• D/F Grades
• UC Approved Lists
• College Acceptance Factors
• Interesting Notes
• What to do NOW?...Building a Resume

3
Keys to Success

• A successful students says
• I know what work is due and when it is due
• I ask questions and get help when I dont
  understand an assignment or concept
• I will attend tutorials on a regular basis
• I will use learning point to help me communicate
  with my parents and teachers.
• My parents still play a major role in my education

4
Academic Resources

• Lab Day Tutorials
• W/TH 210 252
• All teachers available
• Mentor Program
• GPA of 2.5 or lower
• See Student Services in Room K-24, ext. 5393
• Academic Success/6.5 Study Skills
• Limited space
• See your Counselor
• Independent Homework Setting
• in the Library
• Regular MonThurs 700 730
• 230 400
• Wed/Thurs 230 400
• Friday 700 730
• 230 300

5
Information Resources

• 6 Week Progress Notices (given to students)
• October 7, November 18, March 17, May 5
• Report Cards
• Mid-Februarymailed home
• Early Julymailed home
• Titan Times parent newsletter
• Iliad student newspaper
• Mass email
• Updates on PHSthings parents should know!
• (important dates, activities, deadlines)

6
PHS Graduation Requirements

• Total 230 credits in 4 years (Each semester is 5
  credits)
• CIVICS/ECONOMICS (10)
• ENGLISH (40)
• FINE ARTS or FOREIGN LANGUAGE (5)
• FINE ARTS (ART, MUSIC OR DRAMA) (5)
• HEALTH (5)
• LIFE SCIENCE (10)
• MATHEMATICS (20)
• PRACTICAL ARTS (5)
• PHYSICAL EDUCATION (20)
• PHYSICAL SCIENCE (10)
• U.S. HISTORY (10)
• WORLD HISTORY (10)
• ELECTIVE CREDITS (80)
• ? CAHSEE MATH ? CAHSEE LANGUAGE ? COMPUTER
  LITERACY

7
PSAT/NMSQT

• Not to be confused with PTSA Mock SAT
• Why should a Sophomore take the PSAT?
• Compare a students scores to other 10th graders
  across the nation
• Critical reading, math and writing practice
• Exposure to standardized testing
• Makes colleges aware student is out there
• Access to PSATextra and MyRoad explanations of
  test questions and a college and career planning
  tool
• FREE!

8
PSAT/NMSQT continued

• Why students want to be prepared to score well on
  the PSAT Junior year
• Competition for National Merit Scholarship Awards
• National Hispanic Recognition Program
• National Achievement Program for African
  Americans
• To receive information from colleges if student
  checks Yes to Student Search Service on test
  day
• Test Date Saturday, October 18, 2008

9
SAT vs. ACT
10
The Minimum 15A-G Requirements for UCs/CSUs

• A History/Social Science 2 years 2 years
• B English 4 years 4 years
• C Mathematics 3 years 4 years
• D Laboratory Science 2 years 3 years
• E - Language Other than English 2 years 3 years
• F Visual/Performing Arts 1 year 1 year
• G College Preparatory Elective 1 year 1 year
• _______________________
• 15 (min.) 18 (rec.)
• A G courses taken beyond minimum is beneficial.
  Students accepted
• by the UCs average 22.5.

11
Out-of-State Public/Private Admission Requirements

• Requirements are similar but not always identical
  to A-G
• Check university websites for admissions
  specifics
• Examples of differences
• Arizona State University requires 4 years of
  English, 4 years of math, 3 years of lab science,
  2 years of foreign language, 2 years of social
  science 1 year of fine art.
• Grinnell College (Iowa) requires 4 years of
  English, 4 years
• of math through pre-calc, 3 years of
  history/social science, 3 years of lab science, 3
  years of foreign language, as many accelerated,
  honors and AP courses as possible.

12
Repeat D or F Grades

• Courses meeting the minimum A-G/admission
  requirements must eventually be passed with a
  grade of C or better.
• Students may retake courses if necessary.
• Students who choose not to retake these courses
  may not be eligible to attend UC, CSU or various
  other universities.
• There are special guidelines for Mathematics and
  Language other than English courses (i.e.
  Validation Rule).
• For specific out-of-state public/private school
  guidelines contact the university directly.

13
UC Approved List

• Poway High Schools courses that meet the
  requirements for the admission to the University
  of California can be accessed online at
• http//pathways.ucop.edu/doorways/list/
• Poway High Schools ATP/CEEB code 052-533
• Print UC approved list and keep for reference
• Honors courses do not denote additional GPA
  credit
• AP courses do denote additional GPA credit

14
College Acceptance Factors

• The factors below are in no specific order
• Students complete application packet
• School counselor and teacher letters of
  recommendation
• Course load, rigor and variety
• Special talents, leadership, athletics,
  intellectual vitality
• Anticipated course of study
• Race, ethnicity, family situation
• Class rank
• Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Standardized Test Scores
• Pool of applicants that year

15
Interesting Notes

• The average acceptance rate at colleges and
  universities nationwide is about 70
• 90 of Freshmen are admitted to one of their top
  3 college choices
• Last year, UPenn received 22,646 applications for
  3,628 spaces16 were accepted
• About 80 of the Valedictorians who apply to
  Harvard do not get accepted
• Yale says it rejected 100 applicants with perfect
  scores on the SAT during 2002-2003

16
What to do NOW? Building a Resume

• Continue to put forth best effort in class
• Compile portfolio of awards, honors, volunteer
  hours, interests, and accomplishments
• Be aware of the testing calendar SAT/ACT, SAT
  II, and AP exam opportunities at end of Sophomore
  year
• Research universities and do not be afraid to
  look outside California
• Be thinking about potential majors
• Visit helpful websites
• www.fastweb.com
• www.collegeboard.com
• https//connection.naviance.com/poway