SCHOLARS ACADEMY

9th Grade Orientation Meeting: April 8th, 2015

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 Mrs. Carro: Incoming Lead Teacher Mr. Donohue, Principal Mrs. Diaz: AP Mr. Rodriguez: IB Coordinator Ms. Chain: IB/Scholars Secretary Mrs. Sahwell: CAP Advisor Mrs. Shelley Groff and Mrs. Marina Gallian: Parent Advisory

Board Scholars Student Board

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

WELCOME!

Paperwork Needed: Green Contract Form– most have completed Schedule for next year – feeder schools have

completed; private/charter need to complete◦ Get form and complete tonight after general session or call for

appointment Registration and Transfers

◦ Feeder pattern students are automatically registered if in area ◦ Private/charter students in our feeder pattern must withdraw

from current school and register here◦ Transfer students need form FM3281 from home residence

high school and submit to MDCPS◦ Transfer students cannot be registered until transfer granted

by MDCPS Registrar: Kathy Lopez, 7-11 AM only

Colleges are getting much more rigorous in their admission requirements.

Admission has become more highly competitive.

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 elite 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), 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

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 College writing ability and character

qualities are predicted from your essay

What Highly Selective Institutions Recommend:

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

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) Must take a minimum of 1 AP class in 10th

grade (AP European History) Must take a minimum of 2 AP classes in each

of the 11th and 12th grades IB Diploma students meet the requirements

Scholars Academy Requirements:

Scholars Academy students must maintain a minimum un-weighted GPA of 3.0 to remain in good standing.

Students who fall beneath this requirement are placed on academic probation and must return to a “B” average to remain in the academy and receive their senior graduation cords.

School begins at 7:20 and ends at 2:20

You must wear uniform and ID at all times at MBSH

You are allowed a maximum of 5 absences in a semester

course and 10 absences in a year course. Because of block

schedule, each day’s absence is actually counted as 2 absences missed!

The uniform includes solid red or white tops and black, khaki or blue jean pants or slacks; outerwear should be red or white.

Electronic devices (BYOD) are allowed at teacher’s discretion.

SCHEDULE: 8 periods spread over even and odd days

ODD: 1 7:20 – 9:003 9:05 – 10:355 10:40 – 12:10 11:15 – 12:457 12:50 – 2:20EVEN: 2 7:20 – 9:004 9:05 – 10:358 10:40 – 12:10 11:15 – 12:458 12:50 – 2:20Lunch at 10:40 – 11:10 or 12:15 – 12:45

Scholars Academy students must meet the highest standards of academic integrity.

MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH STUDENT HONOR CODE:

I affirm that all work I submit is mine alone, and that I will give proper credit to others when I use their words or ideas. I will neither give nor receive unauthorized assistance on any assignment, and I commit myself to academic conduct that will reflect well upon my school, my community and myself at all times. I understand that there are severe penalties for violating this affirmation.

Available at the school website student tab.◦ Must complete the reading and take annotated

notes which can be used during the essay writing the first week of school.

Eng I and Eng I Honors (All Students must read) 1) Anthem - Ayn Rand Free copies will be brought to the middle school and will be

available here May 1st for others. Scholars students may be required to read

an additional book. Information will be posted on

the school website.

Summer Reading Assignment:

Registration hours from 7 – 11 AM◦ Contact the registrar for additional information

DO THE SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT! FLVS classes require counselor approval and

must be completed prior to enrollment to be placed in the proper class next year.

Summer orientation and pizza lunch on Monday, August 10th, 9am –noon◦ Get schedule◦ Get acquainted, find classrooms, meet peer-tutors

UPCOMING Important Events:

Thanks for your continued

support!Students needing schedules can work on them now.Contact the Scholars Office or email us individually for other questions…

dguthrie@dadeschools.net305-532-4515 ext. 2708