Academic Rigor and Preparing for College:

An OverviewDave Anderson

School Counseling Director / Freedom High School

Town Hall Meeting

October 27, 2011

Academic Rigor• Almost 80% of today’s fastest-growing

occupations require some postsecondary education.

• Students who take more challenging coursework are more likely to enroll in and complete a college program.

• In our new global economy, a rigorous academic curriculum is indispensable for all students.

Number of Credits to Graduate

Standard Diploma: 22 Credits

• 4 Credits of English• 3 Credits of Math• 3 Credits of Science• 3 Credits of History and Social Sciences• 1 Credit of Fine or Practical Art• 2 Credits of HPE• 6 Electives (2 must be sequential)

Number of Credits to Graduate

Advanced Studies Diploma:24 Credits (26 credits for new 9th graders)

• 4 Credits of English• 4 Credits of Math• 4 Credits of Science• 4 Credits of History and Social Sciences• 3 Credits of a Foreign Language or 2 credits of 2

different languages• 1 Credit of Fine or Practical Art• 2 Credits of HPE• 1-2 Electives

SOL Requirements

Standard Diploma: 6 Total(1) English Reading (1) English Writing(1) Math(1) Science(1) Social Studies(1) Student Choice

Advanced Diploma: 9 Total(1) English Reading (1) English Writing(2) Math(2) Science(2) Social Studies(1) Student Choice

Factors That Influence College Acceptance and Success

• GPA (Grade Point Average).• Strong SAT or ACT scores.• Taking a challenging course load including Pre-AP

and AP courses in particular.• A demonstrated, well rounded student experience;

such as, participation in athletics, clubs, and other student organizations.

• Job and volunteer experience in the community is a definite plus.

• Leadership roles large and small.

Web sites to remember…

• Naviance: excellent web site for researching and maintaining college and career information. http://connection.naviance.com/freedom

• Virginia Wizard: an online career planning program for students to take interest assessments, explore occupations, research colleges. Visit www.vawizard.org

• CollegeBoard: SAT Testing, but also a wealth of national

college related information as well. Good user friendly articles. www.collegeboard.com

Parent Involvement• Your young person needs you.• The area that controls judgment in the brain is not

fully developed on average until age 25.• Teenagers are generally more driven by emotions

and must learn self control over time.• Help your child think about their future and

formulate an initial plan. It can always change and probably will…

• Sleep and proper nutrition are crucial to learning.• Help create a study routine in the home.

Words Of Wisdom

“Try to become not a man of success, but try rather to become a man of value.”

-Albert Einstein