JUNIOR YEAR

Class of 2015Fall Presentation

The Essential Question:

Why is the junior year often considered the most important year of a student’s high school career?

Four Elements

AcademicsTestingPost-Graduation Planning & Goal Setting

Key Events

ACADEMICS

Schedule Changes

Limited changes permitted now: Academic misplacement (with teacher

approval) Oversubscription(you don’t have a

study hall but would like one) Either must include a note from parents

stating their support of the change

All changes must be made by October 25th!!!

Graduation Requirements

4 credits English 3 credits math 3 or 4 credits

science .5 credit Env / Eco 4 credits social

studies 1.5 credits phys

ed

.5 credit health .25 credit Careers 6 or 7 elective

credits

Total of 23.75

credits

TESTING

Testing Program

PSAT SAT I & II ACT ASVAB Keystone Exams

PSATPreliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test

Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. Register by September 20 Registration forms available today! Fee: $18.00 payable to Lower Dauphin School

District NMSQT – National Merit Scholarship Qualifying

Test If you are college bound, this is great practice!

SATScholastic Aptitude Test

SAT I

Writing, Critical Reading, and Math scores

Given on: November 2, March 8, and June 7 (Saturdays) at LD

SAT II

Subject tests: Literature, History, math, sciences, languages

Take only if college requires scores

College entrance test – required for 4-year schools and some technical schools/community colleges

Register online at: www.collegeboard.com

SATs…

Require Photo ID for registration – you will need to upload photo

Must have Admission Ticket & Photo ID with you for test day

Consider taking them twice this year if you are looking at 4-year colleges!

SAT Preparation

To prepare for the SAT, you can take a prep course and/or buy test preparation materials from a book store

LD’s prep course: Meets 6 times (3 English, 3 math) –

Wednesday evenings (9/11) or Saturday mornings (started Saturday 9/7)

Cost is $40 Register with Mrs. Weber in Counseling

Office Winter dates will also be available &

registration for those dates will be in December

ACTAmerican College Test

Another type of college entrance test

Given at LD on Sept 21 and Dec 14

Register online at www.act.org

Scores: English, math, science reasoning, and reading

ASVAB

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

Given by Armed Services on Oct 17th during periods 1-4

Important for those considering military careers

Sign up today or with Mrs. Weber in Counseling Office

Keystone Exams

Keystone Exams in Algebra, Biology, and Literature – scores today!

If you scored Basic or Below Basic the re-tests will be in December and/or January this year

Incentives offered for Proficient scores Important to do your best!

Incentives for senior year

Three tests… If Proficient on all three, then students can

choose two incentives If Proficient on two of the three tests, then

students can choose one incentiveOptions:

Arrive one period lateLeave one period earlyOpen lunchPreferred Parking SpaceEvents Pass

POST-GRADUATION

PLANNING& GOAL SETTING

Key Resources

Naviance (handout) Career resources on-line Online www.collegeboard.com School Counselor Website www.ldsd.org/highschool College Fairs – will be posted on our website Career Fair @ LDHS on 10/10/13 College visits – should visit all before applying College reps at LD – sign up in Naviance or

Counseling Office Military recruiters College Information Packet

LD Career Fair

October 10 Periods 2 & 3 HS Gym Many careers

represented Sign up today!

Naviance

Career Planning Look at results

from last year’s inventory in Careers class

Complete the Personality Type Inventory

Post-SecondaryPlanning

Start to organize college interests

Register for upcoming visits

Log on to your accountAdd an email that you check regularly!!

KEY EVENTS

Important Dates

PSAT Score Return

December 12 – 7:00 p.m. in HS auditorium

For students and parents

Return & explanation of PSAT scores/college information

Financial Aid Night

January 8 – 6:30 p.m. in HS library

For students and parents

General financial aid info great for parents of juniors

For Student Athletes …

Visit the Clearinghouse website and register at the end of the year

You will send transcript at the end of junior year

Website is: www.eligibilitycenter.org

Goal Setting

Today… What do you need to accomplish after getting all of this information?? Think of short term goals as they relate to academics

and career/post-secondary planning. What do you want to accomplish in the next two weeks and then by Christmas break? Make goals for each area (academic, career, post-secondary)

Think of at least three long term goals (by the end of the school year) as they relate to the topics above.

Post these at home to help you get motivated and share them with you parents.

Share them with me so I can support you!

Questions?

Please communicate with me this year -- stop by when you have questions and let me help you!

Mrs. Dreon566-5335

tdreon@ldsd.org