Juniors

Stuarts Draft High SchoolClass of 2014

This booklet contains employment, career and college information. Developing a career and/or college plan is a very important step in preparing for your life after high school. As Juniors, you need to develop career goals and determine further educational and occupational opportunities that will enable you to reach your goals. Choosing a career is a big decision. But you don't have to sweat it—planning for your future is not something you do once. It's a continuous process. Please read this information carefully and share it with your parents/guardians.

This handbook is filled with information that will be essential in the coming months as you plan and prepare for your life after graduation from SDHS. Please review it carefully and keep the following in mind:

o Stay focused on academics. We know you are busy with extracurricular activities and outside jobs which are important to you, but you must keep schoolwork as your first priority! Stay focused on academics. Your GPA counts!

o Keep an accurate calendar or planner. You will need to keep track of testing dates (PSAT, SAT, ACT, etc.) as well as other important dates.

o Complete a career inventory to help you narrow down your options and interests for after high school.

o Periodically check the scholarship board for information and conduct your own internet search. There are millions of scholarship opportunities out there too numerous for guidance to list them all. Note: Not all scholarships are for Seniors….you can apply now for many!

o Make use of the many resources available to you: this handbook, the internet, the School Counseling Office, etc.

o Listen to or read the announcements every day. The announcements are posted on SDHS web page.

o See your school counselor often!

o Have a great year!The Augusta County School Board does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, or gender in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquires regarding non-discrimination policies:

Title IX CoordinatorEric W. Bond, Ed.D.Assistant Superintendent for Personnel6 John Lewis RoadFishersville, Virginia 22939540-245-5107

Policy Adopted: July 1, 2010 Augusta County School BoardPolicy Revised: July 1, 2012

Section 504 CoordinatorGeorge R. EarhartAssistant Superintendent for Administration6 John Lewis RoadFishersville, Virginia 22939540- 245-5108

JUNIOR PLANNING CALENDAR

September/October Check with your counselor about credits for graduation and make sure

you are on track. Register, Prepare, and take the PSAT test. Organize a calendar with deadlines. Use your planner/agenda. Attend College Night on September 27 th at 6:30pm at Fort Defiance

High School Begin to periodically check scholarship board and the scholarship page

on the SDHS School Counseling website (this should be ongoing throughout 11th and 12th grades).

November Develop a preliminary college/career list with parents and counselor. Talk with military, college, and vocational school representatives (sign

up for college visits through the School Counseling Office). Take the (for those interested in military or career exploration) ASVAB. Visit School Counseling office for career/college information. Register for senior classes.

December/January Discuss PSAT scores with counselor, begin SAT/ACT preparation.

February/March Continue SAT/ACT preparation. Register to take SAT/ACT in May or June. Write to colleges or other programs for brochures and admission

information.

April Add activities, scholarships, and awards to activity sheet. Prepare a resume and begin looking for a summer job or volunteer

program.

May AP exams given. Make appointments to visit colleges, universities and

vocational/technical schools during the summer. Take SAT/ACT this month or next. The SDHS CEEB code is 472197. You must list

SDHS as a school to receive your scores. Note: Official transcripts sent from SDHS do NOT include SAT or ACT scores. Official SAT and ACT test scores must be sent by the student via the testing center's official websites/registration.

June Take SAT/ACT if you have not done so or take SAT Subject Tests if

required by college you are applying to. The SDHS CEEB code is 472197. You must list SDHS as a school to receive your scores. Note: Official transcripts sent from SDHS do NOT include SAT or ACT scores. Official SAT and ACT test scores must be sent by the student via the testing center's official websites/registration.

Athletes need to complete paperwork for NCAA Clearinghouse. If you are planning on playing a sport at a Division I or II school in the fall, make sure you have completed the NCAA Clearinghouse application online and printed/returned the release form to the School Counseling office for transcript release. To register with the NCAA Clearinghouse, go on-line at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. Print and sign the release form and bring it to the school counseling office so we can send your official transcript. The whole NCAA process takes quite a while, so be sure to leave enough time. Please be sure to read the NCAA Clearinghouse guide so that you are aware of the eligibility requirements.

Job/Career Information and Resources

VIRGINIA EDUCATION WIZARD

The Wizard is a FREE career planning system that can help you choose a career, get the information you need to pursue your career, enroll in one of Virginia's community colleges, pay for college, transfer to a four-year college or university, and get answers to your questions about your future.

ASVAB

The ASVAB is an assessment offered by the U.S. Department of Defense that evaluates General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Numerical Operations, Coding Speed, Auto and Shop Information, Mathematics Knowledge, Mechanical Comprehension and Electronics. It is used as an assessment tool for those planning to enlist in a branch of the military. However, it can also be used to explore personal skills and aptitudes.

Career Coach

Our Career Coach is on SDHS campus several days each week to provide career planning for our students. The Career Coach has the KUDER Career Planning System available and can assist you in taking their career assessments. The Career Coach is available to help students explore the many career paths that are available

Career Assessment Center

The CAC is located at the Valley Vocational Technical Center and it can offer a comprehensive interest, skill and aptitude assessment for students free of charge. Referrals can be made through the School Counseling department

Magellan is an assessment designed to help students narrow choices into their top three interests. Additionally, students answer questions relating to their physical/people skills, and time and temperament preferences. These results are based on Department of Labor Standards.

Learning/Working Styles is an assessment that helps the student to identify and understand the best conditions under which they concentrate, absorb and retain new information. It is divided into the following domains: physical, social, environmental, mode of expression, and work characteristic.

Workstations give students hands on opportunity to try over 35 different career options.

Types of Post-Secondary Schools

Technical Institutes/ Professional Schools

These schools offer very specific programs leading to career preparation. Please be careful and check out the schools accreditation.

Community Colleges

Community colleges are public two-year institutions. Their objective is to offer programs that are financially and geographically accessible to the local community. Most of them offer two-year transfer programs to larger colleges and universities.

Liberal Arts Colleges

Liberal Arts colleges are typically smaller than universities and have smaller classes taught mostly by professors. A liberal arts education features a broad base of courses in the humanities, social sciences and sciences.

Universities

Universities usually have a larger enrollment and include a liberal arts college, professional colleges and graduate programs. Because of their size, universities offer a broader range of academic choices and may have more resources.

Information to plan for Senior Year

Class Rank – SDHS does not determine class rank for Juniors. We do print out a GPA based on your last two years of grades from the High School. The SIS data base calculates this GPA. The GPA that you see on your report card is not your Total GPA for two years, it is the GPA for the marking period. Class rank will be calculated in the Fall of your Senior year, then updated at the end of first semester and the end of the school year.

Selective Service - All 17 and 18 year old male students who are not registered with the Selective Service must do so within 30 days of turning 18. You must register - it is a Federal law. This is not a school requirement. If you fail to register it will affect your ability to receive federal college loans and grants and student aid in most states. In addition, it will affect your ability to receive job training or gain citizenship if you are a male immigrant seeking U.S. citizenship. It will even curtail your opportunities to get many good jobs in the future. Go online at www.sss.gov or fill out a registration card at any Post Office.

Voter Registration - You can register to vote at any library, post office, DMV branch, or through your local registrar once 18 years of age. Applications are also online at http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Voter_Information/Registering_to_Vote/Index.html .

Other Career Opportunities

Apprenticeships - If you like to work with your hands and your mind, you might want to consider an apprenticeship after high school. More than 850 occupations can be learned on the job through an apprenticeship.

An apprenticeship prepares you for a career through a structured program of on-the-job learning with classroom instruction, while you work and earn a salary. The programs can last from one to six years and you can choose careers in areas such as telecommunications, health care, computing, business support and the arts. The most common apprenticeships are in construction and manufacturing.

Most apprenticeships are registered through the U.S. Department of Labor, ensuring the program meets government standards for fairness, safety and training. If you complete a registered program, you will receive a certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor which proves your qualifications for the career. Also, classroom instruction often can be used to earn a license, certification or degree.

Following are the top 10 occupations offering apprenticeships that expect to have the most job openings for new workers (2000-2010):

cook, restaurant and cafeteria automotive service technician, mechanic licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse carpenter police officer electrician hairdresser, cosmetologist maintenance and repair worker welder, cutter, solderer and brazer plumber, pipefitter and steamfitter

For more information on apprenticeships, visit with your school counselor. You also can call America's Workforce Network toll-free at (877) US2-JOBS. (872-5672) Operators can help you find career counselors and apprenticeship programs in your area.

On the Job Training – Some students will choose not to continue with their education after high school but they too can look at their career goals. Many people have managed to work their way into higher level positions through their own initiative and establishing excellent work habits. Employers value employees that show up to work on time and who take on more than the job they were hired for. Always be on the look out for how you can cross-train while on the job. This means learning the jobs of the other people that you work with to make yourself invaluable to your employer and when a higher position opens you will be ready to apply for it.

College Lingo

Accreditation – Accreditation is recognition of a college or university by a regional or national organization which indicates the institution has met the standards prescribed by the organization. Specialized accreditation of individual programs within the college/university can also be granted by professional organizations recognizing minimum standards for training for that profession.

Affiliation – Non-profit colleges are classified as state assisted, private/independent or private/church supported. The institution’s affiliation does not guarantee quality. Affiliation with private/church-supported schools may or may not have requirements for religious life.

Articulation Agreement – Articulation agreements relate to the transfer of students and their credits between two colleges or between high school and college such as dual enrollment courses. For example, BRCC has an articulation agreement for students transferring to JMU regarding how their credits will be accepted at JMU. BRCC also has an articulation agreement with SDHS conferring college credit to students successfully completing dual enrollment courses.

Deferred Admission - This type of admission allows a student to delay enrollment in college for up to a year while still accepting an offer of admission.

Early Decision – The early decision option allows students who apply earlier to receive offers of admission earlier. Typically early decision candidates are sure of the school they want to attend and closely match that school’s academic profile.

Early Action - Students apply earlier and are notified about the admissions decision earlier but are not committed to attend.

Rolling Admission – Student applications are reviewed as they are received and students are notified shortly after an admissions decision has been made. Because of this process, schools with a rolling admission will not have specific deadlines for applications or notifications.

Bachelors or baccalaureate degree - Complete a four- or five-year, full-time program of study (or its part-time equivalent) at a college. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) are the most common.

Associate degree -You receive an associate of arts (AA) or associate of science (AS) degree after completing two years of study similar to the first two years of a four-year college. Community colleges or four-year universities offer associate degrees. After earning an AA or an AS, you may transfer to a four-year college to complete the requirements for a bachelor's degree. The associate of applied science (AAS) degree is awarded on completion of technological or vocation programs of study.

Certificate/Diploma - These non-degree offerings generally lead to employment in an occupational field. For example, to enter certain fields such as computer science as a computer technician or nursing as a LPN, you may first have to get a certificate or diploma.

Military Options

Military Enlistment

The U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard offer job training in many fields as well as some financial assistance for college.

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)

The ROTC program provides an opportunity to attend college while studying military leadership and skills. ROTC is usually a college elective that requires approximately four hours per week of your time. The first two years of the program do not require a military commitment. However, enrolling in advanced ROTC does incur a military obligation.

Service Academies

The United States maintains five service academies:

o The United States Military Academy at West Point, New Yorko The United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Marylando The United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs,

Coloradoo The United States Coast Guard Academy at New London,

Connecticuto The United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New

York

Admissions Process

Admission to service academies is highly competitive. The process is rigorous. It is important that you review the process for the particular academy you are applying to and begin the steps as early as possible. Here are some basic guidelines you should know about.

Each candidate must: be 17 but not yet 22 be a U.S. citizen at the time of enrollment be unmarried with no dependents have an above average high school record have strong scores on the SAT or ACT be in good physical health have above average strength, endurance and agility

* Military recruiters visit SDHS on a monthly basis. It is important to talk with them regarding your interests and any questions you may have.

COLLEGE CHOICE FACTORSDeciding which colleges to apply to, much less which to attend is a significant life choicethat will affect you for years. What are your values? What kind of environment do youwant to live in? These and other questions will help guide you to select the properschool.

LocationHow far away from home would you like to go to school? 10 miles or 2,000 miles?

Size of CollegeWould you prefer to attend a school with a large enrollment (30,000 or more students), a small one (around 1,500 students), or something in the middle? How large would youlike the physical size of the campus to be?

EnvironmentWould you rather attend a community college or other 2-year institution, or a 4-yearuniversity? An urban, suburban, or a rural school? Is the location and size of the nearest city important to you? Do you prefer a co-ed or single-gender school? Does the school’s religious affiliation make a difference to you?

Admissions/RequirementsAt what schools do you have a high enough GPA, class ranking, and test scores to beadmitted?

AcademicsWhich schools offer the major(s) that you are considering? What kind of student-facultyratio and typical class size are you looking for, and which schools offer them?

College Expenses/Financial AidDoes your college choice match your financial ability? How expensive a school can youafford to attend? Consider tuition, room and board, and other expenses including theapplication fee, deposits, etc. How many students receive financial aid at the schoolsyou are considering?

Housing/FacilitiesWould you rather live on campus, in a dorm, or commute to school from home? Whattype of academic, medical and recreational facilities should your college have?

ActivitiesWhat kind of clubs and organizations (including fraternities and sororities) do you wantyour college to offer? What types of athletic activities (including intramural teams) should be offered by the school you choose to attend?

Special ProgramsDo you need a school with services or programs for the learning disabled? Would youlike to study abroad? Do you plan to continue your ESL studies in college? Are youlooking for an honors program?

Campus VisitsWhy?

It is important to visit a college or technical school before you enroll there. After narrowing down your choices, you should try and visit your top two preferences. Often a student will feel that a school is exactly what they are looking for after reading about it, but visiting the campus may give them a new perspective.

When?

We usually recommend that students begin to visit colleges during the spring of their junior year and continue into the summer so that visits do not interfere with senior year academics.

How?

Call ahead and make an appointment with the admissions office. This will make it easier to schedule all the things you would like to see or do.

Which Schools?

There are several questions to ask yourself when narrowing down your list of colleges to determine which school is the right fit for you.

o Do I meet admission requirements for GPA, SAT scores, etc.?o Do I want to be close to home? Far away? Somewhere in between?o How big is the school?o Does it offer majors/programs that I am interested in?o How many first-year students return for the second year?o What type of financial aid is available?o Are there extracurricular activities that interest me?

Overnight Visits:

Some schools offer the opportunity to spend a night in the dorm with another college student. This is a great opportunity to see first hand the culture and atmosphere of the college/university.

What to ask:

How many students attend this school? How many students are in the largest lecture class? Do professors have regular office hours? How well do professors know their students?

What types of freshman transition programs are available? Do graduate assistants teach classes here? What is the farthest distance to travel between classes? Which academic departments are the strongest? What is the school’s policy on accepting AP and Dual Enrollment credits? What percentage of students live on campus? What meal plans are available? What are the security precautions taken on campus? What types of social and cultural activities take place on campus? How far is it from the nearest form of public transportation? Are freshman allowed to have a car? What are parking arrangements?

What to see:

Campus tour Campus housing (spend the night w/student if possible) Eat in the cafeteria Read a Residence hall bulletin board Sit in on a class if possible Meet with a coach if considering athletics Library Gymnasium/other athletic facilities Student commons areas Counseling/Career Center Clinic/Health Facility

Community Colleges in Virginia Find a Virginia Community College:With 23 colleges on 40 campuses across the Commonwealth, Virginia's community colleges offer many educational choices.

Looking for a Program, Course, or Major?Visit Courses & Programs on www.vccs.com to search all courses and browse programs offered at Virginia's Community Colleges - view individual course descriptions and schedules and search for key information about programs and majorsBRCC Placement Test - Students applying to Blue Ridge Community College must take placement test to determine their readiness for college-level work. Students must submit an application and transcript prior to taking the placement test.

Testing

SDHS CEEB Code: 472197

Most colleges & universities will require specific test scores as part of the admissions process. It is important that you know the testing requirements and deadlines for scores to be reported for colleges you are applying to. Testing information and test preparation materials are available in the guidance office. Below is a brief description of the different tests that are typically used in the college admissions process.

PSAT- The PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) is offered each October to students in grades 9-11.College-bound students are highly encouraged to take the PSAT and will register through the high school counseling office. The PSAT provides an opportunity for students to practice before taking the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) and to receive an in-depth score interpretation to assess their strengths and weaknesses. Juniors may also compete in the National Merit Scholarship Competition (NMSC). The PSAT is an aptitude test consisting of verbal, mathematics and writing sections. http://www.collegeboard.org

SAT - The SAT Reasoning Test consists of a critical reading, math, and writing section and measures how well the student analyzes and solves problems. Most four-year colleges or universities usually require the SAT. It is recommended that college bound students take the SAT at least twice including once in the spring of their junior year and once in the fall of their senior year.http://www.collegeboard.org

SAT SubjectTests – The SAT subject tests are subject area tests in English, math, history, science

and foreign languages. SAT subject tests may be required by more competitive colleges and universities and are used mainly for course placement. The SAT subject tests most commonly required by colleges are the writing, Math IIC (required if enrolled at Pre-calculus at SDHS), foreign language and/or subject of your choice. The SAT and SAT subject tests may not be taken on the same day. However, students may take up to three subject tests on one test date. Students should plan to take subject area tests at the completion of that course. For example, students planning to take the Chemistry subject test should register for the test that is closest to the date of completion for that course. Seniors should plan to take required SAT subject tests this fall if necessary.http://www.collegeboard.org

ACT- Similar to the SAT, the ACT (American College Testing) helps to measure a student’s educational development and consists of tests in English, mathematics, writing and science. While many schools will accept scores from either test, some still prefer an SAT score. Again, carefully check the testing requirements for each individual school.http://www.actstudent.org

ASVAB - The ASVAB Career Exploration Program is a comprehensive career exploration and planning program that includes a multiple aptitude test battery, an interest inventory, and various career planning tools designed to help students explore the world of work. The ASVAB Program recently was re-designed to be helpful to virtually all students, whether they are planning on

immediate employment after high school in civilian or military occupations, or further education at a university, community college, or vocational institution.

SDHSStudent Activity Record

Name: _________________________________

List all School Activities: (clubs, sports, leadership positions, honors, awards, etc):

9 th Grade: 10 th Grade:

11 th Grade: 12 th Grade:

What are your strengths?

What are your weaknesses?

What three words describe you the best?

What is your plan after graduation? (Please check one) Employment: _________________________________________________ Career or Technical School: _____________________________________ Community College: ___________________________________________ 4 year University: _____________________________________________ Military: ____________________________________________________ Apprenticeship: _______________________________________________ Other: _______________________________________________________

Where have you already applied?

If you have not already done so, where are you planning to apply?

Possible Career Choices:

Previous and current employment history:

Community Activities (ex. Highway clean up, religious organizations, 4H, girl scouts):

Is your high school record an accurate measure of your ability and potential? If not, why? What do you think is a good measure of your ability and potential?

Miscellaneous: Any information you consider significant but not covered in other categories) Examples: personal challenges, obstacles overcome, schedule conflicts preventing you from taking a more challenging load, extenuating personal or family circumstances, any special financial circumstances that you wish to have considered when need-based scholarships become available:

In PLANNING your schedule for your SENIOR year:

Post secondary opportunities may have different requirements than Stuarts Draft High School. Be sure to research and ask college admissions counselors questions regarding admission requirements.

COLLEGE BOUND?o It is imperative that seniors take rigorous courses- it

not only affects college admissions and scholarship opportunities, it helps PREPARE you for your COLLEGE education!

Strength of senior curriculum can make a difference in college admissions.

o College admission counselors want to see that you are taking courses in each of the five major subject areas: English, math, social studies, science, and foreign language.

o If you take a number of electives, colleges WILL notice! They look at your senior year schedule AND grades! The more academic courses you take, the more competitive your college application becomes.

Should you take a MATH your Senior year?o Research: The highest level of mathematics one

studies in secondary school has the strongest continuing influence on bachelor’s degree completion.

o Research: Finishing a course beyond the level Algebra II/Trig more than doubles the odds a student who enters postsecondary education will complete a bachelor’s degree

Remember, some colleges recalculate a student’s GPA by figuring from academic courses only. They also typically remove weight from grades.