WELCOME, PROSPECTIVE FAMILIES! UAIS Information Night Extravaganza February 9, 2016 WHAT IS THE UAIS? Certified International Baccalaureate World School Recognized by the Washington Post as the #1 most-challenging high school in Michigan, #2 in the Midwest and #56 in the nation The districts only 4-year full-day immersion program Emphasizes mastery across all disciplines 11 th /12 th grade: IB Diploma Programme All students commit as IB full diploma candidates THE IBO PROGRAMME WHEEL IB FULL DIPLOMA CANDIDATE Curriculum: Group 1: English Group 2: Acquired Language Group 3: Individuals & Societies Group 4: Sciences Group 5: Mathematics Group 6: Arts* Theory of Knowledge Creativity, Activity, Service: 150 hours Extended Essay Externally assessed exams *Arts (visual arts, theatre, instrumental music, vocal music) can be opted out for additional 2 credits in group 3, 4, or 5. UAIS SCHOOL DAY EXPERIENCE Block schedule of 8 classes (4x4 format) 32 total credits upon high school graduation 5-9 full year courses of sciences (physics, biology, chemistry) IB Further Mathematics: Most rigorous math curriculum available in UCS (two-year study of advanced Euclidean geometry, discrete math, inferential statistics, and group theory) UAIS schedule is focused, in-depth, and somewhat limited UAIS MISSION STATEMENT The mission of UAIS is to engage our students and to cultivate their abilities through individualized attention and the support of our community of educators, learners, and parents. This collaborative environment and the rigorous, comprehensive, and internationally-minded curriculum challenge the learner to grow personally and academically. As our students develop into enlightened, globally-aware citizens, the skills and understanding that they acquire at UAIS will help them lead today and improve tomorrow. THE IB LEARNER PROFILE The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally-minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better, more peaceful world. THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLEGE READINESS Source: The National Center for Higher Education Management Systems Progress and Comparison Data, For every th graders in the U.S. graduate from high school enter college return to college for their sophomore year earn a bachelors degree within four years. IB= COLLEGE READINESS 88% of IB Diploma Programme graduates achieve a bachelors degree within six years of entering university, compared with 58% of all students. * Close to 71% of IB students enroll directly in a 4- year institution. For UAIS, this number is 99%. * Caspary, Kyra. (2011). Research Brief: Postsecondary Enrollment Patterns in IB Certificate and Diploma Candidates from U.S. High Schools. International Baccalaureate Organization. (May 2011). IB World Magazine. IB= COLLEGE READINESS UM Acceptance: Average 50% (23% nationally) Oakland: credits for IB Diploma Class of 2015: $7.4 million in offered scholarships ACT average: 27.9 (Macomb County: 19.7; UCS: 21.3) Acceptances: Harvard, MIT, Duke, Univ. of Chicago, American Univ. of Paris, Johns Hopkins, Penn, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Emory, NYU, Berkley, Warsaw Univ. GREAT, IM INTERESTED! TELL ME SPECIFICS! How do the logistics work? What does a day at UAIS look like? How is the UAIS experience different from my home school? What about extracurricular activities and athletics? How do I apply? What happens after tonight? TRANSPORTATION TO UAIS Regional stops throughout the district direct to UAIS/Heritage in A.M. Regional drop-offs at some junior high/elementary schools in P.M. UAIS students can ride junior high buses back into neighborhoods Buses to each of the high schools for home school sports Home school athletic directors will coordinate early release transportation for our students Please visit UCS websites Transportation link for more details AM PICK-UP LOCATIONS * a. 6:45am b. Wiley 6:45am c. 6:57am d. Beacon Tree 6:37am e. Beck 6:43am f. 7:01am g. 7:06am h. Milonas & 6:54am PM Drop Offs: Malow, Shelby, Ford, Bemis, Utica, Eppler, Beacon Tree, and Beck *Subject to change annually UAIS Family Transportation Forms: Due in May/June for non-Stevenson students. SAMPLE 9 TH GRADE SCHEDULE A Day ScheduleB Day Schedule 1A: Spanish 1 (7:20-8:50am)1B: US Govt/Economics 2A: Theatre 1 (8:56-10:59am)2B: Speech/Production Team 9 3A: Physics (11:03-12:34pm) 3B: Honors English 9 4A: Geometry* (12:40pm-2:11pm) 4B: AP US History * Or Acc. Algebra II or AP Statistics (track dependent) HOW DOES UAIS AND MY HOME SCHOOL DIFFER? UAIS REQUIRES 32 credits to graduate Group 1 ELA: 4 credits Group 2 World Language: 4 credits Group 3 Social Studies: 5 credits Group 4 Exp. Sciences: 5 credits Group 5 Mathematics: 4 credits Group 6 Arts: 4 credits* IB curriculum supersedes Michigan Merit Requirements No requirements for: physical education, health, online experience *Arts can be opted out for additional 2 credits in group 3, 4, or 5. UCS REQUIRES 24 credits to graduate ELA: 4 credits World Language: 2 credits Social Studies: 3 credits Exp. Sciences: 3 credits Mathematics: 4 credits Fine Arts/Electives: 1 credit Physical Education: 1 credit Online experience 2 credits of World Language AP options (non-externally assessed) CHALLENGES OF ASSESSMENT How many of you have ever felt the frustration of performing poorly on a high-stakes assessment due to a bad day? How many of you have ever felt that the structure or design of a test left you unable to truly show your understanding of concepts and material, leading to a lower grade than you believed you were capable of? IB COURSES VS. AP COURSES? IB COURSES/TESTS Offer potential college credit.5 GPA boost on UCS transcript IB candidates must embrace a full program of rigorous testing Offered at UAIS only 2 years in length Class enrollment required Multiple assessments determine final score (two-year compilation) Assessment types: presentations, projects, portfolios, tests, performances, essays, lab reports AP COURSES/TESTS Offer potential college credit.5 GPA boost on UCS transcript AP students can focus on one or two subjects only Offered at UAIS and home schools 1 year in length Anyone can test, enrolled or not One-time test determines final score (single day test) Assessment types: multiple-choice tests paired with free response IB CORE: EXTENDED ESSAY A diploma candidate must complete and submit an Extended Essay, which is a substantial piece of independent research of up to 4,000 words. Work on the extended essay is expected to occupy approximately 40 hours. The work for an extended essay must be done under the direct supervision of an appropriate teacher at the IB World School that is registering the candidate for the examination session. IB CORE: CREATIVITY, ACTIVITY, SERVICE A diploma candidate must engage in a programme of extra- curricular activities known as Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). Schools entering candidates for the diploma undertake to ensure that two to three hours each week are available to all candidates for CAS activities. A minimum of 150 hours during the two years of the Diploma Programme is required. IB CORE: THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE A diploma candidate must follow a Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course. The IB recommends that TOK is an independent course of at least 100 teaching hours evenly distributed over the two-year period of study, and the course must meet the theory of knowledge assessment requirements that include giving a presentation and submitting an essay on one of the six prescribed titles for the examination session. THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE WAYS OF KNOWING Emotion Faith Imagination Intuition Language Memory Reason Sense Perception SAMPLE T.O.K. PAPER TOPICS There is no such thing as a neutral question. Evaluate this statement with references to two areas of knowledge. The whole point of knowledge is to produce both meaning and purpose in our personal lives. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Ethical judgments limit the methods available in the production of knowledge in both the arts and the natural sciences. Discuss. When the only tool you have is a hammer, all problems begin to resemble nails. How much does this apply to the ways of knowing, as tools, in the pursuit of knowledge? IB VS. TRADITIONAL ASSESSMENT Differentiated and flexible Multiple components Allows for student growth over 2-year period Externally assessed and moderated Required measures for reliability and validity UAIS IS SERIOUS ABOUT FUN! UAIS EXTRACURRICULARS Roughly 30 clubs, committees, and student groups at UAIS Greater opportunities for leadership experiences Access to home school sports, graduation, dancessee athlete table! Many travel experiences around the world Meaningful student-lead projects and fundraisers UAIS Key Club Volunteers At Hard Rock Caf Dr. Nandi Charity Coat Drive #1 Debate Team in State of Michigan IM TORN! HOW DO I CHOOSE? Gather as much information tonight as possible. Meet students and teachers. Ask them questions! Think about shadowing at UAIS for a day. Dont listen to your friends (Insert parent applause here). Consider the following questions IS UAIS A GOOD FIT FOR ME? Do you find value in studying all subjects/courses? Do you want greater consistency in classroom and program philosophy? Are you looking to improve your speaking and presentation skills on a daily basis? Do you want an internationally-minded curriculum? IS UAIS A GOOD FIT FOR ME? Do you consider development of the person as important as mastery of curriculum? Do you like collaboration with classmates? Do you want greater interaction between grade levels? Do you prefer a smaller school environment? IS UAIS A GOOD FIT FOR ME? Are you comfortable with fewer elective choices in your schedule? As a family, are we committed to the roughly $900 in IB assessment fees to become an IB Full Diploma candidate? Am I committed to excellent attendance at school? Is the districts transportation schedule conducive to my needs? ENTERING THE UAIS FAMILY Application Process Application deadline: 3pm on 2/12 Available online & at home schools Must currently be in 8 th grade No minimum GPA requirement Admission Process Completed Application: 2/12 Entrance Testing: 2/27 & 3/5 Application Review Committee: March Student Notification: 3/31 Commitment Deadline: 4/22 Schedule Form Due: 5/6* Freshmen Roundup: UAIS* Proof of Completion of Algebra I: 8/25* * s sent to matriculating students See your program for Curriculum in Action Cafeteria: IB Curriculum Info w/ Staff and Students Classrooms: Displays, Academic Showcases, UAIS Clubs, Mock Classroom Activities Media Center: IB College Advantage (must see!) Yellow (7:20-7:40pm) Blue (7:45-8:05pm) Red (8:10-8:30pm) Pick and choosesee what youre interested in! Dont blink! Theres a lot to see! UAIS CONTACT INFORMATION School Website: UAIS Shadowing Opportunity Jennifer Ackerman, Counselor Justin Spear, Program Director Christopher Layson, DP/Recruitment Coordinator