A presentation I made for a class of exchange students. I DO NOT CLAIM ANY RIGHTS TO ANY PHOTOGRAPHS OR INFORMATION USED IN THIS PRESENTATION. A works cited paper can be provided if this becomes an issue.

1. High School in the United States By Hannah Beltran Moreau Catholic ‘12

2. What is high school?

4. It consists of grades 9 through 12.

5. It is the last leg of compulsory education in the United States.

7. Moreau Catholic High School Schedules

8. Moreau Catholic High School Schedules (continued)

9. 9th Grade: FRESHMAN Timeline of the High School Experience 10th Grade: SOPHOMORE 11th Grade: JUNIOR 12th Grade: SENIOR!

11. For many high school students, this is a period of great transition – a new school, new teachers, new classes, and new peers with which one becomes acquainted.

12. 10th grade is the sophomore year of high school.

16. A Screenshot of My School’s Graduation Requirements (taken from their website)

17. Classes I’ve Taken in Previous Years

18. My Senior Year Schedule

20. Studying with resources posted on the Internet by both my teachers and other teachers helps me immensely.

21. Reading through my textbooks to capture main ideas is a great way to review for my exams.

22. Since I take a lot of AP classes, review books are also helpful.

24. [Out]side the Classroom

25. School is great, but your high school years involve so much more than academics.

26. Some of the things I do outside of the classroom…(=

27. Choir!

28. Community Service!

29. Write!

31. Sports: There are sports teams both in your school and outside your school that you can join. All levels are accommodated in some way.

32. Clubs: Most high schools have teacher-moderated clubs focusing on various interests, from cultures (French, Filipino, Chinese, etc.) to chess to anime.

34. The world is at your fingertips! (No, really.)

35. Post-Secondary Education While education beyond high school is not mandatory in the United States, it is a path chosen by about 68 percent of recent high school graduates. America provides various options for students wishing to enroll in an institution of higher learning.

36. College is not something to be afraid of, however.

37. Tips for the College-Bound Student: How to Maintain Your Sanity and Avoid Getting Lost in the Shuffle :D

38. Assess your strengths (and weaknesses), then plan a junior year schedule to reflect these strengths. If you feel exceptionally talented in a certain subject, such as mathematics or history, consider taking the advanced levels of those respective courses when you find them available to you: - Honors: The most similar to a regular high school course, but with a lot more in-depth study - Advanced Placement (often seen abbreviated as AP): A selection of 34 courses and respective exams intended to introduce high school students to introductory college-level material. Depending on the intended college’s policy, a student who passes one or more of these exams may be eligible to earn college credit in the respective courses. Very popular and widely available in America. - International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (often seen abbreviated as IB Diploma Programme):An internationally recognized program requiring students to take six higher-level courses, a minimum of one in each of five subject areas, and pass their respective exams. Less popular and not as widely available in America.

39. Kitty says:

40. This is a crucial question that all high school students, college-bound or otherwise must face before graduating and moving on to the real world. For college-bound students, it helps to consider these points. –> Think about your interests and goals for the future. It is best to choose a path that in some way combines these two. After all, you are making a decision that will remain with you for the rest of your life. –> Now consider possible majors that match your interests and goals. What careers do you see yourself doing with these majors? –> A note about pragmatism… • Choosing a career for the money and lifestyle it appears to promise may seem tempting, but do beware. As articulated above, this decision will affect the rest of your life. At the same time, don’t go completely on a whim with your life in the balance. The point? Regardless of what you do, be prepared to work for your success. Ask Yourself: “What do I want to do with my life?”

41. Get Standardized Testing in Order Although it has been the occasional subject of controversy among more progressive groups, standardized testing is still a requirement for many schools, and for good reason. Since the American college admissions system involves so many different factors, quantitative data allows admissions officials to get an idea where each student falls in the prospective pool of applicants. While an admission decision does not solely rest on these test scores, they are nonetheless important.

42. There are two types of standardized tests typically required for college admission: the SAT (Standard Achievement Test) Iand the ACT (American College Test). While colleges generally require one, it is common for students to take both tests and use their better score. On the next slide is a chart outlining the differences between the two tests.

43. An SAT-ACT Comparison Chart

45. Institutions of Higher Education in the United States Trade School 2-Year Community College/Junior College 4-Year College/University

47. A Closer [Look] Into Four-Year Colleges and Universities

49. They are located in lively areas good for university students

50. They have an abundance of resources (study abroad, internships) at my disposal

51. They are schools at which I feel I have a fair chance at admission

53. Money Matters, But Should Not Determine Your Future Do the numbers above scare you? They shouldn’t.

55. Financial Aid: All colleges have financial aid programs that take into account each student’s financial situation and merits. There are even scholarships and financial aid available to international students!The bottom line? Don’t let money stop you from fulfilling your dreams. If there’s a will, there’s a way. (=

57. Grades and test scores are important, but they are not everything. You’ll literally be competing against thousands of students with the same grades and test scores as you. In short, give colleges a reason to choose you. Make yourself stand out in a positive way!

58. Even with the horrible economy, there are still so many opportunities at your disposal to obtain money for college. Do your research (the Internet or a person who is knowledgeable about the subject are great ways to start) and you will be surprised at what you find.