This document provides an overview and agenda for an academic advising and curriculum night at West Potomac High School. It begins with welcoming remarks and then outlines the agenda which includes an overview of advanced academics and academic advising, followed by breakout sessions on specific curriculum and electives. The document provides information on advanced academic programs including honors, AP, and international baccalaureate courses. It discusses benefits and expectations of advanced coursework and available supports for students. Finally, it reviews graduation requirements and considerations for course selection and academic planning.

1. Rising 10th-12th
Academic Advising and
Curriculum Night
West Potomac High School
February 2, 2015

2. Welcome Class of 2019
Tonight’s Agenda
• 6:00-7:10pm
– Overview of Advanced Academics
– Overview of Academic Advising
• 7:20 – 8:40pm
– Curriculum Breakout Sessions – Quander Rooms
– Electives Open House - Cafeteria

3. Advanced Academics at
West Potomac High School
Sara Veinbergs
Advanced Academics Coordinator

4.  Rigorous academic studies
 Open access to all students
 Academic exploration and knowledge beyond the standard
course of study
 Require dedication of time and individual effort beyond
the school day
 College preparatory (Honors) and college-level (AP)
courses
 Visit http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/index.shtml
What are Advanced Academic
Programs?

5.  Honors courses are college preparatory
courses courses offered to either prepare
students for AP Courses or are courses
where a comparable AP course does not
exist.
 Students who do well in Honors courses have
a foundation for doing well in AP and
college courses.
The Basics - Honors
5

6.  Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) courses
are college-level courses offered in high
school. AP courses reflect what is taught in
top introductory college courses
 At the end of course, students take AP
Exams—standardized exams that measure
how well students have mastered college-
level course work. (Some also have an
SOL.)
The Basics - AP
6

7.  The MOST significant factor leading to success in college is the
rigor of the high school curriculum.
 Advanced academic courses expand student’s ability to read,
write, and think critically; analyze and solve problems; and build
21st century skills.
 Honors and AP courses can bolster a HS transcript and improve
college acceptance.
 Honors courses have .5 and AP courses have 1.0 (with completion
of class and exam) weighted grades which add to a student’s GPA.
 Many colleges grant credit for courses in which students earn a
qualifying score on AP examinations.
Benefits of Participating in
Advanced Academic Programs

8.  Often the most interesting and fulfilling courses a student takes in
high school
 Students develop confidence, and learn strong study habits and
time management skills
 Colleges rank “Grades in college prep courses” and “Strength of
curriculum” as the top two factors in the admission decision.*
* 2009 State of College Admission, NACAC
Benefits of Participating in
AP Programs

9.  85% of selective colleges and universities report that a
student’s AP experience favorably impacts admission
decisions.**
 Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely
than their peers to complete a college degree on time. ***
 31% of colleges and universities consider a student’s AP
experience when making decisions about which students will
receive scholarships.****
** Unpublished institutional research, Crux Research Inc. March 2007
*** IPEDS database, 2008
*** Linda Hargrove, Donn Godin, and Barbara Dodd, “College Outcomes Comparisons by AP and Non-AP High School Experiences.” The College Board, 200
**** Unpublished institutional research, Crux Research Inc. March 2007
Benefits of Participating in
AP Programs

10. Advanced Placement courses typically demand more of students
than regular or honors courses.
 Classes tend to be fast-paced and cover more material .
 More time, inside and outside of the classroom.
 Advanced Academics teachers expect their students to think
critically, analyze and synthesize facts and data, weigh
competing perspectives, and write clearly and persuasively.
What to Expect from AP

11.  West Potomac is a CLT School: Working collaboratively,
teachers can structure common activities, interventions, and
instruction based on analysis of assessments.
 Advanced Academics Mentoring Program: Underclassmen
students in advanced courses are invited to be mentored by
upperclassmen with experiences in taking similar courses,
providing advice on time management and study skills.
 First Quarter Skills Workshops: Students have the opportunity
to work with Advanced Academics and AVID teachers on
essential skills in an effort to start the school year off on the
right foot.
Supports

12. • You! (Parents/Guardians)
– Advanced Academics is for the PREPARED not the
ELITE
– Rigor ≠ More work…BALANCE is key
– Play to strengths and interest areas when
selecting courses
Most Important Support

13.  All registration materials are located on the WPHS
website through the Student Services office
http://www.fcps.edu/WestPotomacHS/studentserv
ices/studentservices.html
 Further information on Advanced Academic
Programs can be found on the FCPS website
http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/index.shtml
Further Information

14. Sara Veinbergs
Advanced Academics Coordinator
smveinbergs@fcps.edu
Drew Hamlin
Advanced Academics Assistant Principal
MAhamlin@fcps.edu
Contact Information

15. Resources for Academic Advising
• WPHS Student Services Website

16. General Standard Diploma
Requirements
Total Credits to include Virtual Course (credit or non-credit bearing)
and CTE Industry Certification – See Course Catalog for more information

17. General Advanced Studies
Diploma Requirements
Totals Credit to include Virtual Course (credit or non-credit bearing)
– See Course Catalog for more information

18. Review your specific
Graduation Requirements
• Students who first entered 9th grade in 2011-
12 and 2012-13
– SD – no Industry Certification Requirement
– No Virtual Requirement
• Students who enter 9th grade in 2013-14 and
beyond
– SD – Industry Certification Requirement (EPF)
– Virtual Requirement (EPF)
• BOTH have EPF Requirement

19. Typical Schedule
(Seven Courses)
• English
• Social Studies
• Math
• Science
• Health and PE or Elective
• World Language (see later slide) or Elective
• Elective

20. Math Courses
• Algebra 1/Algebra 1 HN
• Geometry/Geometry HN
• Algebra 2/Algebra 2 HN
• Precalculus/Precalculus HN
• AP Maths/Math Electives
Teacher recommendation is very important!

21. World Language
• French
• German
• Latin
• Spanish
• Spanish for Fluent Speakers (designed for
students with a background in Spanish or who
speak Spanish at home)
Consult with current teachers for upper level
recommendations!

22. Special Education
• Utilize case manager as support - Case
Manager submits feedback regarding levels of
support based on the student’s IEP
• Level of services (SC, TM, General ed)
• Special Education courses as needed
• (Strategies for Success, Reading, Personal
Development, etc.)

23. ESOL – English for Speakers of
Other Languages
• ESOL 1
• ESOL 2
• ESOL 2/3 –
• ESOL 3 – Core Math, Science, and Social
Studies are included in schedule
• ESOL 4 – English Core added to schedule
• Students who take English 9 in 9th grade must
complete four years of English

24. EPF Requirement
• Multiple ways to complete this requirement
– Traditional EPF course (612000)
– AP Micro/Macro Economics
– Self-paced EPF as 8th course/summer course
• $100 fee with course
– Online EPF (full course) – during year or summer
• May have associated fee depending upon when you take it
• Consider all options in determining best for you
• We recommend course in 11th/12th grade

25. Electives
• Review all options
• Consider your interest areas or areas you may
want to learn more about
• Use High School to explore subjects
• Family Connection has tools to help students
identify areas that may be good fits
• Talk with Teachers – Electives Fair February 4

26. AVID – an elective option!
• Advancement Via Individual Determination
• AVID is an academic program designed to increase the
rigor of coursework taken by West Potomac students.
• Every AVID student is in at least one Honors/AP.
• Over the last four years all AVID seniors who applied to a
four year college were accepted into at least one four
year school!
• Tutorials, College Visits, Family Nights, Guest Speakers…
• Application required – see Ms. Hubbard’s break out
session tonight for more information

27. Honors vs. On-Level
• Course-specific information by each dept.
• Student interest/motivation
• Higher-order thinking skills
• Interdisciplinary connections
• Overall workload of seven courses
• Balance with other commitments (extra-
curricular activities, family time, leisure, etc.)
• Time management and organizational skills are
important

28. Tips for Academic Advising
• Talk with your teachers
– Academic Days of Emphasis are February 5 and 6
• Utilize the Electives Fair – February 4
• Be prepared for your counselor meeting
– Rising 10th and 11th through PE
– Rising 12th through English 12
• Review Course Catalog on Student Services website
• Have you completed a planning card for all four years?

29. Upcoming Dates/Action Items
• February 3, 2015
– Distribution of Scheduling Materials via Wolverine
Time (WT) and WT Video describing process
• February 4, 2015
– Electives Fair –
– Modified Schedule – 1, 7, 5, Electives Fair
• February 5 and 6, 2015
– Academic Days of Emphasis
• Late April – Course Selection Verification mailed
home – all corrections/updates encouraged ASAP
as some courses will fill up

30. Academic Advising Materials

31. What’s Next

32. What’s Next

33. Break Out Sessions
• Visit Breakout Sessions
– Beginning at 7:20, 7:40, 8:00, and 8:20pm
• See handout for break out opportunities
– Stop in Cafeteria for Electives Open House
– Have you visited the College and Career Center? It
is open this evening – stop by (door in cafeteria)
and meet Ms. Stewart!