Building a Course Plan Keystone National High School

Building a Course Plan: Keystone National High School

Overview • • • Graduation requirements Types of Courses Factors in college admissions The SAT and ACT Course sequencing by core area Tools and resources

Keystone National High School Graduation Requirements 21 Credits Total (Can be fulfilled by Keystone and Transfer Credits) • English – 4 credits • Social Science – 4 credits • Math – 3 credits • Science – 3 credits • Health – 1 credit • Fine Art – 1 credit • Electives – 5 credits Students who transfer in to Keystone must have…. . • A MINIMUM of 5 Keystone credits • 1 in each core area (Math, Science, Social Science, Language Arts) and 1 additional credit

Types of Courses/Credits • Standard Keystone Courses • Advanced Placement Courses • AP classes are tough but expose student to college level coursework and help them build the skills needed for college. Students can earn college credit depending on their score on the AP test. These courses stand out in college admissions.

What do colleges require? • Colleges and Universities will post the minimum and recommended entrance requirements. How can Keystone students figure this out? • The College or University’s webpage or by calling them directly

Factors in college admissions Acceptance criteria – in order of importance Public college 1. Grades in college prep courses 2. Test scores 3. Strength of curriculum 4. Grades in all courses 5. Class rank if appropriate 6. Essay 7. Counselor recommendation 8. Teacher recommendation Private college 1. Grades in college prep courses 2. Strength of curriculum 3. Grades in all courses 4. Test scores 5. Essay 6. Demonstrated interest 7. Teacher recommendation 8. Counselor recommendation

A Deeper Look… How admissions officers look at your courses – • Difficulty of schedule – did you take the most appropriately rigorous schedule possible? • Did you take courses that support your intended major? • Did you take academic electives vs. electives? • Admissions offices closely examine your transcript

CONSIDER THE SAT/ACT The SAT and the ACT are college entrance exams. Students who are applying to colleges in the United States must have a score on either the SAT or ACT as part of their college applications. These tests are typically taken at the end of the Junior/Early Senior Year. Take into consideration the coursework covered on these tests when planning your courses! What’s on the SAT? • MATH- Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Trigonometry and Data Analysis • READING – 5 reading passages • WRITING - Optional What’s on the ACT • MATH- Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Trigonometry • SCIENCE- Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth/Space Sciences (geology, meteorology, astronomy) – tests critical thinking skills • READING – 4 reading passages • WRITING – Optional

How do I select my high school courses? • • Understand your graduation requirements Use Choices Planner to determine possible majors and career plans Research some colleges • Identify the entrance requirements Reference the Course Catalog on Keystone’s Website! – Check for prerequisites: • http: //keystoneschoolonline. com/browse-course-catalog

Keystone Math Sequence Course sequence depends on student’s strength in Algebra I. The ACT has Alg I, Alg II, Geometry and Trigonometry. The SAT has Alg I, Alg II, and Geometry. Algebra I Pre r AP equis Sta ite t and is A for Alg lg 1 2 Geometry Algebra 2 Trig is a prereq for physics Trigonometry Pre-Calculus 3 AP Statistics Calculus AP Calculus

4 Keystone Social Sciences Sequence Most college/universities require some type of American History or World History. Admission requirements at specific schools can be checked. Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Geography Contemporary World issues AP European History AP US Gov/Politics American Govt. and Economics World History AP Economics AP Micro Econ AP Psychology These courses Additional information can be found on the course catalog! US History Civics Psychology AP World History AP Macro Econ Should be taken by College Bound Juniors and Seniors

Keystone Science Sequence Freshman Biology Sophomore Chemistry With Lab Junior Physics Senior Biology Lab 3 Earth Science and Physical Science are considered Science electives and should not be taken as Core Courses for college bound students. Environmental Science AP Biology AP Environmental Science Biology Lab is. 5 credits and only available in Print. Trigonometry and Alg II are required before taking AP Physics. Check course catalog for specific details on each course’s prerequisites! Keystone + is an option for some courses!

4 Keystone Language Arts Sequence English 1 English 2 English 3 Grammar and Composition, Business Writing, Journalism, and Creative Writing are considered English Electives and should not be taken as core language arts courses Or AP English Literature AP English Language English 4 AP English Language Additional information can be found on the course catalog! World Literature Or World Literature AP English Literature Junior Level Courses Senior Level Courses

Foreign Language, Health and Elective Courses These requirements can be done in years 9 -12. 5 Five ELECTIVES i. e. Language Level 1 and 2 1 One HEALTH: i. e. Nutrition, Wellness and Health One FINE ART: i. e. Art and Music Appreciation/Fine Art Online Full time students should be scheduled in 1 of the Core Courses each year as well as at least one ELE, HLT or FIN. Encourage college bound students to take extra Core Courses as electives. Encourage college bound students to enroll in two years of the same Foreign Language if possible. Some highly selective colleges and universities are looking for three years of the same Foreign Language. Additional information can be found on the course catalog! 1

Additional Notes: • • Remember to check the course catalog for courses! Partners should check in with Guidance every year to make sure they are on track for graduation Students have to be enrolled in senior level courses to apply to college (completed at least 15 credits) Students should plan to start their college applications almost an entire year before they plan to start college. This means if the student plans to start college in the Fall of 2015, they need to start preparing to apply to colleges in the Fall of 2014

Contacts • Account Manager 571 -353 -7699 or SKYPE: debbieh_k 12 • dhlavach@k 12. com • Student Services 1 -800 -255 -4937 – Info@keystonehighschool. com • Guidance Department – guidance@keystonehighschool. com