PREPARATION FOR CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Admissions Process School

PREPARATION FOR CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Admissions Process, School Visits, Entrance Exams and What to Expect

Application High School Admissions: Tips for your application Applicants should apply to more than one school. The application is an opportunity for us to get to know the applicant. The application should be used to explain any particular situations like academic accommodations or extenuating circumstances. Do not withhold information for fear of not getting in! ESSAY

Teacher Recommendations • We will begin filling out teacher recommendation forms on Monday, November 27, 2017. • Parents provide the recommendations forms from the various schools. If you are submitting paper forms you do not need to provide envelopes. • All paper recommendation forms should be submitted to the Counselor. Online forms are to be emailed directly to the teachers. If you are submitting paper copies please make sure you indicate which teacher should fill out the form. • The Counselor will give forms to the appropriate teachers to fill out in a timely manner. • We will make a copy of the forms. • Completed forms will be mailed directly to the schools.

Open House & Shadow Days • Recommend that you attend the open houses in 7 th grade. • Shadow Days- Student have the opportunity to visit school(s) they are interested in attending. They will shadow a current student for part of a day to learn about daily life and academics of that prospective school. • Students are counted absence on the days they shadow.

Private School…Are you a good fit? Grades HSPT/ISEE scores Teacher Recommendations Standardized test scores (IOWA/Cog. At) Extra-Curricular Activities Service Experience Social Media Accounts!

The 2 Exams ISEE HSPT

DATES OF THE EXAMS HSPT Saturday, January 20, 2018 Frassati Incarnate Word St. John XXIII St. Pius X St. Thomas Strake Jesuit ISEE Saturday, November 4, 2017 Duchesne Saturday. November 11, 2017 St. Agnes Academy St. Thomas Strake Jesuit Saturday, January 20, 2018 Incarnate Word Check the high school’s website to confirm days, times, place and whether registration is required.

What is on the exam?

How are the exams scored? • Scores are based on the number of questions answered correctly. • Points are not deducted for incorrect answers, so take a guess!

How are Results used for Admissions

Study Guides

There’s an app for that…

What you are up against…

Elements of Success in High School Organization Time Management Goal Setting Self Evaluation

ORGANIZATION Binder Setup

TIME MANAGEMENT

GOAL SETTING With all tasks in life, the best way to achieve things is to break them down into smaller parts. In goalsetting, we want to achieve long-term goals by setting short-term goals that lead to long-term success. “This semester, I will make a B in math. ” “I will keep up with my homework every day. ” “I will ask the teacher for help every time a new concept is difficult to understand. ” “I will set aside at least three hours, over four days, to study for each test. ” GOALS SHOULD BE… Clear Achievable Measurable Relevant

SELF EVALUATION

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION “Social media is making us antisocial”

GETTING PREPPED • Orient yourself • • Summer camps and programs for freshman-*spring camps-drill team/band Plan on attending school events • See who has been there, done that • Network, Network ask family, friends, neighbors and co-workers specific questions or to clear up any misconceptions you may have about the high school • Identify your support system • Your high school already has people and programs in place to help your child make the leap • Parent involvement • Necessary, but to a different degree. Students feel they are definitively ready for more independence , however they still need guidance from their parents.

IT’S ACADEMIC! Courses Required-4 years of Math, English, Science, Social Studies and Theology and 2 years of a *Foreign Language Electives- vary school to school AP Classes AP is short for Advance Placement which means they are college –level courses taught in high school. Advantages: College Credit, College Experience, Advanced Placement Impressive, Mature Student Schools are all different in determining who is eligible for AP classes Students with Exceptionalities Most of the schools have learning resource centers and will provide accommodations Students need to practice self advocacy for their accommodations, not the parents. Buckling Down Academically challenging-more homework, quizzes and tests, term papers, midterms and final exams. Encourage your child to ask for help if needed. Grades are important!!

IT’S ACADEMIC! Build your High School Resume SAT/ACT Things to remember

GET EXTRA-CURRICULAR! • Why Important? – – – Fun Friends High school resume Learn about yourself Future career So many choices, so little time…. -clubs -sports -Band -choir -theater

WHAT MATTERS MOST TO COLLEGES… HIGHLY IMPORTANT Grades(AP classes) Strength/rigor of curriculum SAT/ACT MODERATELY IMPORTANT Extracurricular(leadership) Letters of recommendation Essay Demonstrated interest

THE SOCIAL SCENE! • Friendships - Will change Open to making new friends Avoid “cliques” Take advantage before you start school Know friends, know parents Check up • Peer Pressure -Smoking, alcohol and drugs -Excuses, Excuses • Dating - Establish the rules - “The Talk”

SMALL FISH…AGAIN! • • • Know the official rules Know the “unofficial” rules Don’t believe everything you hear Get involved Be true to your school Don’t suffer in silence