The Transition to High School for Gifted Students

1. The Transition to High School for Gifted Students Ms. Catherine Kane High School Gifted Resource Teacher

2. What is the gifted program at the high school? • 1. Support Facilitation • Seminars on topics of specific importance to you • Gifted Glimpses Newsletters • Meeting as needed with Gifted Teacher • No “gifted” classes • 2. Consultation • Your gifted teacher will confer with your teachers and counselors as to your specific needs.

3. Does this have anything to do with honors classes, the AICE, or IB programs? No, These are not considered gifted classes. Gifted resource teachers support these programs, but there are many other ways to accelerate and enrich your strengths.

4. How does this work? • Each high school has a Gifted Resource Teacher assigned to it. In some cases they are there only one day a week, in other cases more often. • Ms. Kane • Mr. Nelson • Mr. Ewell • During the year you will meet with this teacher in seminars.

5. A seminar? What is that? • Seminars allow students to meet with other gifted students and discuss topics important to them. • About once a month you will get a Gifted Glimpses newsletter. These have topics important to gifted students. • You may also see your gifted teacher as needed. Just ask on the day they are at your school.

6. What is the most important thing I need to know? • Each year a survey is given to graduating seniors asking: What is the most important thing freshmen need to know about? • 97% give the same answer. • GRADES!!!

7. Grades ?? • Yes GPA (Grade Point Average) • Grades determined at semester (40% Quarter 1 + 40% Quarter 2 + 20% Final Exam) • A = 4 points, B = 3 points, C = 2 points, D = 1 point. • GPA = Total Points / Number of Classes • GPA is cumulative. • You do get extra points for taking harder classes. (honors, AP, IB, ACIE, Dual Enrollment)

8. What do colleges look for ? • 1. Grades or Core Academic GPA • 2. Did you take the hardest classes at your high school? • 3. ACT or SAT Scores • 4. Your Essay • 5. Extra Activities • You need to start preparing NOW! Some middle school grades count for high school credit.

9. Core Academic Grade Point Average • 4 credits English • 4 credits math • 3 credits laboratory science • 3 credits social studies • 2 credits foreign language • Honors Points • IB, AP, ACIE, Dual = 1 point • A = 5pts, B = 4pts, C=3pts, D=2pts. • Honors = 0.5 point • A = 4.5pts, B = 3.5pts, C = 2.5pts, D = 1.5pts

10. Example:

11. Cumulative –

12. Acceleration and Enrichment Opportunities for Gifted Students in the High School

13. College Credit in High School • Credit by Exam – Low Risk • Credit granted based on end of class exam • Exams universal US / Worldwide • Recognized by institutions US / Worldwide • Credit Pass / Fail • Credit by Coursework – High Risk • Credit granted by semester coursework • Rigor varies • Recognized by Florida institutions • Establish a College GPA (stays with you)

14. Academies at Comprehensive HS Technical Schools (HTC,HTN) • Hands on and real life experiences. • Interest specific acceleration. • Recognition by certificate/certification. • Immediate ability to work in field. • Option to continue education. • Ability to participate in other accelerated programs.

15. Advanced International Certificate of Education (Cambridge/AICE) • Pre AICE coursework for Freshmen & Sophomores. • Recognition by International Certificate (AICE diploma). • College credit by exam (low risk). • Specialized coursework for Juniors & Seniors. • Recognized by most colleges & universities. • University Admission Quality Point 1.

16. AICE Course Equivalents - FIU

17. Advanced Placement (AP) • College credit by exam (low risk). • Exams graded 5-1 (3+ usually gets college credit) • Scores recognized by most colleges & universities. • Specialized to areas of interest or ability. • Able to access Freshmen to Senior years. • University Admission Quality Point 1.

18. AP College Equivalents - FIU

19. Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) • Study skills support. • College credit by exam - AP (low risk). • Recognized by most colleges & universities. • Specialized to areas of interest or ability. • Pre-collegiate track for Freshmen and Sophomores. • University Admission Quality Point 1.

20. Centers for the Arts • Hands on & real life experiences. • Interest specific acceleration. • Options to continue in field. • Ability to participate in other accelerated programs.

21. Collegiate High School/Early Admission (FGCU & Edison State College) • College credit by coursework (high risk). • Take all classes at college/university • Ability to participate in school activities • Recognized by all Florida public colleges/universities but not necessarily nationwide. • Access Junior / Senior years. • University Admission Quality Point 1. • Must have maturity and self motivation.

22. Dual Enrollment (FGCU & Edison State College) • College Credit by coursework (high risk). • Take some classes at high school some at college/university. • Ability to participate in school activities • Recognized by all Florida public colleges/universities but not necessarily nationwide. • Access Junior and Senior year. • University Admission Quality Point 1 • Must have maturity and self motivation.

23. International Baccalaureate (IB) • Pre IB coursework Freshmen and Sophomore years. • Recognition by International Certificate (IB Diploma). • College credit by exam (low risk). • Specialized coursework Junior & Senior years. • Recognized by most colleges & universities. • University Admission Quality Point 1.

24. IB Equivalents - FIU

25. High School Technology AcademiesCenters for Math, Science & Technology Microsoft Academy @ Dunbar • Hands on and real life experiences. • Interest specific acceleration. • Recognition by receiving Certification/Certificate. • Immediate ability to work in field (Microsoft). • Ability to participate in other accelerated programs. • Option to continue education in field.

26. Carpe Diem – Seize the Day • Your future is in your hands now. • Your Gifted Resource Teacher is there to help you navigate your way. • How little or much you use them is up to you.