1. High School Selection

2. THE PROCESS Investigate options now! Talk to friends and neighbors Narrow your list Attend tours, open houses (usually in the fall) Narrow your list again Apply and contact AA for recommendations and paperwork to be sent Schedule shadowing if available

3. WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU? Family Values Public/Charter, Private, or Parochial Athletics Performing/Visual Arts Academic Programming College Preparatory Advanced Placement “AP” Honors International Baccalaureate “IB” Foreign Language Size, Location, and Friendships Technology Amenities

4. FAQ’S FROM PARENTS What is the school’s focus or mission? Are all of the teachers “Highly Qualified”? Is the school safe? What percentage of students pass the AP and/or IB exams? What is each counselor’s average caseload? What is the college placement assistance process? What is the graduation rate and the percentage of students who go on to a two year college? A four year college? Does the school accommodate exceptional learners? What extracurricular activities does the school have?

5. VISITING A HIGH SCHOOL “LOOK-FORS” Enthusiastic faculty and staff Students engaged in meaningful learning experiences Student-to-student behavior and interactions Staff-to-student-to-staff interactions Overall cleanliness (bathrooms are a good indicator) Dress code (policy vs. practice) Mission vs. reality: Congruence?

6. ACADEMIC RECORD ACT: Composite Average Scores. CO state composite average is 19. Highest possible is 36 (on handout) AP: Percentage of scores of 4 and 5 IB: Percentage of scores of 5, 6, and 7 Colorado Growth Model: A statistical model used to calculate each student’s achievement and growth as measured by TCAP “Schoolview” is a tool for displaying multiple school and district-level data points to the public. www.schoolview.org

7. 9 TH GRADE BY THE NUMBERS *AA STUDENTS 2013-14 Rock Canyon35Chaparral1 Regis12Highlands Ranch1 Castle View10Kent 1 Valor4Lutheran1 Douglas County3Ponderosa1 Arapahoe2 St. Mary’s1 *Does not represent every 8 th grade graduate due to insufficient data.

8. HIGH SCHOOL FAIR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10 TH 5:00-7:00 AA CASTLE PINES

9. QUESTIONS