Parent Night Advisement Current 9-11 Students Counselor Webpage:

SUBJECT ALHAMBRA GRADUATION (230 credits minimum) By the end of 9 th 60 cr., 10 th 120 cr., 11 th 180 cr.) UNIVERSITY OF CA and CA STATE UNIVERSITY (Also known as A-G requirements) (Minimum grade C- A’s & B’s are best) English 4 years One class at each grade level, can be a combo of ELD & English 4 years All must be College Prep Classes Fine Arts 1 year ORAND World Language 1 year 2 years-(Same Language) (3 years recommended for UC) Mathematics 3 years: 1 year Algebra 2 years of additional Math 3 years: Alg. 1, Geometry & Alg. 2 (4 years recommended for UC) Physical Education 2 years: 1 year must be PE 9 not required Science 2 years: 1 year Life Science 1 year Physical Science 2 years Lab Science: 2 years Lab Science: 1 year Biology 1 year Biology 1 year Chemistry or Physics (3 Year recommended for UC) recommended for UC) Social Science 3 years: 3 years: 1 year Modern World 1 year U.S. History ½ year Civics, ½ year Economics 2 years: 1 yr. Modern World 1 yr. U.S. History 2 years: 1 yr. Modern World 1 yr. U.S. History Electives 8 classes (16 semesters) 1 year College Prep Elective from: English, Adv. Math, Lab Science, Social Sciences, Computers, Arts, History, World Language, Etc. California HS Exit Exam (CAHSEE) The test is taken in 10th grade and students must pass both the English and Math portions. not required

To AP or not to AP? Why take Advanced Placement (AP) Courses: Challenging college level curriculum with the support of a high school setting. Demonstrates to college admission officers that students have sought out the most rigorous course work available to them. Weighted Grade (A= 5.0) Possible college credit w/ College Board’s AP Exams in May. (Financial Aide available)

Advanced Placement (AP), Honors Accelerated & Advanced Options: AP/Honors Options: AP Studio Art 2-D Design (Photography) (11 th -12 th ) AP Studio Art Drawing (11 th -12 th )AP English Language (11 th ) AP English Literature (12 th ) AP European History (10 th ) AP U.S. History (11 th -12 th ) AP American Government (12 th ) AP Calculus AB (11 th -12 th ) AP Calculus BC (12 th ) AP Statistics (11 th -12 th ) AP Spanish Language (11 th -12 th ) Honors Chemistry (10 th -12 th ) AP Biology (11 th -12 th ) AP Chemistry (11 th -12 th ) AP Computer Science Principles (9-12) AP Computer Science A (10-12) Accelerated & Advanced Courses (No Weighted Grade) Anatomy/Physiology & Physics, Sophomore Honors English (10 th )

College Entrance Tests  PSAT –Take October Sophomore year –Take again in Junior year/Qualify for National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) possibilities –Test sections: Critical Reading, Math, Writing Skills –Check YES-Student Search Services  ACT with Writing –Take Spring Junior year –Retake Fall Senior year if needed –Test sections: English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing (Essay)  SAT with Writing –Take Spring Junior year –Retake Fall Senior year if needed –Test sections: Reading, Math, Writing & Language and Essay  SAT Subject tests –UC’s no longer require SAT subject tests. However, depending on your student’s major/school, they may recommend subject tests –Many private colleges require/recommend SAT subject tests –If student needs them, take Spring Junior year –Retake Fall Senior year if needed –Offered in a variety of subject areas: History, Literature, Mathematics (Level 2 only), Science or Language Other Than English.

College Search  Research –AHS Counselor Website (Parents): and go to Counseling Haiku (students can access directly)  Then to Post High School Planning then College Research –By the end of Junior year, students should have a List of 3-4 Dream/Reach, 3-4 Good/Probable, 3-4 Safe/Acceptable Schools –Students should narrow their choices by the fall of their senior year to the 8-12 schools that they will be applying to which cover dream/good/safe schools.  Utilize CaliforniaColleges.edu –Log into Haiku & CaliforniaColleges.edu on a regular basis and check out some of the following activities:  4 year plan  Career Search  College Information  College Research

College Search Continued  Continue to Visit Campuses –In session –Take tours –Talk to students on campus –Schedule interviews with admissions counselors for those schools they are serious about  Visit college fairs –In April, St. Mary’s College offers one of the Bay Area’s biggest college fairs.  Look for the right “fit” –Size –Location –Type and price –Major –Activities available –Your academic match (GPA, test scores, course pattern, etc)

DVC/Community College  AHS would like every student to be A-G eligible and able to apply to 4- year schools at the time of graduation, regardless of their post secondary choice.  Diablo Valley College –Degree in Arts/Science (AA/AS) –Career/Technical Certificate  Over 30 career/technical programs offered –Transfer to a UC/CSU or private school  Know your major/school  Open Major is okay –Spring assessment tests  Math  English  SAT/ACT are NOT required –Counseling 095 (DVC)  Meet with DVC counselor to plan course of study  Priority registration next Fall –Counseling 096 (DVC)  For students who have in interest in playing sports in college  Priority registration next Fall

Vocational/Technical Schools Military Service/Other Options  Vocational or Technical Schools –Contact school directly  Find out what is required for enrollment  Ask about financial aid  Military Service –Contact a recruiter  Job/Station choice  Sign up for the Education GI Bill  Other Options –Martinez Adult Education Sponsored Programs –Job Corps: –Americorps: –California Conservation Corps: –Apprenticeship Programs/Building Trades Council:

College Preparation For Senior Year  Attend AHS College Night/Financial Aid Night –Do not rule out any colleges at this time because of money. –Start searching for scholarships  Check out the Weekly Scholarship bulletin on the Alhambra Counseling & Haiku Pages –FAFSA/Cal Grant winter of your student’s senior year  Get a Social Security Card –Students will need it for college and financial aid applications  Applications –Applications open October 1 st CSU’s/November 1 st UC’s/Private schools vary –UC/CSU applications are due November 30 th/ Private school deadlines vary. –DVC applications are completed in the Spring  Personal statements –UC’s/Private Schools require, it is not too early to get started  Letters of Recommendation –Private Schools require, now is the time for your student to start thinking about who they want to write them. –You student’s counselor is often required to write a letter. In order for us to do this, your student will need to complete a “Brag Sheet”. One was assigned through the Haiku assignment section.

Prospective College Athletes Check out Haiku College Athletics page under post high school planning 4 year plan Check out NCAA Web site – or –Print the “Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete.” –Register at the end of Sophomore year –NCAA Core course requirements (Important: The requirements are changing) Div 1: 16 core course are still required, but starting August 2015 there are new academic rules Div 2: 16 core courses are now required. Students should check the NCAA site for the specifics Other Options –National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics –National Christian College Athletic Association –National Junior College Athletic Association Start athletic resume/video of skills. Students should talk with their coach about their potential. Contact coaches at prospective colleges. Participate in tournaments/events where potential college scouts may be. Continue college search, make lists of abilities, preferences, personal qualities.

Online Scheduling for School Year March 7 th to March 18 th You will need: A copy of your students transcript which was given to them during their advisement sessions A copy of your students transcript which was given to them during their advisement sessions Web Address: AHS Home Page: Web Address: AHS Home Page: Student User Name: _lastnamefirstname (Same as check grades) Student User Name: _lastnamefirstname (Same as check grades) Student/Password: (Your same password for Gmail and Haiku) Student/Password: (Your same password for Gmail and Haiku) Course Catalog for which is only available online Course Catalog for which is only available online It is recommended to complete the 4-year course planning guide on California Colleges It is recommended to complete the 4-year course planning guide on California Colleges Parent/Guardian for Advice/Review Parent/Guardian for Advice/Review Changes To Locked Classes Honors and AP Classes: sign up as an additional class. We will remove the non-AP/H class from their schedule once the recommendation has been confirmed Alternate Electives: Be sure to provide alternate choices for each elective class. If students do not, we will. Be sure to provide alternate choices for each elective class. If students do not, we will. Problems - Come to the Counseling Office or Library Media center for help before the March 20 th deadline. Student Chromebooks can be used and computers are available for student use in the Library Media Center during school hours and immediately after school each day except Wednesdays until 5pm.

Haiku Each student has a Counselor Haiku class assigned to them on their schedule This is not a physical class, just a vehicle to access Haiku Check page for important information regarding: HS and Post-Secondary planning Announcements Important dates of upcoming college & career events

Parents Access to Haiku Go to: Alhambra HS webpage ( Click on counseling link at top At bottom of the page click on Haiku Counseling Page At bottom of the page click on Haiku Counseling Page

Websites of interest AHS Counseling Web Page AHS Counseling Web Page AHS Webstore AHS Webstore California Colleges College Search/SAT/AP Exam Prep College Search/SAT/AP Exam Prep ACT ACT CollegeWeekLive CollegeWeekLive CollegeWeekLive are free, online events designed to connect prospective students with colleges and universities in a live, interactive environment. Go to for more information or to register for free. CollegeWeekLive are free, online events designed to connect prospective students with colleges and universities in a live, interactive environment. Go to for more information or to register for free. Financial Aid Financial Aid AHS Scholarship Bulletin: also on Counseling Haiku page AHS Scholarship Bulletin: also on Counseling Haiku page Fast Web: Fast Web: FAFSA: FAFSA: Cal Grant: Cal Grant: