Nery Fins, Principal John Galardi, Assistant Principal of Curriculum Felix Varela Senior High School Nery Fins, Principal John Galardi, Assistant Principal of Curriculum 1

iPrep@Varela What is iPrep@Varela? An innovative magnet academy that provides students with an opportunity to accelerate in the high school curriculum in an environment that deviates from the traditional high school experience. Students have the opportunity to take advantage of a technology-rich atmosphere while still being able to be a part of the comprehensive high school experience, including student government, athletics, the fine and performing arts, and a multitude of enrichment activities and electives. Students will participate in various college preparatory and college-level courses using both face-to-face and online instruction, and will have flexibility in scheduling their school day to include internships and community-based projects. Page  2

iPrep @ Varela Objective: Provide our high achieving students with an educational environment that will intellectually challenge them through rigoruous instruction and the infusion of the latest technolgogy. The College Board‘s Advanced Placement courses offered as part of the iPrep Curriculum will provide students with nationally recognized college credits. Students will be instructed by AP teachers with a proven record of successful results. Advanced Placement courses provide credits that are recognized nationally by both public and private universitites. Page  3

Advantages of Advanced Placement The following are advantages of participating in AP courses: 1 AP participation is a stronger indicator of college completion than that of socioeconomic status and high school GPA AP participation has a more positive impact on college graduation rates than dual enrollment participatiuon 2 3 AP participants completed their bachelor degrees at a faster rate than non-AP students Page  4

iPrep’s Educational Environment What will be the setting of iPrep@Varela? Technology Instructors All iPrep@Varela participants will be provided with a laptop. iPrep Facility is equipped with wireless internet access, smart boards, research labs, and a café. The iPrep faciltiy is exclusive for iPrep students. The US Department of Education has indicated the following: The level of rigor that high school students are exposed provides the greatest indicator of college success. Four of Varela iPrep teachers are credentialed FIU Instructors. To ensure that iPrep students are receiving rigorous instruction, those chosen to be iPrep instructors will be teachers with a proven record of successful student learning. Page  5

University Admissions iPrep Courses 11th Grade Courses 12th Grade Courses University Admissions AP English Language Honors or AP Math. AP American History Honors or AP Science Internship, Leadership Elective, AP Elective, FLVS Course AP English Literature Honors or AP Math AP Government/AP Economics Honors or AP Science Internship, Leadership Elective, AP Elective, FLVS Course iPrep graduates will have an advantage over other students being admitted to universities due to the rigorous high school curriculum they received. iPrep graduates will have earned college credits via Advanced Placement courses and/or dual enrollment courses. Page  6

Summary Exclusive Students applying to iPrep must go through an application process. Only those students with an unweighted GPA of a 3.0, good conduct and attendance will be admitted. Technology Laptops and a wireless setting will allow students to use technology in all areas of Varela’s iPrep facility. This will facilitate reasearch based instruction. College Preparedness High achieving instructors will ensure high level of rigor resulting in all iPrep students being thoroughly prepared for the most academically demanding universities. Flexibility iPrep students will have the option to participate in internships, extracurricular activities, FLVS courses, and all activities such as Prom, Homecoming, and Grad Nite. Page  7

iPrep@Varela So where to from here… Ivy League? Page  8

? If you have any questions please contact John Galardi, Assistant Principal – jgalardi@dadeschools.net or call 305-752-7900 ext. 2007 ? ? Page  9