Excelsior Academy Informational Meeting January 28, 2014 Royal Palm Beach Community High School Mrs. Laurie Cotton, Academies Coordinator

Excelsior - Latin meaning:  Higher  Loftier  Superior quality  Ever Upward  Distinguished  Eminent  Elevated Excelsior academy

Accelerated Academy

Excelsior academy Advanced Placement  College-level survey courses  Nationally administered examinations in May  Students passing AP tests receive college credit

Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Cambridge University Department of Assessment Excelsior academy

Small Learning Community “... small learning communities can be remarkable for improving the intellectual and social life of youth, educators, and parents... they provide an educational environment where all students can achieve at high levels and where staff have exciting opportunities to teach and learn.” M. Fine and J. Somerville, “Essential Elements of Small Schools,” p (1998)

Excelsior academy  Common Classes  Common Course Sequence  Common Locker Areas  Common Lunch  Common Teachers  Common Planning for Teachers (When Possible) Excelsior Academy Students Will Have:

9 th Grade *+ AICE General Paper (English I) *Math Honors *+ Biology Honors + AP Human Geography + AICE Thinking Skills * IIT or Fine Arts Course + World Language 10 th Grade *AICE General Paper II (English II) *Math Honors *+ Chemistry Honors *+ AP World History + AICE Biology *Research/ AICE English Lang. World Language 11 th Grade *AICE English Language/ Research *Math Honors or AP Calculus AP Chemistry or Physics Honors *+ AICE US History Elective World Language or Elective 12 th Grade *AICE English Literature AP Calculus or Elective AP Stats or Elective *+ AP Gov/ AP Econ Elective AP World Language or Elective Key * Required for Graduation + Excelsior Cohort AP ClassAICE Class Excelsior Course Sequence – Class of 2018

9 th Grade *+ AICE General Paper (English I) *Math Honors *+ Biology Honors + AP Human Geography + AICE Thinking Skills * IIT or Fine Arts Course + World Language 10 th Grade *AICE General Paper II (English II) *Math Honors *+ Chemistry Honors *+ AP World History + AICE Biology *Research/ AICE English Lang. World Language 11 th Grade *AICE English Language/ Research *Math Honors or AP Calculus AP Chemistry or Physics Honors *+ AICE US History Elective World Language or Elective 12 th Grade *AICE English Literature AP Calculus or Elective AP Stats or Elective *+ AP Gov/ AP Econ Elective AP World Language or Elective Key * Required for Graduation + Excelsior Cohort AP ClassAICE Class Excelsior Course Sequence – Class of 2018

9 th Grade *+ AICE General Paper (English I) *Math Honors *+ Biology Honors + AP Human Geography + AICE Thinking Skills * IIT or Fine Arts Course + World Language 10 th Grade *AICE General Paper II (English II) *Math Honors *+ Chemistry Honors *+ AP World History + AICE Biology *Research/ AICE English Lang. World Language 11 th Grade *AICE English Language/ Research *Math Honors or AP Calculus AP Chemistry or Physics Honors *+ AICE US History Elective World Language or Elective 12 th Grade *AICE English Literature AP Calculus or Elective AP Stats or Elective *+ AP Gov/ AP Econ Elective AP World Language or Elective Key * Required for Graduation + Excelsior Cohort AP ClassAICE Class Excelsior Course Sequence – Class of 2018

9 th Grade *+ AICE General Paper (English I) *Math Honors *+ Biology Honors + AP Human Geography + AICE Thinking Skills * IIT or Fine Arts Course + World Language 10 th Grade *AICE General Paper II (English II) *Math Honors *+ Chemistry Honors *+ AP World History + AICE Biology *Research/ AICE English Lang. World Language 11 th Grade *AICE English Language/ Research *Math Honors or AP Calculus AP Chemistry or Physics Honors *+ AICE US History +AICE Global Perspectives Elective World Language or Elective 12 th Grade *AICE English Literature AP Calculus or Elective AP Stats or Elective *+ AP Gov/ AP Econ Elective AP World Language or Elective Key * Required for Graduation + Excelsior Cohort AP ClassAICE Class Excelsior Course Sequence – Class of 2018

9 th Grade *+ AICE General Paper (English I) *Math Honors *+ Biology Honors + AP Human Geography + AICE Thinking Skills * IIT or Fine Arts Course + World Language 10 th Grade *AICE General Paper II (English II) *Math Honors *+ Chemistry Honors *+ AP World History + AICE Biology *Research/ AICE English Lang. World Language 11 th Grade *AICE English Language/ Research *Math Honors or AP Calculus AP Chemistry or Physics Honors *+ AICE US History +AICE Global Perspectives Elective World Language or Elective 12 th Grade *AICE English Literature AP Calculus or Elective AP Stats or Elective *+ AP Gov/ AP Econ Elective AP World Language or Elective Key * Required for Graduation + Excelsior Cohort AP ClassAICE Class Excelsior Course Sequence – Class of 2018

Excelsior academy  3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA)  4 or 5 on FCAT- both Math and Reading (7 th Grade)  Algebra 1 (Strongly Recommended)  Passing Score on Entrance Exam  Acceptable Conduct and Attendance Entrance Requirements:

Excelsior academy March 27April 1.  Will be administered March 27 OR April 1.  Report by 5:30 p.m.  Students are asked to Bring a Picture I.D. from their current school.  All necessary supplies including writing instruments will be provided. Entrance Exam:

Excelsior academy  Exam will be a 45-minute writing sample.  Grading Rubric and Topic will be provided at the time of the test.  Sample will be graded on content, organization style, and mechanics. Entrance Exam:

Excelsior academy  Rigor of Program  Academy Life  Pressure Packed  Time Management Issues  No Guarantees of Passing Exams Why You Should Not Apply:

Excelsior academy  College Credit in High School  Financial Reasons  Academic Challenges  Rigorous and Relevant Curriculum  International Opportunities Why You Should Apply:

Excelsior academy  Application can be found in folder. April 1, 2014  Application is due April 1,  Send applications to Royal Palm Beach High School, attention Laurie Cotton. April 11, 2014  Notification of acceptance by April 11, April 18, 2014  Accept/Decline form returned to RPBHS by April 18, Application Process:

Excelsior academy Royal Palm Beach Community High School Questions? Contact Mrs. Laurie Cotton Royal Palm Beach High School Phone: Academies Office (561) Main Office (561) Fax: (561)