1. Navigating Bishop O’Dowd
Course Planning
for Grades 9 to11
January 12, 2017

2. Bishop O’Dowd Counseling
Eight Full-time Counselors
Academic Support Services
Assigned by last name:
Ms. Patrice Wakely
Ms. Janet Huff
Mr. Marc Dominguez
Ms. Meredith Parry
Ms. Patricia Cross
Ms. Fran Warmerdam
Ms. Juliet Arechiga

3. Counseling continued! International Counselor & Coordinator
Ms. Robin Lau
Counselors:
Provide personal and academic counseling
Serve as college specialists
Provide support throughout the entire four years

4. Academic Counseling We provide the following services:
Assistance to students in the selection of appropriate courses for each school year.
Meetings with parents, students and teachers when appropriate to discuss academic issues.
Referrals to educational therapists, tutors, support services and outside
testing agencies when necessary.
Scheduling conferences with students who are in academic jeopardy.

5. Academic Counseling We provide information about:
Courses and graduation requirements for Bishop O'Dowd High School.
PSAT/Sat/ACT and Subject tests and results.
Summer school, accelerated or special talent programs for students, online junior college courses
Appropriate study strategies and techniques.
College search and application process.

6. Course Selection – Important Dates
Jan 6 – Course Worksheets ed
Jan 20 – Course requests competed online
Jan 24 – February Counselors meet with each student to discuss course selections and register for classes
Feb 1 – AP Applications w/ transcript due to Ms. Promes in Room 11

7. Course Requirements English: 4 years Religious Studies: 4 years
Mathematics: 3 years
Social Studies: 3 years
Fine Arts: 1 year
Foreign Language: 2 years
Physical Education: 2 years
Science: 2 – 2.5 years

8. Honors Courses Grade Point Averages (GPAs)
An extra honor point is added to GPAs for the following courses:
AP courses
Honors English 2
Honors English 3
Honors Pre-Calculus
Honors Chemistry
Honors third-year & fourth-year languages

9. Advanced Placement (AP)
Partnership between high schools and colleges
Students may earn college credit
Course guidelines developed by the College Board
90% of the nation's colleges grant credit
Students apply for admission into individual courses

10. Advanced Placement Courses
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Environmental Science
AP Physics 1
AP Calculus AB & BC
AP Statistics
AP Computer Science
AP Computer Science Principles
AP English Literature
AP French, Spanish
AP Studio Art (2D, 3D, Drawing)
AP Psychology
AP Human Geography
AP US Government
AP Comparative Government
AP Macro-Economics
AP U.S. History

11. 10th grade courses English – 1 year Religion – 2 semesters
Christian Scriptures/Catholic Experience
Mathematics – 1 year
Mathematics course options vary
Science – 1 year - Biology
World Language – 1 year
Physical Education – 1 year
Electives – 1 year; could
include study

12. 11th grade courses English – 1 year Religion – 2 semesters
Christian Morality/Religion Elective
Mathematics – 1 year
Mathematics course options vary
Science – 1 year
Chemistry, Earth Science, Engineering Physics, Electives
World Language – 1 year
U.S. History – 1 year
Electives – 1 year; could
include study

13. 12th grade courses English - 1 year Religion - 2 semesters
Social Studies -
Amer. Govt/Econ or AP Government
Electives years (should consider college requirements); could
include study or TA

14. Is Online for You? The Possibilities Limited to one class per semester
10th,11th & 12th Grade
Christian Morality
Expository Writing
Science Fiction
Sociology, Anthropology, Humanities, Psychology (College of the Siskyous) (college credit only)

15. Summer Advancement Possibilities: Why?
Alg 2/Trigonometry
Geometry
Chemistry (possible)
Christian Morality Online

16. What to expect…Freshmen…
September - Meet w/ Counselor
Register on Naviance, complete Learning Styles inventory
January – Apply for Honors Courses (may include exam)
January – Complete Scheduling online
February – Meet w/ Counselor
Ongoing - Self-refer as appropriate

17. What to expect…Sophomores…
October – Complete PSAT test
December – Discuss PSAT results
January – Apply for Honors/AP Courses
January – Complete Schedule Requests online
Ongoing - Self-refer as appropriate
Ongoing – Visit Career Resource Center

18. What to expect…Juniors…
October – Complete PSAT test
December – Receive PSAT results
January – Apply for Honors/AP
January – Complete Schedule Requests online
January – Attend Parent and
Junior College Night
Ongoing – Visit Career Resource Center

19. What to expect…Juniors…
Ongoing – Schedule Initial College Appt.
Ongoing – Conduct College Visits
Ongoing – Register for College Admissions Tests (SAT, ACT, SAT Subject)
Ongoing – Enroll in Test Prep as appropriate
Ongoing - Self-refer as appropriate

20. What to expect…Seniors…
August - College Boot Camp
August – Turn in Senior Questionnaire
Ongoing – Meet with counselor, determine final college list
Ongoing – Bring counselor applications/essay for
review

21. What to expect…Seniors…
Ongoing – Check often
Oct - March– Fill in financial aid forms
Jan – April – Wait for acceptance letters!!!
May 1st – National Student Intent to Register deadline

22. Resources for All
Course Catalogue - ed to students and parents on Jan 6th.
Naviance - college & career planning
Counselor - requirements
Teachers – ask about placement
AP Course Info Night – Jan 17th

23. Questions . . .