1. High School Information Session
Monday, September 19th, 2016
FAMS Multi-Purpose Room
Presented by:
Ms. Dana Cotsopoulos

2. What Will We Cover…
Regional High Schools – Ramapo & Indian Hills High Schools
University Programs – Are they for you?
Course Offerings
Timeline of High School Recommendations
Catholic/Private School Application Process
Bergen County Academies

3. Ramapo & Indian Hills High School
All students will be required to make a decision of Ramapo or Indian Hills (regardless if planning on attending or not)
Besides UP programs, all course offerings, course levels, etc. are offered at both high schools
Recommend attending Open House Dates for BOTH high schools
RHS Thursday, October 6th (7:00-9:00pm)
IHHS Thursday, October 20th (7:00-9:00pm)

4. Regional High School Course Offerings
Please see to download a full Program of Studies with descriptions of all courses and course levels
Course Levels – CP (College Prep),CPE (College Prep Enhanced), H (Honors), *AP (Advanced Placement)
CPE–College Preparatory Enhanced – courses provide greater academic rigor than that of the college prep level classes by offering enriched activities/curriculum for additional academic challenge. CP–College Preparatory – courses meet the college admission requirement for core standard in a particular subject area. *AP Courses are NOT available to 9th grade students

5. 9th Grade Courses English Math Science World Civilizations PE/Health
Electives
World Language

6. Graduation Requirements
State-mandated number of credits required for graduation – 140 credits
Students should be taking 35 credits each year
Your child will meet with their counselor to be sure that he or she is taking the appropriate classes to meet graduation requirements
For specific graduation requirements, please see --click on Program of Studies

7. University Programs There are three University Programs (UP):
Ramapo HS - Engineering & Design
Indian Hills HS - International Business
Indian Hills HS - Science, Medicine & Research
University Programs are a good choice for students who are very interested in these fields and are highly motivated
They are limiting with elective choices (your electives are chosen for you if you are UP student)

8. University Program Application Process
Application is online at (on main page- click Academics/UP, then UP Course Offerings)
Application includes Student Biographical Data, an essay, & a Statement of Parental Endorsement
**UP Application for school year is not yet available**
It is your responsibility to submit the application to the UP program director by the deadline date
Notify FAMS Guidance if you are applying to a UP program
If you are accepted to a program, you may decline (not binding)

9. Tentative Timeline of High School Recommendation Process
October-November– go into classrooms to meet with students to explain about HS recommendations, high school choice, private/catholic schools, and answer specific questions
December – 8th grade teachers will make course level recommendations for year
Mid-January – parents receive RIH High School registration/course level recommendation form (at this time, student/parent must also make high school choice)

10. Timeline of High School Recommendation Process
End of January – Beginning of February – parents return Registration Form to Ms. Cotsopoulos in FAMS Guidance Department
Beginning of February – FAMS Guidance delivers forms to Ramapo & Indian Hills Guidance Departments

13. Course Level Recommendations
If you have questions about your students course level recommendations, you should:
Contact your current teacher - he or she will be able to explain to you why they have recommended you for a particular level
Contact Guidance
Override Forms – change your recommendation to a higher level, however, it is binding and you CANNOT move from this level during the course

14. Course Level Recommendations
Any 8th grade student with an IEP will not have their recommendations finalized until their IEP meeting at FAMS with their current case manager and the case manager or CST member from the high school that they have selected.
The student will also have the opportunity to be present at the meeting to discuss high school options and course levels.

15. Making the Transition to High School
Freshman Orientation – End of August
Students will receive a schedule, tour the school, lunchroom, etc.
Have the chance to meet with current students to help transition to high school life
Allows students to have a familiar face at the start of the school year

16. Applying To Catholic High School
What is needed:
Register & take the COOP Exam (Test date is Friday, November 11, 2016)
Test Content: The test is designed to measure scholastic aptitude in verbal and non-verbal abilities, and achievement in reading, mathematics, and language.
Fee: Examination fee of $60.00 will include reporting scores to three high schools of your choice.
Ninth Grade Applicant Record Form (white form) – you can print offline at
Please complete the following:
Parent/Guardian Signature for Release of Records (located on the top portion of the form)
DO NOT fill in School Record Information (this will be completed by Guidance)
Once all above information is completed, please HAND DELIVER this form to Guidance

18. Applying To A Private School
If applying to any private school:
 It is your responsibility to complete and send any application forms to the schools.
Any forms to be completed by Guidance/Principal must be HAND DELIVERED to Ms. Cotsopoulos
 Teacher Recommendations – many schools require teacher recommendations. It is your responsibility to give the necessary forms to teachers along with an envelope, stamp, and address written on the envelope. Please be sure to notify teachers of the deadline. Please do not wait until last minute to give these forms to teachers.

19. Bergen County Academies
7 Individual Schools or Academies (Public)
Business/Finance, Culinary Arts & Hotel Administration, Engineering & Design, Medical Science Technology, Telecommunications & Computer Science, Visual & Performing Arts, Advancement of Science & Technology
Highly Competitive
Register for an Open House – * Open House Registration site OPENS SEPTEMBER 30, 2016
Complete an Online Application – * Online Application site OPENS OCTOBER 14, 2016 – DEADLINE - DECEMBER 15, 2016
Submit School transcript form & Applicant’s District Form to Guidance once you apply and are able to print off the BCA website
Students are responsible for giving teachers the form with individual student ID # so they can access online and complete your recommendation - Student ID# may also be called their NJ Smart #
After the entrance exam, you will be notified if you will be having an interview to continue the process. A notification of admissions decision arrives in April.

20. BCA If you are interested in applying:
Must be a resident of Bergen County. You must be registered in your town’s school district regardless of the school you attend.
Only 8th grade students can apply.
If accepted, student will begin 9th grade year in September Transferring into Bergen County Academies is not permitted.

21. BCA Open House
Dates:
Sunday, October 11:00am or 2:00pm
Sunday, October 11:00am or 2:00pm
Sunday, October 11:00am or 2:00pm
Located on the Dr. John Grieco Campus in Hackensack, New Jersey.
All academic programs will be discussed at all sessions.

23. Bergen County Technical Schools
Bergen County Technical Schools is a county technical school district that serves as the vocational/ technical education arm of all the school districts within Bergen County.
Campuses in Paramus, Hackensack, and Teterboro
Prospective students must apply to the school and program in which they are interest. Applications are considered separately for each school. Each school has it’s own admissions procedures.

24. Ramapo-Indian Hills Open House Information
Ramapo High School – 7:00pm
Indian Hills High School – 7:00pm
*all open houses are at the respective school*
University Program Open House
November 7:00 PM at Ramapo HS
All three programs will be discussed at this meeting
**Please see for more information**
UP Open House will be held at Ramapo High School on November 1st from 7:00 - 9:00 pm

25. Questions? Please feel free to contact guidance at any time to discuss your child and your individual high school plans/options FAMS Guidance Contact Information for 8th Grade: Ms. Dana Cotsopoulos (201)