1. High School Choice- Explore your options I See Me In ALL Three! Three Great Schools, Three Great Choices!

2. What is High School Choice? Grade 8 Students attending a Northeast Consortium (NEC) middle school or residing in the NEC attendance area rank in order of preference the high school they would like to attend on a lottery Choice form during the fall of their Grade 8 year.

3. Learn… There are THREE GREAT NEC high schools to choose from: James Hubert Blake James Hubert Blake Paint Branch Paint Branch Springbrook Springbrook  Do your research and explore them all  Keep an open mind and consider your interests.

4. How do I become informed?  Attend one of the Options Fairs and talk to the HS Signature Coordinators to learn about their programs: Sept. 21 – Kennedy HS @ 7 pm Sept. 21 – Kennedy HS @ 7 pm Sept. 28 – Paint Branch HS @ 7 pm Sept. 28 – Paint Branch HS @ 7 pm  Consider each High School’s Specialty Signature Program and how it matches up to your career interests, strengths, favorite subjects and future plans.

5. Become Informed… Visit ALL of the high school open houses: October 8 – Springbrook HS October 22 – James Hubert Blake HS October 29 – Paint Branch HS After each open house, ask yourself: How does the Signature appeal to me? Do I feel that this school is a good fit for me? Do I think I could make connections with the staff and students here? Are there courses offered that interest me? Attend a game, play or school event at the high schools Explore the 3 high schools’ web pages which can be linked to from the NEC website - http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/nec/

6. All 3 High Schools have a lot in common… All three NEC high schools offer: A unique Signature program A unique Signature program Advanced classes (AP and Honors) Advanced classes (AP and Honors) College preparedness College preparedness Music opportunities Music opportunities Varsity sports Varsity sports Clubs Clubs More freedom and independence More freedom and independence

7. How are they different?  Each HS has a different Signature  What is a Signature? Program designed around specific career themes Program designed around specific career themes Variety of course offerings in the thematic area Variety of course offerings in the thematic area Appeals to students’ interests Appeals to students’ interests Guest speakers, field trips, business partnerships related to the theme Guest speakers, field trips, business partnerships related to the theme Opportunities for capstone projects (independent study projects) and possible internships Opportunities for capstone projects (independent study projects) and possible internships

8. Consider… What interests you about EACH of the Signatures? Write down the Signatures available at each high school. Write down the Signatures available at each high school. Write down how each Signature and special program interests you on your Cornell notes page. Write down how each Signature and special program interests you on your Cornell notes page.

9. James Hubert Blake Signature Programs : Fine Arts & Media Fine Arts & Media 3 different course pathways in the performing arts (dance, theatre, music), visual arts (art, photography, fashion) and media (video production, digital art, journalism)3 different course pathways in the performing arts (dance, theatre, music), visual arts (art, photography, fashion) and media (video production, digital art, journalism) Humanities and Public Service Humanities and Public Service Humanities course pathway includes English, cultural and world studies, and foreign languagesHumanities course pathway includes English, cultural and world studies, and foreign languages Public service pathways include child studies, teacher education and social sciencePublic service pathways include child studies, teacher education and social science Business and Consumer Science Business and Consumer Science Accounting, economics, business management, finance and marketing as well as information technologyAccounting, economics, business management, finance and marketing as well as information technology Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Academy Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Academy Environmental science, geophysics, engineering,Environmental science, geophysics, engineering, construction technology, math, medical science SIGNATURE SCHOOL FOR FINE ARTS & HUMANITIES

10. Paint Branch High School Signature Programs: Media Arts Media Arts Broadcast journalism, digital art, radio, drama, theatreBroadcast journalism, digital art, radio, drama, theatre Science, Medical Careers and Pharmacy Science, Medical Careers and Pharmacy Medical sciences and professions, pharmaceutical professionMedical sciences and professions, pharmaceutical profession Academy of Finance Academy of Finance Learn about banking, money management, stock marketLearn about banking, money management, stock market Academy of Engineering Technology Academy of Engineering Technology All fields of engineeringAll fields of engineering Restaurant Management Restaurant Management Food service, culinary arts, in-school managed restaurantFood service, culinary arts, in-school managed restaurant NJROTC NJROTC Leadership, national security, military careersLeadership, national security, military careers Child Development and Teaching Academy Child Development and Teaching Academy Explore working with childrenExplore working with children SIGNATURE : SCIENCE AND MEDIA

11. Springbrook High School Signatures: MYP – Middle Years ProgramMYP – Middle Years Program 9 th & 10 th grade focus on intercultural sensitivity, global awareness and critical thinking9 th & 10 th grade focus on intercultural sensitivity, global awareness and critical thinking Foreign Language options – Arabic, French, Spanish, German, & ItalianForeign Language options – Arabic, French, Spanish, German, & Italian Personal project in 10 th gradePersonal project in 10 th grade International Baccalaureate Diploma ProgrammeInternational Baccalaureate Diploma Programme College prep, rigor, global perspective – earn an internationally recognized diploma College prep, rigor, global perspective – earn an internationally recognized diploma Academy of Information TechnologyAcademy of Information Technology Web design, computer science or computer network strand Web design, computer science or computer network strand Programming for Xbox and Zune Programming for Xbox and Zune Women in Technology Group Women in Technology Group Justice, Law and SocietyJustice, Law and Society Law enforcement, forensics, justice system, Homeland Security Law enforcement, forensics, justice system, Homeland Security Hospitality Management ProgramHospitality Management Program Food service, culinary arts, restaurant industry approved curriculumFood service, culinary arts, restaurant industry approved curriculum Child Development PathwayChild Development Pathway SIGNATURE: IB WORLD AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

12. How else are they different?  Location Distance from your home Distance from your home Explore your bus route and consider how it will fit into your day: Explore your bus route and consider how it will fit into your day: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/transportation/busroutes/ Blake Paint Branch Springbrook

13. Location Blake HS Paint Branch Springbrook HS James Hubert Blake: Norwood Road Silver Spring Paint Branch : Old Columbia Pike Burtonsville Springbrook: Valley Brook Drive Silver Spring

14. Application Programs 1. International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Richard Montgomery HS in Rockville Richard Montgomery HS in Rockville Info Night – Oct. 27 Info Night – Oct. 27 2. Global Ecology House Poolesville HS Poolesville HS Info Night - Oct. 5 Info Night - Oct. 5 3. Science, Math, and Computer Science Magnet – Blair HS in Silver Spring Blair HS in Silver Spring Info Night – Oct. 22 Info Night – Oct. 22 4. Visual Art Center (VAC) Einstein HS in Kensington Einstein HS in Kensington Meet with Coordinators and share your art portfolio Meet with Coordinators and share your art portfolio 5. Thomas Edison HS of Technology – grades 10 - 12

15. Application Programs Highly competitive, limited number of seats Highly competitive, limited number of seats Application packets available on-line (by end of Sept.) and in counseling office Application packets available on-line (by end of Sept.) and in counseling office Applications due on November 6 Applications due on November 6 Teacher recommendations needed Teacher recommendations needed Testing – December 5 Testing – December 5 Notified in early February Notified in early February

16. Reconsider  Review the Signature Programs on your notes pages.  Explore how each Signature interests you.  Think about how each school fits you best based on your interests.  Consider whether you want to apply to a special program

17. Talk  Discuss what is important in choosing a high school (future goals, skills, location, Signature, etc.).  Share what you’ve learned about each Signature.  Ask questions about anything you need more information about.

18. Do more research on your Options…  Visit high school websites to do additional research on the Signatures: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/ nec/ http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/ nec/ http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/ nec/  Visit mcps website to learn more about application programs: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curricul um/specialprograms/admissions/applications.a spx http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curricul um/specialprograms/admissions/applications.a spx http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curricul um/specialprograms/admissions/applications.a spx

19. Complete  Complete your Choice Form by ranking your choices (3 different choices) in order of preference  Be assured that ALL 3 high schools will provide you an excellent education and that your varied interests can be met at all 3 schools

20. Your Choice Form  Every 8 th grade student that lives in the NEC must complete and return a signed choice form.  You will receive your choice form in the mail towards the end of Oct. -- check your mailbox.  Turn in your choice form to your counselor on or before November 6.  Your base school is guaranteed if it is indicated as your first choice on your Choice form.  Choices may not be changed once they are submitted into the Round 1 lottery.

21. Questions?