Class of 2020

Transitioning to Your

Sophomore Year

What is different your Sophomore

Year?• Congrats! Freshman year is almost over!

• You know where everything is now

• You are familiar with your teachers

• Classes Get a Bit Harder

• More challenging coursework

• No hand holding from your teachers

• More responsibility

• Choosing Electives Begins to Matter

• It is about your interests and the places you want to go.

• What will look good on college applications?

What is different your Sophomore

Year?College Becomes a Real Thought

• Suddenly your sophomore year becomes about thinking forward to college.

• Do you want to go? If so, what college?

• If not, what will you do?

• You have some time to decide where you're going, sure, but the thoughts start to seep in during this year.

You Get Behind the Wheel

• Some sophomores are lucky enough to turn 16 during first semester, but most will turn driving age by the end of the school year. Students will be allowed to drive to CCHS, so watch out!

PSAT

• Offered once a year in October

• Offered to 9th, 10th and 11th

• Scores can indicate how you will do on the SAT

• Scores can lead to National Merit Scholarships

• Recommended for Sophomores to gain an idea of their potential SAT score during their junior year.

• The best way to improve your testing abilities is to take the data from the PSAT 10 and practice in areas you may be weak.

ACT vs. SAT

• ACT• Scores from 1-36

• English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning, and optional Writing

• No penalty for wrong answer

• Achievement

• SAT

• Scores up to 1600 for Reading and Math combined

• Reading, Math and Writing

• No penalty for wrong answer

• SAT subject test may be required by competitive universities

• Aptitude

• Summary

• Needed for most university admission, not needed for community college

• Try both, take the one you like best again

• Prepare for the test

• Take for the first time at the end of junior year.

Test Prep

• Khan Academy/College Board Partner offers FREE SAT PREP

• Kaplan

• ZAPS Learning Company

• Sylvan Learning

• Maricopa Libraries offers quick access to all online practice tests.

Achieving a College Education

(ACE)

• ACE is an early outreach two-year scholarship-based college preparation program for high school students.

• Mission is to increase the success rate of first-generation, underrepresented and financially disadvantaged college bound students.

• Applications are accepted during the SOPHOMORE year of high school.

Impact Chandler Scholars

• Reminder…

• Must have signed and completed the committed form during Freshman Year

• By April 1st of your senior year all 100 hours must be submitted.

• Don’t forget to log and complete your community service hours in IC

• 95% attendance for all four years

• See Ms. O’Brien in the Career Center for more information

• EVIT specializes in technical and hands-on skill focused programs

• Students must be current on credits (12 total by the end of 10th grade) and meet EVIT’s academic, attendance and disciplinary requirements.

• Enroll during your spring semester of 10th grade.

• Students will have the opportunity to visit EVIT on a field trip to learn more about program offerings.

• Students can learn more about EVIT programs by attending EVIT presentations.

• See Mr. Ruelas our EVIT counselor for more information.

Link to EVIT Video

The Honors curriculum is geared toward freshmen and sophomores.

Honors courses are available at Casteel High School.

Grades in Honors classes are weighted.

Honors classes are often taken in preparation for the transition to Advanced Placement courses in junior and senior years.

Talk with your school’s counseling office, or check out the CUSD Course Description Catalog, to find out the courses available.

AP courses are offered at Casteel High School.

See course selection form for AP course options

These accelerated courses prepare students to take the national AP exams (given in the spring) as well as help them prepare for the rigors of college.

If students score well on the AP exam, they may be granted advanced placement status and/or college credit.

Course information is available in the school’s counseling office.

A Paradigm Shift from Content to Skills

Video link to "A Paradigm Shift from Content to Skills"

is an innovative program that helps

you stand out in the college admissions process by

developing the critical skills needed to succeed in college

and in life.

Emphasizes critical skills

needed for college & beyond

Compliments the in-depth

subject matter study in

AP

AP Seminar and AP Research allow you to immerse yourself in

topics that matter to you, while they develop the analytic,

research, problem-solving, and communication skills that

colleges seek in their applicants.

AP Seminar (Typically taken in grade 10 or 11)

You will learn to:

Investigate real-world topics

from multiple perspectives

Carefully analyze information,

write evidence-based

arguments and effectively

communicate them

Work independently and with a

team to research a topic,

develop a written report and

deliver a presentation

The Exam Score is based on:

1. (25%) Team Project &

Presentation

2. (35%) Individual

Research-Based Essay &

Presentation

3. (40%) End-of-Course AP

Exam

The Benefits:

Stand out in the college admission process

and have the opportunity to earn valuable college credit or

placement.

You will acquire rigorous college-level

analysis, writing, and research skills that are increasingly

valued by colleges and employers.

You choose your own research topic

and study issues and topics of interest and importance to

you.

Earn college credit that can fulfill many university general studies requirements.

Dual credit courses earn both high school and college credit for the same class. Guaranteed credit with a C or higher.

Dual credit courses will be taught at Casteel High School starting 2017-2018, in partnership with CGCC.

Payment of tuition to the cooperating community college is required (scholarships may be available).

See high school counseling departments for specific information and the availability of courses at your high school.

Curriculum Area CUSD Graduation Requirements

Arizona University Entrance Requirements

English 4 credits 4 credits

Math 4 credits 4 credits

Science 3 credits 3 lab science credits

Social Studies 3 credits 2 credits

Career and Technical Education/Fine Arts

1 credit 1 Fine Arts credit OR CTE credit

World Language 0 credit 2 credits (2 years of same language)

Physical Education 1 credit 0 credit

Comprehensive Health ½ credit 0 credit

Required Courses 16 ½ credits 16 credits

Elective Courses 5 ½ credits 0 credits

Total Required Credits 22 credits 16 credits

Video of How to Register Online

• Fitting all your classes into your schedule can be a challenge.

• Be aware of other time commitments. Realistically think about how much time you spend playing sports or volunteering and how much time you have to do homework.

• Consider taking the most challenging courses you can handle.

• Choose electives carefully. The expectation is that you will remain in the class that you picked.

• Zero hour starts at 6:25am. There is no transportation for zero hour.

• If you fail a class freshman year, recover the credit over summer academy. You do not want to fall behind on credits.

Summer Academy- Chandler High School- Registration Begins NOW

• June 12- June 30.

• Transportation is not available.

• The cost is 181.00 for .5 credit or 362.00 for 1 full credit

• You may only miss 2 days of Summer Academy.

• Next-Step Math classes and PE are the first to fill up!

Chandler Online Summer Academy (COA)- Registration Begins NOW

• Online format, classes are 3 weeks long.

• Session 1: June 5th- June 21st –June 22 & 23 Final exams-must take in person

• Session 2: June 26- July 12th - July 13 & 14 Final exams-must take in person

• Cost is 181.00 for .5 credit or 362.00 for 1 full credit

• Summer classes are extremely intense. Classes are 3 weeks long (normally 9) and students work at least 4 hours per day per class.

• *It is not recommended to take classes that you have failed in an online format.*

Plan ahead – The in-state universities look at your core un-weighted GPA and class ranks for admissions

Many scholarships look at your weighted GPA

Keep your grades up!

Get involved, stay involved – quality over quantity

Obtain leadership positions

Get informed about your options – colleges, scholarships, trade schools

Get to know your teachers and counselor

Please follow the

Counseling Department and

College and Career Center!

@cchs_career

@CCHSCounselingCollegeandCareerCenter