High School Options

for Students in the

Northeast Consortium (NEC)

NEC

Signature Programs, the Choice Process, and

Application Programs

Information Meeting for NEC Grade 7 Students and Parents

Springbrook High School

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Tonight’s Outcomes:

Hear an overview of the -- • Northeast Consortium (NEC)

High School Signature Programs

• Choice Process and Timeline

• Application Programs Available to

NEC Students:

--Magnet programs at Montgomery

Blair, Richard Montgomery, &

Poolesville high schools

--Visual Art Center (VAC) at

Albert Einstein HS

--Professional-Technical Programs at Thomas Edison

High School of Technology (TEHST)

Provide feedback by completing an evaluation form

What is the

Northeast Consortium (NEC)?

The NEC is made up of: 3 high schools, 5 middle schools,

and their feeder elementary schools

James Hubert Blake HS

Paint Branch HS

Springbrook HS

The NEC: 3 Great Schools . . .I see ME at ALL 3!

What do ALL NEC high schools have in common?

• A comprehensive high school education

• Athletics and extracurricular activities

• Lots of opportunities for you to make friends

• Newspaper, yearbook, music program

• Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses

• Special education support services and ESOL levels 4 & 5 services

• TV studio – students produce daily announcements on TV

• Use of technology/computers throughout the school

• Signature programs – programs of instruction based on a

central theme or focus

What is a Signature program? Instructional program developed around a

central theme that includes:

◦ Rigorous course work

◦ Variety of course offerings in the thematic area

◦ Sequential course offerings to build knowledge

and skills

Themes that appeal to students’ interests:

Thematic programs that help students make

connections with their future – and think

about life after high school – college,

military, and possible future careers.

The NEC: 3 Great Schools . . .I see Me at ALL 3!

What Signature programs are available in the NEC?

James Hubert Blake HS:

Fine Arts and Humanities

Paint Branch HS:

Science and Media

Springbrook HS:

IB World and Information

Technology

Arts & Communications Pathways: Visual Arts

Painting, Drawing, Ceramics, Photography, Fashion Design

Media Arts Video Production, Television Production, Journalism, Digital Art

Performing Arts Theatre, Music, Dance

Course Example: Fashion Illustration & Design

Capstone Example: Participation in Fashion Xpressions

Humanities & Public Service: Humanities

History, Cultural Studies, English, World Languages

Public Service Teacher Education, Child Development, Law

and Public Policy

Course Example: International Human Rights

Capstone Example: “We The People Competition” – Simulated

Congressional Hearing

James Hubert Blake HS:

Fine Arts and Humanities

Science: Academy of Health Professions

Medical Careers Pathway - Become a Certified Nursing Assistant

Pharmacy Pathway – Become a Certified Pharmacy Technician

Academy of Engineering Technology

Nutrition Science

Biotechnology

Course Example: Foundations of Medicine & Health Services

Capstone Example: Internship at medical facility (Holy Cross);

Health Fair

Media Arts: Video Production

Radio Production

Journalism, Literary Magazine, Photography, Digital Art

Course Example: Radio Production A/B

Capstone Example: Student produced video

Paint Branch HS:

Science and Media

Springbrook HS: IB World

and Information Technology

International Baccalaureate Program: Challenging, comprehensive curriculum based on a global perspective

International theme - focus on understanding various culture

Emphasis on World Languages - French, Spanish, Italian, German, Arabic

Middle Years Program (MYP) Grades 9 - 10

Pre-IB course work

International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Curriculum developed by IBO

IB courses - Grades 11-12

Course Example: Arabic I, IB Physics

Capstone Example: Extended Essay/Independent Study Project

Academy of Information Technology: Robotics

Computer Programming

Network Management

Digital Media

Course Example: Website Development

Capstone Example: Microsoft Competition (ap design)

Explore Your Options!

An engaging, interesting and

informative website designed

for the middle school student!

• career interest quiz

• advice on high school courses

• search for college majors

• explore interesting careers

• ask questions of experts in

the field

• learn about hobbies

www.bridges.com

Hear from NEC high

school students talk

about their interests and

the exciting high school

experience!

Montgomery County Public

Schools - You Choose

What is the Grade 8 NEC timeline? (Proposed for School Year 2014-2015)

September

• Choice and Signature program information provided to Grade 8 students - http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/nec/

• Evening parent/student information meetings

October

• Evening Open House at each NEC high school

• College and career development activities for middle school students

• Choice forms mailed to Grade 8 students’ homes

November

• Completed Choice forms due to NEC middle schools

• Evening parent enrollment meeting for non-MCPS students

January

• High school assignments mailed to students’ homes

NEC High School

Choice Process

Step #1

Complete a Choice

form. Parents/students rank

the 3 NEC high schools

in order of preference,

based on the Signature

programs at each school.

Step #2 Choice forms are run

through a computerized

lottery process.

Step #3 High school assignment letters are mailed to students’

homes.

Every effort is made to assign students to their first choice. Some students

may be assigned their 2nd or 3rd choice school.

Factors which may impact the

school assignment process:

• School capacity (space

availability)

• Number of students who choose

their base school

• Ranking of schools on Choice

form

• Sibling link

• Socio-economic diversity

• Gender balance

The base area high school is determined by a student’s home address.* Assignment to a student’s base high school is guaranteed if it is:

1) Indicated as 1st choice on the Choice form

OR

2) Indicated as 2nd choice on the Choice form

AND the 1st choice is not available.

* To determine your base high school, visit:

http://gis.mcps.k12.md.us/gis/PublicLocator.asp

What if my child wants to attend

her/his base area high school?

What are some frequently

asked questions?

On average what percentage of students received their 1st choice over the last five years?

Students will receive bus transportation if they live:

• in the Consortium attendance area

AND

• beyond walking distance of their assigned school

(about 2 miles, as determined by MCPS).

Is transportation available?

90%

Summary

• All 3 NEC high schools provide:

– A comprehensive educational

program, including after school

activities, athletics, and clubs.

– Excellent programs that appeal

to students’ interests.

• The Choice process encourages

discussion about student interests,

high school opportunities, and

future goals.

The NEC: 3 Great Schools . . .I see Me at ALL 3!

Application-Only Programs Available to MCPS Students*:

Science, Math & Computer Science Magnet at Montgomery Blair HS or Poolesville HS (depending on base area)

International Baccalaureate (IB) Magnet at Richard Montgomery HS

Global Ecology House at Poolesville HS

Visual Art Center (VAC) at Albert Einstein HS

Half-day Academic, Professional & Technical Career

Education Programs at Thomas Edison High School of

Technology (TEHST)

*NOTE: Students who apply for application-only programs must still complete and turn in an NEC Choice form by the due date.

What other high school options

are available?

Applicant Characteristics Parents, ask yourselves: To an exceptional degree, does my child…

Show curiosity about ideas, events and how things work,

or have a questioning attitude?

Demonstrate initiative and intellectual curiosity?

Have an ability to learn at a faster rate?

Have an unusual understanding and use of language?

Have strong critical and creative thinking abilities?

Show empathy and sensitivity towards others?

Have an ability to see relationships and detect patterns?

Have a positive self-concept?

Understand his or her strengths and know when and how to

ask for help?

Prefer long-range goals to short-term or immediate needs?

Science/Mathematics/Computer Science

Magnet Program at Blair

• The Magnet Program offers accelerated, interdisciplinary courses in science, mathematics, and computer science for highly able students particularly interested in these subjects.

• Students in Grade 8 with a strong interest in science, mathematics, and computer science who are enrolled in at least Algebra I may apply.

• Magnet students have an eight period day, instead of the normal seven period day at most county high schools.

• This is a regional program available to students who reside in of one of the following high school clusters: the Downcounty Consortium, the Northeast Consortium, B-CC, Churchill, Walter Johnson, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Sherwood, Whitman, or Wootton.*

*Students from other high school clusters can apply to the Science/Mathematics/Computer Science House at Poolesville HS

Richard Montgomery IB Magnet Program*

Located in Rockville; All high school clusters may apply

Countywide program for academically capable and committed students interested in pursuing a rigorous pre-university course of studies in: English, Foreign Language, Individuals and Societies Economics, Psychology, History, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, and the Arts and Electives.

Students successfully completing the program earn an MCPS diploma, a Maryland Certificate of Merit, and the internationally recognized IB Diploma.

Grade 8 students who are enrolled in at least Level I of Spanish, French, or Chinese (or are qualified bilingual students who are fluent in those languages), Algebra I, and have taken 2 G/T or advanced courses may apply.

*The IB diploma earned at any high school offering an IB

diploma program adheres to the same rigorous testing and

essay requirements.

Poolesville Global Ecology House*

• Poolesville High School features a whole-school magnet program

in which students select a specific area of concentration from 3

“houses,” all of which provide options for rigorous and advanced

academic coursework. Global Ecology House open to all MCPS

students.

• Global Ecology House students study environmental issues

through rigorous interdisciplinary science and social studies

curricula; focus on human impact on the natural environment.

• Grade 8 students from any MCPS high school cluster who are in

Algebra I or higher may apply to the Global Ecology House.

• The Global Ecology program has existed for over 10 years.

* Grade 8 students who live in one of the following high school clusters who are in

Algebra I or higher may also apply to the Science/Mathematics/ Computer

Science House and/or to the Humanities House: Clarksburg, Damascus,

Gaithersburg, Magruder, Northwest, Poolesville, Quince Orchard, Seneca Valley,

or Watkins Mill

Countywide Application Programs International Baccalaureate (IB) Magnet Program

Richard Montgomery HS

o Contact Ms. Jennifer Hoover, magnet coordinator,

301-610-8100

Global Ecology House

Poolesville HS

o Contact Ms. Billie Bradshaw,

magnet coordinator, 301-972-7976

Regional Application Program:

Science, Mathematics, Computer Science Magnet Program @ Montgomery Blair HS

oContact Mr. Peter Ostrander, magnet coordinator, 301-649-8240

The Visual Art Center

at

Albert Einstein High School

High level half-day program offering a broad perspective of the fine arts with an emphasis on drawing, painting and art history

Students can do ½ day at home high school and ½ day at Einstein OR transfer to Einstein.

Admission is selective. Applicants are evaluated on completed art courses, portfolio, personal interview, teacher recommendations, and transcript.

Contact: 301-962-1027

Thomas Edison High School of Technology

(TEHST)

Half-day program for students in Grades 10-12.

Students attend home HS for ½ day and TEHST for

½ day.

Programs such as: Interior Design, Medical

Careers, Cosmetology, Professional Restaurant

Management, Network Operations, Carpentry,

Masonry, Plumbing, Autobody Repair, HVAC.

301-962-1027

Proposed Application-Only Timeline

Information nights: October 2014 – hosted by each high school application program*

Application deadline: Early November 2014

Testing: Early December 2014

Notification: Early February 2015

* Note: Students may apply to multiple programs.

• 3 High Schools in the NEC

• All offer comprehensive education and have a Signature

program

• Explore interests using Choices Explorer

• Research options using High School Websites &

Signatures Publication

• Visit the NEC website :

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/nec/

• Attend Options Fair

• Attend Open Houses/Application Program Information

Meetings

• Be prepared to fill out Choice Form in the Fall

SUMMARY

THANK YOU PARENTS AND STUDENTS!

Need more information?

DCCAPS staff members are available to

answer individual questions this

evening.

Please complete your evaluation form

and return it to the collection box.

Thank you!