Tips for Academic Success

February 2, 2022

Ardrey Kell School Counselors

Upcoming topics:

Welcome and introductions

Success is subjective

• We believe that all students can and should feel successful in high school. That will look different for all students!

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• We believe that Ardrey Kell should provide a well-balanced high school experience.

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• It is our goal to meet students where they are, and to help them work towards their personal goals.

Choosing an appropriate schedule

• Registration is going on now for the 22-23 school year (www.akregistration.weebly.com)

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• Consider a schedule in its entirety. What else do they have going on?

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• Choose classes that will allow you to show your strengths

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• Challenge yourself after initial successes

Getting Involved

• Students who are involved in the school community have more academic success.

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• Clubs - https://akicc.weebly.com/
• Athletics - https://www.cmsathleticzone.com/ardreykell
• Fine Arts - Theatre, Band, Orchestra, Choir, Art, Ceramics
• Student Government, Yearbook, Speech and Debate
• Honor Societies
• ROTC

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Starting strong

• Don’t wait until it’s too late to ask for help

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• Use PowerSchool and Canvas as tools to stay on top of missing work or tests that can be re-taken.

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• Read the whole syllabus and plan ahead

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Attendance matters

• There is a STRONG correlation between attendance and grade earned in a class.

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• CMS attendance policy is normally 10 days (*)

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• Students are responsible for keeping up with work missed while they are out. Communicate with teachers directly - don’t use a middle man.

Lines of communication

• If you have concerns about a class, contact:
• Teacher
• School counselor
• Grade level or subject administrator
• Principal

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• Students are STRONGLY encouraged to initiate and be involved in these conversations. Including a parent is completely appropriate but we want students to take initiative to ask for help.

Use your resources

• All teachers offer tutoring after school (FREE!)
• Contact them for their tutoring schedule

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• Take advantage of late work policies and test retakes.

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• Complete any ‘optional’ study guides or test prep.

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• If the concern is with one class, contact that teacher. If it across multiple classes, involve the school counselor.

Study skills and habits

• Find a way to organize your calendar and to-dos
• AK Agenda, Google Calendar, Personal Planner…

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• Take a brain break after school if possible (have a snack!)

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• Have a designated study space and time
• No cell phone
• Unless a student is highly independently motivated, unsupervised is not a great idea

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• Studying is homework
• Studying for large tests, writing long papers or completing big projects should be done over multiple days
• Just because you don’t have something to turn in doesn’t mean you don’t have something to work on

Q&A and discussion