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Upperclassmen Parent Night

Preparing for Junior and Senior Year of High School

Join Canvas for the latest Student Services news!

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Overview

Get to know Student Services
Importance of Academic Rigor - Choosing rigorous courses
Future Ready Core Graduation Requirements
Junior Checklist

PSAT, ACT, ASVAB
NCAA Eligibility Center
Get Involved! - RYLA, Governor's School, JHS Clubs, NHS
College Planning/Exploration
Scholarships for Juniors

Senior Checklist

Applying for College - Common App, CFNC, Coalition, HBCU Common App
FAFSA, Residency Determination Service (RDS)
ACT/SAT retakes
Scholarships

Supporting your student

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Student Services Support

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Meet your School Counselors

Ms. Carmen Ramos (Lead)

Alpha: A - BL

(ext) 12228

carmen_ramos@dpsnc.net

Ms. Carolyn Sears

Alpha: Bo - D

(ext) 12235

carolyn_sears@dpsnc.net

Ms. Briana Howard

Alpha: E - I

(ext) 12234

briana_howard@dpsnc.net

Ms. Gina Bader

Alpha: J - Mi

(ext) 12401

gina_bader@dpsnc.net

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Meet your School Counselors

Ms. Gabrielle Gregory

Alpha: Mo - Sa

(ext) 12240

gabrielle_gregory@dpsnc.net

Ms. Donna Hembrick

Alpha: Sc - Z

(ext) 12233

donna_hembrick@dpsnc.net

Ms. Lydia Kiefer

Student Success Coach

(ext) 12276

lydia_kiefer@dpsnc.net

Ms. Rebekah Lester

Counseling Intern

rebekah_lester@dpsnc.net

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School Counselor’s Role

Academic Counseling and Support

Increasing achievement
Study skills
Helping students self-advocate
504 case management

Personal, Social, and Emotional

Concerns at home
Healthy friendship/relationship dynamics
Crisis management
Grief Support
SPARCS

Educational, College, and Career Planning

Understanding transcript, GPA, and college admissions requirements
Test interpretation

Scholarship and Financial Aid Resources
Graduation Support

Course registration
Transcript audits
Senior Recognition Day

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Duke College Adviser

Provides assistance to students regarding all post-graduation plans (2-year, 4-year, military, workforce, etc.)
College assistance includes help with FAFSA, RDS, the match/fit process, college applications/application essays, scholarship essays
Military assistance includes connecting students with local recruiters to explore various enlisting options
Workforce assistance includes helping students with resumes and identifying current job openings in tandem with the Career and Development Coordinator, Ms. Daye

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Emily K Center Game Plan: College

What we do:

FREE advising and assistance for all options after HS

1:1 advising
Workshops
Community Events

Hablamos Español

Resume Writing
Summer Program Opportunities
Mock Interviews
Career Exploration
College Applications
Residency Determination Service (RDS)
Financial Aid/FAFSA
Scholarship Search
and more!

Meet with GPC:

calendly.com

/gameplancollege

Subscribe to our Newsletter:

bit.ly/newsGPC

Connect with Us!

@GamePlanCollege

gameplancollege@emilyk.org

gameplancollege.org

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Mr. DeSantis - Durham Tech Liaison

Take classes early through DTCC CCP-Dual Enrollment

*Must attend College & Career Promise Info Session

(Fall sessions are still available. Please contact Mr. DeSantis for info)

Attending Durham Tech after graduation:

-Durham Public Schools graduates receive an automatic $2,000 scholarship via Durham Tech Promise funds!

-Longleaf scholarships MAY also offer cost-free tuition for 2023 graduates. Students should check eligibility requirements to know if they qualify.

Contact Mr. DeSantis at:

desantisa@durhamtech.edu for ANY Durham Tech questions you may have!

Gateway to 4-year university/college

*All DTCC associate degree courses will transfer as equal credit to NC public universities, as well as most private universities.

Want a guarantee of acceptance into your 4-year school? Ask about our GUARANTEED ADMISSIONS PROGRAMS for the following universities:

-NC State

-UNC Chapel Hill

-Eastern Carolina

-UNC Wilmington

-NC A&T

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Considering the Armed Forces?

You must complete high school graduation requirements
Complete the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
Talk to a recruiter
Apply for a Military Scholarship

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Start your Career

Meet with Ms. Antoinette Daye - Career Development Coordinator

Assistance Available in:

Career Exploration
Interest Inventories
Internships
Job Shadowing
Resume Writing
Job applications
Vocational/Technical Programs
College and Career Fairs
WorkKeys Credentials

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Future Ready Core Graduation Plan

Graduation Requirements (26 Credits Total)

4 English
4 Math
3 Science
4 Social Studies
1 Health and PE

CPR certification/training

2 World Language, Art, Career and Technical Education-any combination
8 Electives

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What Does it Take to Graduate?

Each class is worth one credit.

You must earn credits to be promoted & graduate:

6 credits to be promoted to 10^th Grade

12 Credits to be promoted to 11^th Grade

18 Credits to be promoted to 12^th Grade

26 Credits to Graduate!

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Benefits of Academic Rigor

Prepares students for college and workplace readiness
Helps improve SAT and ACT scores
Weighted credit for final course grade

Academic	Honors	Advanced Placement & Durham Tech*
A – 4.0 B – 3.0 C – 2.0 D – 1.0	A – 4.5 B – 3.5 C – 2.5 D – 1.5	A – 5.0 B – 4.0 C – 3.0 D – 2.0

*Speak with your Durham Tech liaison regarding courses with increased GPA weight

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Advanced Placement (AP) Program

Program Data

Course Offerings: Over 20 Different Courses
Opportunity to access college level work while in high school - potentially earn college credit with AP exams
Develop academic skills for college success

AP Capstone

3 or higher in AP Seminar & Research AND four additional AP Exams
First Year - AP Seminar (Sophomores or Juniors)
Second Year - AP Research �(Juniors or Seniors)

AP Seminar & Research Certification if student earns 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and Research exams.

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2025

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Connect with Student Services via Jordan website

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Junior Year Checklist

Meet with student’s counselor and review transcript together, checking credits, GPA, and class rank.
Check Canvas for announcements from your counselor.
Maintain grades. Grades and GPA through junior year are used to apply to college.
Discuss your course requests/schedule with your counselor - consider increasing rigor (honors/AP) in areas of strength.
Mark your calendars for specific deadlines and important events!

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Junior Year Checklist

Understand how and when to register to take the PSAT (at Jordan in Fall), SAT, and/or ACT (all students are registered 11th grade at Jordan in Spring).
Study for PSAT, ACT, SAT, and ASVAB (especially if interested in the military).
Athletes complete NCAA Eligibility.
If college bound, create a list of colleges you want to apply to.
Get involved! Take advantage of extracurricular clubs, programs, and summer opportunities.

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College Planning Resources

College Foundation of North Carolina - See webinar recorded by our 919 Area Representatives - Sarita Broadway and Juana Hernandez
College Board Big Future - Search majors, careers, and colleges throughout the country
Virtual College Tours - Tour the 17 colleges/universities in the UNC System Schools
Xello - Helps students track their 4 yr plan. Students can search career tracks and take personality tests

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College Admissions in the Wake of COVID-19

Each school has varying responses to COVID-19 and admissions, financial aid, enrollment and more
Responses to COVID-19 and its changes to admissions at some institutions include:

Modifying their curriculum for online/remote learning
Becoming test-optional (not requiring the ACT or SAT for the next 2-3 years)
Extending application deadlines
Increasing scholarship money to local students

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Minimum UNC System College Requirements

UNC System Colleges/Universities minimum admission requirements address three areas: high school courses, high school GPA, and test scores.

Minimum GPA Requirement

2.5 Weighted GPA

OR

Minimum

Test Scores

SAT: 1010

(Math + Critical Reading)

or

ACT: 19

Composite

Courses

4 units of English

2 consecutive units in a language other than English (ex. Spanish, ASL, or French)

4 units of Mathematics including a 4th math higher than Math III/Algebra II

3 units of science

including Biology and a Physical science

2 units of history

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Additional College Exam Preparation/ Scholarship Qualifying Test

PSAT/NMSQT

Why take the PSAT?

It helps prepare students for the SAT. Students who take the PSAT score higher on the SAT on average when compared to those who did not.

Earn Money for College! Students can qualify for a National Merit Scholarship, a national competition for recognition and scholarships.

PSAT at Jordan

Fall 2023

Juniors in top 10% of class take for free!

There is a small fee for students not in the top 10% of class.

Fee waivers are available for eligible students.

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College Entrance Exams

SAT

Math + Reading Score Range

400 (lowest) - 1600 (highest)

DATE(S): check CollegeBoard website for national dates

WHERE: Type in your area code to find nearby testing sites

HOW: Register via collegeboard.org

Cost: $55 SAT; Free w/ fee waiver (see counselor for eligibility requirements)

Preparation: khanacademy.org/sat

ACT

Composite Score Range:

1 (lowest) - 36 (highest)

WHEN: Spring Semester of Jr. Year

DATE: SPRING 2024

WHERE: Jordan High School

COST: FREE!!

Preparation: Use your Pre-ACT scores to figure areas to work on

Visit act.org/academy for FREE Prep

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Career Resources/ Military

Not just a military test! The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) Test is also a career interest inventory!

It is also good practice for the SAT and ACT!

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Holton Barbering and Cosmetology Program

Rising Juniors
Need 8 elective credit spots in schedule over 11th and 12th grades-4 classes at Jordan and 4 at Holton per year.
If program is followed and all hours completed, students can take their certification exam and go directly into Barbering after High School
If interested, meet with your Counselor to plan out classes prior to applying to the program

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Get involved! Opportunities for Juniors

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Start Earning Money for College Now with

College Board Opportunity Scholarships

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NCAA Eligibility Center - Sports in College

Typically completed during Junior year of high school
$90 fee to register, but fee waivers are available/Must check “eligible for fee waiver” for counselor to verify
Must list all high schools student has attended
http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Student_Resources/Registration_Checklist.pdf

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Senior Year Checklist

Meet with counselor and review transcript, checking credits, GPA, and class rank.
Finish strong! Select rigorous courses. Colleges will ask for quarter 1 grades and/or mid-year grades to make decisions. All colleges will ask for final grades.
Being a senior can be expensive. Be aware of cost that may come up - cap and gown, senior portraits, college applications, college entrance exams, unpaid school fees, prom, senior activities, etc.
Determine post-secondary plans-College, Military, Career, Gap Year, etc. We can help!

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College Application Process

Complete College Applications Online

Apply to 67 institutions for $20!

Request Transcript

CFNC for North Carolina Schools
Request a Transcript via Jordan website for Out of state colleges, scholarships, extracurricular

Send ACT & SAT Scores to Colleges/ NCAA Eligibility Directly from Website

Request Letters of Recommendation from Teachers /Counselors

Give recommender at least 2 week notice
Complete Student Brag Sheet

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Emily K Center

Free College Application Help
Open to any DPS student
Workshops, One-on-one advising, College access events

FAFSA Night
ACT/SAT Prep
Spring College Info Fair

Deadline for College Summer Intensive: May 23rd
emilyk.org

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Understanding the Admissions Process

Rolling Admissions: Applications are reviewed on an on-going basis and a decision is made when all information has been received.
Early Decision: This is a BINDING CONTRACT. An application plan where students make a commitment to attend if admitted. Students apply ED to only one school and must withdraw all other applications if accepted. (Check with each college for specific deadlines, requirements, and financial aid policies)
Early Action: A form of Early Decision also requiring credentials to be submitted early, however, students are not committed to attend.
Regular Decision: The deadline for submission of applications ranges from January 1 – April 1. Applicants are notified by April 15 and must reply to the college around May 1.

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Should I Retake the SAT/ACT?

It is recommended that students take the SAT and/or ACT at least twice. Once during the spring of junior year and again during the fall of senior year.

Consider the following:

Did you reach your goal score? Are you within the score range that students who typically get admitted to the college of your choice have?
Is there room for improvement?
Have you already been accepted to college with your first score?

Benefits of Retaking - https://blog.collegeboard.org/should-i-retake-sat

Increase chance of improving score
Know what to expect
Become more competitive for Scholarships

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Paying for College

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) -Apply for the 2024 -2025 academic year (or the first year your student will be in college)

Qualifies students for federal/state grants, federal loans

Complete the Residency Determination Service to get in-state tuition for NC colleges
Get connected to Scholarships

Watch webinar here for more information!

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How to Support Your Student During This Time

Join your School Counselor’s Canvas for updates and opportunities
Visit the Jordan website often
Check PowerSchool
Communicate with school counselor and teachers throughout the year

Double check credits and graduation requirements!

Conduct Progress Checks (especially for rising seniors, make sure deadlines are being met)
Encourage your student to finish strong!
Celebrate milestones and enjoy these times!