Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate School

1. Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate School 8th Grade Planning Guide Presentation Class of 2012

2. RSM Guidance Counselors • Mrs. Bills, 7th/8th Grade Counselor (Mon-Fri) • Mrs. Fischer – Intern Counselor (Mon-Thurs) • Visit RSM Guidance Department Webpage –Go to RSM school website and click on “Guidance”

3. Our Goal… • Discuss and explain RSM Promotion Requirements • Review GPA Calculation • Discuss academic success strategies • Discuss and explain SVUSD high school graduation requirements • Explain California College Systems and admission requirements • Discuss Career Planning

4. What can a Guidance Counselor help students with? • Assist students with any academic, social, or personal issues • Monitor and assist students who are struggling academically • Assist students with their transition to high school • Assist students in meeting promotion requirements • Provide students with information about tutoring, academic and college planning, and study strategies

5. ConfidentialityWhat is it?

6. Confidentiality Certain personal information that you share with a counselor is confidential or private and told to no one else without your permission Things that counselors cannot keep private… • If you tell a counselor someone is hurting you. • If you tell a counselor about a situation involving a clear and present danger to yourself or others. • If you tell a counselor about any planned or attempted criminal activity.

7. 8th Grade Classes • English – 3 Trimesters • Math – 3 Trimesters • U.S. History- 3 Trimesters • Science – 3 Trimesters • P.E. – 2 Trimesters • Health – 1 Trimester * • Electives – 3 Trimester of electives or 1 year long elective • Each Trimester lasts 12 weeks

8. SVUSD Promotion Requirements • Minimum 1.50 GPA (Grade Point Average) for the year - cumulative • Minimum 1. 0 GPA in Math for the year • Minimum 1.0 GPA in English for the year • No more than 3 trimester “F’s” for the year

9. How to figure out your GPA (Grade Point Average) with your grades • First step: Change all of your grades to points • Second step: Add all the points together • Third step: Divide this total by the number of grades you added

10. How many points are your grades worth? • A = 4 • B = 3 • C = 2 • D = 1 • F = 0

11. English F Math D Science C+ History C P.E. A- Elective B Change all grades to points Add up all the points Divide the number of points by the number of grades. What is the GPA? English 0 Math 1 Science 2 History 2 P.E. 4 Elective 3 Total 12 12 Divided by 6 = 2.0 GPA is 2.0 Let’s Practice

12. Tips for Success…. • Use the student planner to write down class assignments, tests, quizzes, homework and projects • Do homework daily and study • Read every day (20 to 30 minutes) • Ask for help • Make up work when absent • Get organized • Get involved in school activities • Monitor your grades online • Put forth your best effort • Start thinking about your future career and educational plans • THIS YEAR COUNTS! Placement in 9th grade classes, sports eligibility

13. SVUSD High School Graduation Requirements • Earn a minimum 1.75 GPA • Earn 220 credits (165 required credits/55 elective credits) • Complete 8 hours of Community Service • Successfully pass the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) in both Language Arts and Mathematics (score of 350) • Demonstrate grade level writing proficiency (score of 3)

14. SVUSD High School Graduation Requirements (Continued) • English 40 credits • Math 30 credits • (Must include the content of SVUSD Algebra 1 or 2 years of Algebra 1A and 1B) • Science 30 credits • Social Science 30 credits • Health 5 credits • P.E. (2 Semesters Required in 9th Grade)20 credits • Fine Arts and/or Foreign Language and/or Applied Arts/Technical Arts 10 credits

15. FACTS ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL • High School is divided into two 18 week long semesters • You earn 5 credits for a semester course/10 credits for year-long course (end of 1st sem = 30 credits, end of 2nd sem = 60 credits) • Earn 220 credits to graduate • 6 classes are required (9th grade year) • If you fail a class, you make up the class, either in summer school, adult school, or by taking extra classes during the school day • 8 hours of community service • You must have at least a 2.0 GPA and good citizenship to participate in extra class activities/athletics • Some classes have prerequisites

16. College Prep Classes English 1 Algebra 1 or Algebra 1A Earth Science P.E. or Athletics/Marching Band Foreign Language/Fine Art/Applied or Tech Art Elective Honors (H) Classes English 1(H/IB) Geometry or Algebra 2 Biology P.E. or Athletics/Marching Band Foreign Language Elective Overview of CurriculumGrade 9

17. CALIFORNIA COLLEGE SYSTEMS • Community College (more than 100) (Saddleback, Irvine Valley, Orange Coast, etc.) • California State Universities (23 campuses) (San Diego, Long Beach, Fullerton, San Luis Obispo, Pomona, etc.) • University of California (10 campuses) (UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UC Los Angeles, etc.) • Independent/Private Colleges and Universities (USC, Azusa Pacific, Vanguard, Harvey Mudd, etc.)

18. The Community College Option • Local campuses • Less expensive • Earn a 2-year degree • Earn a Career/Technical certificate • Transfer to a 4-year University

19. California State UniversityMinimum Admission Requirements Minimum Subject Requirements “a-g” Subjects • History/Social Science = 2 years • English = 4 years • Mathematics = 3 years (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2) • Laboratory Science = 2 years (with lab - one biological, one physical) • Language other than English = 2 years • Visual and Performing Arts = 1 year • College Preparatory Electives = 1 year • NO GRADES BELOW A “C” ARE ACCEPTED BY CSU (make-up all D/F’s) • Minimum of a 2.0 GPA • SAT OR ACT Test • CSU is geared toward the UPPER 33% OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

20. University of California“a-g” Pattern of CoursesMinimum Admission Requirements • U.S. History/Social Science = 2 years • English = 4 years • Mathematics = 3 years ( 4 years recommended) Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 • Laboratory Science = 2 years (3 years recommended) Biology, Chemistry, Physics • Language other than English = 2 years of the same language (3 years recommended) • Visual and Performing Arts (drama, ceramics, art, etc) = 1 year • College Preparatory Electives = 1 year • 7 of 15 required courses must be completed in junior/senior years • NO GRADES BELOW A “C” ARE ACCEPTED BY UC (make-up all D/F’s) • Minimum of a 3.5 GPA • SAT or ACT with writing • Two SAT subject tests in two separate areas • UC is geared toward the UPPER 12.5 % OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

21. Planning for College • Maintain high grades and good study habits • Participate in extracurricular activities, clubs, sports, etc. • Participate in Community Service • Take standardized tests seriously • Start saving money • Gather information • Visit college campuses/web sites • Get to know yourself (likes and dislikes)

22. Career Planning • There are skills that you are learning right now that will help you be successful in work and in life. • Basic skills: reading, writing, math, speaking and listening, basic computer competency • Thinking skills: the ability to reason, to learn, to think creatively, to make decisions, and to solve problems • Personal qualities: individual responsibility, team cooperation, integrity, self-worth, self-management, punctuality, and a positive attitude.

23. College/Career Links • College/SAT Planning www.collegeboard.com • Princeton Review www.princetonreview.com (PRA Assessment) • ACT Planning www.actstudent.org • Mapping your future www.mapping-your-future.org • Career Resources www.careerbuilder.com • Occupational Outlook Handbook www.bls.gov/oco • America’s Career Infonet (career exploration) www.acinet.org • Campus Explorer www.campusexplorer.com/ • UC Planning for College www.universityofcalifornia.edu • CSU Planning for College www.csumentor.edu/planning/middle school • Scholarship Info www.fastweb.com • Financial Aid Info www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/