High School Choice

I can thrive at ALL Five!5 Great Schools, 5 Great Choices!

What is high school Choice?

Grade 8 Students attending a Downcounty Consortium (DCC) middle school or residing in the DCC attendance area rank in order of preference the high school they would like to attend on a lottery Choice form during the fall of their Grade 8 year.

Learn… There are five great high schools in the DCC:◦Montgomery Blair High School◦Albert Einstein High School◦ John F. Kennedy High School◦Northwood High School◦Wheaton High School

Do your research and explore them all Keep an open mind and consider your interests

I Can Thrive At ALL Five!

How do I become informed? Learn about the academies at all five high

schools Talk with your family about your choices. Attend one of the Options Fairs in September

and speak with the Academy Coordinators from each high school. September 21 at Kennedy HS September 28 at Paint Branch HS

Visit the high school open houses in October. Consider how your interests, strengths, favorite

subjects and future plans relate to careers and academies.

Attend a game, play or school event at one of the high schools

How are the DCC schools similar?

All five DCC high schools offer:◦Academies◦Advanced classes (AP and

Honors)◦College preparedness◦Music opportunities ◦Varsity sports◦Clubs◦More freedom and independence

What is an Academy? Academies are specialty programs that you choose based on your

interests. A sequence of courses designed around a central career theme A way to connect the courses you take with your interests Field trips, guest speakers and possible internship opportunities

related to academy theme Every high school has something for you!

DifferencesAcademies◦Each high school has 4 to 5 different academy offerings based

on career themes◦Think about your career interests as we explore the academies

at each high school◦Use your Cornell notes page to write down 1 academy at each

high school that you wish to learn more about

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International Baccalaureate Program Challenging and exciting courses with a focus on writing, thinking,

communicating and experimenting – no application needed Program stresses a global focus and prepares you for college Earn an internationally recognized diploma

Visual & Performing Arts (VAPA) Academy Relates to careers in the creative and performing arts Dance, Theatre, Art, Music

Academy of Finance, Business Management, and Marketing Relates to careers in the financial services industry Accounting, banking, entrepreneurship, financial planning,

marketing

Renaissance Academy Math, reading, writing and public speaking in the arts and sciences Prepares you for college

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Health Careers Academy◦ Relates to careers in physical therapy, medical careers, wellness◦ Medical careers pathway – learn CPR, receive certification as a CNA, direct

patient care◦ Health careers – focus on science, math and healthcare

Broadcast Journalism & Communications Academy◦ Relates to careers in broadcasting, TV production, radio production, pod

casting and journalism◦ Work at Kennedy’s TV station, take courses in journalism and media

productionInternational Baccalaureate Program◦ Challenging and exciting courses with a focus on writing, thinking,

communicating and experimenting – no application needed◦ Program stresses a global focus and prepares you for college◦ Earn an internationally recognized diploma

Business Management Academy• Relates to careers as a small business owner, marketing, management,

economics, stock market• Take courses in accounting, business management, software applications

Special Programs: Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) Leadership, military history, military law, drill team

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math and research◦ Take courses in computer programming, advanced math and science, engineering

Media, Music and the Arts◦ Relates to careers in film, radio, video, television, theater, literature, journalism,

photography ◦ Take courses in media arts, theatre, dance, music, photography, fashion design,

journalism

Entrepreneurship & Business Management◦ Relates to careers as a business owner and in the financial world◦ Take courses in marketing and advertising, finance and accounting, economics,

law, human resources

Human Service Professions◦ Relates to careers in physical therapy, fitness, emergency medical technician,

nursing, athletic training, teaching, social work, psychology◦ Take courses in child development, psychology, human development, anatomy

and physiology

International Studies & Law • Relates to careers in politics, law, international business, government• Take courses in global issues, justice, law and society, comparative governments and religions

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ACADEMIES:Academy of Musical Theatre and Dance:◦ Relates to careers in musical theater, dance, vocal music, and instrumental

music ◦ Take courses in vocal music, dance, drama, instrumental music

Montgomery College Middle College Program @ Northwood (MC2@N)• Students are afforded the necessary opportunities to complete BOTH high

school graduation and an AS degree from Montgomery College • Take classes on both the Northwood and Montgomery College campus

Academy of Politics, Advocacy, and Law• Relates to careers in government, law enforcement, criminal justice, public

safety, law• Take courses in justice, law and society and administration of justice

Academy of Humanities, Arts, and Media◦ Relates to careers in film production, culture and languages, architecture, art

history, literary analysis, childcare◦ Take courses in child development, video production, world languages, art,

music, theatre

Academy of Technology, Environmental and Systems Sciences take courses in environmental science, computers,

engineering

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Bioscience Academy◦ Related to careers in medicine, biomedical research, healthcare◦ Take courses in human body systems, medical interventions, biology,

biomedical science

Academy of Information Technology◦ Related to careers in web design, game development, graphic arts,

computer animation, programming◦ Take courses in software applications, digital media, digital art, web design

Academy of Engineering◦ Related to careers in all engineering fields ◦ Take courses in engineering design, digital electronics, civil engineering and

architecture◦ Strong emphasis on critical problem solving skills

Institute for Global and Cultural Studies (IGCS)◦ 3 pathways - digital music, digital art , global studies◦ Related to careers in leadership roles, graphic design, music fields◦ Take courses in music technology, digital art, photography, global issues

Hear what students have to say…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBr2kJoA4M0

How else are they different?

• School Enrollment

• Location◦Distance from your home ◦Explore your bus route and consider how it will fit into your

day:http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/transportation/busroutes/

Approximate Enrollment Numbers for the

2015-2016 SY’:

• Blair – 2900• Einstein –1700 • Kennedy – 1600• Northwood - 1600• Wheaton - 1500

Location Kennedy

Northwood

Blair

Wheaton

Einstein

• Blair: University Blvd. & Colesville Rd., Silver Spring

• Einstein: Newport Mill Rd, Kensington

• Kennedy: Randolph Rd. near

Georgia Ave, Silver Spring

• Northwood – University Blvd. & Arcola Ave., Silver Spring

• Wheaton – Randolph Rd. near Viers Mill, Silver Spring

County Wide Application Programs

Available to all MCPS students - competitive Applications available on-line and in counseling office towards

end of September Applications due on November 6 (except VAC and Edison) Testing - December 5 (except VAC & Edison) Teacher recommendations needed - see applications for details

1. International Baccalaureate – Richard Montgomery HS2. Global Ecology – Poolesville HS3. Science, Math, Computer Science – Blair HS4. Thomas Edison HS of Technology - grades 10 -125. Visual Art Center (VAC) - Einstein HS◦ Contact Coordinator for a portfolio review

More Application Programs

1. Leadership Training Institute (LTI)* @ Kennedy HS2. Biomedical Program @ Wheaton HS3. Engineering Program @ Wheaton HS4. Communication Arts Program (CAP) @ Blair HS

Available to students living in the DCC or attending a DCC middle school only

Applications due on November 6 Recommendations needed – see application packet for details Testing - December 5 (* no testing for LTI)

Reconsider…

Think about your career interests, skills and favorite subjects.

Think about which academies match the above. Review the academies you wrote down. Explore the academies that interest you most further

by going to the high school’s website and by asking questions at the options fair and/or open houses.

Think about what schools fit you best based on your favorite academies.

Talk… Discuss what is important in choosing a

high school with your parents (location, academies, etc.).

Share what you’ve learned about academies.

Ask questions about anything you need more information about.

Do your research… Visit high school websites to research academies.

Start by navigating to the DCC website – http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/downcounty/ Attend all high school open houses in October to

experience the school in person. Open House Schedule:◦October 1 - Kennedy HS◦October 5 – Blair HS◦October 14 – Northwood HS◦October 19 – Einstein HS◦October 26 – Wheaton HS

Choose…Complete your Choice Form with as

much information as you can gather!Be assured that ALL 5 high schools

will provide you an excellent education and that your varied interests can be met at all 5 schools

I Can Thrive At ALL Five!

Your Choice Form Every 8th grade student that

lives in the DCC must complete and return a signed choice form.

You will receive your choice form in the mail - check your mailbox!

Choice Forms are due in the counseling office on or before November 6.

Your base school is guaranteed if it is indicated as your first choice on your Choice form.

Choices may not be changed once they are submitted into the Round 1 lottery.

Questions?

EXIT CARD

• Which two academies interest you the most?

• If you had to fill out your choice form today, what high school would your place as 1st choice? 2nd choice?