ACHIEVEMENT MATTERSA PLAN FOR HIGH SCHOOL SUCCESS

AND PREPARATION FOR

COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS

Francis Scott Key High School’s Mission

FSK is an ever-changing, historic community, rich in tradition and pride. Our mission is to nurture and support students as they mature socially, ethically and emotionally while encouraging them to achieve academic excellence and a healthy lifestyle. We recognize and value each student as an individual. Through a diverse and rigorous program of study, we empower students with the confidence and skills of the 21st century needed to successfully navigate the challenges of adult life in a global society.

Why do we need to increase rigor?

• Almost 80% of today’s fastest-growing jobs require some post-secondary education.

• Success in college builds upon success in high school.

• Effective study habits, student maturity, and responsibility are all skills and character traits developed in high school.

• The school profile can affect acceptance into college.

Why do we need to increase rigor?

• Ensure that all students are well prepared for post-secondary education, career and civic life

• Increase student achievement and raise expectations for all students

• Rigor is not for the traditionally college-bound student alone; rather, all students should be provided with an education that qualifies them for college entry should they so choose

Today’s Job Market

Education Level Percentage of Jobs in 1973

Percentage of Jobs 2020

High School Dropout 32% 11%

High School Graduate 40% 24%

Some College 12% 30%

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

16% 35%

Attending Higher Education Pays OffLevel of Education Lifetime Earnings

Less than high school $1 million

High school graduate $1.4 million

Some college $1.6 million

Associate’s degree or other 2 year degree $1.8 million

Bachelor’s degree $2.4 million

Master’s degree $2.8 million

Doctoral degree $3.5 million

Professional degree $4.2 million

The gap between a high school graduate and bachelor’s degree is now 77%. In 1975 it was 50%.

Competitiveness for College Entrance Continues to Rise

Last year…University of Maryland (College Park) had 28,000 applicants - 12,000 were admitted

(71% in top 10th of their class)

Towson University had 15,000 applicants – 10,000 were admitted (24% in top 10th of their class)

Salisbury University had 7,500 applicants – 4,000 were admitted (23% in top 10th of their class)

Avg. GPA Avg. SAT

University of MD College Park 3.2 1300

Stevenson University 3.1 1470

McDaniel College 3.5 1240

Salisbury University 3.3 1700

Towson University 3.3 1650

UMBC 3.6 1800

Maryland Colleges and Universities Entrance Requirements

College Ready? Career Ready?

Is ready for career the same

thing as ready for college?

• Yes! Research shows employers expect students to graduate from high school with the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful.

Today’s Reality

• To have options and opportunities in the national and global job markets, ALL high school graduates need to be prepared for some post-secondary education and/or training.

WHERE IS FSK TODAY?

FSK School AttendanceSchool Year Attendance

RateAbsent 5 Days

or FewerAbsent More Than 20 Days

2014 95% 42% 8.2%

2013 94.9% 38.2% 9.4%

2012 94.4% 40.2% 12.7%

2011 94.3% 38.4% 10.4%

2010 94.5% 40.5% 12.1%

Advanced Placement (AP) ExamsSchool

YearTotal

StudentsTotal

Exams% Scoring 3

or Better% Students of 9-12 Enrollment

2014 247 353 40.5% 24.7%

2013 261 400 46.3% 25.6%

2012 172 262 47.3% 17.4%

2011 105 152 55.3% 9.7%

2010 119 195 64.6% 10.4%

FSK SAT Data (school averages)

School Year

Critical Reading

Math Writing Total Score

% of graduating

seniors taking the

SAT

2013-2014 512 509 491 1512 52%

2012-2013 506 515 496 1517 57%

2011-2012 539 537 518 1594 45%

2010-2011 517 520 511 1548 44%

2009-2010 517 525 507 1549 43%

PSAT

Freshman Seminar

SAT/ACT or ASVAB

Career Completer or Major

Job Shadow, SKILLS USA, or

Internship

Career Readiness

PSAT

Freshman Seminar

SAT/ACT or ASVAB

SAT or ACT

Honors Courses, AP Coursework &

Exams

College Readiness

• The best preparation for college is a rigorous high school schedule comprised of Honors and AP courses.

• College readiness is usually measured in terms of completion of Honors and AP courses, AP test scores, and PSAT/SAT or ACT scores.

• ReadiStep scores can help identify where student stands on the path to readiness for college and career.• Our job at FSK is to work with the student and his/her parents to

help get the student where he or she wants to be.

Opportunities to Increase Academic Readiness

• Students should challenge themselves to take the most rigorous coursework their abilities/talents allow

• Take advantage of courses such as Freshman Seminar and SAT Prep• While not required these courses are crucial in developing academic

skills

• Read and write outside of assigned school work

• Take advantage of programs that allow students to receive extra help from teachers and staff• KEY Time provides students with 35 minutes, 4 times a week to meet

with their teachers for extra help, participate in study groups, access the media center or computer labs, and work on academic work

• Programs such as the Eagle Learning Lab (which is open Mon-Thurs until 3:30 p.m.)

AP Courses Offered at FSK• English

• AP Language & Comp• AP Literature & Comp

• Math• AP Calculus A/B• AP Calculus B/C• AP Statistics

• Science• AP Biology• AP Chemistry• AP Physics• AP Environmental Science

• Social Studies• AP Government• AP US History• AP Human Geography• AP World History• AP European History• AP Psychology• AP Macroeconomics

• Fine Arts• AP Studio Art• AP Music Theory

• World Languages• AP Spanish Language

Opportunities to Increase Career Readiness• Choose a state-approved career and technology

completer or major

• Students completing the University of Maryland requirements should also consider doing a completer (dual completer)

• Participate in a job shadow or internship (Career Connections Program)

• Compete in SKILLS USA as a student at CCCTC

• Take advantage of career speaker activities

• Take advantage of career preparation activities (such as writing a resume and mock interview)

• Extra-curricular activities and leadership positions

Characteristics of a Well Prepared 9th Grader

• Good attendance habits

• Punctuality

• Willingness to learn

• Advocate for himself or herself

• Time management skills

• Willingness to challenge himself or herself academically

• Read and write outside of school

• Participate in extracurricular

and/or community activities

Upcoming Dates