The Choice Process in the Northeast Consortium (NEC)

for Students Entering Grade 9 in 2013-2014

Montgomery County Public Schools, MD

Northeast Consortium (NEC) Boundaries

School Locator Tool:

http://gis.mcpsmd.org/gis/Publiclocator.asp

What do the Northeast Consortium high schools have in common?Comprehensive high school curriculumAcademic rigorHonors & Advanced Placement (AP) coursesSpecial Education & ESOL programsStudents from at least five middle schoolsStudent activities, clubs, athletics Partnerships with colleges, universities and

businessesSignature programsAll 3 high schools were ranked in the top 1% of high schools in the nation by Newsweek in 2012

What is a Signature Program?Instructional program developed around a central theme:

Rigorous course work Variety of course offerings in

the thematic areaAppeals to students’ interestsOffers students opportunities for:

Interdisciplinary projectsCapstone experiencesCollege courses

September Evening Options information meetings held at two high schools:

September 24 at Blake HS October 1 at Wheaton HS

NEC special education meeting held at Options meeting on Monday, September 24 at Blake HS at 6pm

Grade 8 students participate in college/career exploration activities in school

October –NEC High School Open Houses – 7:00 pm VISIT ALL 3!

Springbrook HS Thursday, October 11 James Hubert Blake HS Wednesday, October 17 Paint Branch HS Tuesday, October 23

Preprinted Choice form mailed to NEC students’ homes (mid October)

Choice Process Timeline for 2012-2013

Choice Process Timeline for 2012-2013October/November - Choice Process – Round 1 Evening enrollment for parents of NEC non-MCPS

students held at Spring Mill Field Office on Tuesday, October 30, 2012, from 5:00-7:30 pm

RSVP: Please call 301-592-2040 to find out what documents to bring.

Completed Choice forms due to NEC middle schools by Friday, November 2

End of January Parents/students notified by mail of high school

assignment.

NEC Choice Process Sample Choice Form

NEC parents/students will complete a preprinted Choice form: • Rank the three high schools in order of preference.• On the form, indicate if you would like the child to attend the same NEC school that an older sibling will attend in 2013-2014.• Return the completed Choice form to your middle school counselor by Friday, November 2, 2012.*• Choice forms will be processed through a

computerized lottery system to determine high school assignments.

*NEC students on transfer out of area can return the Choice form to the DCCAPS office.

Choice Form Information

Springbrook High SchoolIB World and

Information Technology Signature

Signature courses and course sequences offered at Springbrook High School

International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP)• IB Biology • IB Chemistry• IB Computer Science• IB English • IB Film Studies• IB French• IB History• IB Math• IB Physics

• IB Math Studies• IB Pre Calculus• IB Spanish• IB Music• IB Theory of

Knowledge • IB Visual Arts• IB Environmental

Systems & Societies

Personal Project• MYP Capstone project

for grade 10• Based upon student’s

interest• May take any form

Languages• Arabic• German• Italian

Justice, Law and Society• Justice, Law and Society, Intro• Law and the Administration of Justice• Advanced Level, Contemporary issues in

JLS• Practical Experience in JLS Internship

• Microcomputer Technologies• Network Engineering and Management• Network Engineering and Management,

Advanced

Academy of Information Technology (AoIT)• Network Engineering and Management,

Internship• National Academy of Info. Tech Internship• National Academy of Info. Tech Research

IB Middle Years Program

English, Humanities, Science, Math, Foreign Language, Technology, P.E., the Arts

Sequence of Signature courses offered at Springbrook High School

• Microcomputer Technologies• Network Engineering and Management• Network Engineering and Management,

Advanced• Network Engineering and Management,

Internship• National Academy of Info. Tech Internship• National Academy of Info. Tech Research

• Designing Technology Solutions• AP Computer Programming 2• Computer Programming 3• Research Project in Computer Programming

Academy of Information Technology

International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (Grades 11-12)• IB English 1, 2• IB History 1, 2• IB Physics 1,2• IB Chemistry• IB Biology 1,2• IB Env. Sys. & Soc• IB French/Spanish 5,6,7

• Arabic/German/Italian 1&2

• IB Advanced Music • IB Visual Art 1, 2• IB Film 1,2• IB Theory of

Knowledge

Students study subjects from each of the eight subject groups through the five areas of interaction: approaches to learning, community and service, human ingenuity, environment, and health and social education.

International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (Grades 9 & 10)

Special Initiatives at Springbrook?

Justice, Law and Society Industry Professional Briefings

• Montgomery County Police• FBI• Homeland Security• Street Law

International Baccalaureate Resources• Service oriented local and international trips• IB Cultural Exchanges• Approaches and Strategies Study Skills Seminars• IB Mentoring

Arts on the Block

Jazz Camp

AOIT Paid Internships• Lockheed Martin• FDA• NASA• NOAA

Service Projects

Other Programs of Study• Hospitality Management• Teacher Academy of Maryland• Certified Professional Horticulturalist

What else makes Springbrook students and staff proud?Local Recognition• Local recognition as a top-rated school in

the D.C. metropolitan area that supports minorities and students with special needs

• Most National Merit Scholar Semifinalists in the NEC - 2012

• Award-winning literary magazine, newspaper, and yearbook - newspaper published biweekly and online

Nationally & Internationally Recognized• Pat Yongpradit wins 2010 Microsoft Worldwide

Innovative Educator Award• Jeanni Kim was one of only four teachers in

the Middle States Region to win the 2011 AP Award for her contribution to Springbrook’s AP program

• Only school in MD to participate in Baby Think It Over National Survey (in connection with Honors Health)

Fine Arts andHumanities Signature

James Hubert Blake HS

14

Signature courses and course sequences offered at Blake High School

Humanities• Film and American Culture• Comparative Religion• Graphic Novels as Literature

History and Government• We the People: U.S. Law & Global Issues• Since 2011- Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School• Latin American History• Ancient Mediterranean History• Medieval History

Visual and Media Arts• 4 Distinct Advanced Television Production

Courses – TV News, features, mixed media and journalism

• Fashion Design and Production – 3 courses• 4 Distinct AP Studio Art Courses –

2-D, 3-D, Photography and Digital Arts

• AP Art History• Mythology

15

Signature academies and pathways offered at Blake

Theater• 4 year Acting Sequence• Musical Theatre• Won more competitive awards than any MCPS High school at the MCPS Theatre Festival in

2012 Music• Music Technology• Adv. Percussion Ensemble• Professional-in-Residence program,

most recently with NY Voices• Perform with U.S. Navy Band - Fall 2012

Dance• 3 levels of Tap, Jazz, Modern & Ballet• Participates in learning programs with

Broadway choreographers from NYC• Select Dance Company • Two expansive dance studios

• Stage Design• Play Directing

• “Text Alive!” Program Shakespeare Theatre• Onsite Black Box Theater & Amphitheatre

• Music Theory• Recording Studios

16

Academy & Pathway initiatives at Blake High School!

The Freshman Academy Program• HS 101 Summer Academy • Academic Teaming• Dedicated 9th Grade Counselors• AP United States History• Tutor-Mentor Program• Core Study Skills

Business and Marketing Pathway• Entrepreneurship, International Business• School Store and Capstone Experience

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Pathway• Multi-media Development and Gaming Design-Three Course Completer Program• Web tools and Digital Media-Three Course Completer Program• Capstone Experience

Cross Curricular Connections• NSL Government and Statistics (exit poll with stat class analyzing data)• Environmental Science (combining biodiversity, local history, and satellite technology)• Physics (analyze properties of stage lighting and creation of musical instruments)

17

An Academic High School of Achievement• 2012 AP Exam Performance:

• 68% of students scoring a 3, 4, or 5 • Highest % in the NEC of Seniors scoring a 3,4 or 5

• 2 National AP Scholars, 151 AP Scholars in 2012• $16.2 Million in Scholarships Won by Class of 2012• 23 students from the class of 2012 received a 2000 on their SATs• “It’s Academic” team is the reigning DC Champion (best of 81) and

the defending Super Bowl champion (best of 171 schools)

World Class Instruction and Leadership• 3 Washington Post Agnes Myer Award-winning Teachers for MCPS• Over 25 National Board Certified Teachers have taught at Blake • Mae I. Graham Award for Outstanding Media Program in Maryland

Nationally Recognized Signature Programs• “We The People” – Maryland State Champions 2012• In the past 5 years, The Blake Beat has twice been named the best

high school newspaper in the USA and three times the best in Maryland!• Business Academy - MCPS Competition Champions• Blake participates in learning/performance programs with Olney Theatre,

Roundhouse Theatre, Wolf Trap, Broadway Dance Studios to name a few• Largest and most traveled marching band in the NEC

What else makes Blake students and staff proud?

Paint Branch High SchoolAcademy of Science and Media

19

Academy of Science and MediaA whole school program emphasizing research and experimentation, inquiry and critical thinking in all courses and activities.

20

ScienceAcademy of Health Professions

Medical Careers Medical Terminology (with Montgomery College)

Pharmacy Foundations of Medicine and Health Sciences Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professionals Fundamentals of Pharmacy

Signature courses and course sequences offered at Paint Branch High School

Media• Television (Video) Production• Electronic Video Field Production• Media, Management and Operations• Radio Production• Electronic Audio Field Production• Radio Station Management and Operations

Unique Science Course Sequence Offered1. Physics – Grade 92. Grade 10

Double Period Biology Double Period Chemistry (in separate semesters)

Engineering ScienceForensic ScienceRestaurant Management

21

Special Signature, Academy Programs, and initiatives at Paint Branch

Summer Academy

Academy of Engineering Technology Academy of Finance Program

Japanese Foreign Language Program – one of 2 schools in the county

Artist–in-Residence Programs • Animation, Poetry, and Music

Science and Media Exposition Psychology Fair Shake Fest Math Honor Society Science Honor Society Foreign Language Honor Society

T3I™ - Transferable Skills Technology, Information,

Investigation, and Interpersonal Skills Integrated into all courses through common tasks

Naval JROTC Program Restaurant Management Program

22

Outstanding Teachers• 2012 Washington Post Montgomery County Principal of the Year• 2011 Maryland PTA Educator of the Year– Ms. Dixon• NAACP-MCPS Principal of the Year - 2010• Maryland Teachers of the year in Science, Math and Art National Leader in AP Scores

138 AP Scholars and 8 National ScholarsHighest in Country for African American Students in

AP World History – 2009 AND 2011 Panther Trust – MCT School Bank Award-winning Marching Band and Jazz Singers Gold Medalist – Columbia Scholastic Press Award• BOTH yearbook and newspaper for the past 8 years Outstanding Educational Facility

We are . . . Nationally Recognized $ 700,000 U.S. Department of Education SLC Grant CINE Golden Eagle Awards in Animation Academy of Finance Program Blue Ribbon School of Excellence New American High School

What makes Paint Branch students and staff proud! We have . . .

How are students assigned to a school?

A computerized lottery assignment system is used to assign students to a high school. A variety of factors are considered when running the lottery.

What variables may impact school

assignment?• School capacity as determined by MCPS• Base school request• Ranking of school choices• Number of students selecting their base

high school• Sibling link, if indicated on the Choice

form• Socioeconomic status (number of students who receive free or reduced meals)• Gender

How does the high school assignment process work?

1st Choice = Base

1st ChoiceOlder Sibling

1st Choice Non-Base/Lottery

Base Area High School Selection

A student’s base area high school is determinedby the home address. Assignment to the base area school is guaranteed if it is selected as:

FIRST choice on the Choice form OR

Second choice on the Choice form AND the first choice is not available.

To identify your base area school, visit:http://gis.mcps.k12.md.us/gis/PublicLocator.asp

If I have an older sibling at a high

school, am I guaranteed assignment

to that school?Every effort will be made to assign

siblings who live in the same household to the

sameNEC school, if indicated on the Choice

form.However, school assignments are made

on a space available basis.

Will transportation be provided?

All students who reside within the NEC attendance area, beyond walking distance of their assigned high school as determined by MCPS, are provided bus transportation to the three NEC high schools.

How do students who live inside the NEC but attend a DCC middle school participate in the Choice process?

Students who live in the NEC participate in Round 1 of the NEC Choice process in November.

Students who live in the NEC and attend a Downcounty Consortium (DCC) middle school may also participate in Round 2 of the DCC Choice process in February. They will receive a preprinted Choice form in the mail.

Students who attend DCC middle schools are also eligible to apply to the Communication Arts Program (CAP) at Blair HS and the Leadership Training Institute (LTI) at Kennedy HS, Biomedical and Engineering Program(PLTW) at Wheaton HS in addition to other MCPS high school application programs.

NEC Choice Process After Round 1 February – Choice Process – Round 2 (Deadline: Friday, February 15, 2013)

• Choice forms due from Grade 8 students who are new NEC residents• Choice forms due from Grade 8 students on transfer into an NEC middle school who

choose to participate in the process• Written requests due from parents of students who did not get their first choice in Round 1

asking for original school choices to be resubmitted in Round 2• Changes to the Choice form will not be accepted

Note: Students who receive their first choice in Round 1 may NOT participate in Round 2.

March – Round 2 high school assignment letters mailed to participants’ homes – Appeals letters due March 22

April – Appeals reviewed (late April)

High School Change of ChoiceIn February of each school year, high school

students have the opportunity to request a change of

NEC school assignment for the following school year. Change of Choice forms will be available in

NEC highschool counseling offices in early February. The completed form, signed by the parent,

must be returned by the Friday, February 15, 2013,

deadline inorder to be considered. Change of Choice results are based on the

numberof seats available, socioeconomic status and

gender.

What high school application programs are

available to MCPS students?Global Ecology Program – Poolesville HSCoordinator: 301-972-7976

International Baccalaureate Program (IB) – Richard Montgomery HSCoordinator: 301-610-8100

Science, Mathematics, Computer Science Magnet – Montgomery Blair HSCoordinator: 301-649-8240

Visual Art Center (VAC) – Albert Einstein HSVAC Office: 301-962-1027

Thomas Edison High School of Technology (Offers half-day professional career and technology education programs. Accepted students attend their assigned high school for the remaining half-day).Counseling Office: 301-929-2181-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------DCC Application Programs*Communication Arts Program (CAP) – Montgomery Blair High School*Coordinator: 301-649-2854

Leadership Training Institute (LTI) – John F. Kennedy High School*Coordinator: 301-962-5930

Biomedical and Engineering (PLTW) – Wheaton High School*Coordinator: 301-929-2217

*Programs available only to Grade 8 students who reside or attend middle school in the DCC

Parents and Students ~Thank you for joining us this evening!

NEC Signature Coordinators

James H. Blake HS Elizabeth Yargici 301-879-1327 Elizabeth_H_Yargici@mcpsmd.org

Paint Branch HS Brian Eichenlaub 301-989-5680 Brian_E_Eichenlaub@mcpsmd.org

Springbrook HS Mark Griffiths 301-989-6077 Mark_H_Griffiths@mcpsmd.org

Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services (DCCAPS)

DCCAPS Office: 301-592-2040Website: www.mcpsmd.org/schools/nec

Please complete your evaluation form andreturn it to the collection box.

Thank you!We look forward to seeing you at the Open Houses!

If you are interested in hearing about Countywide Magnet or

Application Only Programs, please remain in the auditorium for an

8:00 presentation.