Honors Informational Presentation Jan. 16, 2018 What Distinguishes a Regular- Level Course? College prep Skill development for SAT, ACT, Common Core, and College Success (CRS) Reading, writing, critical thinking, inquiry Moderate pacing Moderate amount of homework Most group projects completed in class No summer/break homework 1
What Distinguishes an Honors Course? Depth and complexity Accelerated pacing and skill development Expectations of very high quality work Significant critical thinking activities Individual accountability Significant homework/projects Additional preparation/coursework summer homework (5-12 hours/class) Benefits of the Honors Program Excellent preparation for college Development of advanced skills Consistently challenged to excel Enrichment opportunities AP earned college credit Enhanced GPA Special recognition/honors 2
Expectations of Honors Students Above average grades Consistent, on-time assignments Consistent, thorough preparation Consistent, high quality work Cooperative, participatory, involved in class Positive example; positive contributions Takes advantage of enrichment opportunities Follows honors course sequence in department Completes summer work by first day of school What happens if I don t meet expectations? Students who do not meet academic or behavioral expectations may be recommended for removal. If that occurs, a letter will be sent to parents. One semester probation to improve; end of 2 nd sem. failing grade, dropped from honors Advancement to next course in a department s sequence requires meeting academic standards in the previous course. 3
Honors Chemistry Teacher recommendation required Have met the minimum PSAT 8/9 scores: 360 Math 21 Reading Students who do not have a teacher recommendation or the minimum PSAT 8/9 scores may fill out a waiver form available on the mchs.net website Waiver deadline is March 9 Honors Geometry/Advanced Algebra I Have met minimum PSAT 8/9 score of 440 Register for Basic Skills Test: Jan. 26 MCHS Central Campus (1:00-2:30 pm) or Jan. 27 MCHS Central Campus (9:00-10:30 am.) Deadline is Jan. 24! Register: www.mchs.net; Students & Parents Tab; Class of 2022; scroll to Mandatory Math Skills Testing for 2018-19 Incoming Freshman; click on link Test: Part 1: Basic Skills 30 min./32 ques. No calculator; Part 2: Content Test 40 min. Calculator may be used Placement determined by a matrix score based on Math PSAT scores, placement test scores, and teacher recommendation 4
Honors English I Teacher Recommendation Required Have met the minimum PSAT 8/9 Score of 410 ERW Students who do not have a teacher recommendation or the minimum PSAT 8/9 scores may fill out a waiver form available on the mchs.net website. Waiver deadline is March 9 Honors World History Teacher recommendation required Have met the minimum PSAT 8/9 scores: 410 ERW 21 Reading Students who do not have a teacher recommendation or do not meet the minimum PSAT 8/9 scores may complete an application for the course available on the mchs website. Application due Jan. 29. 5
Honors Spanish All students registered for Spanish will take a placement test on February 5, 6, or 7 at their Junior High 5/6: Minooka 3-3:45 pm; 7: Channahon 1-2:35 pm; 7: Troy 1:00 pm. Test includes sections on listening, reading, grammar, and writing Those absent for test will have to take a make-up exam on Feb. 13 at South Campus Rm. 234 at 3 PM. Freshmen may take Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Spanish 2 Honors (French students begin with French 1) Spanish 2 Honors students required to complete graded summer exercises at studyspanish.com What If I Have Questions? Tonight all of the Department Chairs and some of the 9 th grade Honors teachers will be available to answer your questions. 6
Thank You for Coming! Best wishes to all applicants as you begin the quest to become Honors students! 7