Vasquez High SchoolCounseling Department

Graduation RequirementsEnglish/Language Arts40 Credits/4 YearsEnglish 9 10 Credits 1 yearEnglish 10 10 Credits 1 yearEnglish 11 10 Credits 1 yearEnglish 12 10 Credits 1 year

History/Social Science35 Credits/ 3 ½ YearsGeography 5 Credits 1 semesterWorld History 10 Credits 1 yearUnited States History 10 Credits 1 yearGovernment 5 Credits 1 semesterEconomics 5 Credits 1 semester

Graduation Requirements Cont.Math 30 Credits/3 Years (All students must successfully complete a year of Algebra 1 in

order to earn a diploma. This requirement may be met at the 8th grade level. Students are still required to complete 30 high school math credits even if they took Algebra I in 8th grade )

Math Selection 10 credits 1 yearMath Selection 10 credits 1 yearMath Selection 10 credits 1 year

Science20 Credits/2 YearsBiology (Life Science) 10 credits 1 yearChemistry (Physical Science) 10 credits 1 year

Graduation Requirements Cont.Physical Education20 Credits/2 YearsPhysical Education 9 10 credits 1 yearPhysical Education 10 credits 1 yearOr

Sports 2.5 credits (must play all four years in order to earn 10 credits if not taking a second year of PE)

Fine Arts/World Language10 Credits/ 1 Year

Graduation Requirements Cont.Health5 Credits/ 1 Semester

Electives70 Credits

Minimum Graduation Requirements:230 Credits

Passing score on the English and Math portion of the CAHSEE

Classes Specific to Grade LevelFreshman Year-English 9, Math, Biology (Life

Science) Geography/Health, PE

Sophomore Year-English 10, Math, Chemistry/Earth Science (Physical Science), World History, PE

Junior Year-English 11, Math, US History, Science*

Senior Year-English 12, Government/Economics, Math*, Science*

*Not required, but strongly recommended for college admission requirements

Honors and Advanced PlacementCriteria:

CST score of 380 or better in the subject area-CAASPP result threshold to be determined

A letter grade of “B” or higher

Teacher recommendation

AP students are expected to take AP Exams

Acceleration and EnrichmentOn-Line Courses

Schedule conflicts for core subjects only

Supplemental curriculum

Credit Deficient Students

Summer School

Blended Model/Fueled Ed

“A-G” Coursework

Who uses the “a-g” requirements?California State SystemUniversity of California System

Private Universities and Colleges have their own admission requirements.

UC/CSU “A-G” RequirementsSubject Requirements Min. Recommended

(a) History/Social Science 2 Years(b) English 4 Years(c) Math 3 Years 4 Years(d) Lab Science 2 Years 4

Years(e) Foreign Language 2 Years 3-4

Years(f) Visual/Performing Arts 1 Year

(Must be in the same area for both semesters)

(g) College Prep. Electives(One extra year from Categories a-e above, Government and Economics meet this requirements)

Must earn a letter grade of “C” or higher.

Does VHS offer everything my child will need to meet the “a-g” requirements?“a” History/Social Studies

(2 years required)

World History or AP World History (10th grade)

US History or AP US History (11th grade)

Government or AP Government

“b” English

(4 years required)

English 9 (H)

English 10 (H)

English 11 or AP English Lang. & Comp.

English 12 or AP English Lit. & Comp.

“c” Mathematics

(3 years required)

Algebra I

Geometry

Algebra II

Statistics

Pre-Calculus

AP Calculus

“d” Laboratory Science

(2 years required)

Biology or Biology Honors

Chemistry or AP Chemistry

Anatomy and Physiology

Physics

“e” Language other than English

(2 years of the same language is required)

Spanish

French

German

Latin

“f” Visual and Performing Arts

(1 year required)

Music Theory

Drama

ROP Culinary Arts

ROP Stage Technology

“g” College Pre. Electives (1 year required)

Any additional year completed from categories a-for

Government/EconomicsROP Sports MedicinePsychology/Sociology

UC GPA RequirementsIn order to be considered for admission,

applicants must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all “A-G" courses completed in grades 10 and 11, with no grade lower than a C.

They will award extra grade points for grades received in approved honors-level courses to a maximum of eight semesters, including no more than four semesters taken in the 10th grade.

CSU GPA RequirementsTest scores are required unless you have a grade

point average above 3.0 and are a resident of California.

The CSU uses a calculation called an eligibility index that combines your high school grade point average with the score you earn on either the SAT or ACT tests.

Even if you have a GPA above 3.0, it is useful to take either an SAT or ACT as the score may indicate if you do not need to take English and math placement tests after you are admitted and before you enroll at the CSU.

CSU Eligibility Index Sliding Scale

College Admissions TestingPSAT/NMSQT (grade 11)

SAT Reasoning Test (3 parts: Math, Critical Reading, and Writing)

ACT Assessment plus Optional Writing (5 parts: Math, Reading, Science, English, and Writing)

Impacted campuses recommend for students to take SAT Subject Test.

Test Dates PSAT/SAT/ACTPSAT (2014)

October 18th – Saturday

Students who take the PSAT in their Junior year are eligible for the National Merit Scholarship

Students can also receive practice questions for their indicated strengths and weaknesses based on their results on the PSAT in order to prepare for the SAT

Test Dates PSAT/SAT/ACTSAT

Test Date Reg. Deadline

Oct. 11, 2014 Sept. 12, 2014

Nov. 8, 2014 Oct. 9, 2014

Dec. 6, 2014 Nov. 6, 2014

Jan. 24, 2015 Dec. 29, 2014

Mar. 14, 2015 Feb. 13, 2015

May 2, 2015 Apr. 6, 2015

Jun. 6, 2015 May 8, 2015

*SAT Subject Tests are also offered on these dates but what is available on certain dates varies by subject area

Test Dates PSAT/SAT/ACTACT

Test Date Reg. Deadline (Late Fee Required)

Sept. 13, 2014 Aug. 8, 2014 Aug. 9-22, 2014

Oct. 25, 2014 Sept. 19, 2014 Sept. 20 – Oct. 3, 2-14

Dec. 13, 2014 Nov. 7, 2014 Nov. 8-21, 2014

Feb. 7, 2015 Jan. 9, 2015 Jan. 10-16, 2015

Apr. 18, 2015 Mar. 13, 2015 Mar. 14-27, 2015

Jun. 13, 2015 May 8, 2015 May 9-22, 2015

UC/CSU App SessionsUC Application Session will take place on

Oct. 9th

Students and Parents will be given information on how to write personal statements and complete the UC Application

CSU Application Session will take place on Oct. 23rd

Students and Parents will be given hands on information and practice in completing the CSU application

Admission DeadlinesUC applications can be submitted between

November 1st and 30th

CSU applications can be submitted between October 1st and November 30th

Out of State and Private Universities have their own admission deadlines

students should check the school’s website for specific admission deadlines and requirements

Letters of Recommendation Letters of recommendation for college

admission applications must be requested two weeks in advance

Student will also need to pick up and complete a brag sheet in the office to provide individual information to be used in letter of rec.

Financial AidFAFSA: used to calculate eligibility for need-

based financial aid and for federal student and parent loans

GPA Verification Form: collects GPA information for Cal Grant awards

Students must file a FAFSA and submit a Cal Grant GPA verification form by March 2nd

To submit a Cal Grant GPA verification form students must see Counselor

Applying for ScholarshipsThere are a variety of scholarships available to students

both locally and nationally

Local Scholarships:

See Counselor for more information on local scholarship opportunities available

A great source for information regarding national scholarships is FastWeb.com

Students can search a large database of scholarship opportunities and find application requirements and eligibility information

NCAAAny student looking to play sports at the college

level (D1 & D2 schools) needs to register for the NCAA clearinghouse (beginning of junior year)

Students are required to complete 16 core classes

These requirements overlap with A-G requirements so students who have completed A-G requirements have also completed NCAA requirements

Visit the NCAA website for specific requirementshttp://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/

prepare/athletes/ncaa

Community College Placement TestsStudents planning to attend a Community College after

high school will need to take a placement test in order to register for classes

It is important to prepare for these tests because they effect course placement and eligibility for each student

Students may consider taking placement tests early, in order to give time for a possible retake prior to registration

College of the Canyons (COC) allows students to retake placement tests six months after the initial test

Antelope Valley College (AVC) only allows one retake, which students can take one business day after the initial test

Concurrent EnrollmentDuring their Junior and Senior year students

are eligible to complete courses at the local community colleges (COC and AVC) for high school credit

Students are not allowed to take core subject area courses (i.e. English, Math, History, and Science) for high school credit.

Only elective, foreign language, and non-core subject area courses will be accepted for credit.

CSF DeadlinesApplications are due in the first three weeks of the

semester

Retroactive membership is not granted

Students will need their transcript and will need to pay a $7 fee to process their application

CSF Seal Bearer/Life member: students must be members for at least 4 semesters, one must be using senior grades.

Life Members will receive a seal on their diploma and transcript

AP Test Dates AP Exams are given the first two weeks of May

Week 1:

Mon. May 4, 2015 8:00 am AP Chemistry Tues. May 5, 2015 8:00 am AP Calculus AB Wed. May 6, 2015 8:00 am AP Eng. Lit. & Comp. Thurs. May 7, 2015 8:00 am AP Spanish Lang. Fri. May 8, 2015 8:00 am AP US History

Week 2:

Tues. May 12, 2015 8:00 am AP US Government Wed. May 13, 2015 8:00 am AP Eng. Lang. & Comp. Thurs. May 14, 2015 8:00 am AP World History

Requesting Final TranscriptsStudents requesting final transcripts at the

end of the year must complete a request form in the front office

Requests for transcripts after graduation date will require a fee

$3 per transcript

$10 for rush order transcipts

Vasquez Students Are Going Places . . . .USC

UC Berkeley

UC Davis

UC Irvine

UCLA

UC Merced

UC Riverside

UC San Diego

UC Santa Barbara

UC Santa Cruz

Cal State Channel Islands Cal State Long Beach Cal State Northridge Cal State San Marcos Cal State Bakersfield Cal State Monterey Bay Cal State Chico Cal State Sonoma University of Texas University of Pennsylvania University of Redlands University of San Francisco University of Indiana University of Colorado University of Hawaii University of Puget Sound University of Denver University of Washington University of the Pacific Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising ~ FIDM

Resources School Website: http://vhs.aadusd.org/

Some other resources that could be useful for post high school planning, SAT test prep and homework help include:

www.khanacademy.org

www.colapublib.org/teens/homework

www.shmoop.com

www.ineedapencil.ck12.org

www.noodle.org

Questions?Who should I contact?

Mrs. Ortizaortiz@aadusd.k12.ca.us

Ms. Hannaschnhannasch@aadusd.k12.ca.us