Sophomores

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

*CST TESTING to Begins in April 2013: remember to do your best, be well rested, have a nutritious breakfast, and remain focused on test day!

*IMPORTANT AP TEST INFO: TBA
*Please bring your form(s) to Ms. Fu in the Office of instruction, if you’re applying for a fee waiver; otherwise, make your payment with Ms. Fu by the deadline.

*Important Info About  Schedule Changes!
Please be aware that our master schedule is built around student needs and requests from the previous year. There is an expectation that students will remain in their chosen year-long classes. Teacher preferences for courses will not be honored. Requests are not guaranteed due to class sizes, class offerings, and staffing. Counselors will be available via email and appointment.

* Keep your grades competitive! As you work with your counselor to plan your classes, remember that UC and CSU colleges look first at your 10th and 11th grade courses, your GPA, and college entrance test scores. Grades of ‘C’ or better are a must. If you are struggling, seek help by speaking with your teachers and attending tutoring (on campus before and after school).

*Graduation Cords: If you would like to earn special recognition for participation in various programs at AHS, then please review eligibilty and cost with your advisor

*California Scholarship Federation: Students may join if they are eligible academically. You cn visit the CSF website at www.csf-cjsf.org/ or our CSF tab to learn about specific requirements.

* Take the PSAT (practice SAT test) ; take the PLAN (practice ACT test)

*LA Cash for College Convention: Coming to the LA Convention Center on December 8 and 9, 2010. There is a special family night where you can get help with the college application process, gain information about financial aid (including the FAFSA), and visit with representatives from various colleges and universitities. Visit www.lacashforcollege.org for more information.

* IMPORTANT AP EXAM UPDATE:
Beginning with the exams given next spring (May 2011), the following change is being made to the scoring of multiple choice questions:
“Multiple-choice scores are based on the number of questions answered correctly. Points are not deducted for incorrect answers, and no points are awarded for unanswered questions.”

* NCAA: athletes pursuing college sports must register for eligibility at the end of their 11th grade year. Please visit NCAA link under Academic Counseling; then, visit www.eligibilitycenter.org for more information and to register your high school coursework.

*NAIA: athletes pursuing college sports via the National Association for Intercollegiate Association must register for eligibility at www.naia.org . Visit our NAIA link in the Academic Counseling Section.

* GOOD ATTENDANCE IS IMPORTANT! Attend all classes on time so that you don’t miss vital information. Be sure that your parents clear your excuseable absences within 3 days by contacting the Attendance Office. Do not arrive more than 10 minutes late or cut any class. Such decisions result in LOSS OF CREDIT that you may need to recover in order to graduate.

* CREDIT RECOVERY: for those students who need to make up credit loss, please be advised that spaces are limited for our Adult School and on-line programs. Please see your counselor for a referral to these programs as soon as possible. Note: Avoid additional stress during your year; avoid credit loss.

* Plan ahead for Summer School and Junior Year: review courses with your counselor, ask questions about specific courses and college entrance requirements, and challenge yourself by taking Honors and AP courses. Stay with the course sequences you began in your 9th grade year (e.g., world language, math, science). You may take summer school classes that you need to repeat for graduation or college entrance. Summer is also a good time to do community service/volunteer work, take a part-time job, and visit colleges/universities.

* Do your BEST to pass the CAHSEE: you will take this exam for the first time during spring semester this year. Once you pass this graduation requirement, you won’t have to take it again!

* Get involved in school! Participate in Clubs, Organizations, and Community Service. Attend school sponsored activities and events, and be an ACTIVE member of AHS student body.

* Explore college majors and careers by visiting www.assist.org or other websites

* Begin to list, compare and visit colleges/universities. Think about what is important in selecting a college and your reasons for going. Identify possible careers that you are considering and the education, training, and skills that are required. Please visit www.bls.gov/oco to explore jobs in the United States.