A look at Valley Christian's Four Year Plan Process

1. Stephen Torode
Academic and College Counselor
Valley Christian High School
San Jose, California
www.askmrtorode.com
Twitter.com/askmrtorode
WACAC SLC 2014

2. Guidance Staff Structure
Three 9th – 10th grade Counselors
Three 10th – 12th grade
Counselors
One Student Support Services
Counselor
WACAC SLC 2014

3. Parents comment:
“If I had only known sooner.”
WACAC SLC 2014

4. Makes college counseling easier
and alleviates stress.
WACAC SLC 2014

5. Students need to
know sooner how
success in junior high
builds toward high
school and college
especially math and
science.
WACAC SLC 2014

6. Information Gathering
Meeting with Junior High
Math, Science, History, and English
Departments and finding out what is working
and what is not working.
What is being miscommunicated and how can
we correct it?
Develop a plan to better prepare students for
the transition from Jr. to Sr. High.
Developing documentation (Honors-level
placement
recommendation, math, science, and foreign
language maps, 4-6 year plan)
WACAC SLC 2014

7. Incoming Freshman
Family Night
(Mid March)
Helping parents and students transition
from 8th to 9th grade
Unique modified-block schedule
Class placement recommendations
made
WACAC SLC 2014

8. Present
Comprehensive Options
They are not meant to produce
stress but to alleviate fears
through early education and awareness.
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9. Career Awareness
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10. What are Your Gifts
and/or Talents?
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11. Getting There from Here
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12. Organizational Skills
Daily Planner
File System
Grovesite
Accountability - Student sign in to
Optional Tutorial or after school
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13. Communication is Key
WACAC SLC 2014

14. First General Principle for
Choosing Courses for Gr. 9
Success
Challenge
WACAC SLC 2012

15. First General Principle for
Choosing Courses for Gr. 9
Success
Challenge
WACAC SLC 2012

16. First General Principle for
Choosing Courses for Gr. 9
Success
Challenge
WACAC SLC 2012

17. Second General Principle for
Choosing Courses for Gr. 9
WACAC SLC 2012

18. What do you think you’ll be doing
after graduation?
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19. Going straight to work or the military full time?
Attending a community college or a trade school for a
year or two, then going to work?
Taking General Education courses or Major
Requirements at a community college, then transferring
to a 4-year institution?
Enrolling straight into a 4-year college or university?
Honestly, I have no clue!
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20. Here is one way to view
your future after graduation.
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21. Find a Job You Love...
Turn your passion into a profession.
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22. What do Colleges Look For?
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23. Colleges Look for 3 Things First
1. Minimum number of required classes
2. GPA
3. SAT and/or ACT Scores
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24. 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
1. Christianity in Our
Culture/Old Testament
Survey or Studies
Christianity in Our
Culture/New Testament
Survey or Studies
Semester Bible
Electives
Semester Bible
Electives
2.
(English / Literature)
3.
(History / Social Science)
4.
(Mathematics)
5.
(Science Optional in 9th)
6.
(Foreign Language)
7. P.E./Strength
8th class (optional) 8th class (optional) 8th class (optional) 8th class (optional)
8Other P.E. Plans? ___________________Other Computer Software Course Plans? ______________________
4
4
3
3
2
1
2
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25. Make it Memorable.
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Idea Paint

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Ideapaint.com

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29. Make it Accessible.
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30. Offer the Plans in
Multiple Formats
Live meetings
Booklets
Webcasts / Podcasts
Prezi
Fuze and Google Hangouts (synchronous collaboration)
PDF or other portable document
Other Flash-Based Presentation
WACAC SLC 2012

31. Garage Band - Free-ware - Mac OS
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32. Slideshare.net
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33. Prezi
WACAC SLC 2014

34. Keynote for Mac
Screen Flow for Mac
Power Point for PC
Adobe Presenter -
add-on to Power Point
WACAC SLC 2012

35. Talk About Failure.
Students need to know the direct
consequences of their actions
Preparation for “Remediating”
JUST DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
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36. Support the Plan
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37. Mentoring Groups
Facilitated by Leadership students
Meet once per month
10 students per leader
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38. Study Skills Seminar
(Summer)
Helping incoming 9th graders who
struggle with organization, time-
management and study skills.
Students discern which learning style
best suits them and focuses on
acquiring tools to improve performance
on homework and and tests.
WACAC SLC 2012

39. Special Plans for
At-Risk Students
Assess special needs early
Accommodate the student
Dedicated counseling services
Game plan for students with
extended illnesses
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40. Highlands Ability Battery
www.highlandsco.com
Counseling staff certified
Expensive option but
worthwhile
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41. Incentive Program
Reward students for positive
academic growth (Smartie Notes)
GPA group awards/certificates
(4.0 lunch with your counselor)
Enhance self esteem
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42. Student to Student
Tutoring Program
Establish list of high-end students
and pair them with students who
need help
Set up the relationship and
monitor
WACAC SLC 2012

43. Career Counseling Early
Earlier discussions about student’s
interests, gifts, and talents
Bring it up often
Bring in guests
Career search in Naviance/Family
Connection
Help students find summer enrichment
opportunities
WACAC SLC 2012

44. “We are a Family”
Foster a sense of belonging
through clubs and activities
Social transition from Junior High
to Senior High
Social counseling
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45. Don’t go it Alone
Resources and Help for parents
Naviance / Family Connection
College Board - Springboard
Blog for parents and student
communication
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46. www.askmrtorode.com
WACAC SLC 2012

47. Solid College Placement
Career Goals Met
Scholarship Opportunities
Maximize Talents
WACAC SLC 2012
Results?

48. Which doors will your key unlock?
WACAC SLC 2012