Each year, Grade 8 middle school students who reside in the Downcounty Consortium (DCC) will be able to rank the high schools in order of preference, based on their interest in an academy program at the school through the Choice process. The Choice process has two rounds--one in December and one in March. The DCC high schools are:
- Montgomery Blair
- Albert Einstein
- John F. Kennedy
- Northwood
- Wheaton
Each school is developing different academy programs designed to help students prepare for higher education and explore possible career pathways. The academies are designed to create smaller learning communities within our large high schools to ensure that each student is part of a safe, nurturing, and successful academy or program.
Students begin their high school experience as a member of a ninth grade team, with a core group of teachers. As part of that team, they will take a course called Connections to strengthen their study, time-management and other academic skills. Through Connections, students will also learn more about the academies they may be interested in selecting. Most academies begin in tenth grade, although some are four-year programs.
All students, regardless of which academy they choose, will be expected to take core courses required for a Maryland high school diploma. In addition, they will take four or more credits in academy-approved courses.
Students will also be encouraged to participate in internships, community service projects, senior research projects and college-level courses offered within the various academies. Students may also take courses at Thomas Edison High School of Technology. Some academies also offer internationally recognized credentials or certifications upon completion of academically rigorous coursework.
To help students and their families learn more about the various academies and the Choice process, information about the Choice process and the academy programs will be mailed to all current Grade 8 students. Evening information meetings will also be held in October, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The same information will be shared at each meeting. Various language facilitators will be available at some of the scheduled evening meetings.
DCC middle school counselors will work with Grades 6-8 students to explore their interests and to provide information about the academy programs and Choice process. In early December, families will select, in rank order, the high school(s) of their choice, based on the academies of interest. Students are guaranteed their base school if it is their first and/or second choice. Base schools are determined by the elementary school to which a student’s home address is assigned.
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