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SECTION C • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2016
spotlight on
PREPARING FOR COLLEGE
Eyes on the prize keith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com
SNELLVILLE — Having a student succeed beyond high school, and pursue any of a range of opportunities out there, comes down to exposure. That was the sentiment of several college representatives and an assistant principal at Brookwood High School earlier this month as the school hosted reps from 56 colleges and universities. “Wanted to give our kids an opportunity to be exposed and learn more about colleges because we are about college and career readiness,” said Demetria Williams, an assistant principal at Brookwood. “We really wanted them to have an opportunity to hear about the colleges as soon as possible because we’re talking all grade levels, nine through 12, that are coming in. Give them that exposure earlier.” Williams stresses that even the ninth grade is important in the overall college picture because it’s one-fourth of the admissions criteria colleges consider. That’s why Brookwood administrators encourage students to take the most difficult classes they can while still being successful. “Many students don’t realize the importance of ninth grade,” Williams said. “They’re looking for a wellrounded student — one that can handle academic rigor, as well as be involved in their school and community.” By February, the college focus primarily shifts to juniors and younger students. If a senior has not yet taken a college entrance exam, they’re behind the “power curve” of many of their peers, said Gene Thomas, a representative from Florida A&M University who visited Brookwood. “There’s a huge gap between the students that
are ready and the students that are not ready,” Thomas said. “That’s frightening for me because that will have a definite impact on crime. If you’re not educated in America today, the prison system is waiting on you.” Thomas applauded Brookwood for inviting and encouraging younger students to take part in the fair because generally, counselors are failing students if they’re not exposed to post-high school options. If parents are active in a student’s life, or if the student is potentially a firstgeneration college student, the leadership at the high school becomes even more important. “I don’t know what the counselors are doing,” he said. “I see too many students who haven’t taken the test, and that to me is a crime.” Brookwood counselor Varieta Benjamin said the new changes to the SAT, for example, offer an opportunity for students to improve on critical thinking skills. “Most students are weak with critical thinking skills, and so that has to be emphasized,” she said. “I think that’s what they’re homing in on.” State and local Gateway tests have helped students become more analytical as they document their opinions, Williams said. Yet persuasive writing has come in handy for the sample questions Benjamin looked over. College preparation has always been high at Brookwood, Benjamin said, as the school tries to keep up with trends. The state’s dual enrollment program to earn college credit, called Move On When Ready, and Advanced Placement classes have become more popular and are growing in recent years, Benjamin said. College admissions at the state’s flagship universities such as the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech
GWINNETT PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS OF 2015 • Largest and most decorated class to date in Gwinnett, 83 percent of students who graduated in the Class of 2015 planned to attend college or postsecondary schools, and 85 percent of them planned to attend college in Georgia. • As of April, those seniors were offered nearly $155 million in academic, athletic and military scholarships. • The scholarship breakdown was nearly $84.1 million for academics, more than $64.6 million for athletics and nearly $6 million because of military appointments. Those don’t include the HOPE, QuestBridge, Broad or Gates Milleniums scholarships. • Mill Creek (799), Brookwood (795) and Norcross (788) had the largest classes, while overall, 2,671 students were considered honor graduates because they had a grade point averages of 90 or better.
student that will be as successful in college as they MORE INSIDE were in high school.” Schools hammer down details of teaching Senior Joshua Blackwell students skills in technology ........................3C said he’s heard that taking AP classes and core classes Learn about resources that will help your like pre-calculus make student afford a higher education ................4C for an easier transition to Legislators break from the big decisions facing college. He expects to have the future of education in Georgia ...............5C four AP classes by graduation. Big changes coming next month for SAT testing ........................................................12C “Depending on what your major is, AP classes can knock out maybe a year have led to higher grade one of the things we try to of what you have to do, bepoint averages and six or emphasize, again, take the cause you already get those seven AP classes for the most rigorous courses pos- credits,” he said. “They average freshman entering sible. But realize that evreally aren’t too hard if you school. Colleges are also erybody else that’s applied put a little effort in, and looking for a third year of to that college, or almost they are college classes.” foreign language in high everybody else, is doing the Think of four schools as school, which is not resame thing. So you’ve got possibilities, Benjamin said quired to graduate but helps to make sure that you’re she tells students, including a college resume. doing your part to stand a dream school and at least “It’s becoming more and out. Be that more competitive as far as college admissions,” Williams said. “That’s
Photo Illustration: AJ Archer
By Keith Farner
Schools emphasizing importance of college as early as possible one that they’re confident they can get into. Brookwood juniors C.J. Pate and Rhema West took part in the college fair because it allowed them to assess the landscape of colleges and look at what’s available without having to leave their school. Coming from Brookwood, West said the bar to prepare yourself for college is already high. “It’s already mandatory that you have all these things,” she said. In some cases, like Pate’s, his mother told him in second grade that he would attend college, no matter what.
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