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    Inside Central: A Student Perspective for Parents
    Inside Central: A Student Perspective for Parents
    Inside Central: A Student Perspective for Parents
    Ebook107 pages1 hour

    Inside Central: A Student Perspective for Parents

    By Michael Palmquist

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    About this ebook

    Hinsdale Central High School

    High school can be one of the most challenging times of your son or daughter’s life. At a place like Hinsdale Central, the expectations and pressure associated with taking the next step in their education are magnified by the school’s impressive reputation.

    Our goal in writing this “high school improvement” book is to give you insight and helpful advice in dealing with the potential issues your child will face during his or her time here. Ultimately, each chapter will pose—and attempt to resolve—some unique question regarding its respective topic, a question that is unaware to most incoming high school parents yet bound to be encountered.

    All proceeds from book sales go towards the publication of future editions of this student created concept.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThe Educational Publisher/Biblio Publishing
    Release dateAug 28, 2013
    ISBN9781622491209
    Inside Central: A Student Perspective for Parents

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      Book preview

      Inside Central - Michael Palmquist

      Inside Central:

      A student perspective for parents on a successful high school career

      The collective works of a Hinsdale Central

      Senior English class

      Published by The Educational Publisher, Inc

      Biblio Publishing at Smashwords

      1313 Chesapeake Ave

      Columbus, OH 43212

      www.BiblioPublishing.com

      Copyright © 2013 Hinsdale Central High School

      ISBN: 978-1-62249-120-9

      All proceeds from book sales go towards the publication of future editions of this student created concept.

      Contents

      Preface

      2013 Senior Rhetoric Class

      Course Selection

      Carolyn Zhou

      AP vs. Regular Courses

      Erica Heidler

      Homework

      Alexis Knox and Kyaradrianne Garcia

      School Rules

      Natalie Samaras and Caroline Lorenzini

      Finals

      Samantha Foulston

      College Entrance and ACT

      Chase Arima and Vladimir Koveshnikov

      Clubs and Activities

      Cara Tenerelli, Grace Cook, Addie Moeller

      High School Sports

      George Koulouris and TJ Moruzzi

      Social Life and Relationships

      Jordyn Week and Lily Quenneville

      Pressures

      Tarek McTabi

      Motivation

      Hannah Kapelinski and Olivia Grossi

      Time Management

      Basil Arain and Mike Wietecha

      Preface

      Dear Parents,

      High school can be one of the most challenging times of your son or daughter’s life. At a place like Hinsdale Central, the expectations and pressure associated with taking the next step in their education are magnified by the school’s impressive reputation. These expectations and pressure are prevalent from the moment your son or daughter decides to attend Hinsdale Central to when he or she graduates. However, Central is far from being just another stepping-stone; the next four years are an important time for them to identify their interests and prepare for college. Although all this may sound slightly overwhelming, the obstacles students face at Central helps to prepare them for success.

      99% of the Class of 2012’s 675 students graduated, with 97.5% enrolling in some type of four-year college. Last year, Central’s average ACT score was 27 (six points above the state average), with 12% scoring in the coveted 33-36 range. Of the 1,822 students that took Advanced Placement tests, 92% of them received passing grades…meaning they passed college level classesi. Our school prides itself on our academics, but also on our accomplishments outside of the classroom. Over ten state championships in the past five years is indeed something to brag about. What’s more surprising: Central offers over eighty clubs devoted to leadership, service, vocational and religious interests, and school spirit. For any particular student to say they participate in multiple clubs, a varsity sport, and a few Honors and AP classes is frighteningly common. As a result, this combination of academics and extracurricular activities teaches students to want to accomplish more. Success will become an outcome most hardworking Central students expect rather than hope for.

      However, most parents are already acutely aware of Central’s reputation; chances are that your children would be going to a different school if you didn’t. But obviously—in any endeavor as impactful as high school—there will be some rough patches. Hence, our class has written a comprehensive guide on Hinsdale Central and high school in general to point out the pit falls we dealt with, and the experiences that have shaped and prepared us for life after Central. Our goal in writing this high school improvement book (a poor man’s Chicken Soup for the High School Parent’s Soul of sorts) is to give you insight and helpful advice in dealing with the potential issues your child will face during his or her time here. Ultimately, each chapter will pose—and attempt to resolve—some unique question regarding its respective topic, a question that is unaware to most incoming high school parents yet bound to be encountered. Are AP classes everything they’re made out to be? What are the negatives to joining too many clubs? What does the college application process exactly entail?

      Of course, by no means are we trying to convince your student to follow in our footsteps and handle their next four years the same way we did. Simply put, we want to show you our perspective: as students who have experienced having to make new friends; who have experienced juggling sports and school; who have experienced the college application process; as students who have experienced Hinsdale Central. Although each student’s experience here has been unique in some way or the other, we hope that by sharing our own stories and observations, we may be able to explain some of the subtleties and nuances of high school life at Hinsdale Central. In doing so, this bit of wisdom we impart on you can in turn be used to the benefit of your own child.

      Mr. Palmquist’s Senior Rhetoric Class of 2013

      Course Selection

      By Carolyn Zhou

      Hinsdale Central offers a variety of courses to students to prepare them for post-secondary education. Our school not only provides the environment many resources for students to explore, enjoy, and challenge themselves, but it also helps each and every student to be a confident, responsible, and self-motivated learner.

      The guidance department has improved their 8th grade registration process: counselors help students map out their 4 year plans for the 24 credit graduation requirement, which is set by District 86 and by state, long before they even enter high school based on their career aspirations, interest, and performance on the EXPLORE test. Each department also prepares suggested course sequencing for students for students who perform at all levels.

      Students from Central apply to very highly-selective colleges, and our school looks at the big picture of what colleges want, and advise students to put them in the best position for colleges. According to the Program of Studies, Central also makes sure that the course requirements to not also meet the state and district requirements, but alsoare right with everybody else who are applying to those colleges.

      Early spring of each year, teachers and Guidance help students create a class schedule for the next school year that best fit each student’s request and ability. The school really strives to meet each student’s needs; however, due to class sizes, teachers, teaching schedules, and state mandates, some requests might not be met. The scheduling process is very complex, so the adjusting of schedules is rather strict. Exceptions are made on an individual basis.

      The course recommendation process has certain limitations, if a student is trying to take a course that is not in the typical sequence or maybe the teacher does not recommend it. Initiating a level change of courses is a very involved process. A student should always advocate for himself or herself, talk to the teacher and let them know your goal. The teacher will then communicate to the department chair, and the department chair has the final say. All staff members have the same mission at this school: to opportunity for students. "Our job is not the close the door in your face, but to open

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