McHenry COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Robert O. Swartzloff Center DISTRICT 156 for Educational Services MicHAeL L. RosERts, ED. D, SUPERINTENDENT Se MeHlenry IL. 60050 Davio T.Lawsow, CFO/CSBO (sis) 389-7900 Becky COVALT, DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION pox (1) 900-7153 ‘CARL D. VALLIANATOS, ED. ., DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION mistiS6ang April 29, 2016 Greetings MCHS Sophomores and Parents! As you may have heard, Illinois is moving to the SAT as the college ‘entrance examination and MCHS juniors will be taking this test next spring, Transitioning to the SAT in away that wil alow our student to have the most success possible i a priority and we are wasting no time in that, cffort. For this eason, we are planning a process of informative opportunities and prep options for our students and parents What isthe SAT? SAT was introduced in 1926 as the Scholastic Aptitude Test and since then has been the main college entrance test on the west and east coast ofthe United States. Inthe last few years, several states in mid-America, including tlinols, Michigan, and Colorado, have switched from ACT to SAT. SAT has been redesigned to focus ‘on the skill colleges and employers most value (What are the advantages of the New SAT test for our students? SAT has a fully aligned suite of assessments from grade 8 through 11 to monitor student progress towards college and career readiness. SAT has also partnered with Khan Academy to offer a free practice/prep application thatis individualized forthe students based on their performance along this path of assessments khan Academy Prep is offered online and as a mobile application. Juniors wil also take the PSAT/NMSQTT on ‘October 19. This test wil serve both asa practice AND asa qualifying test forthe National Mert Scholarship and countess other scholarship. What isthe timetine for the SAT Implementation? [MCHS wil provide students and parents with a comprehensive implementation path for the frst year of SAT. ‘There is much to learn and become acquainted with for students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Important Parent and Student SAT ‘August 31 ~ 6:00-6:45pm Prior to Parent Mini-Schedul Information Meeting at both campuses ‘October 19 ~ Juniors take the PSAT/NMSQT in school ~ Practice and Scholarship Opportunities Late Fall— Junior Night Presentation about the College Search and the Testing Process Fall and Winter 2016 ~ SAT Prep process “Junior Journey” Begins “Mid-Late April TBA — Fist Official SAT testing administration in llinis Schools What steps can students take right now to begin preparing forthe test? \We strongly encourage sophomores who wish to get the best score possible on both the PSAT/NMSQT and the Spring SAT to take the test for experience on June 4. The deadline to register fora local SAT exam Is. ‘Wednesday, May 11. The cost of the exam is $43 ($54.50 with essay) and you can register atthe following site after creating a College Board account. https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/registerWhy is taking the June 4 SAT advantageous for students? Students will have the benefit of having taken the SAT early and this will serve as preparation forthe October 119 PSAT/NMSOT test. Furthermore, students will havea score that will become part oftheir Kan Academy profile. This will allow the application to provide a more specific test prep routine for students in their junior year. To create a student account in the Khan Academy site please visit the following URL. hntps://wavw.khanacademy.org/sat In summary, MCHS is very excited about the transition to SAT and we believe that the new suite of, assessments from &° prade to 11” grade offers our students great advantages including relevance, usability, {and the potential to connect with more scholarships. Our goal sto communicate, and provide as much Information, and support about the transition to SAT so our students can be successful. Yours in learning, Ca= Mr Cr DVallanatos, £45 Director of Creu and nstuction Nester Community High eho! Dstt #186 se Hlgh ams. ¥ Eee PartNeRine with THe Community ro Acuieve EXCELLENCE FEVEW sees tin cote ste College Board/SAT Website hitps:/collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat Khan Academy Free Student Prep Site https:/ivuw khanacademy.org/sat Information on the October 19 PSATINMSQT Test htips:/colagereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsat-psat-10/scholarships-and-recognition Register for the SAT — June 4 (deadline May 11) https:lcollegereadiness.collegeboard.crg/satregister Compare SAT Specifications https:/collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/savinside-the-test/compare-old-new-speciications, Compare the new SAT to the ACT hittps:/collegereadiness.collegeboard org/savinside-the-test/compare-new-sat-actFor Greater Success... Wl Register to Take the SAT Early! To get ahead, get the experience of taking the SAT early. This with provide ‘you with a head start inthe transition to SAT! S How to Register for SAT Create an account at College Board and use the following website to register https:/collegereadiness.collegeboard. org/satlregistor Use High School Code: McHenry High School East Campus 142834 McHenry High Schoo! West Campus 142830 Online registration is the fastest method. You will know immediately if your preferred test center Palins cease eaten (est ane can pint your admission fcket Pease se@ the link below fo create Biracbount ith Cohege Board and reget forthe SAT. SAT Fees SAT (No Essay) $43.00 Inelusse repos you, yourhigh acon and colege of your chole (if walé codes as provided whnen you rege SAT (Plus Essay) $54.50 Fees Seay) yourhigh sthod, and colege of your cholo (vai codes are provided when you exist 2016 Testing Dates Testing Date | dune a May 14 online June 4 Local Testing Locations Woodstock North HS -Woodstock 14590 undelein HS - Mundelein 14430 Deerfield HS - Deerfield 14285, Fromd HS - Palatine 14aTs ‘Stevenson HS - Lincolnshire 14510 “For Information on FEE WAIVERS for SAT students and parents may talk to their school counselor to pick up an application. https:/icollegereadiness.collegeboard.org/satlregisterifeesifee-walvers