The Athenian School

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions of the College Counselor

Q: What is your opinion about SAT Prep Classes?

A: First, there is no better preparation for SAT's than to read, and to have done so for most of your life. Second, I have seen prep classes both improve and not improve scores. Third, if taking a prep class will psychologically help you, then consider it. Some students will gain confidence from having taken many practice SAT's and from being familiar with the kinds of questions asked. This could improve scores. Fourth, you can buy SAT books at your local bookstore and work through the practice tests, checking all your answers against the right ones. You may also work on computerized SAT prep programs. If you do any prepping, the earlier you begin the better. It never works to cram at the last minute. Finally, I keep all the SAT prep class brochures that come my way. They are in wall pockets just across from the copy machine upstairs in the Main Hall. Please help yourselves!

Q: What is the difference between Honors classes and AP classes, and should my student take them?

A: AP stands for Advanced Placement. These classes follow a college-level, structured curriculum at the end of which students take a comprehensive examination. The exams are graded on a 1 to 5 scale (5 is the highest) and 3 is passing. Colleges sometimes—but not always—give units of credit for scores of 3 or higher or allow students to take higher level courses in that subject area. Honors classes are by design more intense and more demanding than a "regular" class on the same topic. Admission to an Honors course is usually at the discretion, permission, or recommendation of the prerequisite teacher. Most seminars in the Humanities Department are offered for Honors Option. Students must consult with each teacher individually. Both Honors courses and AP classes receive an extra point when the grade point average is calculated. A student should always challenge him/herself, but not to an unreasonable level. If a student, for example, has been consistently achieving at the “B” level (or higher) in regular classes, he/she is probably able to handle Honors levels of work. If a student has been performing at the “C” level, he/she probably should stay on a "regular" tack and work to improve at that level. Individual teachers will be best able to make recommendations on placement levels.

Q: When is a good time to visit college campuses?

A: Whenever the family takes a trip, visit the college campus you pass on the way. It doesn't hurt to begin sorting out the criteria early—Do I like the country setting? Would I be happy in a city? Am I eager for thousands of students around me, or do I like the tranquility and intimacy of a smaller college? Can I stand rain? Humidity? Snow? The summer before senior year is, of course, a great time to answer these these questions. Some families prefer to apply to a selection of schools, and after being admitted, make plans to visit the possibilities.

Q: How is the GPA (grade point average) calculated at Athenian?

A: We take every course that was graded from grades 9 through 11 into account. The scale we use includes pluses and minuses: A = 4.0; A- = 3.67; B+ = 3.33; B = 3.0; B- = 2.67; etc. Honors and AP courses, as well as courses taken at the college level, receive one extra point when doing the calculation. If a student repeats a course in which he received a D+ or lower, that course will receive 0.000 units of credit on the transcript, and the higher grade from the repeated course will receive the 1.000 units of credit, thus being the grade used in the GPA calculation.

Q: What should I do if my student has a documented learning difference?

A: If a licensed professional has tested a student and determined that the student's learning differences would benefit from certain accommodations in the classroom, that documentation should be given to the Academic Dean's Office. The Academic Dean will then pass the recommendations on to each faculty member who teaches the student. If the recommendations involve additional time in testing situations, and if the student would like to have those accommodations applied to taking standardized tests (as well as to our classrooms), the student must then get the appropriate forms from the College Counseling Office. These forms must be filed with ETS several months in advance of the first standardized test a student wishes to take with additional time.