PCCR

Plan for College and Career Readiness

2014-2015

West Jordan Middle Counseling Center

Counselors at WJMS are committed to being an advocate for all students. We provide direct services to students through responsive services (individual and group counseling), classroom guidance lessons, and individual planning through the PCCR process. It is our goal to assist students in feeling academically and socially successful while here at West Jordan Middle School.

Counselors see students by last name. The alpha breakdown is shown below:

Mr. Jones / Mrs. Petrovich-Musig / Mrs. Williams
A – F / G-M / N-Z
801-412-2116 / 801-412-2163 / 801-412-2117

Students can come to the counseling center at any time to meet with their counselor. If their counselor is unavailable students will schedule a time with the registrar.

Parents can see their student’s counselor by calling to schedule an appointment. You can call the counseling center at 801-412-2115 or call your counselor directly.

* Please note that counselors are frequently scheduled to teach guidance lessons in classrooms. To ensure you have the opportunity to speak with your student’s counselor, it is best to call ahead and make an appointment.

As a 9th grade student, you are officially in high school!

The grades you will earn in 9thgrade will count toward graduation!

Start your academic planning now!

Get Help!

If you are struggling in classes don't hesitate to get help! All teachers are available at various times before and after school.

Platinum Pride Time
9th graders who have failed one or more core classes are required to attend Platinum Pride Time. This is their opportunity to recover their missing credit free of charge.

Check Skyward

Become familiar with Skyward to check your grades/attendance regularly (username and password was sent home or you can get it from the attendance office). Checking your grades and assignments is a great way to be proactive about your grades.

  • Go to
  • Click on “Parent” on the top menu bar
  • Click on “Skyward”
  • Enter your Login and Password (Contact the counseling center if you need assistance is retrieving your login and password.

Get Involved

SBO ▪ SOAR ▪ PTSA▪ Stage Crew ▪Debate▪ Math Counts▪ Science Olympiad ▪ Jazz Band▪ 9th Grade Basketball▪ Social Dance▪ Orchestra▪ Theatre▪ Choir

Testing

Explore

All 8th grade students took the EXPLORE® test in September of 2014. The EXPLORE results will tell you things you need to know—to plan your high school courses, prepare for the ACT, or choose a career direction.

EXPLORE is the first part of a testing system that goes on to include PLAN and the ACT. All three test you in English, math, reading, and science. However, the material tested in each program gets more difficult. For more information go to

Test / Grade Level / Composite Score Range
EXPLORE / 8 / 1 to 25
PLAN / 10 / 1 to 32
ACT / 11 and 12 / 1 to 36

SAGE

The SAGE (Student Assessment of Growth and Excellence) testwill be administered in late spring to students in Utah. SAGE is Utah’s new computer adaptive assessment system, aligned to the state’s English language art, mathematics, and science standards. SAGE will include writing, graphing, virtual labs, and other meaningful measure of student achievement. SAGE will replace the CRTs and will be given during approximately the same window.

SRI

The Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) is a research-based, computer-adaptive assessment for grades K-12. Students at WJMS take the SRI three times throughout the school year. The SRI measures students’ levels of reading comprehension. Results are reported through the use of the Lexile Framework for Reading.

Lexile measurements reflect a range of scores that overlap between grades. For example ...

7th graders’ / 950L-1030L
8th graders’ / 1000L-1100L
9th graders’ / 1030L-1120L

Utah Futures

Utah-Futures delivers a comprehensive selection of services, products, and tools on a web-based platform that assists all students with planning and preparing for educational and career success.

Utah Futures provides a collaborative education and career exploration platform that can help students:

•Assist in making informed decisions about education and career opportunities, financial aid options, training, and employment

•Explore career interest, options and opportunities

•Learn more about colleges and programs that colleges offer

•Practice test for the ACT and SAT and test taking skills

•Keep a digital copy of your 4-Year Plan and track your classes and credits.

Applied Technology Centers

High school applied technology centers offer half-day advanced skills training programs. You will have opportunities for hands-on learning experiences, including internships. Upon completion students are prepared for employment or further education. You have the opportunity to take classes at both the Jordan Applied Technology Center (JATC) and the Canyons Technical Education Center (CTEC).

Students are eligible to attend technical school their 11th or 12th grade years. Students interested in applying for a technical school should start planning with their school counselor during their 10th grade year.

Visit andctec.canyonsdistrict.org/for more information.

Open House Information:

JATC Open House: January 29, 2015 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm

CTEC Open House: TBD

** please call to verify dates and times**

Programs available at JATC: / Programs available at CTEC:
Auto Collision Repair
Barbering
Biotechnology / Building Construction (On-Site)
Business Leadership
Commercial Aircraft Pilot / Certified Nursing Assistant
Dental Assistant
Digital Media / (CNA)
Computer Maint/Network
EMT
Engineering / Fundamentals
Criminal Justice
Fire Science
Heavy Duty Mechanic/Diesel
Landscape Management / Digital Media/3D Animation
Electrical Technician
Emergency Medical Tech
Medical Assistant
Nail Technician / Fire Science
Heavy duty Mechanics/Diesel
Nurse Assistant (CNA) / Medical Assistant
Occupational Therapy
Pharmacy Technician / Medical Forensics
Nursery/Landscaping Design
Physical Therapy
Teacher/Paradeducation
Surgical Technician
Veterinary Science / Welding Technician
Assistant/Technician
Web/Mobile App
Development

Ways to Earn College Credit in High School

Advanced Placement (AP) Courses

These are challenging college-level classes, which are taught at the high school. AP courses can help you acquire the skills and habits you'll need to be successful in college. You'll improve your writing skills, sharpen your problem-solving abilities, and develop time management skills, discipline, and study habits. You may earn college credit based on how well you perform on the final exam.

Textbooks are provided by your high school, so you do not have to pay an additional fee. There is a fee for taking the exam. AP credits are accepted nationally and internationally. Each college posts an online list of how AP scores transfer to credit at their school.

AP Courses West Jordan High Offers:

AP Art History / AP Music Theory
AP English Language and Composition / AP English Literature and Composition
AP Calculus BC (2 periods) / AP Statistics
AP Biology / AP Chemistry
AP European History / AP United States Government and Politics
AP Psychology / AP United State History
AP World History / AP Spanish

Concurrent Enrollment (CE) Courses

These are college courses which are taught at the high school. You earn college credit as well as high school credit. The college credit becomes part of your permanent college transcript. There is a one-time admission fee to the partnering college as well as a $5 per credit fee for the course. You may also have to purchase a textbook and pay lab fees. Concurrent Enrollment courses either fulfill general education requirements or are elective courses that are listed as designated electives in a degree program at the partnering university. Your course selections should align with your educational plan for college and career readiness.

CE Courses West Jordan High Offers:

English 1010 / Humanities 1100
Math 1010 / Math 1040
Math 1050 / Math 1060
Calculus / Advanced Cab. & Mill
Art 1010 / Med AnatPhys
History 1700 / Bio 1010
Tech Draft 1

International Baccalaureate Program

This is a rigorous academic program offered at Hillcrest High School. The program is recognized nationally and internationally. Students who complete the program gain credentials to be highly competitive when applying to colleges and universities.

For more information visit hhs.canyonsdistrict.org - click on the IB page link on the left side.

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Eligibility

If you hope to play a sport at a Division I or Division II school make sure you are following NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) eligibility requirements.

Eligibility Requirements Include:

  • Passing classes in core academic areas
  • Having certain GPA and ACT/SAT scores
  • 16 core courses – count them on your transcripts
  • You must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at the beginning of your junior year of high school
  • See your high school counselor to ensure you are on track to be eligible.

Check out requirements at NCAA.org

Scholarships

Utah Scholar!

Visit for more information.

Become a Utah Scholar! Students who meet Utah Scholars requirements will be eligible for a variety of recognition and incentives including certificates of achievement, medallions, scholarship opportunities, and other individual incentives. Students who participate in the Utah Scholars Initiative will be better prepared for post-secondary education and the workforce.

  • Utah Scholars Core Course of Study
  • 4 Years/Credits of English
  • 4 Years/Credits of Math
  • 3.5 Years/Credits of Social Science
  • 3 Years/Credits of lab-based science (one chemistry, one biology, one physics)
  • 2 Years/Credits of the same Foreign Language (taken progressively during grades 9 – 12)
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA, maintain a C in core classes, and submit an ACT score.

Regent’s Scholarship

Visit: for more information.

Students who meet the requirements for the Regents Scholarship are eligible for financial incentives.

Base Award: $1,000 one-time payment if you:

  • Complete the Utah Scholars Curriculum during grades 9-12.
  • Have a cumulative 3.0 high school GPA.
  • Have no individual grade listed on the official transcript(s) lower than a “C” in the required core classes.
  • Have at least one reported ACT test score (SAT is not accepted).
  • Be a US citizen, or a noncitizen eligible for federal student aid.
  • Have no criminal record except misdemeanor traffic citations.
  • Enroll in 15 or more college credit hours at an eligible Utah institution of higher education during fall semester immediately following high school graduation.
  • Submit an ACT score.

Exemplary Award: Flat dollar amount, maximum value of $1250 per semester if you:

  • Meet the Base Award requirements, plus the following requirements;
  • Have a cumulative 3.5 GPA
  • Have no individual grade listed on the official transcript(s) lower than a “B” in the required core courses.
  • Have an ACT score of 26.

Scholarships (Continued)

Centennial Scholarship

For more information about the scholarship, visit:

This scholarship is for students who plan for Early Graduation. It is a partial tuition program which allows for high school graduation to be flexible and appropriate to meet the individual students' needs of attending post-secondary education.

Utah CTE Scholarship

For more information visit:

The Career and Technical Education Scholarships and Tuition Awards are for outstanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) students. The awards cover UP TO ONE year of tuition only for those students who have excelled in their (CTE) areas. Eligible candidates are those who are (1) planning on attending a postsecondary institution in a CTE program that is a two-year Associate Degree program or less (preceding immediate employment in that area) OR (2) those who are planning to teach in a CTE area (a four-year program). All other four-year degree programs will be disqualified.

New Century Scholarship

The scholarship was created to encourage students to accelerate their education by earning an associate degree in high school or by completing a specified math and science curriculum. To qualify for New Century Scholarship, applicants must:

  • Graduate from a Utah high school with a minimum 3.5 GPA.
  • Complete all course work for their associate degree by the date they graduate from high school with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  • Have no criminal record except misdemeanor traffic citations.
  • Enroll in and successfully complete 15 credit hours the fall semester after high school graduation at an eligible institution, maintaining a 3.3 semester GPA.

For more information visit:

* Additional Scholarship Information:

Save Money for College

Utah Education Savings Plan (UESP)

Call 800-418-2551 or visit uesp.org for more information.

Students can qualify for the Utah Education Savings Plan (UESP)based on income or by receiving the Regent’s Scholarship. Have a parent or guardian open a 529 savings plan under your name, then:

  • Deposit $100 every year starting when you are 14, up until you are 17
  • UESP will award you up to $400 at the end of your senior year for contributing to the UESP account.

Finding Money for College Resources

The UHEAA “Prepare and Pay for College”

High School Graduation
Requirements / College Recommended Credits
English Language Arts / 4.0 / English Language Arts / 4.0
Social Studies / 3.5 / Social Studies / 3.5
Geography / 1.0
World Civilization / 1.0
US History / 1.0
US Govt. & Citizenship / .5
Math / 3.0 / Math / 4.0
Secondary Math I / 1.0
Secondary Math II / 1.0
Secondary Math II / 1.0
Science / 3.0 / Science / 4.0
Physical / 1.0
Biological / 1.0
Elective Science / 1.0
Healthy Lifestyles / 2.0 / Healthy Lifestyles / 2.0
PST / .5
Fitness for Life / .5
Health / .5
Elective P.E / .5
Arts / 1.5 / Arts / 1.5
CTE / 1.0 / CTE / 1.0
Computer Technology / .5 / Computer Technology / .5
Financial Literacy / .5 / Financial Literacy / .5
Elective Credits / 8.0 / Elective Credits / 8.0
World Language
*University Specific / 2.0
Total / 27 / Total / 27

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CTE PATHWAYS

Connecting High School to College and Career

WHAT IS A CTE PATHWAY?
A Pathway is a sequence of courses within a student’s area of interest. A Pathway connects from high school to college for a certificate, a degree and/or career.

HOW ARE PATHWAYS BENEFICIAL TO STUDENTS?
Many Pathways offer concurrent enrollment credit. A Pathway will save students time and money towards training and/or a college degree.

WHY SHOULD STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN CTE CAREER PATHWAYS?

  1. To acquire technical skills training.
  2. To participate in hands-on learning.
  3. To jump-start their future career.
  4. To earn college credit while in high school.
  5. To save time and money!

HOW DO CTE PATHWAYS CONNECT TO POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION?

CTE Pathways help match education and workplace needs through partnerships with post-secondary institutions, the school districts, business, and industry.
CTE Career Pathways are the maps that can help guide students to:

  • High school courses.
  • Post-secondary options most relevant to their chosen career destination.

WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN A CTE PATHWAY?

  • Maximize opportunities for students.
  • Increase student awareness of careers and education and training.
  • Strengthen the planning process using a Student Education Occupation Plan (SEOP).

HOW DO CTE PATHWAYS PREPARE STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER?

  • Students complete appropriate academic and skill development courses.
  • Students participate in concurrent enrollment courses that meet degree requirements.
  • Students complete related state or industry skill assessments.
  • Students earn industry certification, where available.

ARE CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT CLASSES INCLUDED IN A CTE PATHWAY?
Yes! CTE Pathways include concurrent enrollment courses, and credits earned can be transferred to a college or university.

IN UTAH, WHAT NUMBER OF STUDENTS ARE ENROLLED IN CTE COURSES?

  • 73,702 males
  • 67,971 females
  • 141,673 9th-12th graders

WHAT DO CTE PATHWAYS PREPARE STUDENTS FOR?
Post-secondary education. High school students enrolled in CTE Pathways receive advanced occupational training to pursue post-secondary certificates and degrees.

WHAT DOES POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION MEAN?
Post-secondary education means a one-year certificate, a two-year associate or technical degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree.

WHAT DOES A CTE PATHWAY LOOK LIKE?
A CTE Pathway includes both foundation and elective courses within a students area of interest. Students are required to earn a specific number of foundation and elective credits in order to be considered a CTE Pathway completer.

HOW MANY CREDITS DOES A STUDENT NEED TO BE A CTE PATHWAY COMPLETER?
A student needs 3.00 graduation credits to be a CTE Pathway completer.

WHAT PERCENTAGE OF JOBS REQUIRE ADDITIONAL TRAINING BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL?
Ninety percent of jobs require additional training beyond high school.

IN UTAH, HOW MANY HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS COMPLETE A SPECIFIC CTE PATHWAY?
Last year, approximately 8,000 Utah students completed a specific CTE Pathway.

HOW MANY CTE PATHWAYS ARE THERE IN UTAH?
Utah recognizes over 60 career Pathways within eight Areas of Study.

WHAT ARE THE CTE AREAS OF STUDY?

  • Agricultural Education
  • Business Education
  • Family and Consumer Sciences Education
  • Health Science Education
  • Information Technology Education
  • Marketing Education
  • Skilled and Technical Sciences Education
  • Technology and Engineering Education

WHAT PATHWAYS ARE OFFERED THROUGH CTE?
For a complete listing of CTE Pathways offered, talk to your high school counselor or access our website: .

ARE CTE PATHWAYS DIFFERENT FROM THE NATIONAL CAREER CLUSTERS?
No. Each CTE Pathway is based on national skills standards and the national career clusters preparing students with academic and hands-on learning in order to successfully transition from high school to post-secondary education.

ARE STUDENTS RECOGNIZED FOR COMPLETING THE SECONDARY PORTION OF THE CTE PATHWAY?
Yes. An award program has been launched to recognize those students who successfully complete a CTE Pathway while in high school. This award is called the Secondary Pathway Completer Recognition Award. Students should talk to their school counselor about applying for this award.

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT CTE AND CTE PATHWAYS?
Talk to your school counselor, contact the Utah State Office of Education, or access our website: .