Study Programs, Free Testing and Block Scheduling Help Prepare Students for Success at Boca Ciega High School

Learning doesn’t stop at school when the final bell rings. There are some new options this year to help your student excel in classes and perform well in a College Placement Test.

That’s right, it’s not too early to think about ACT and SAT exams.

Principal Michael Vigue shared what’s new this school year at Back to School Night on August 30. One stop help for students has come to Boca Ciega High School.

Extra Help After School

Students can now go to one place after school for extra help in classes as well as getting ready for tests like the College Placement Test (CPT), ACT and SAT. Students can also get help through online programs to make up class credits. Every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30 until 4:30 p.m. teachers will be available in Room 4-101 for the entire school year. Later in the school year, extra help will also be available for those studying for Advanced Placement tests.

In addition to extra help on the CPT and ACT, students can take the tests free at school. Every 10^th grader can take the CPT on April 23. Every 11^th grader can take the ACT on March 20. For the second year in a row all sophomores and juniors can take the tests for free. Also, the school will serve as a test site for the SAT. Students on free or reduced lunch can take two of the college placement/preparation tests free, Vigue said.

One Stop Shopping

“One stop shopping” is also available for students needing something from the school office. Instead of going to multiple locations, administrative solutions are available at designated places based on the student’s program and/or last name.

• Seniors go to 4-100
• Fundamental School students go to portable 10
• Medical Magnet students go to 6-001

For students in the traditional program grades 9-11 the resources location is based on the student’s last name A-K in 4-326 and L-Z in 4-126.

Block Scheduling

Blue and gold are the BCHS school colors, plus, the names for the school days. New block scheduling means having four classes on blue day and four classes on gold day. Classes are 95 minutes long except on early dismissal day (Wednesday) when classes are 76 minutes.

The longer classes have benefits for students.

“With only four classes each day there is more time for instruction and a lot less passing times (going from class to class on the large campus). There is more time on task with actual instruction,” Vigue said.

Get College Credits Now

Students do not have to wait to graduate to get college credit. BCHS now offers dual enrollment classes where students can get college and high school credit at the same time. The seven classes include

• composition
• college algebra
• government
• world religions
• college success

This is in addition to the approximately 19 AP classes where students can take a test at the end of the school year to try and get college credit.

New AP classes include:

• statistics
• physics
• chemistry

More students are taking the courses, Vigue said.

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Many different learning opportunities are available at BCHS. In addition to dual enrollment and AP courses, around 120 students are enrolled in the new fundamental school within a school program. The medical magnet program serves approximately 500 students; around 275 students are participating in Junior R.O.T.C. Plus, Project Lead The Way encourages interest in multiple engineering careers. This year the engineering program has more course options and new technology. Plus, more than triple the enrollment in its entry-level course, Vigue said.

If you missed Mr. Vigue’s presentation, it’s attached to this story. For regular updates check the school’s new Web site at www.bocaciega.org.