Application - Our Lady of Good Counsel High School

APPLICATIONApplicationBookletINCOMING FRESHMAN/TRANSFER8th Grade Visits to GC9/10/09 – 12/10/09Parent Information NightTuesday, 9/29/09Open HouseSunday, 10/18/09Application DeadlineFriday, 12/11/09Financial Aid DeadlineFriday, 12/4/09Admissions DecisionsThursday, 2/25/10Admissions CriteriaApplicants to Our Lady of Good Counsel HighSchool are evaluated for admission based uponthe following criteria:• Submission of the Good Counsel Applicationwith application fee, preferably online• Appropriate ability as demonstrated on theArchdiocesan High School Placement Test• High level of academic achievement inthe seventh grade and first quarter of theeighth grade• A demonstrated sincere desire to attendGood Counsel• Recommendations of Principals and/or teachers• Satisfactory disciplinary and attendance historyGood Counsel High School admits students ofany race, color, national and ethnic origin to allthe rights, privileges, programs and activitiesgenerally accorded or made available to thestudents at our school. We do not discriminateon the basis of race, color, national and ethnicorigin in the administration of our educationaland admissions policies, scholarship programsand athletic or other school administeredprograms. Our Lady of Good Counsel reservesthe right to revoke acceptance at any time foracademic and/or disciplinary reasons.Apply online atwww.olgchs.org

CommunityFounded in 1958, Our lady of Good Counsel is located north of the District of Columbiain Montgomery County. Admission to the school is selective and based on previousschool records, teacher recommendations, and standardized testing. Students of allacademic levels find success in Good Counsel’s Advanced Placement, InternationalBaccalureate, honors and college preparatory programs. For highly motivated studentswith mild learning disabilities, the Ryken program offers a structured, small-grouplearning environment. Over 70% of the faculty hold advanced degrees. Students areacademically, ethnically, culturally, and economically diverse. The student populationis comprised of a diverse ethnic group consisting of 11% African American, 5% Asian,74% Caucasian, 9% Hispanic, and 1% other.Accreditations and MembershipsThe school is fully accredited by the State ofMaryland and the Middle States Association ofSecondary Schools and Colleges. Good Counselhas twice been named as a “Blue Ribbon School ofExcellence” by the U.S. Department of Education.It is a member of the College Entrance ExaminationBoard and the National Association for CollegeAdmission Counseling and complies with theNACAC Statement of Principles of Good Practice.Curriculum and GraduationRequirementsThe academic year consists of a block schedule ofninety-minute class periods that meet on alternatedays throughout the year. Students earn a minimum ofseven credits per year with 28 required forgraduation. The credit requirements are:• Religious Studies (4)• English (4)• Mathematics (4)• Foreign Languages (3)• Science (3)• Social Studies (3)• Fine Arts (1)• Technology (1)• Physical Education (1.5)• College Prep Seminar (0.5)• General Electives (3-7)Our Lady of Good Counsel offers a comprehensive,college-preparatory curriculum to all students. Forthe 2009-2010 academic year, Advanced Placementand International Baccalaureate courses are availableas follows:Advanced PlacementBiology, Chemistry, US History, EuropeanHistory, Comparative Government and Politics,Macroeconomics, Psychology, Physics, CalculusAB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Computer Science.International BaccalaureateHistory of Europe HL, Economic SL/HL, TwentiethCentury World History Topics, Art Studio SL/HL,Percussion, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, ChoralMusic, Theatre, Theory of Knowledge I and II(TOK)-IB requirement, Physics SL, Biology SL/HL,Chemistry SL, PreCalculus/Calculus SL, Math HL, MathStudies, Economics SL/HL, World Religions.In 2008, seventeen students received the IB Diplomaand four students received the IB Certificate.Combinied AP/IBEnglish Language and Composition, EnglishLanguage and Composition II HL, Spanish 5, 6, 7SL/HL, Spanish seminar, French 5, 6, 7, 8 SL/HLand French seminar.INCOMING FRESHMAN/TRANSFER

College Admission Test Scores/AchievementMean score, Class of 2008SAT – Verbal = 566SAT – Math = 568SAT – Writing = 576ACT ScoresEnglish = 24.0Math = 23.8Reading = 24.8Science = 23.0Composite = 24.0College Admittance – Class of 2009The class of 2009 received offers of over 16.1 million dollars in scholarships to colleges and universities.Forty-four offers to university honors programs were extended. Below is a partial list of colleges anduniversities offering admission to our students.Boston CollegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaCornell UniversityGeorgetown UniversityVillanova UniversityUniversity of Notre DameCatholic UniversityNew York UniversityMacalester CollegeJohns Hopkins UniversityWake Forest UniversityBoston UniversityEmory UniversityWashington University in St. LouisUniversity of MichiganCollege of Willam and MaryBucknell UniversityElon UniversityAmerican UniversityRensselaer Polytech InstituteDePaul UniversityFordham UniversityHofstra UniversityLoyola CollegeMichigan State UniversityPrinceton UniversitySaint Joseph’s UniversityMarquette UniversityFlorida State UniversityINCOMING FRESHMAN/TRANSFER

Value of a Good Counsel EducationOur very competitive tuition rate includes:• Daily lunch service• Most textbooks• An established IB Program (since 1995) currently one ofonly eight schools worldwide in a pilot program for thenewly approved World Religions Course• Pre-IB/Honors Program• Advanced Placement Program• The Ryken Program• St. Mary’s Scholars Program• Comprehensive Campus Ministry & Retreat Program• Maryland State Certified Educators(over 70% with Advanced Degrees)• 25+ Clubs• 50+ Athletic TeamsAt Good Counsel we believethat our philosophy of“educating the whole person”applies to all, and thatno student is exemptfrom this belief.HonorsStudents have demonstrated academic success throughgrades and standardized test scores. Generally, honorscourses involve additional reading and presume somemastery of analytical and critical thinking skills.College PrepCollege prep courses continue to hone academic andcritical thinking skills needed for advanced high schoolcourse work as well as the college curriculum.Ryken ProgramThe Ryken Studies Program is a college preparatory programthat is designated for highly motivated students who have beendiagnosed with learning differences.INCOMING FRESHMAN/TRANSFER

Do not submit this form if you are in a Washington Archdiocese Catholic Elementary School.English TeacherRecommendation FormThe purpose of this form is to request a general assessment of the student, which will become part of his/herapplication for admission to Good Counsel High School. The contents of this assessment are confidential andare not routinely shared with applicants and their families, though all educational records are subject to theFamily Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. Applicants’ records only become permanent if theymatriculate at Good Counsel.APPLICANT’S LEGAL NAME LAST FIRST MIDDLECURRENT SCHOOLSCHOOL PHONEEVALUATOR’S NAMEPOSITIONEVALUATOR’S SIGNATUREDATEEvaluator – Compared to other students whom you have taught or advised, please assess this student for thefollowing characteristics. Please mail or fax the completed form to the address below.Key:1 = outstanding2 = good3 = satisfactory4 = improvementneeded5 = unsatisfactoryN = not observedAbility to work independentlyAbility to work in a groupAbility to follow directionsAchievement related to potentialOrganization of time and workSelf-motivationConductIntegrityLeadershipEmotional MaturityRelationship with peersRelationship with adultsConcern for othersSelf confidence1 2 3 4 5 NIncoming Freshman deadline: December 11, 2009Transfer Student deadline: April 15, 2009 for the 2009-2010 school yearParents, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope with the registration form.17301 Old Vic Boulevard, Olney, MD 20832Phone: 240-283-3235 Fax: 240-283-3250INCOMING FRESHMAN/TRANSFER

Do not submit this form if you are in a Washington Archdiocese Catholic Elementary School.Math TeacherRecommendation FormThe purpose of this form is to request a general assessment of the student, which will become part of his/herapplication for admission to Good Counsel High School. The contents of this assessment are confidential andare not routinely shared with applicants and their families, though all educational records are subject to theFamily Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. Applicants’ records only become permanent if theymatriculate at Good Counsel.APPLICANT’S LEGAL NAME LAST FIRST MIDDLECURRENT SCHOOLSCHOOL PHONEEVALUATOR’S NAMEPOSITIONEVALUATOR’S SIGNATUREDATEEvaluator – Compared to other students whom you have taught or advised, please assess this student for thefollowing characteristics. Please mail or fax the completed form to the address below.Key:1 = outstanding2 = good3 = satisfactory4 = improvementneeded5 = unsatisfactoryN = not observedAbility to work independentlyAbility to work in a groupAbility to follow directionsAchievement related to potentialOrganization of time and workSelf-motivationConductIntegrityLeadershipEmotional MaturityRelationship with peersRelationship with adultsConcern for othersSelf confidence1 2 3 4 5 NIncoming Freshman deadline: December 11, 2009Transfer Student deadline: April 15, 2009 for the 2009-2010 school yearParents, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope with the registration form.17301 Old Vic Boulevard, Olney, MD 20832Phone: 240-283-3235 Fax: 240-283-3250INCOMING FRESHMAN/TRANSFER

Bus Routesto Good CounselPlease note that pick-up times are approximate.Buses will arrive at Good Counsel by 7:45am and leave at 3:30pm.•Montgomery CountyRoute #1 Silver Spring via Georgia Avenue• St. John the Evangelist (7:10am)• Glenmount Metro (7:25am)Route #2 Silver Spring via New Hampshire Avenue• St. Bernadette School (6:40am)• Safeway at Powder Mill & New Hampshire Ave. (6:50am)• St. John the Baptist (7:05am)• Safeway at Cloverly Shopping Center (7:20am)Route #3 Kensington, Rockville via Connecticut Avenue and Veirs Mill Road• St. Jane de Chantal School (6:40am)• Holy Redeemer School, Kensington (6:55am)• St. Catherine’s School (7:10am)• Safeway at Bauer Drive (7:25am)Route #4 Montgomery Village, Gaithersburg, RockvilleRoute #4A• Quince Orchard Plaza-Staples & McDonald’s (6:52am)• CVS at Montgomery Village (7:03am)Route #4B• McDonald’s at Rt. 28 and Quince Orchard (6:55am)• Rt. 28 & Dufief Mill Road (7:00am)• Rockville Library-Rt. 28 & Maryland Ave. (7:15am)Route #5 Damascus, Laytonsville• St. Paul’s Church, Damascus (7:00am)• 7-11 on Route 108 in Laytonsville (7:20am)• Howard CountyRoute #6 Columbia, Clarksville• Triangle Shopping Center (6:45am)• St. John the Evangelist Church at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, Columbia (7:00am)• St. Louis School, Clarksville (7:20am)Good Counsel will continue its service of providing a student directory by zip code to help facilitate carpooling.For further information, contact Bettye Folz in the Business Office at 240-283-3221.INCOMING FRESHMAN/TRANSFER

Speech / Fine Arts ScholarshipInformation Sheet• Application Requirements for Speech Competition1. Fill out the Incoming Freshman Speech Scholarship Application Form and submit it to GC’s Admissionsoffice by December 11, 2009. Additional information is available online at www.olgchs.org under theAdmissions link.2. Upon receipt of your application, you will receive additional information on rules and a schedule forthe day (March 6, 2010).If you have any questions, contact Mr. Chuck Ehrman at ehrman@olgchs.org.• Application Requirements for Fine Arts Scholarship1. Fill out the Incoming Freshman Fine Arts Scholarship Application Form and submit it to GC’sAdmissions office by December 11, 2009.2. Attach a letter of recommendation from the applicant’s current theatre or music instructor or anadult other than the parent who is familiar with the student’s experience.3. Confirm interview or audition date and time (see procedure below).• Theatre scholarship applicants will be sent materials regarding auditions electronically. Candidatesare not required to come to auditions with prepared material. Applicants will be led through a series ofsmall-group improvisations in groups of four to five. Prospective students will also complete one to twocold readings individually and/or as duos. Applicants will therefore audition in small, pre-scheduled groups.The audition sequence and oral evaluation will take approximately half an hour. As information will be sentby e-mail please make sure the e-mail address you indicate on your information sheet is legible and active.• Music applicants. Students applying for music scholarships will download audition materials fromthe music website: www.goodcounselmusic.org. Cllick on the “scholarship auditions” tab. Follow thedirections to download the appropriate audition materials and to sign-up for an audition date and time-slot.•Art applicants must, prior to the interview, send a digital portfolio (digital photos on a disk) oforiginal artwork (10–12 pieces) which gives evidence of artistic growth and development. At the interviewapplicants will present their portfolio and be invited to discuss their particular interests in art. As part of theinterview, they will be asked to demonstrate basic drawing skills. The skills test will consist of basic shadingtechniques. Appointments for the Art Scholarships will be assigned based on the choices selected on theFine Arts Application Form. Audition dates and times will be e-mailed after the application is received.If you have any questions, contact the following instructors:Theatre Ms. Shelley Befort befort@olgchs.orgWind Instruments/Percussion/Strings Dr. Richard Slocum slocum@olgchs.orgVocal/Piano Mr. Stanley Spottswood spottswood@olgchs.orgArt Mr. Hilary Rinke rinke@olgchs.orgKeep this information sheet for reference.INCOMING FRESHMAN/TRANSFER

Parent Information NightTuesday, September 29, 2009 • 7:00pm • Good Counsel Kane CenterParents of 7th and 8th graders are invited to attend and receive information regarding:• The Admissions Process• Good Counsel’s Academic, Co-Curricular and Athletic Programs• Question and Answer SessionOpen HouseSunday, October 18, 2009 • 10:00am – 1:00pm17301 Old Vic Boulevard, Olney, Maryland 20832• Guided Tours• Meet Administrators, Faculty, Students, and Parents• Athletic and Co-Curricular Club Fair• Parents’ Association ReceptionEntrance ExamArchdiocesan Entrance Exam• Offered at Good Counsel on December 5, 2009 for those students who do not attend anArchdiocese of Washington or Archdiocese of Baltimore Elementary School• Must pre-register with Catholic Schools Office at www.adw.orgFor further information contact the Good Counsel Admissions Office at 240-283-3235or mcnamara@olgchs.org.INCOMING FRESHMAN/TRANSFER

Apply online atwww.olgchs.org17301 Old Vic BoulevardOlney, MD 20832240-283-3235