KEY 5: Earn 5 credits in Grade 9 with a ‘C’ or higher in English, Math, and Science
Students who earn 5 credits in grade 9 with a ‘C’ or higher in English, Math, and Science are developing the appropriate skills, behaviors and strategies necessary for the academic demands of high school. Students who earn a ‘C’ or higher have a solid understanding of the fundamentals and will be able to enroll in college and career preparatory courses. These students have established a strong foundation for more rigorous coursework during their high school career.
KEY 6: Complete Algebra 2 by Grade 11 with a ‘C’ or higher
Students who complete Algebra 2 by the end of Grade 11 with a ‘C’ or higher are better prepared for college entrance exams and success in college. These students are more likely to perform better on the ACT or SAT college entrance exams and are less likely to have to take remedial math courses in college. Students who complete Algebra 2 also are more than twice as likely to graduate from college than are students with less mathematical preparation.
KEY 7: Score a 22 on the ACT or 1550 on the SAT
Scoring at least 22 on the ACT exam (maximum score 36) or 1550 on the SAT exam (maximum score 2400) helps students gain acceptance to the college of their choice. It also minimizes the chance that students will have to take remedial courses in college. In preparation for the ACT or SAT, West Carrollton offers all students in Grade 10 the opportunity to take the PLAN (preliminary ACT) and/or the PSAT (preliminary SAT) free of charge.
What if my child misses one of the Seven KEYS or transfers into West Carrollton Schools in the later grades and misses several KEYS?
West Carrollton Schools recognizes that there will be situations where students will not attain all Seven KEYS or that some KEYS will not be appropriate for every student in every grade. Achieving a KEY increases the likelihood that a student will attain the next one, but it is important to remember that missing a KEY or struggling to attain one does not close the doors of opportunity to students. Working together we can ensure your child is ‘Charting a Course’ to college and career readiness.
Well-Rounded Students
The Seven KEYS focus on core academics, but a West Carrollton education goes far beyond these skills. Students work toward the Seven KEYS in the context of a broad-based curriculum that teaches them to develop and exhibit positive work ethic, attitudes, and behavior, take responsibility and ownership for completing work, work in teams and understand teamwork, set goals for learning, make learning tactic adjustments, demonstrate effort and perseverance, and build assets. Our highly trained, dedicated staff engage students’ minds, muscles, and imaginations, build relationships, and teach students how to learn.
What Can Parents Do?
The Seven KEYS to College and Career Readiness are building blocks for your child’s success. You can help your child ‘chart a course’ to college and a career by monitoring the KEYS in Kindergarten through high school. Your child’s teachers and administrators can answer questions you may have about the Seven KEYS.
“Key Beliefs”
1. College is a realistic goal for all students.
2. Jobs will require training and education beyond high school.
3. A college education opens doors to more job opportunities.
4. A WCSD diploma is an entrance slip to college and career readiness – not an exit slip from WCHS.