Brewer High School Student Services Programs

Alumni Services All guidance services continue to be available to students after they graduate. Some students make plans for college or further training after graduation. This includes students who wish to spend a fifth year at Brewer High under the P.G. (post graduate) program. An alumni panel is scheduled annually to allow students and teachers to hear from alumni. Discussion involves their academic, social and personal growth from high school to college. Financial Aid Information and seminars are given to help students and parents understand the financial process. This service is of primary concern to seniors who plan to continue their education. Each year a financial aid meeting is scheduled for parents and students to assist in completing the necessary forms and become aware of available scholarships. This meeting usually takes place the first week in January. Outside Resource Persons College representatives, armed service representatives and speakers on careers are scheduled throughout the year to talk with students. Every attempt is made to make students aware of these speakers through the morning announcements and on the guidance bulletin board. Plans are in progress to include the schedule for these visitors on the Brewer High School website. Peer Tutoring This program involves students helping students in academic areas. Students work in pairs and meet on a regular basis. Brewer High Guidance Department has sponsored a Peer Tutoring program for over twenty years. Students helping other students in academic subjects has long been acknowledged as a benefit to both students. In recognition of tutors' efforts to help others, tutors may contract to earn credit for their tutoring. Interested students must meet with their guidance counselor to establish a contract. The contract will cover selection of courses to be tutored, contact hours and availability. Credit will be awarded based upon number of contact hours with students. Portfolios Students add to their career/college portfolio annually. This provides a summary of identified interests, activities and opportunities for goal setting. Testing Certain careers, colleges, and programs may require entrance tests. For purposes of College Board testing Brewer High School's code number is 200155. Arrangements for these tests can be made through the guidance office. In addition to a transcript, a test card is kept on each student. Tests are also given on a systematic timeline to assess students' progress. Some of these include: SAT ACT PSAT ASVAB AP CLEP Technical Community College Preparation Careful course selection is necessary to meet requirements for admission to a two year technical or community college. As a minimum, most of these programs require Algebra I. However, some require additional math beyond Algebra I and thorough preparation in the sciences or applied learning areas (vocational programs, business courses, etc.) The Guidance Library offers detailed information about these requirements. Transcripts and Grade Point Averages (GPAs) Transcripts are developed on all students who attend Brewer High School. Courses taken by the student, semester grades, final year-end grades, and credits are recorded on this transcript. In addition absences, tardiness and dismissals are documented. Grade Point Averages (GPAs) are calculated for all students and these averages include all courses for which the student earns credit or fails to earn credit. A rank in class is noted based on the student's GPA and is included on the transcript as well. Courses that are repeated during the school year are included in the computation. Grades of P (Pass) or F (Fail) and courses taken off-campus (adult education summer session and alternative sites) are not included. Through the spring of 2002, all grades were averaged based on their credit value only. Starting in the fall of 2002, Advanced Placement (curricula as defined by the College Board) courses are weighted in the figuring of GPA. Calculated for the first time in January 2003, this change was not retroactive. Advanced Placement courses earn eight (8) quality points per semester toward the figuring of a weighted "GPA". The credit value of the course is also part of the average. Transferred credits from other high schools are converted into a system reflecting consistency with Brewer High School's method. Advanced Placement courses at Brewer High School include: AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, AP US History, AP French Language, AP Spanish Language, AP French Literature, AP Spanish Literature, AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics, AP Biology.