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Educators Guide High Schoolers to AP, IB Success in Summer Programs

By U.S. News & World Report

These days, high schoolers have a plethora of ways to learn over the summer. There are traditional summer camps, study abroad options and prep classes for college admissions exams.

But some high schoolers have another option: Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate summer boot camps.

Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland, for example, is hosting a three-day camp this week for IB high school students in the district at Frederick Douglass High School in Upper Marlboro.

“There are so many time constraints during the school day and school year,” says Kim Watson, an IB coordinator at the school. It’s a huge benefit to be able to bring high schoolers of all different grades together for interactive activities that allow them and their teachers to think critically and explore things a little more in depth, she says.

High school students in AP and IB classes complete challenging, college-level work. Students aiming to earn the diplomas that correspond with these classes have to complete specific courses and fulfill other requirements.

[Learn more about AP and IB high school diploma programs.]

Throughout the program at Frederick Douglass High School this week, students will be exposed to concepts and skills they will need to be successful in the IB diploma program, such as research, Watson says, while taking part in activities in a nontraditional classroom setting that encourage students to advocate for a better world.

The program, now in its second year, has also been a great way for ninth-graders to make the transition to high school, she says.

Ensuring all high schoolers have the skills and confidence needed to tackle advanced course work is what prompted officials in Pittsburgh to develop AP and IB summer programs in recent years, says Jaclyn Castma, project manager of AP and IB programs for Pittsburgh Public Schools.

There have been some students who come to the summer program and they actually don’t take the course. “They feel, ‘I might not be ready for AP this year and maybe I’ll do it next year,'” she says. It doesn’t happen often, but it has happened, she says.

Students sign up for two- or three-week sessions that are tied to particular subjects, like AP Physics or an IB history course. While the activities and curriculums vary, the idea is to set students up for success during the upcoming school year.

And getting students to come to school in the summer doesn’t seem to be a problem for districts.

“I believe it is better to spend my days doing something productive rather than just sitting at home,” Diamond Johnson, then 17, told the Chicago Tribune of her choice to attend an AP summer boot camp in June. “Although I am a hard-working student, I also thought it would be a good choice to take an extra step outside of the classroom to sharpen my skills.”

Both Watson and Castma say enrollment for their free, voluntary summer programs has been strong. In Pittsburgh, some programs were held at Carnegie Mellon University, an intentional decision, Castma says.

Exposing students to a college classroom helps students forge the connection between taking advanced courses in high school and going to a four-year college, she says. And it shows the students they will be ready for college when they graduate because of the hard work they are putting in now.

[Find out how earning college credit in high school can slash undergrad costs.]

Watson, the Maryland educator, thinks these kinds of programs are a great opportunity for students and teachers, as the latter can collaborate on an educational experience that is not necessarily driven by standardized testing or a prescribed curriculum.

“It gives the students an opportunity to experience school in a different way and build friendships, come together as a team and really find their voice,” she says. “It’s a short but powerful time period. It’s worth it.”

Have something of interest to share? Send your news to us at highschoolnotes@usnews.com.

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Educators Guide High Schoolers to AP, IB Success in Summer Programs originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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