Updated 2006

 

Application Process for Honors Courses

 

The English Department and the Social Studies Department of Twinfield Union School

have designed all courses to be rigorous, challenging students to produce thoughtful, thorough, lucid and original work. Students who are intellectually curious and who desire additional

academic and personal challenge should consider enrollment in Honors American Literature and

Honors US History which is offered at the 11 th grade level. Honors English is also offered at the

12th grade level. Students have an opportunity to apply for honors placement in the spring of their sophomore and junior year. Students who have successfully completed Honors American

Literature need only submit an application letter to Mrs. Fowler for 12th grade Honors English.

 

The English and Social Studies Departments encourage intellectual risk-taking and are

pleased to offer motivated students the opportunity to demand more of themselves. However, we

urge both students and their parents to consider carefully their decision to enroll in an honors

section. The amount of work is demanding, and teacher expectations regarding the quality and

quantity of work are high.

 

The English and Social Studies Departments take the process of registering for our

honors courses very seriously. Honors application materials are reviewed carefully before any

decision regarding placement is made. Because of the care with which this process is performed,

departmental requirements are firm and decisions on placement are final.

 

The Honors student is one who:

·         reads avidly and with insight beyond the literal comprehension level

·         writes in a coherent, orderly way and has demonstrated mastery over the requirements of

·         standard grammar, usage and punctuation

·         demonstrates initiative and has sufficient self-discipline to organize and complete tasks

on time

·         has enthusiasm for working hard in order to learn

·         is motivated to read from a rich selection of classic and contemporary literature

·         agrees to participate in a summer reading assignment

·         has command of word processing skills (all written work must be typed)

·         can commit to a three-trimester curriculum

 

There are several components involved in demonstrating competency and motivation prior to

registration in Honors English and Honors US History:

 

·         suggested that you have an 88% or above average in each of the previous three trimesters

of English and Social Studies classes

·         completion and submission of the application process/paperwork

·         final written approval from the Honors application panel

 

Application materials may be picked up in Mrs. Cecchinelli's room, Mrs. Fowler's room, or Mrs.

Whalen's room. Applications must be turned in to Mrs. Cecchinelli by May 22, 2006.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honors Application

 

The English Department and the Social Studies Department take the process of registering for our honors courses very seriously. In order to be considered for placement in an Honors American Literature and Honors US History, you will need to complete the application process. Each component of the application process should be well thought out and typed. Each component of the application is outlined below.

 

1. You will need to write a letter that addresses why you would like to take an honors course, what you can contribute to the course, and what you hope to gain from taking the course.

 

 

2. You will need to provide a sample essay from any content-area that exemplifies your writing ability.

 

 

3. Your parents will need to sign a parental agreement letter.

 

 

4. You will need to provide your transcripts.

 

 

Completed applications should be given to Mrs. Cecchinelli by May 22, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To: Honors Panel

Re: Parental Letter of Support

 

Dear Parents,

 

We have introduced a process through which students may apply to be part of Twinfield's Honors American Literature and Honors US History in llth grade and Honors English in l2th grade. As you have read in the paper explaining the application process, we are looking for serious commitment from those students who select this program. Our goal is to give them a rich and demanding curriculum.

As part of this process, we have asked each student to share with his/her parents the entire application process and to ask for support for this choice. In addition, please review the Twinfield's Academic Honor Code with your student. Please sign the form below indicating that you support this choice for your student and you have reviewed the application materials.

 

I have read over the Honors application materials and support this choice.

 

____________________                                                        ____________________

     Parent's signature                                                                                Date

 

 

 

 

______________________                                                                              

Please print student's name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make Sure You...

 

 

1. Write an application letter

 

2. Provide a sample essay

 

3. Review Twinfield's Academic Honor Code

 

4. Include a signed parental agreement letter

 

5. Provide transcripts

 

6. Type everything

 

7. Attach this sheet on top of application materials

 

Please sign below stating that you have completed all components of the Honors application process.

 

 

 

Student's Signature ____________________