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Hello all,


I hope that mid-July finds you well and that you have managed to find
some time to escape the heat of D.C. at some point.


I've received a few messages regarding the Academic Approach program we
communicated about in our year-end mailing to you. The mailing included
your child's scores on the ACT exam we administered in May as well as a
copy of the PSAT test and instructions on how to administer and score
the test.


It is clear that there was some confusion about how to access and take
best advantage of the Academic Approach program. I put together some
instructions for the program (attached here and added to the
"Information for Students" section of the College Counseling website)
that I hope will make the program's features more clear. I also sent
the message below to the Class of 2012 through their SFS email.


Please be in touch if you have any questions.


Eric


Class of 2012


With apologies for breaking into your summer with new about standardized
testing, I wanted to pass along a few additional words about the
Academic Approach program.


First off, let me reiterate that there is no expectation from the
College Counseling Office that you will spend hours and hours on this
site or completing any other form of test preparation this summer.
However, if you have some down time and want to gain a bit more
familiarity with either the SAT or ACT, the Academic Approach program is
a fantastic resource for you.


It is my hope that the instructions will help guide you in navigating
the different features of the program. I've attached the instructions
to this message in pdf form and also posted them on the College
Counseling website under the "Information for Students" link. A key to
understanding the program is that it is divided up into three distinct,
yet integrated components: Tests, Reports, and Lessons. Any work that
you've done in the Tests category (including the ACT test you took in
May) are automatically incorporated into the other two sections and as
you spend more time with the program you will come to understand how to
focus on specific skills and monitor your progress.


Working your way through the instructions and the different sections of
the program during will give you some important exposure to the program
and to standardized testing in general. A bit of grammar, math, or
reading comprehension work may also serve as a good refresher as the
school year begins. The SAT / ACT Vocabulary course (located under
either "Lessons" section) will provide some good review and enrichment
to supplement the reading I am sure you are all doing.


If you have any questions about Academic Approach feel free to be in
touch.


Best wishes for the continuation of a great summer.


Eric


Eric R. Monheim

Director of College Counseling

Sidwell Friends School

202.537.8166