the paper chase
the paper chase Information Night Monday, September 12, 2016 7:00-9:00PM U of D Jesuit High School and Academy offers a Catholic, Jesuit education to boys in grades 7 through 12. Our prime educational objective is to form ‘Men for Others’ who are Open to Growth, Intellectually Competent, Loving, Religious and Committed to Justice. The Jesuit Experience. More than an Education. Admissions Office 8400 S. Cambridge Ave. Detroit, MI 48221 (313) 862-5400 www.uofdjesuit.org Forming ‘Men for Others’ since 1877 Competition reigns in college admissions BY PAUL NATINSKY The high cost of a college education is not the only barrier facing aspiring young students — competition for scholarships and increasingly complex admissions processes present additional challenges. But students don’t have to go it alone. Experienced counseling can help families navigate the tricky waters of college financing. Nikki Olyai advises young people and their families on all aspects of college admissions planning through her business, Acclaim College Counseling. “Some students, they just need an hour or two of counseling, they need guidance, they have a few questions, so it is best for them to use our services on an hourly basis,” said Olyai. “Then there are other individuals that need an extensive level of support and we can offer a package of services or work with them on an hourly basis, really depending upon where they are and how much assistance they need.” Olyai, who has undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science, spent 20 years working with major companies and government agencies. She volunteered as a Higher Education Mentor and Counselor since 2007, and founded Acclaim in 2015. First among the keys to a successful college admissions campaign is starting early, said Olyai. Having a plan heading into high school is critical. While a high grade-point average is a must, it’s also important to take the correct mix of courses. College administrators at some universities require, for example, a specific number of classes or years of math or science. “By the time they are in 11th grade or 12th grade, we cannot go back and rewrite their transcript,” said Olyai. Extracurricular activities are also important. “There are a number of scholarship providers interested in supporting students that are committed to making a positive difference in the world. If students Nikki Olyai launched Acclaim College Counseling last year. volunteer for causes they are passionate about that can increase their chances for receiving a scholarship,” she said. “If they are really passionate about those causes, then they will continue contributing to those causes. Because they have been focused over a long period of time on those causes, that looks really, really good to the scholarship providers. For example, providing mentoring to students in underserved communities, volunteering in a hospital or nursing home, promoting awareness on certain issues that can be beneficial to the community.” With the cost of higher education having undergone double-digit increases in recent years, competition for scholarship money is stiff. Early is better here too. According to a report on Fastweb.com, which helps match students and scholarships, opportunities are available throughout high school and sometimes even in middle school. While an early start helps, clarity and quantity are paramount. Olyai said it is important to adhere strictly to deadlines and fill out forms completely; but first to research the scholarship requirements to ensure it matches the student’s credentials. Fastweb says answering “optional” questions doubles the chances of receiving a scholarship. “It is best for families to apply for as many scholarships as possible. Essay contests, for example, are easier to win [than academic scholarships] and at the end of the day they add up,” said Olyai. “You don’t need to be the class valedictorian or star athlete to be eligible for many awards,” said Joe DePaulo, executive vice president of Sallie Mae, in a US News story. According to the article, many organizations offer scholarships that reward unique skill sets or life experiences. C-SPAN, for example, runs a national video documentary competition for students that gives away ,000 in scholarships. Duck ADMISSIONS continued on page 40 30 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2016
ANNUAL SCHOOL GUIDE St. Mary’s Catholic School Elementary and Middle School 628 S. Lafayette Royal Oak, MI 48067 (248) 545-2140 StMaryRoyalOak.org A member of Michigan Green Schools, St. Mary’s Royal Oak is accredited by the Michigan Non-Public School Accrediting Association. Most of the 270 students are parishioners at St. Mary. The school dates back to 1916 and offers a variety of athletics. St. Mary also has 117 preschool students. St. Mary’s Preparatory All-Boys High School 3535 Indian Trail Orchard Lake, MI 48324 (248) 683-0514 StMarysPrep.com St. Mary’s has a day program and boarding school with a total population of about 500 young men. Dating to 1885, its 115-acre campus has been designated a Michigan Historical Site and placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The school has an average class size of 18 and offers 12 different varsity sports, boasting a total of 28 state championships. It is accredited by the State of Michigan Department of Education and nearly 100 percent of graduates go onto college. St Michael’s Catholic School Elementary and Middle School 11311 Hubbard Street Livonia, MI 48150 (734) 261-1455 LivoniaStMichael.org St. Michael’s received the “School of Distinction” award by the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools for exceeding standards and effective school improvement in both 2008 and 2011. The co-ed school has more than 800 students and is aligned with Michigan state standards. Students are strongly encouraged to enter at least one enrichment program such as art, band or drama. St. Patrick Elementary and Middle School 9040 Hutchins Road White Lake, MI 48386 (248) 698-3240 StPatrickSchoolWhiteLake.org St. Patrick, which has more than 480 students from Western Oakland County, has been open since 1957. Advanced programs are an integral part of the regular curriculum to help students get ahead in their studies. Scouting, ski, drama and chess are among the many club offerings. It’s accredited by the Michigan Non-Public School Accrediting Association. St. Paul on the Lake Elementary and Middle School 170 Grosse Pointe Boulevard Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236 (313) 885-3430 StPaulOnTheLake.com A designated Blue Ribbon School, St. Paul has roots back to 1887. Its 320 students can choose from a wide variety of extracurricular activities including scouting, foreign language, gymnastics and choir. Eighth-graders typically score four years above their grade level on national tests and take advanced placement classes in high school. St. Regis Elementary and Middle School 3691 Lincoln Road Bloomfield Township, MI 48301 (248) 646-2686 School.StRegis.org Established in 1959, St. Regis focuses on faith, high academic standards, leadership and service. For working parents, it offers an extended care club, as well as after-school enrichment programs. Accredited by Michigan Non- Public School Accrediting Association, St. Regis has 500 students. Services like remedial reading and speech therapy are offered through Birmingham Public Schools. The church is newly restored. St. Thecla Elementary School Elementary and Middle School 20762 South Nunneley Road Clinton Twp., MI 48035 (586) 791-2170 StThecla.com/school St. Thecla was founded in 1960 and offers preschool through eighth grades. The school participates in the Scrip Corner program, which helps families earn credit towards their child’s tuition. The 480 students enjoy a new media center and many extracurricular programs such as Spanish, music and CYO sports including soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, bowling and cheerleading. The Little Disciples Program is for tots ages 18 months to 3 years. St. Valentine Kindergarten through Ninth Grade 25875 Hope Street Redford, MI 48239 (313) 533-7149 StValentineSchool.com St. Valentine is a Michigan Green School dedicated to achieving environmental goals. The school participates in several CYO sports. It also offers a computer lab, the Accelerated Reader program, a latchkey after-school program and scouting. Currently it serves about 175 students. All curriculum objectives meet the Michigan state standard. St. William Elementary and Middle School 135 O’Flaherty Walled Lake, MI 48390 (248) 669-4440 StWilliam-School.com With 200 students, St. Williams excels in competitions such as the spelling bee and the Science Olympiad. Advanced math is available for students in grades 5-8. The school has earned full accreditation by the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools. It also offers a junior kindergarten program. University of Detroit Jesuit High School All-Boys Middle and High School 8400 South Cambridge Avenue Detroit, MI 48221 (313) 862-5400 UofDJesuit.org Founded in 1877 as Detroit College, U of D Jesuit is the oldest continuously functioning secondary school in Detroit and oldest college-prep Catholic high school in the city. The high school has about 750 students and the Academy has more than 150 seventh- and eighth-graders. The school has more National Merit and National Achievement semi-finalists than any other Catholic school in the state. PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF CHOICE The State School Aid Act of 1979 in Michigan allows schools to enroll nonresident students if there is room and the district is willing. Commonly known as Schools of Choice, it is a recruitment tool that more and more districts are using to boost their numbers – and funding. Schools of Choice have helped a lot of districts educate children who might have otherwise had a poor education in their failing schools and dangerous neighborhoods. SOC students bring their state per-pupil funding with them to their school, while their resident district loses those dollars. It has been a controversial topic in many school districts in Metro Detroit and different districts vary their allowance based on enrollment of resident students. Here are some Schools of Choice with large Chaldean student populations, based on teacher estimates. Avondale School District 2940 Waukegan Street Auburn Hills, MI 48326 (248) 537-6000 Avondale.K12.mi.Us Chaldeans: Not available Avondale has nine schools covering elementary through high school with more than 3,600 students from Troy, Auburn Hills, Bloomfield and Rochester Hills. The Avondale/Oakland University Partnership was established in 2013 where OU teaching students explore methods and models at Auburn Elementary and medical students teach kids about wellness. The district also offers early learning centers for 3-5 year olds. The schools offer a full roster of extracurricular activities. Farmington Public Schools 32000 Shiawassee Farmington, MI 48336 (248) 489-3455 Farmington.K12.Mi.Us Chaldeans: About 20 percent Farmington Schools have numerous points of pride, including Blue Ribbon schools and consistent winning titles in athletics and music. Their rigorous curriculum has earned several honors, and they are very dedicated to their diverse student body, establishing Welcome Centers for newcomers, going-green initiatives, and International Baccalaureate programs. Lamphere Schools 31201 Dorchester Madison Heights, MI 48071 (248) 589.1990 Lamphere.K12.Mi.Us Chaldeans: 15-20 percent Lamphere is one of Madison Height’s two districts. The district has enhanced its instruction with the use of technology and has added a Mandarin Chinese Immersion program beginning in preschool. They have renovated all of their buildings and align their curriculum with the state’s common core standards. They encourage athletics, the arts and community involvement. Madison District Public Schools 26524 John R Madison Heights, MI 48071 (248) 399-7800 MadisonSchools.K12.Mi.Us Chaldeans: About 20 percent This small district offers challenging academics and a nurturing environment. They provide state-of-the-art technology, bilingual programs, and specialized math and reading programs. Student SCHOOLS continued on page 32 AUGUST 2016 CHALDEAN NEWS 31
