Just because students attended low-scoring elementary schools in Chicago doesn’t mean they can’t succeed in high school. Thanks to the No Child Left Behind Law, four selective-enrollment high schools in Chicago are accepting 100 top students from these low-scoring schools. These high schools are some of “the highest-scoring and most sought-after high schools in Chicago,” according to the Chicago Sun Times.

For students who now get to attend these schools, it is the opportunity of a lifetime. These college prep schools will offer the students more chances to succeed and improve their chances of attending college.

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If you live in Maryland, the College Board’s Advanced Placement tests should not be nearly as intimidating as if you lived anywhere else in the country.

Why?

More high school students in Maryland have taken at least one AP test, and 24.8 percent of students passed the test with a score of at least a three. This is great news for high school students who want to go to college; a three earns college credit at many colleges in the country.

“We have an accelerating number of students taking Advanced Placement,” said Maryland Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick. “The courses are being taught with fidelity. The students are meeting the expectations of the coursework, and it’s revealed in their performance.”

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Spring Break is usually synonymous with beach vacations. Playing in the waves, building sand castles, and staying in a swanky hotel with your friends is all part of the package. But when you add up hotels, plane tickets, gasoline, food, and souvenir costs, Spring Break can get pretty expensive, pretty fast.

If you can’t afford to shell out close to $1,000 for a beachy Spring Break or a trip to the mountains to go skiing, don’t stress out too much; you can still have fun on your week off from school. It takes a little more creativity, but you can plan a fun, budget-friendly Spring Break with your friends. Here are some options to get your brain thinking.

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I probably drink at least three cans of soda every day, and I try to make at least one of them a Coca-Cola. Why? Well, since I am an advertising major, it could be because they always have those cute polar bear commercials around the holidays. But that’s not my motivation. I drink Coke because a percentage of every Coca-Cola purchase in the past 21 years goes towards helping education programs in local communities.

The Coca-Cola Scholars program helps over 1,400 college students every year and awards more than $3,000,000 every year in scholarships. High school seniors can apply for a four-year scholarship to the school of their choice; there are 250 scholarships awarded annually. Applications are accepted between August 1 and October 31 every year. Semi-finalists are selected in November, and finalists are selected in April. Of the 250 scholars who are selected to receive awards, 50 are designated National Scholars and receive $20,000 to offset college expenses; the other 200 scholars receive $10,000.

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 U.S. News & World Report’s  just released their list for America’s Best High Schools. After examining more than 21,000 public high schools around the country, U.S. News and its partner in the project, School Evaluation Services, uses a three-step process that analyzes first how schools are educating all of their students, then their minority and disadvantaged students, and finally their college-bound students based on student scores on statewide tests, Advanced Placement tests, and International Baccalaureate tests.

Without further adieu, here are the top ten high schools that made the Gold Medal List:

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Whether you know him as Sam’s dad on “Who’s the Boss” or as an unsuccessful talk show host, actor Tony Danza is headed back to school this fall for A&E’s new reality series “Teach.”

In this new show, Danza will co-teach a 10th grade English class in one of Philadelphia’s low-income school districts. The setting, Northeast High School, is preparing for the onslaught of attention that it will undeniably receive and the actor is also hard at work preparing for his teaching debut. Danza has been spending a good portion of his summer re-reading some of the classics like “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Julius Caesar,” in addition to attending a new-teacher orientation hosted by the school. Read the rest of this entry »

Today’s guest post comes from Pauline Diaz, a student at Seattle University. She chronicles her college experience as a student blogger for myUsearch.com, an unbiased college matching web site that helps students find the right college.

With Dual Enrollment programs, high school students can take college classes and earn college credit for free or reduced fees. Unlike AP or International Baccalaureate, classes are taken through an actual college. These programs are a great a way to prepare for the years ahead and save on tuition bills. But how will dual enrollment impact you while you’re in high school? Here are three things to consider: Read the rest of this entry »

Prison is usually a make or break destination for criminals – they’re either able to rehabilitate or they’re not. For a London Hells Angel, it might have been the luckiest break of his life. Diamond Ialenti was arrested in 2008 carrying a hockey bag full of marijuana (with intent to traffic) and a handgun. Those acts earned him 1,056 days in behind bars.

This full-patch Hells Angel got to work immediately to finish his high school education. Having only ever completed the 9th grade, Ialenti is prepared to finish his high school diploma before leaving the prison. Upon release from prison, he plans to start college.

In order to finish high school before being released, he’ll have to transfer to a different facility. Ialenti has made that request and the judge has agreed to make the recommendation. Read the rest of this entry »

He’s probably the most beloved member of the class of 2009. And rather than celebrate with the toss of a cap, he tweeted.

“I’m happy to announce I have graduated! Class of ‘09! Congrats to everyone else who has also graduated this year! -Mr. President (Nick).”

Nick might also be one of the youngest members of this year’s graduating class. He’s just 16, also making him the youngest member of his band, the Jonas Brothers, in which he sings alongside older brothers Kevin and Joe. Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve just come back from my ten-year high school reunion. It’s hard to believe that the class of 1999 is already looking back at a decade since graduation, and honestly a little jolting to think the next ten will likely buzz by just as quickly. My reunion went better than I ever expected, and I genuinely enjoyed catching up with everyone who attended. Out of a class of 150 graduates, we had about 30 or so show. A little disappointing in that respect, but it did allow for more time with everyone. Here are my tips for successfully surviving your high school reunion, no matter which decade you’re celebrating.

DO review your yearbook before going. It can’t hurt to familiarize yourself with names and faces.

DO politely ask for an introduction if you’re drawing blank on a name.

DON’T ignore people simply to save face because you can’t remember. Read the rest of this entry »