Application

1. Application window opens  in January 10, 2024, and students are selected before registration. All students must complete a two part application process. 

• Part 1: Common application form used to apply for any specialized Academies/programs at Foothill, due Sunday January 14th.

• Part 2: Mandatory Application Workshop during FIRE in E104 on January 11th OR January 12th 2024 to access Part 2

  • • Students do not have to attend both workshops but attendance to one workshop is mandatory for students intending to apply. 

    • This is to ensure that students understand the three year commitment and academic components to this specific pathway; this is not a one-year elective. 

    • This meeting is also application assistance for students trying to enter the program late as juniors or seniors (depending on space)

1. C's or above in all classwork and the ability to handle the additional rigorous coursework. 

   • Students must be able to have room in their schedule to complete all A-G requirements AND the additional Bioscience Elective Pathway courses.

2. No record of poor attendance issues. (ex. SARB)

3. No record of behavioral issues (ex. suspensions)

4. Students cannot be enrolled in two Academies or participate in multi-site enrollment, such as music at other high school sites. Bioscience Academy students cannot be dual enrolled in DTech Academy. 

5. Many Bioscience students participate in athletics. Sports is okay.

6. Students must like science, math, and medicine! 

9th grade first semester grades or cumulative transcript, if student is applying as a sophomore or junior: 

• To increase the chances of being accepted, earn the highest marks possible, and show interest and a strong work ethic, especially in your science and math classes. 

• Applicant must be able to handle the rigor of an Honors course sequence in the Science/Math AND Bioscience Academy classes at FTHS

Written Essay:

• Two essays are scored on a 1 – 4 scale. Essay prompts are viewable here. 

• Essays will be written in your Biology classes during an assigned time. (FTHS students only)

• Transfer students must respond to essay prompts in their own time and prepare the document for submission via email to Mrs. Anderson at mika.anderson@venturausd.org. Please put TRANSFER STUDENT Name and Bioscience Essay Submission in the subject line.

Portfolio:

• Work samples from your Biology class will be submitted for review. This portfolio is part of your Biology final and will be included as a metric for Bioscience Academy selection. Portfolio requirements viewable here. 

• Portfolio will be put together in your Biology classes during an assigned time. (FTHS students only)

• Transfer students must bring your portfolio to Mrs. Anderson and drop it off at the office. If you are not in Biology, please contact Mrs. Anderson at mika.anderson@venturausd.org for an alternative portfolio.

Diversity: 

• There are other relevant aspects to the selection process. It is important to have an Academy that reflects the socioeconomic and demographic picture of Foothill Technology High School and to offer opportunity to all who are interested and are responsible enough to handle the added requirements.

Commitment:

• A willingness to commit to the program for its entirety (3 years), although we understand that sometimes students learn along the way to find out greater passions are found elsewhere. With that said, we want to expose students to diverse experiences, which often means being outside of their comfort zone, and welcome learners that embrace these experiences rather than flee at the first sign of struggle.

Impact with other programs:

• Bioscience student selection will be reviewed by ASB, Journalism, AVID, Yearbook, and other program directors. We aim to provide opportunities to as many students as possible, and if a student applied for and is selected to more than one program, that student may be asked to choose if that additional program impacts schedule or limits opportunities for others.  

Selection:

• Only 34 students are chosen for each group, known as a cohort, due to lab safety concerns and the limited amount of space in both the classrooms and in the Master Schedule. 

• Sophomore and Junior level applicants are invited to apply for an open space in the cohorts if student numbers drop below 34 due to natural attrition from students moving or having scheduling conflicts with other activities.

Waiting List:

• Students who are not admitted will be placed on a waiting list and will have an opportunity to join if a spot opens. Wait lists are good for one year. Students must reapply every year.

Maintain Cs or higher in every academic class including Bioscience Academy courses. 

• • An academic class is defined as a course that meets the A-G requirements 

Complete job shadows, career connection opportunities, attend speaker series, as these opportunities are made available. 

• • Academy students must complete a minimum of five career connections per year. Career connections are offered within the program and does not need to be sought out by the student.

  • Students who are involved in athletics or other outside programs must notify their coaches or supervisors and get approval for missing practices or games if Bioscience activities fall outside of school hours. (e.g., field trips, community or weekend events). These events outside of school hours (usually 2-4 for the year) are minimal and will be scheduled ahead of time for planning purposes. 

Students must complete 10 hours of community service or work based learning per year in the area of STEM or health. 

• • Students are encouraged to volunteer at hospitals, find science internships, or other science-related service. 

  • Students are encouraged to get a paying JOB (work based learning) in the areas of STEM or Medicine.

  • Community service or work based learning will need to be sought out by the student themselves. The Academy, however, will often announce a need for volunteers for various industries as they become available, and students may sign up to these activities to fulfill their requirement.

  • Students participating in HOSA will usually will meet this service requirement, depending on level of activity.

  • Any STEM or health activity approved by Career Specialist, Dianne Fergus in the media center is eligible to fulfill this requirement.

  • Bioscience community service requirements will also count for the school's overall community service requirement for graduation. It is the student's responsibility to submit documentation of service to both their Bioscience teacher and to the Career Specialist, Mrs. Fergus, if you wish your service to count for both.

Outstanding Behavior, Citizenship, and Attendance

• • Academy students are expected to behave in a way that represents Foothill Technology High School and our Academy with honor and respect. Students will be working or observing in the medical and/or scientific community and must demonstrate their ability to be mature and trustworthy. 

  • Academy students are expected to maintain high attendance (with the exception of illnesses or approved school activities). Academy students who have a record of poor attendance will be at risk of being removed from the program.