Grade Classification Credits Grade 9: 0–6 credits

What Does it Take to Graduate? 1. Attendance- 90% Waxahachie ISD School Board Policy and the Texas Education Code state that a student’s attendance in each class must not drop below 90% or the student may lose credit for the class. 2. Credits- 26 3. EOC’s- 5 (next slide)

State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) End of Course Exams At the high school level, 5 End of Course Exams will be given rather than a grade-specific subject area test. English I and English II Algebra I Biology U.S. History Students who do NOT pass the EOC will be placed in a remediation class. No exceptions. You could lose an elective period.

Graduation Plan Total Credits 26 EOC Requirement 5 FOUNDATION PROGRAM English 4 Math Science Endorsements Social Studies 3 Language 2 Physical Education 1 Fine Art Electives Total Credits 26 EOC Requirement 5

Distinguished Level of Achievement A student may earn a distinguished level of achievement by successfully completing: A total of 4 math credits, must include Algebra II A total of 4 science credits The remaining curriculum requirements The requirements for at least one endorsement A student must earn distinguished level to be eligible for the top 10% automatic admission. Distinguished Level of Achievement

Endorsements STEM BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY PUBLIC SERVICES ARTS & HUMANITIES MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

STEM- Option A (A) a coherent sequence of courses for four or more credits in career and technical education (CTE) that consists of at least two courses in the same career cluster, including at least one advanced CTE course, which includes any course that is the third or higher course in a sequence .

5 math credits STEM-Option C Option (C) three credits in mathematics by successfully completing Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II and two additional mathematics courses for which Algebra II is a prerequisite 5 math credits

5 science credits STEM- Option D Option (D) earn credits in science by successfully completing biology, chemistry, and physics, and two additional science courses. 5 science credits

STEM- Option E Option (E) in addition to Algebra II, chemistry, and physics, a coherent sequence of three additional credits from no more than two of the categories or disciplines represented by options (A), (B), (C), and (D).

Business and Industry- Option A CTE career clusters listed in the following: (i) Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (ii) Architecture and Construction (iii) Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications (iv) Hospitality and Tourism (v) Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (vi) Manufacturing (Welding) (vii) Information Technology (viii) Business Management and Administration (ix) Finance

Business and Industry- Option B Four English elective credits by selecting three levels in one of the following areas: Advanced broadcast journalism, newspaper, yearbook, public speaking, debate

Public Services- Option A CTE career clusters listed in the following: (i) Education and Training (ii) Government and Public Administration (iii) Health Science (iv) Human Services (v) Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

Arts and Humanities- Option A five social studies courses by selecting approved courses in this subject area as outlined by the Texas Education Agency: World Geography World History US History Government/Economics Psychology/Sociology

Arts and Humanities- Option B & D (B) four levels of the same language in a language other than English by selecting courses in accordance with TEA guidelines. Example: Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III, Spanish IV (Pre-AP and AP options are available) (D) four levels of American sign language by selecting courses in accordance with TEA guidelines.

Arts and Humanities- Option C (C) two levels of the same language in a language other than English and two levels of a different language in a language other than English by selecting courses approved by TEA. Example: French I, French II, ASL I, ASL II

Arts and Humanities- Option E (E) a coherent sequence of four credits by selecting courses from one or two categories or disciplines in fine arts from a list of TEA approved courses in these areas. Choose from one discipline: Example 1: Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4 Choose from two different categories: Example 1: Theater I, Theater II, Art I, Art II Example 2: Choir I, Choir II, Musical Theater I, Musical Theater II

Arts and Humanities- Option F (F) four English elective credits by selecting from the following: English IV or Independent study in English, Literary Genres, Creative Writing, Research and Technical Writing, Humanities, Communication Applications, AP English Literature and Composition

Honors Courses Pre-AP/AP/DC  Student-initiated learning with an emphasis on strong work ethic;  Rigorous academic content requiring reading proficiency  More depth and complexity  Application of content strategies  Consistent use of higher-level thinking skills  Assignments are more analytical  Required commitment to course inside and outside of classroom

Level of Difficulty MOST DIFFICULT AP=Advanced Placement DIFFICULT Dual Credit = Dual Credit Pre-AP = Pre-Advanced Placement AVERAGE Regular class

Honors Course Agreement To enroll in ANY Honors Course – AP, Pre-AP, or Dual Credit- a student must turn in a SIGNED Honors Course Agreement. When you meet with your counselor, if you do NOT have a SIGNED Honors Course Agreement, you will be placed in REGULAR classes until a signed copy is turned in to the office. Final Due Date is Friday, April 28 at 4:00pm.

AP EXAMS Students enrolled in an AP class can sign up to take the AP exam through the College and Career Center. Students will be required to pay $45 for each AP exam they sign up to take. If students qualify for free or reduced lunch, the fee is reduced to $25 per exam. Payment is due on March 8th. Your test(s) will not be ordered until you have paid in full.

Dual Credit Requirements

Texas Success Initiative TSI- Texas Success Initiative What Is the TSI Assessment? The TSI Assessment is a program designed to help your institution determine if you are ready for college-level course work in the general areas of reading, writing and mathematics. Testing Dates- February 6-9 starting at 4 pm February 21-23 starting at 4 pm All Sessions will be held at the WHS library computer lab Your first two attempts are FREE. The third attempt you will have to take at Navarro for a fee Visit the College and Career Center to Sign up

Grade Point Average & ranking Ranking of all students shall be computed by numerical grades in core curriculum classes. Foreign Languages and Technology courses will not be used in figuring GPA. WHS 4-Point Grade Scale Letter Numeric Points A 90-100 4 B 80-89 3 C 70-79 2 WHS 6-Point Grade Scale Grade PAP/AP/DC REG Letter 97-100 6 4 A 93-96 5.75 3.75 90-92 5.5 3.5 85-89 5.25 3.25 B 80-84 5 3 75-79 4.5 2.5 C 70-74 2 All Grades 0-69 will earn 0 GPA points.

Class Rank Per Board policy, Class rank for all students in grades 9–12 shall be calculated three times per year, following the first full semester, second full semester, and at the completion of all summer school programs.

Summer Classes *Students looking to take a class during the summer MUST request submit a “Request for Summer School Credit Outside of WHS” to the counseling office before May 26, 2017. *WHS cannot recommend a school for you to take a summer class at. WHS will not be offering summer school. We are planning to have Night School again next school year.

*Next Registration is May 17-26 for Summer Testing Credit by Exam (CBE) *A Credit by Exam (CBE) may be taken in a non-EOC tested course. *Students wanting to earn credit for a class, must take and receive the CBE results prior to the instructional year in which the student will be enrolled in the course. Students cannot drop a class in which the CBE has not been attempted and credit earned. *Next Registration is May 17-26 for Summer Testing

PSAT/SAT/ACT PSAT Testing Criteria- SOPHOMORES/JUNIORS- The district will pay for ALL SOPHOMORES/JUNIORS enrolled in a PAP/AP/DC class. Students not meeting the criteria may still take the test but are required to pay. Sign-ups will be in the College and Career Center   SAT/ACT Testing Criteria SENIORS- The district will pay for any SENIOR to take the SAT/ACT that is enrolled in a Pre-AP/AP/DC See your Counselor for more information Students not in an honors class may still take the test but are required to pay. Sign-ups will be in the College and Career Center

ACT & SAT Dates

Letter of Recommendation Students requesting letters of recommendation, forms for scholarships, and other information for postsecondary schools or employers from teachers, administrators, or counselors shall allow a minimum of three weeks from the time of the request for the request to be filled. Letters of recommendation are done at the discretion of the individual from whom they are requested.

Choose Your Schedule Wisely Select courses to equal at least 8 credits List 3 alternate choices on back of form Parent/Guardian Signature NO Schedule Changes after May 26, 2017 Pre AP, Advanced Placement Teacher/Parent/Guardian Signature Will be required to stay in the entire semester

Handouts Course Selection Form Timeline for College Planning Graduation Plans (These will be passed out when you meet with your counselor.)