High School Information for Parents 04/15/08 High School Information for Parents 8th / 9th Grade Presentation May 2, 2017 1

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS All students must earn 26 credits to graduate. Credits Grade Level 0-8 Freshman 8-16 Sophomore 16-24 Junior 24+ Senior

CREDITS Students will have the opportunity to earn 8 credits per year Students are given the opportunity to earn a total of 32 credits.

PARENT COMMUNICATION Parents are encouraged to contact their student’s teachers at any time with regard to grades, progress, behavior, and any other concerns. Teachers can be contacted via email Teachers can also be contacted by telephone (325) 644-2311

PARENT COMMUNICATION (CON’T.) 04/15/08 04/15/08 PARENT COMMUNICATION (CON’T.) Report Cards Progress Reports every 3 weeks Teacher conferences by appointment Counselor conferences by appointment Remind 101 WISD District Website 5

Foundation High School Graduation Program - HB5 HB5 is the graduation plan for every student entering grade 9 on or after the 2014-2015 school year. Flexible Allows students to pursue interests Career oriented Gives students choices Students are required to choose an endorsement, develop a personal graduation plan, and successfully complete a minimum of 26 credits.

FIVE ENDORSEMENTS S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Business and Industry Public Services Arts and Humanities Multidisciplinary *A student is not locked into an endorsement they choose in the 8th grade - It can be changed with a meeting to modify the PGP with the parent, student, and counselor.

Endorsement Categories STEM Engineer Vet Doctor Architect Biologist Math Teacher Science Teacher Business Restaurant Owner Welder Loan Officer Mechanic Electrician Accountant Ag Teacher Wildlife Management Public Service Criminal Justice Nursing Law Enforcement Teacher Fireman Coach Social Worker Art & Humanities Artist Interior Designer Actor Spanish Teacher Multidisciplinary Studies Don’t Know Yet-Undecided

PERSONAL GRADUATION PLAN (PGP) A PGP is a road map for your child’s 4 year high school career. -Required by HB5 -Completed in 8th grade -Student must choose an endorsement, complete the PGP, and have parent sign it. -Students can change it!

DISTINGUISHED LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT (DLA) To position students with the most options, all WHS students begin on the Distinguished Level of Achievement plan. Requirements include: Complete the foundation graduation program requirements with at least one endorsement, complete 4 credits in math including algebra 2, and complete 4 credits in Science. To be eligible for the state’s Top 10% Automatic Admission to colleges and universities, students must complete the DLA.

PERFORMANCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Dual Credit – 12 academic hours, earning a GPA of 3.0 or above Bilingualism – Complete all ELA requirements earning 3.0 or above, or 3 credits in the same language with 80 or above PSAT/SAT/ACT Scores – PSAT score that qualifies as a commended scholar, or 1250 or higher on the SAT, 28 or higher on ACT Nationally or Internationally Recognized certification – Recognized business or industry license (ex. Certified Nurse Aide CAN)

CHOOSING CLASSES 8th grade students have been thinking about their course selections in their Career Explorations course and will fill out a high school questionnaire Students will still need to formally pick classes during registration. Your student will choose 8 credit classes. Remember… at least 4 credits of those will be core classes. Students are allowed to make course changes during the first week of school.

Dual Credit Information Westbrook ISD pays for dual credit courses for students in grades 10-12 that meet all dual credit requirements. WISD will continue to pay for the courses as long as students pass the classes and uphold high academic and moral standards (honesty, integrity, etc). Dual Credit Requirements: Pass the TSI (cost paid by student is $10 for each test) Complete registration process through WTC Approved by counselor and principal

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