2018-2019 9th Grade Orientation Rio Vista High School Tony Martin, Principal Jack Pruitt, Assistant Principal Dana Stockton, Counselor

When should you start thinking about life after high school?

High School Transcript It is your scorecard! It is how colleges/employers evaluate you. It is the official/legal record of: - student efforts/grades - accomplishments - extra-curricular activities

High School Transcript Remember colleges look at all grades from freshman year to the senior year. You must do your best in all classes in order to keep your GPA high enough to be admitted to the college of your choice. Community service is important in so many ways so make sure you keep up with the hours and places you serve. This will help in college and scholarship applications.

Credits High School Classes are broken down into semesters and credits One semester in one class is ½ credit Must earn a semester average of 70 One full year in a class is 1 full credit Semesters may be averaged for a passing grade of 70 Excessive absences will result in loss of credit

GPA and Class Rank Rio Vista HS uses Weighted Scale GPA is calculated using semester grades of all subjects AP, Honors and Dual credit are weighted*: Ex. Regular class: 100 Ex. Honors: 105 Ex. AP or Dual Credit: 110 *Students must take AP exam in order to receive weight for AP courses.

Grade Level Classification Freshman – Promoted from 8th grade or have less than 5 credits Sophomore – 5 credits Junior – 10 credits Senior – 15 credits

What if I don’t pass a course? You must continue repeating the course until you receive credit

Graduation Plans HB5 Foundation Plan Foundation Plan with Endorsement (College Bound Plan) Distinguished Plan (Advanced Academic Plan)

Graduation Plans Foundation Endorsement(s) Distinguished   Foundation Endorsement(s) Distinguished (eligible for top 10%) Subject Area Credits English 4 Math 3 (Must include Algebra II) Science (Must include Chemistry & Physics) Social Studies Foreign Language 2 Fine Arts 1 Technology Speech/Health Physical Educ Electives Total Credits for Graduation: 22 26

Foundation Plan Must be approved by administrator, counselor, and parent Not the best preparation for college Cannot select this program until completion of Sophomore year

Endorsements All students are on this plan beginning their freshman year Students select an Endorsement as part of their High School registration Students follow a Plan of Study to complete Endorsement

Distinguished Program Foundation Graduation Requirements & One additional math credit, which must be Algebra II or higher One additional science credit, which must include chemistry & physics The curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement World History (required by all RVHS students) (required to be considered for top 10%) Currently, the only difference between FHSP plus endorsement and the FHSP DLA is the requirement that Algebra II must be one of the four credits in math.

Top 10% Rule Students in the top 10% of their graduating class AND complete requirements for Distinguished Graduate are eligible for automatic admission to any public University in Texas (except UT). To be eligible: Top 10% [UT – 6%] Enroll after HS [2yrs] Apply by the college deadline SAT or ACT scores

Performance Acknowledgement For Outstanding Performance: In a dual credit course In bilingualism and biliteracy On a college AP test (Score of 3 or higher) On the PSAT, PLAN, ACT, SAT For earning a nationally/internationally recognized business or industry certification or license

ENDORSEMENTS STEM Business & Industry Arts & Humanities Public Service Multi-Disciplinary Studies

MULTIDISCIPLINARY 4 x 4 Option *This endorsement is required for entrance to most colleges & universities *Most students will earn this endorsement along with their other chosen endorsement Foundation Graduation Requirements & One additional math course that must include Algebra II One additional science course that must include Chemistry and Physics BIM World History

STEM The STEM endorsement may be the right pathway for a student interested in careers such as a biochemist, bioengineer, civil engineer, electrical engineer, medical scientists, mechanical engineer, chemical engineer, environmental engineer, avionics technicians, and physicists.

STEM Mathematics Option Foundation Graduation Requirements & One additional advanced science Two additional advanced math courses for which Algebra II is a prerequisite Pre Cal Calculus College Algebra / College Trig (Total of 5 Math Credits)

STEM Science Option Foundation Graduation Requirements & One additional advanced math Two additional advanced science courses in addition to Chemistry and Physics A & P Environmental Systems Scientific Research & Design Advanced Animal Science (Total of 5 Science Credits)

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY Possible career paths and interest areas for the Business & Industry Endorsement may include: Agricultural Science, Automotive Technology, Welding, Floral Design and Technology

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY Animal Science Option Foundation Graduation Requirements & One additional advanced math credit One additional advanced science credit Principles of Agriculture Livestock Production Advanced Animal Science Practicum

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY Floral Design Option Foundation Graduation Requirements & One additional math credit One additional science credit Principles of Agriculture (can be taken concurrently with Art I) Art I (can be taken concurrently with Principles of Ag) Floral Design (certification possible) Practicum

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY Mechanics and Metals Foundation Graduation Requirements & One additional advanced math credit One additional advanced science credit Principles of Agriculture Ag Mechanic Metals Ag Design and Fabrication Choose one of the following: Automotive (take concurrently with Design and Fabrication) Welding (take concurrently with Design and Fabrication) Practicum

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY Technology Option Foundation Graduation Requirements & One additional advanced math credit One additional advanced science credit BIM I BIM II Web Technologies Animation

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY Administrative Support Option Foundation Graduation Requirements & One additional advanced math credit One additional advanced science credit BIM I Principles of Business BIM II Practicum

ARTS & HUMANITIES Possible career paths and interest areas for students pursuing an Arts and Humanities endorsement include courses related to Art, Band, Theater, World Languages, History, and Cultural Studies

ARTS & HUMANITIES Fine Arts Option Foundation Graduation Requirements & One additional advanced math credit One additional advanced science credit A coherent sequence of four credits from one of the following areas: Art Band Band Ensemble Jazz Band Theater

ARTS & HUMANITIES Language other than English Option Foundation Graduation Requirements & One additional advanced math credit One additional advanced science credit A coherent sequence of four levels of Spanish

ARTS & HUMANITIES Social Studies Option Foundation Graduation Requirements & One additional advanced math credit One additional advanced science credit BIM World History Psychology (1/2 credit) Sociology (1/2 credit)

PUBLIC SERVICE Possible career paths and interest areas for students pursuing a Public Service endorsement include courses related to: nursing, physician’s assistant, hair stylist, hospital administrator, nutritionist, counselor, child care worker, social worker

PUBLIC SERVICE Child Care/Development Option Foundation Graduation Requirements & One additional advanced math credit One additional advanced science credit Principles of Human Service/Hospitality Child Development Child Guidance Practicum

PUBLIC SERVICE Cosmetology Option Foundation Graduation Requirements & One additional advanced math credit One additional advanced science credit Principles of Human Service/Hospitality Choose one of the following Lifetime Nutrition Child Development Cosmetology (Hill College-Jr & Sr)

High School Honors Honors courses are a privilege not a right. Therefore the following criteria will be used in determining if a student will be allowed into an honors course: Student cannot have failed any class the previous year Student must have a final average of 85 in the subject the previous year For honors chemistry & physics, math and science grades must be 85 Current teacher must recommend student for class by signing course selection sheet

High School Honors Student must have a cumulative average of 85 for the semester, or be removed Students & Parents will be required to sign a contract

Testing Requirements

All tests are completely online All Graduation Plans…. REQUIRE students to pass all 5 EOC/STAAR tests: English 1 English 2 Algebra Biology U.S. History All tests are completely online

Registering for Courses What a 9th grade schedule will look like: English I or Honors English I Algebra I or Geometry Biology or Honors Biology World Geography or Honors World Geography Spanish/Fine Arts/Athletics/PE/Endorsement

Registering for Courses Complete Course Selection Forms and return to Middle School by Thursday, April 25, 2019

RVHS Guidance Office Counselor – Dana Stockton Email – dstockton@rvisd.net