- Welcomes - The Class of 2015 Kingwood Park HS - Welcomes - The Class of 2015 To new opportunities, responsibilities, challenges and privileges

Kingwood Park High School Principal: Larry Cooper Associate Principal: Lisa Drabing Counselor/AP House Teams Explorations House: Caren Barnes & Alan Corman Global House: Amy Wallace & Stacey Pate Green House: Tatiana Kolesnikov & Terry Perkins Humanities House: Liz Scanlan & Shelby McPherson

• Review your student handbook and the online course catalog. • Please listen carefully • Students and Parents are encouraged to discuss course selections and a parent signature is required. • Review your student handbook and the online course catalog. • Consult with your teachers. • Pay close attention to deadlines.

These important resources can assist you with the course selection process: Parents Teachers Counselors Humble ISD Online Course Guide NCAA Eligibility Guide- Athletes College Admissions Counselors/Websites

Important Dates February 14th – general information sessions for 8th graders. Course Request Forms will be distributed. March 2nd – KMS individual meetings After April 1st – contact KPHS for course selection changes (Caren Barnes) June 8th- Final Day for Schedule Change Requests

Graduation Programs – Pg. 2 26 Credit Recommended High School Program 26 Credit Distinguished Achievement Program

26 Credit Distinguished Graduation Plan Differences between Recommended and Distinguished Plans: 3 years of the same foreign language 4.5 electives Additional Requirements: Advanced measures

Graduation Requirements Class of 2014 English 4 Math 4 Science 4 Social St. 4 Foreign Lang. 2* * 3 credits for D.A. plan Fine Arts 1 PE 1 Speech .5 Electives 5.5* * 4.5 electives for D.A. plan 8

Why take Honors/Pre-AP classes? College success is enhanced Additional grade points Prep for AP Exams for possible college credit in 11th - 12th grades. Think, read & write critically & analytically

Success in Honors/Pre-AP/AP/Dual Credit Requires students who are: Self-motivated & enjoy academic rigor Capable of challenging material at a faster pace Willing to take assignments beyond basic requirements AP students will be expected to take the AP exam Devoted to school but still have time for fun! Note: We are asking for students’ current teachers to initial course request sheets showing approval for placement in honors courses.

Homework Expectations Level classes: 30 to 45 minutes per class per night Honors/AP classes: At least 60 to 90 minutes per class per night

Recommendations for Successful Honors Course Selection Maintain at least 80 in Honors Classes 90 in Level Classes Can only make Honors/Level changes at: Three (3) weeks Six (6) weeks Semester Parent Signature required for all schedule changes

Alternative PE Credits: Physical Education Foundations of Pers. Fitness Team Sports Individual Sports Athletics - must try out and make the team in order to stay in the class Band (fall semester only) ROTC Cheerleading (1-2 semesters) Dance I Alternative PE Credits: Off-Campus PE Access application on HISD Website: Go to Quick Links, then Athletics/General Info.

Athletic Considerations Only one athletic period at a time. There are tryouts for most sports. Some athletic programs begin in the summer. (Ex: Football, Cross Country & Volleyball.) If you do not make the team, you will be placed in PE. All athletics require a PHYSICAL EXAM every year. Physicals will be held one day in the spring after school.

Career and Technical Education Classes Humble ISD, in support of the national move, offers career pathways for students as they progress though high school.

Career & Technical Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Architecture and Construction Arts, Audio/Video Tech. and Communications Business Management and Administration Education and Training

Career & Technical cont. Finance Health Science Hospitality and Tourism Human Services Information Technology

Career & Technical cont. Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security Manufacturing Marketing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Transportation, Distribution and Logistics

Interested in taking an online class? Look at on-line course catalog: www.TxVSN.org 9th graders may choose from: Art 1 (both semesters) Music History (both semesters) Communication Applications (one semester) PE 1A (one semester) High school student may take up to 2 TxVSN courses/semester Part of 7 period day Outside of regular school day The 2nd step is to decide which course or courses you should take. Next year’s 9th graders may choose from Art 1 or Music History, each of which must be taken both semesters in order to earn the full credit. Comm Apps and PE are also available as single semester courses. More online course options will be available later in high school.

Virtual School Must be approved by administrative team (Grades, discipline, and attendance will be considered) Only 2 courses per semester May be taken in school or outside of school. Courses will not be offered in TAKS or EOC tested classes. Intended for course acceleration

Schedule Change Policy Students must read and sign the KPHS schedule change policy. Student, parent(s), and teacher must conference before the schedule will be changed. A student may request a change in course level at the end of the 3 weeks, the end of the first six weeks, or at the end of the semester. June 8th is the last day to change schedules.

No Course Request Changes AFTER June 8, 2011

The International Baccalaureate Program Often referred to as the IB Program Program with Academic Rigor For students who are University bound Has an emphasis in the humanities and as well as the sciences Students may receive more than 24 college credit hours for courses taken in this program with good test scores Students can participate in extra-curricular activities – about 90% participate in band, athletics, choir, etc. No transportation provided Pre-Baccalaureate Program (9th,10th) Diploma Program (11th, 12th) IB Program is at Humble High School Keri Fovargue, Humble ISD IB Director, 281-641-8129