9th Grade Parent Night Freshman Focus 2014 Extracurricular & Community Involvement

NHS Counselors A-Car – Sheneka Davis Cas-F – Mike Hays G-I – Brenda Evans J-Mh – Cayce Feemster Mi-Res – Amber Ward Ret-Th – Keith Tremethick Ti-Z – Jamie Farber, Lead

Grade Classification Promotion to 10th Grade = 6 credits Promotion to 11th Grade = 13 credits Promotion to 12th Grade = 19 credits

GPA & Class Rank Grade Point Average (GPA) starts the semester a student enrolls in a course eligible for HS credit through the final semester of 12th grade. Class rank measures performance compared to all students in the class. It begins the first semester of 9th grade and continues until graduation. Reported GPA is unweighted. Class Rank is weighted. – The level of coursework (i.e. Pre/AP and AP courses) is factored in the weighted class ranking

GPA & Class Rank, cont. Un-weighted GPA – all courses are weighted on a 4.0 scale Weighted GPA – courses are assigned grade points according to rigor; weighted on a 6.0 scale (PreAP) or a 7.0 scale (AP). Weighted GPA determines class rank. GPA exempt courses – correspondence, credit by exams, and summer school for remediation Weighted elective courses – Beginning with the class of 2015, only weighted electives in the four core subject areas and world languages will count toward GPA and class rank.

Attendance Requirements Students must attend class at least 90% of the time in order to receive credit earned for a course There will be opportunities to make up attendance should students fall below 90% Assistant principals will be able to assist with an attendance redemption plan

Graduation Programs The Recommended Program: – 26 Credits 4 English 4 Math 4 Science 4 Social Studies 2 World Languages (same language) – Spanish, French, or German 1 Physical Education 1 Fine Art – Art, Choir, Dance, Theatre Arts, and more ½ Credit of Communication Applications or Professional Communications (Speech) 5 ½ Electives

Graduation Programs, cont. The Distinguished Program : – Designed for students who want to achieve beyond the state recommended graduation requirements – Criteria for the Distinguished Achievement Program Meet all requirements of the Recommended Graduation Program Requires 3 credits of a World Language Obtain a combination of 4 of the following advanced measures or through independent research project – AP classes with scores of 3 or higher on the AP Exam – National Merit Commendation (PSAT) – College courses must earn a B or higher

Texas Scholars The Texas Scholars Program focuses students on education and career planning during middle and high school and prepares them for the transition to life after high school. Students who graduate as Texas Scholars are recognized for completing the rigorous coursework required by the Texas Business and Education Coalition. To become a Texas Scholar: 1. Complete the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Program 2. Complete at least two credits eligible for college credit (AP or dual credit) 3. Participate in a minimum of one high school extracurricular activity for two consecutive years during high school. 4. Pass every semester of all high school core classes.

STAAR Testing Calendar Dec – Makeup testing March 31 – English I April 1 – English II May – Algebra I, Biology, US History

College Admissions Criteria Criteria important in the college admissions process rated by college admissions officers: – GPA – Class Rank – Strength of Course (PreAP, AP, and dual credit courses) – ACT/SAT Scores – Essay or writing sample Other potential factors for college admissions – Recommendations – Special talents/awards – Extracurricular/community service activities – Interviews

Top 10% Rule for Admissions Graduate in the top 10% of class at a public or private Texas high school, or Graduate in the top 10% of class from a HS operated by the US Dept of Defense and be a Texas resident or eligible to pay resident tuition Enroll in college no more than two years after graduation; and Submit an application to the Texas public university for admission before the institution’s application deadline (check w/university regarding specific deadlines)  Under legislation approved May 2009 by the Texas House as part of the 81st Regular Session (Senate Bill 175), UT Austin (no other state university) was allowed to trim the number of students it accepts under the 10% rule; UT Austin could limit those students to 75% of entering in-state freshmen from Texas. The university would admit the top 1%, 2%, and so forth until the cap is reached, beginning with the 2011 entering class.

Strength of Course Pre-Ap and AP Program Benefits 1.Students who follow a Pre-AP/AP program in school tend to perform better in college 2.More challenging courses 3.Potential to earn college credit by taking an AP exam at the end of the course 4.Colleges and scholarship committees desire students who complete Pre-AP/AP courses

PSAT/SAT/ACT Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) - A standard test measuring critical reading, math, problem solving and writing skills important for success in college - Available for 9th, 10th, and 11th grades - Provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test - National Merit Scholarship programs, based on 11th grade scores Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) & American College Test (ACT) - The majority of colleges, univerisities, and scholarship commmittees take the scores of these assessments into consideration - Begin taking one or both during 11th grade, spring semester

Freshman Focus 2014 Extracurricular & Community Involvement Community service and extracurricular activities play an important role with colleges and scholarship committees. Become involved in school and community activities now – don’t wait until your senior year Seek activities and opportunities relative to your future career plans Visit the Northwest High School Counseling website for volunteer and community service activities Start an activities record including all school and community activities, leadership positions, honors, awards, uniques educational experiences, employment, and volunteer work. THE BIG EVENT! April 5, 2014 – Be sure to update this record at least once a year.

Freshman Focus 2014 Extracurricular & Community Involvement ew13/frs_ec.html

Graduation Honor Cords

To Do List for College Admissions 9th Grade Study: grades are reported on your permanent transcript Select challenges classes Explore extracurricular interests and volunteer work Start an activities record listing honors, awards, and activities Take the PSAT Start a college savings account Visit college websites and campuses Research college information -Visit the NHS Counseling website for helpful resources

Paying for College Keeping College Costs Down Enroll in challenging courses in high school to avoid taking developmental or remedial courses in college Take AP courses and exams Take dual credit courses to earn college and high school credit

Credit Recovery Options Summer School Academic Coaching Program (ACP) Credit by Exam - Not available for students who failed due to absences Correspondence Courses through Texas Tech or UT On-line Courses through TXVSN Averaging of semester grades -If 1st and 2 nd semester grades average 70 or higher, a failing 1st or 2 nd semester credit may be recovered

Credits for Acceleration Summer School Credit by Exam Correspondence Courses through Texas Tech or UT On-line Courses through TXVSN

Tips for Parents Discuss classes and set goals Be available to help with homework Monitor your child’s activities and jobs Work with your school -Contact the teacher if you do not receive a progress report for a specific class or the school if you do not receive a report card -Teacher contact information can be found on the NHS website or by calling For questions or concerns regarding a specific class, please contact the school directly

Q & A THANK YOU!!