Welcome Prosper High School Class of 2017! Incoming 9th Grade Students High School Graduation Requirements

PHS Counselors Mrs. Wiseman (A-E) Mrs. Roach (F-L) Ms. Moore (M-Sa) Mrs. Sullivan (Sc-Z) Coach Vinson – Testing Coordinator

Graduation Programs Recommended Graduation Program: 26 Credits Distinguished Achievement Program: 26 Credits to include three years of the same world language and four advanced measures

What is a credit? When a student successfully completes a course with a grade of 70 or higher, he receives .5 credit for each semester Many middle school students enter high school with credits from classes completed in 8th grade, including Algebra I, World Languages, Health, and/or Communication Applications Credits are recorded on a transcript at the end of each semester

Recommended Graduation Program 26 Credits English – 4 credits Math – 4 credits Science – 4 credits Social Studies – 4 credits World Languages – 2 credits of the same language Fine Arts – 1 credit Physical Education – 1 credit Communication Applications - .5 credit Electives – 5.5 credits

Distinguished Achievement Graduation Program-26 Credits English – 4 credits Math – 4 credits Science – 4 credits Social Studies – 4 credits World Languages – 3 credits of the same language Fine Arts – 1 credit Physical Education – 1 credit Communication Applications - .5 credit Electives – 4.5 credits Four Advanced Measures

PreAP or Advanced Placement What is the PreAP/AP program? Allows students to participate in college preparatory courses and possibly receive college credit while still in high school Who can enroll in a PreAP/AP course? Any student can automatically enroll if you have a 90 or above in an on- level prerequisite course or an 80 or above in a PreAP course. If you do not have these prerequisites, you may fill out an online waiver acknowledging expectations of the PreAP/AP course, and you will be enrolled in the course by your Counselor. Level changes will be allowed at the end of the third week of school and at the end of the first semester.

Pre-AP and AP Courses More complex and faster pace Pre-AP courses prepare students for AP courses AP courses may earn college credit with a score of 3 or higher on the AP exam at the of the year Current 8th grade teachers may be good resources to help students determine if Pre-AP courses are appropriate for 9th grade Level changes are only made at the end of the first three weeks and semester

Course Catalog All course offerings are subject to change. Funding levels and student interest may affect whether or not a course is available. The complete 2013-2014 Course Catalog is on-line at www.prosper-isd.net under the Course Selection 2013-2014 tab. It will be updated if changes are made to course listings.

World Languages - 2 or 3 credits World Languages Options: Spanish French

Fine Arts – 1 credit Fine Arts Options (1 credit each): Band Choir Art Theater Technical Theater Theater Production Principles and Elements of Floral Design Digital Art & Animation Dance/Drill Team (years 2-4) Color Guard/Winter Guard

Physical Education – 1 credit Physical Education Options (.5 credit per semester): Physical Education Athletics Marching Band (fall semester only) Cheerleading Drill Team (1st year) Dance (1st year)

Athletic Try-Outs All students are free to sign up for any athletic class they wish, but they must make the team in order to stay in the class. Cuts are typically made the first two weeks of school, for some sports. Others may be later in the year. Those not making the team will be moved to PE or to an elective class that is STILL OPEN.

Communication Applications .5 credit Ways to get this credit: Professional Communications course for one semester (.5) CTE courses with Professional Communications credit embedded into the course. Examples: Principles of Agriculture, Principles of AV Tech, Principles of Business, Marketing and Finance

Course Pathways to Career & Technical Education (CTE) Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Arts, AV Technology, & Communication Business Management & Administration Education & Training Health Science Hospitality and Tourism Marketing Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

GPA and Level 1, Level 2, & Level 3 Courses Level 1 courses are grade-level classes worth a maximum of 4.0 grade points Level 2 courses are Pre-AP/Honors courses worth a maximum of 4.5 grade points Level 3 courses are Advanced Placement (AP)/Advanced Honors & Dual Credit (DC) courses worth a maximum of 5.0 grade points

G.P.A. = Grade Point Average The following Chart will be used for the Class of 2013 and beyond.

How to Determine Credit and GPA Weighting for Each Course Selected. Match the levels on the course description and GPA Chart.

What Counts Most in College Admissions? Grades in challenging classes SAT/ACT scores GPA/Rank Grades in all subjects

Schedule Changes No course selection changes will be made after the last school day of the 2012-2013 school year. Please choose your classes carefully!

STAAR Testing Graduation Requirements What is STAAR? STAAR is a more rigorous standardized testing program that will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) for elementary, middle, and high school students. The new STAAR program will emphasize “readiness” standards, which are the knowledge and skills that are considered most important for success in the grade or subject that follows and for college and career.

Standardized Assessment 4 Core areas- 3 EOC exams per core English I, II, III (writing exams, too) Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II Biology, Chemistry, Physics W Geography, W History, US History

Student Activities & Electives EXPO Please make plans to attend this event on Wednesday, February 20 6:00-7:00 p.m. – Incoming 9th grade parent information meeting in the PHS auditorium 7:00-8:30 p.m.- EXPO in cafeteria Get information about courses, clubs & activities!

Important Dates: February 20 – PHS EXPO March 8 – Course Selection due Online through Career Cruising May 23 – 8th grade Fish Camp at PHS May 31 – Last day to submit course selection changes