Selecting Your High School Courses What will you be doing in four years? Your future begins now!

Which Endorsement is right for you? What do you like to do? What do you plan on doing after high school? College, Technical School, Military, Work Take courses that get you where you want to go!

High School Life Get Involved! Join Clubs and Organizations Participate in Fine Arts, Athletics Take the Hardest Courses You Can Volunteer in the Community Colleges are looking for well-rounded students!!

Semester System English 1A Algebra 1A Biology 1A World Geography A LOTE 1A Fine Arts/ AthleticsElective English 1B Algebra 1B Biology 1B World Geography B LOTE 1B Fine Arts/ Athletics Elective

Credits What is a Credit? How do I get one? A credit is what you earn when you pass one full year of a class. English 1 = year long class = 1 credit. A one semester class will earn.5 credit. Medical Terminology = one semester =.5 credit. You can earn 7 credits a year. You will need 26 credits to graduate.

Freshman – promotion from 8 th grade Sophomore to 11.5 credits Junior – 12 to 18.5 credits Senior – 19 plus credits 26 plus Grade Classification

Things to consider before selecting classes

Pre-AP and AP? What are the Benefits Better preparation for college Better preparation for EOC, SAT, ACT AP classes can earn college credits Extra points added to your GPA Pre-AP and AP classes are available to all students. Discuss taking these courses with your parents and teachers. Check the district website for the summer reading assignment.

What if I decide Pre-AP or AP is not for me after school starts? A schedule change may be considered after the 3 rd week of school. Prior to any change you must attend tutorials and turn in all work. Failure to complete your work or attend tutorials will be reasons to deny a level change. If you are still struggling in the course, a meeting will be held with your parents, your teacher, your counselor, an administrator and you. A decision will be made about whether it is in your best interest to drop to a lower level or to stay in the class with an improvement plan.

Pre-AP Classes English I Pre-AP English I Pre-AP Algebra 1 Pre- AP Algebra 1 Pre- AP Geometry Pre- AP Geometry Pre- AP Biology Pre-AP Biology Pre-AP World Geography Pre- AP World Geography Pre- AP Art I Pre-AP Art II Drawing Pre- AP Spanish V for Spanish Speakers Pre-AP

AP Classes Human Geography AP Students enrolled in AP classes are expected to take the AP exam in May. Students may gain college credit for AP test scores of 3 or above. Individual colleges award credit based on their policies and standards. There is a cost for the exam. Fee-reduced exams – The college board and the State of Texas will pay a portion of the fees for students currently receiving free or reduced lunches. See your counselors or college and career readiness specialist to see if you qualify.

Grade Point Average Your Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by averaging the semester grades you earn in every class you take for state credit towards graduation. Pre-AP, and AP courses earn extra points in determining GPA. See your counselor for more information about weighted GPA.

Why is GPA important? Automatic College Admission A GPA in the top 10%(top 7% University Texas Austin) of a graduating class and completion of the Distinguished Level of Achievement guarantees you admission into any state college. You still must satisfy the ACT or SAT scores and meet all deadlines.

Graduation Requirements Students Entering High School Fall 2014 Graduating Class of 2018

EMS –ISD Distinguished Level of Achievement O English - 4 credits O Math - 4 credits O Science - 4 credits O Social Studies - 3 credits O LOTE - 2 credits O Fine Arts - 1 credit O Physical Ed. - 1 credit O World Geography & O 2 other electives - 3 credits O Plus 1 endorsement - 4 credits O Total credits26

Course Description Handbook The Course Description Handbook for the Freshman class of is available on line for review.

Course Selection  Choose your courses carefully.  Talk to your parents and teachers for advice on what level of a course to take.  Choose electives that meet your endorsement area.  Make sure you have the prerequisites.  ALL courses count in your GPA except those marked local credit.

Begin with the End in Mind!

You must fill out a registration worksheet regardless of plans to move before next school year. We will reserve your classes in case something changes.

Completing the Selection Worksheet Use a pencil Complete the top section Circle the school you will be attending and fill out the demographic information neatly. Please print so we can easily read it.

Freshman Course Options Choose your core courses. English ___ ___ 1010English I ___ ___ 1015English I Pre-AP Math ___ ___ 1210 Algebra I ___ ___ 1215 Algebra I Pre-AP ___ ___ 1220 Geometry ___ ___ 1225 Geometry Pre-AP

Freshman Courses con’t. Science ___ ___ 1310 Biology ___ ___ 1315 Biology Pre-AP Social Studies – required elective ___ ___ 1410 World Geography ___ ___ 1415 World Geography Pre-AP ___ ___ 1475 Human Geography AP

Freshman Courses con’t.  Choose 3 credits of elective classes. You may choose 3 year long classes or a combination of year long and semester classes.  Choose at least 3 alternates. Write the name of the desired class and course number. It is possible that the courses that you choose will fill up or will not work with your schedule, so it is very important to pick at least 3 alternates. If you do not write down alternates, we will choose them for you.

O An endorsement is a focused study in an area of interest to the student, as outlined by TEA. O Five endorsement areas. O Arts and Humanities O Multidisciplinary O Business & Industry O Public Services O Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics O Each requires four credits in the same subject field with at least one being advanced. What is an Endorsement?

Endorsements STEM – 4 or more credits in CTE (e.g. Engineering), or 5 credits in Math (including Alg. 2), or 5 credits in Science Business & Industry – 4 or more credits in one of the following areas – Communication, Graphic Design, Information Technology, Audio/Video, Automotive, Manufacturing & Welding, or Culinary Arts & Hospitality Public Service – 4 or more credits in one of the following areas – Education & Training, Law Enforcement, Health Science, Cosmetology or JROTC Arts and Humanities – 4 or more credits in a Fine Arts, World Languages, or 5 credits in Social Studies Multidisciplinary – 4 advanced courses from one endorsement area, or two advanced courses from two endorsement areas, or four credits in each of the four core subject areas to include English IV and chemistry and/or physics, or four AP courses.

Electives – Choose from the one listed below required for graduation or other electives that fulfill your area of Endorsement. LOTE – French I, German I, Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish V Pre-AP for Spanish Speakers Fine Arts – Band, Dance, Art, Theatre Arts, Technical Theatre, Choir, Floral Design PE/Athletics – Athletics, Marching Band (1st semester), Drill Team (1st semester), Cheerleading, Gymnastics, JROTC, Aerobic Activities (taken with Dance 1) Freshman Options con’t.

Registering for Classes  Discuss the courses you are choosing with your parents tonight.  You and your parents must sign and date the registration worksheet.  Double check to make sure 7 credits of courses are selected (or 14 X’s in the blanks).  Make sure you have three alternates.  Bring you completed/signed form with you at your assigned time. Counselors will assist you in entering your requests into the computer. You and your parents may view your selections and you will be able to make changes until March 7 th.  Counselors will meet with you individually to answer questions and help in any way needed.

Registering for Classes After online registration closes on March 7 th, you may request a change by doing so in writing. A Schedule Change Request form will be available in the counseling office after spring break. All changes must be returned to your high school by June 15, 2014.

Important!  You are selecting specific courses, not teachers, periods, or terms.  If there is a scheduling conflict with elective requests, an alternate will be chosen, so choose alternates very carefully. You will be notified if conflicts arise that cannot be resolved.  Students will not be allowed to drop or change core or elective courses after the June 15 th deadline.

Assessment Changes Only 5 STAAR/EOC tests are required for graduation. Down from 15 under the old graduation plan. English I English II Algebra I Biology US History All tests must be passed prior to graduation.

Sample Endorsement Schedules The following slides show the different Endorsements and how the required courses are met each year.

Business & Industry Endorsement

STEM Endorsement

Public Service Endorsement

Business & Industry Endorsement

Public Service Endorsement

Business & Industry Endorsement