The Road to High School Parent Presentation

So Many Options!

Where to Start? Must Keep the End in Mind!

College? Career? Fields of Study? Military?

High School Graduation: one Destination! Requirements: 26 credits 4X4 - Four of each: English, math, science, and social studies

7 classes x 4 years = opportunity for 28 credits plus any credits earned in middle school 26 miles to Graduation

Earning Credits Full year courses can be averaged to gain full credit Full year courses can be averaged to gain full credit For example – English I: For example – English I: Semester One Semester 2 Avg. Semester One Semester 2 Avg  STAAR Exam will factor into final average! (stayed tuned for updates) (stayed tuned for updates) 1.0 credit is granted 1.0 credit is granted Poor attendance can cost you credits!

Two Major Routes R D Recommended Distinguished

The Plans 16.0 core 1.0 PE 1.0 PE 1.O Fine Art 1.O Fine Art 2.0 World Lang. 2.0 World Lang..5 Comm. Appl..5 Comm. Appl. 5.5 electives 5.5 electives 26.0 credits 16.0 core 1.0 PE 1.O Fine Art 3.0 World Lang..5 Comm. Appl. 4.5 electives 26.0 credits RecommendedDistinguished

Other Distinguished Achievement Requirements A combination of FOUR advanced measures: -A score of 3 or above on an AP exam -National Merit Commendation (PSAT) -A grade of 3.0 (B) or higher in Dual Credit classes -Original research/project; limited to two measures from this category

The STAAR Tests (End of Course Exams) English – English 1 (Reading & Writing) English 2 (Reading & Writing) English 2 (Reading & Writing) English 3 (Reading & Writing)* English 3 (Reading & Writing)* Total of Six Exams Need to meet Level II: Satisfactory to stay on track. * Gatekeeper (needs to meet Level 3 if D.A.)

STAAR Tests cont. Math – Algebra I Geometry Geometry Algebra II * (Gatekeeper) Algebra II * (Gatekeeper) Total of Three Exams Need to meet Level II: Satisfactory to stay on track. * Gatekeeper (needs to meet Level 3 if D.A.)

STAAR Tests cont. Science – Biology Chemistry Chemistry Physics Physics Total of Three Exams Need to meet Level II: Satisfactory to stay on track. Need to meet Level II: Satisfactory to stay on track.

STAAR Tests cont. Social Studies – World Geography World History World History U.S. History U.S. History Total of Three Exams

The Freshman Core English – Regular, Pre-AP, or GT Math – Alg. I or Pre-AP Alg. I Geom. or Pre-AP Geom. Geom. or Pre-AP Geom. Science – Bio. or Pre-AP Bio. Social Studies – World Geo. Regular, Pre-AP, or GT Regular, Pre-AP, or GT

Rigorous Coursework A student should select the most rigorous courses he/she is capable of completing. Colleges look for rigor. Students with higher level courses are generally more prepared for college level work.

GPA & Ranking The grade point average (GPA) used to determine class rank is calculated on a weighted scale. Advanced Placement (AP) = up to 7 points Pre-AP = up to 6 points Regular courses = up to 5 points

GPA & Ranking Class of 2015 and thereafter Weighted GPA Only the core courses of English, science, math, social studies, including economics; and languages other than English will be used in determining class rank. Only the core courses of English, science, math, social studies, including economics; and languages other than English will be used in determining class rank. Any of these courses taken in middle school for high school credit will count in class rank calculation. Any of these courses taken in middle school for high school credit will count in class rank calculation.

GPA & Class Rank Class of 2015 and later, cont’d. All high school courses, including those taken in middle school for high school credit, will be used in determining a student’s UNWEIGHTED GPA. All high school courses, including those taken in middle school for high school credit, will be used in determining a student’s UNWEIGHTED GPA.

Top 10% Rule Under legislation approved in May 2009 by the Texas House as part of the 81st Regular Session (Senate Bill 175), UT- Austin (but no other state universities) was allowed to trim the number of students it accepts under the 10% rule; UT-Austin could limit those students to 75 percent of entering in-state freshmen from Texas. The university would admit the top 1 percent, the top 2 percent and so forth until the cap is reached, beginning with the 2011 entering class. 81st Regular Session81st Regular Session

Physical Education credit PE courses listed on the course request sheet (excludes Health) Band (fall semester – extra.5 credit) Cheerleading ( fall semester –extra.5 credit ) Drill Team (fall semester – extra.5 credit) Dance I Athletics

Sports offered… ~ Football ~ Volleyball ~ Basketball ~ Soccer ~ Baseball /Softball ~ Wrestling ~ Cross Country /Track ~ Swimming /Diving ~ Golf ~ Tennis

If selecting a sport… Select your sport that occurs first in the school year. Obtain your middle school coach’s signature

Fine Arts ArtDanceBandChoirOrchestra Theatre Arts I Floral Design – 10 th -12 th AP Art History – 10 th -12 th AP Music Theory

World Languages Spanish German French Mandarin Chinese

Electives We asked students to select 8 electives (including alternates) in order of preference #1 being the TOP choice Four core plus electives each year Consider required electives and then interests

Career Clusters (or Career Pathways) -Agricultural Mechanics -Allied Health -Animal Science -Architectural Design & Construction -Banking & Finance -Business Management -Computer Programming -Education -Emergency Medical Technician -Engineering Technology -Family & Community Services -Floral Design & Landscape Management -Media Technology -Nutritionist/Dietician -Pre-Veterinary -Sales & Marketing

Need Rigorous Academics AND Relevant Career Education The pathways are merely a guide!

The Academies of Northwest ISD The Academy of Medical Professions (AMP) – BNHS The Academy of Medical Professions (AMP) – BNHS The Academy of Culinary Arts and Hospitality – BNHS The Academy of Culinary Arts and Hospitality – BNHS The Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) – NHS The Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) – NHS The Academy of Media Arts and Technology (AMAT) – NHS The Academy of Media Arts and Technology (AMAT) – NHS

Pacing the Journey… 6 credits = Sophomore 13 credits = Junior 19 credits = Senior And again… 26 credits to reach the FINISH LINE!!!

Ways to gain extra miles… Summer School Correspondence Courses Online Courses Dual Credit

Important Dates February 20 th – High school counselors return to the middle schools to pick up the course request forms June 7 th – Last day to submit elective changes

NHS Counselors A-Con: Sheneka Davis Coo-G: Mike Hays H-Le: Cayce Feemster Li-Per: Amber Ward Pes-Ste: Keith Tremethick Stf-Z: Jamie Farber

NHS Counseling Website Click on the Counseling tab You will find this presentation as well as other useful information on our website. on our website. Join our mailing list!

Parents, Thank you for your attendance tonight and your involvement in your child’s educational journey! the NHS Counselors