Selecting Courses for 9 th Grade & Choosing Electives Selecting Courses for 9 th Grade & Choosing Electives Begin with the end in mind: Which college do you want to attend? What do you want to study? What are your career goals?

Schedule 2 semesters 2 semesters 7 classes—Choose classes with your future in mind 7 classes—Choose classes with your future in mind Approximately 47 minutes Approximately 47 minutes Some classes change at the semester (i.e., Health, Communication Applications, etc.) Some classes change at the semester (i.e., Health, Communication Applications, etc.)

Schedule Semester 1 schedule will look different from Sem 2 schedule Semester 1 schedule will look different from Sem 2 schedule Lunches – 3 lunch shifts (either period 4, 5, or 6) – no such thing as a “freshmen” lunch – all grade levels on all lunch periods – we do not take requests for lunch changes Lunches – 3 lunch shifts (either period 4, 5, or 6) – no such thing as a “freshmen” lunch – all grade levels on all lunch periods – we do not take requests for lunch changes

A Quick, Important Definition: Credit : A credit is what you receive when you pass a full year of one subject. Passing one semester (or half a year) will earn you a ½ credit. Example: English I = 1 credit Comm Apps. = 0.5 credit You need a total of 26 credits over 4 years.

6 credits = Sophomore 13 credits = Junior 19 credits = Senior **You retake only the courses you fail. ***It takes 26 credits to graduate and you can only earn 28 credits in your four years at BNHS!! Every Class Counts

Graduation Requirements: 4 years of each core subject (4 x 4) -more core classes translates to fewer electives, so more thorough planning is important RecommendedDistinguished English (I, II, III, IV) 4 Credits Mathematics 4 Credits (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II + 1 other) 4 Credits (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II + 1 other) Science 4 Credits (Biology, Chemistry, Physics + 1 other) 4 Credits (Biology, Chemistry, Physics + 1 other) Social Studies 3 ½ Credits (W. Geography, W. History, US History, Government) 3 ½ Credits (W. Geography, W. History, US History, Government)) Economics1/2 Credit Physical Education1 Credit Other Language 2 Credits (same language) 3 Credits (same language); Other measures are necessary to graduate on this plan. See following slide. Fine Arts1 Credit (same course) Communication Applications 1/2 Credit Total Core Subjects 20 ½ Credits21 ½ Credits General Electives5 ½ Credits4 ½ Credits Total Credits 26 Credits

** Plus meet Level III Performance Standard on Eng 3 and Alg 2 STAAR/EOC

STAAR/EOC TESTS Must take these tests to graduate Must take these tests to graduate English 1 – Reading English 1 – Reading English 1 – Writing English 1 – Writing English 2 – Reading English 2 – Reading English 2 – Writing English 2 – Writing English 3 – Reading English 3 – Reading English 3 – Writing English 3 – Writing Grand Total = 11,700 (determined by TEA) Grand Total = 11,700 (determined by TEA)

STAAR/EOC TESTS Math – Alg 1, Geometry, Alg 2 Math – Alg 1, Geometry, Alg 2 Grand Total = (Phase-in 2) 11,250 (determined by TEA) Grand Total = (Phase-in 2) 11,250 (determined by TEA)  (Phase-in 1) 10,500 Science – Biology, Chemistry, Physics Science – Biology, Chemistry, Physics Grand Total = 11,250 (determined by TEA) Grand Total = 11,250 (determined by TEA) Social Studies – Wld Geog, Wld Hist, US History Social Studies – Wld Geog, Wld Hist, US History Grand Total = 11,250 (determined by TEA) Grand Total = 11,250 (determined by TEA)

The GPA Game! What are the rules??? How do you play to win???

Weighted GPA Calculated on a weighted scale Calculated on a weighted scale Used to determine CLASS RANK Used to determine CLASS RANK Based on semester grades in: Based on semester grades in: 1) core subjects, 2) world languages, and 3) any elective under core subject areas (for example: AP Human Geography is a Social Studies elective)

Weighted GPA Appears on official high school transcript Appears on official high school transcript Regular courses = up to 5 points Regular courses = up to 5 points Pre-AP = up to 6 points Pre-AP = up to 6 points Advanced Placement (AP) = up to 7 points Advanced Placement (AP) = up to 7 points

Unweighted GPA Calculated on a 4.0 scale Calculated on a 4.0 scale Required on all college applications Required on all college applications Based on semester grades in ALL courses attempted Based on semester grades in ALL courses attempted Appears on official high school transcript Appears on official high school transcript

PreAP? What are the Benefits Better preparation for college Better preparation for college College entrance College entrance Better preparation for SAT/ACT Better preparation for SAT/ACT Scholarship opportunities Scholarship opportunities Preparation for AP classes - can help you earn college credits Preparation for AP classes - can help you earn college credits Discuss this option with your parents and teachers.

English: PreAP, GT, or Regular English Math: Algebra 1, Geometry, PreAP Algebra I, or PreAP Geometry Social Studies: PreAP, GT, or Regular World Geography Science: PreAP or Regular Biology Freshman Core Classes

World Language: 2 credits PE: 1 credit (2 semesters) Fine Arts: 1 credit Communication Applications: ½ credit Required Credits Needed for All Graduation Plans:

Recommended Plan = 2 credits Distinguished Plan = 3 years Spanish GermanFrench Other Languages * $$, online Chinese*

Athletics Football Football Wrestling Wrestling Basketball Basketball Volleyball Volleyball Swimming/Diving Swimming/Diving Soccer Soccer Cross Country/Track Cross Country/Track Baseball/Softball Baseball/Softball Golf (will not appear on your schedule until you make the team) Golf (will not appear on your schedule until you make the team) Tennis Tennis  If you play more than one sport, select the sport that occurs first in the school year.

Athletics Coach Polk will host parent meetings at both Tidwell and Medlin in the Spring. Coach Polk will host parent meetings at both Tidwell and Medlin in the Spring. Coach Polk will send out informational letter to all incoming 9 th graders this summer. Coach Polk will send out informational letter to all incoming 9 th graders this summer.

PE Options for the Non-Athlete Dance 1 Dance 1 Aerobic Fitness Aerobic Fitness Individual Sports Individual Sports Team Sports Team Sports Outdoor Education Outdoor Education Foundations of PE (weights) Foundations of PE (weights) Band (fall semester) Band (fall semester)

PE Credit Cheer info at or contact Sarah Chambers Cheer info at or contact Sarah Chambers Drill Team – or contact Natalie Eddleman Drill Team – or contact Natalie Eddlemanwww.bobcatdazzlers.com Color Guard – Parent Meeting May 30; pick up flyer tonight after this meeting Color Guard – Parent Meeting May 30; pick up flyer tonight after this meeting Athletic Trainer – appl on BNHS website under “Doug Barnes”; submit to ms counselor Athletic Trainer – appl on BNHS website under “Doug Barnes”; submit to ms counselor

Fine Arts Art Dance (also counts as PE!) Band (receives 0.5 PE credit) Choir Orchestra Theatre Arts I Floral Design (10 th -12 th ) AP Art History (10 th -12 th ) AP Music Theory

# = Pre-requisite (required criteria necessary for certain courses, i.e., Art I is required for Art II) # = Pre-requisite (required criteria necessary for certain courses, i.e., Art I is required for Art II) * = Teacher approval (i.e., band, upper level courses, etc.) * = Teacher approval (i.e., band, upper level courses, etc.) = One semester course (i.e., Comm. Apps., Health, PE courses, etc.) = One semester course (i.e., Comm. Apps., Health, PE courses, etc.) 9th Grade Course Request Form

The 8 alternate classes are classes you pick in case one is unavailable. They are very important—choose them carefully, too.

Academies Chef DeShazo Ms. Sommerhauser

High School Course Selection Guide Go to NISD web page -Click on “Information” -Click on “High School Course Selection Guide”

Getting Involved! Clubs and Organizations Tammy McClure