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Northwest High School 9 th Grade Mission: GET INVOLVED!!! There is a place for YOU! 9 th Grade Mission: GET INVOLVED!!! There is a place for YOU!

Graduation Requirements The Pieces to the Puzzle STEM Multidisciplinary Arts and Humanities Business and Industry Public Service

The New Grad Plans Your Personal Graduation Plan will focus your area of study toward your interests. Your graduation plan will include a foundation curriculum PLUS a field of interest, your ENDORSEMENT. Your Personal Graduation Plan will focus your area of study toward your interests. Your graduation plan will include a foundation curriculum PLUS a field of interest, your ENDORSEMENT.

Again… What is an ENDORSEMENT? A coherent sequence of electives in a specific area of interest. These electives may be taken through an academy or through a specified Career Pathway. A coherent sequence of electives in a specific area of interest. These electives may be taken through an academy or through a specified Career Pathway.

There are FIVE Endorsements STEM Public Services Business and Industry Arts and Humanities Multidisciplinary Studies STEM Public Services Business and Industry Arts and Humanities Multidisciplinary Studies

What to Keep in Mind Your Potential College Choices Your Possible Career Goals/ Fields of Study Your Potential College Choices Your Possible Career Goals/ Fields of Study

Your Endorsement Plan - Your Puzzle Must include 26 credits for graduation 19 ½ CORE credits (including required electives) 6 ½ elective credits geared towards your ENDORSEMENT 7 classes X 4 years = opportunity for 28 credits (plus any credits earned in middle school) Must include 26 credits for graduation 19 ½ CORE credits (including required electives) 6 ½ elective credits geared towards your ENDORSEMENT 7 classes X 4 years = opportunity for 28 credits (plus any credits earned in middle school)

The Foundation with an Endorsement Requirements English Language Arts – 4 credits Math – 4 credits Social Studies – 3 credits Science – 4 credits *Languages Other Than English (LOTE) – 2 credits (same language) *Speech – ½ credit *Fine Art – 1 credit *Physical Education – 1 credit Electives – 6½ credits (dependent upon endorsement) *Credits in Languages Other Than English, Speech, Fine Arts, or PE may be acquired by various courses noted in the High School Course Selection Guide. English Language Arts – 4 credits Math – 4 credits Social Studies – 3 credits Science – 4 credits *Languages Other Than English (LOTE) – 2 credits (same language) *Speech – ½ credit *Fine Art – 1 credit *Physical Education – 1 credit Electives – 6½ credits (dependent upon endorsement) *Credits in Languages Other Than English, Speech, Fine Arts, or PE may be acquired by various courses noted in the High School Course Selection Guide. “The CORE”

Distinguished Plan Requirements Must meet all the requirements for an endorsement Math – 4 th math must include Algebra 2 Examples –  Algebra 1, Geometry, Math Models, Algebra 2  Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, an Advanced Math Must meet all the requirements for an endorsement Math – 4 th math must include Algebra 2 Examples –  Algebra 1, Geometry, Math Models, Algebra 2  Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, an Advanced Math

Automatic College Admission Students in the top 10%* of their graduating class are eligible for automatic admission to any public university in Texas. To be eligible for this automatic admission, students entering high school in must complete the new Distinguished plan. UT Austin – top 7% currently Students in the top 10%* of their graduating class are eligible for automatic admission to any public university in Texas. To be eligible for this automatic admission, students entering high school in must complete the new Distinguished plan. UT Austin – top 7% currently

Benefits of PreAP/AP College admissions – Colleges look for students who have completed rigorous coursework (PreAP, AP, Dual Credit). Students with higher level courses are generally more prepared for college level work. Students can earn college credits early through AP courses if you make qualifying scores on the AP exams (in high school). College admissions – Colleges look for students who have completed rigorous coursework (PreAP, AP, Dual Credit). Students with higher level courses are generally more prepared for college level work. Students can earn college credits early through AP courses if you make qualifying scores on the AP exams (in high school).

Class Ranking Class Ranking will include grades earned in courses under the following headings: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Languages other than English. The Grade Point Average (GPA) used to determine class rank only is calculated on a weighted scale. Advanced Placement (AP) = up to 7 points PreAP = up to 6 points Regular = up to 5 points Class Ranking will include grades earned in courses under the following headings: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Languages other than English. The Grade Point Average (GPA) used to determine class rank only is calculated on a weighted scale. Advanced Placement (AP) = up to 7 points PreAP = up to 6 points Regular = up to 5 points

Eligibility for Financial Aid All students applying to college will be encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) during the spring of their SENIOR year. Even if financial aid is not needed, some scholarships require the completion of the FAFSA. All students applying to college will be encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) during the spring of their SENIOR year. Even if financial aid is not needed, some scholarships require the completion of the FAFSA.

The Freshman Core Four Pieces to your Puzzle! English – Regular, PreAP, or GT Math – Algebra 1 or PreAP Algebra 1 Geometry or PreAP Geometry Science – Biology or PreAP Biology Social Studies – World Geography – Regular or PreAP World History – Regular or PreAP Human Geography – AP or AP/GT English – Regular, PreAP, or GT Math – Algebra 1 or PreAP Algebra 1 Geometry or PreAP Geometry Science – Biology or PreAP Biology Social Studies – World Geography – Regular or PreAP World History – Regular or PreAP Human Geography – AP or AP/GT

Languages (LOTE) – same language Two credits = Two Pieces of your Puzzle Spanish FrenchChinese German

FINEARTSFINEARTS Dance r ChoirBand Theatre Orchestra Floral Design Digital Arts & Animation Drill Team AP Music Theory One Credit = One Piece of the Puzzle

Physical Education One Credit = One Piece of Your Puzzle Aerobic Fitness -.5 – 1.0 credit (also earned through Dance 1) Individual Sports / Team Sports credit Strength & Tone -.5 – 1.0 Outdoor Education -.5 PE substitution credit through Band, Cheerleading, and Drill Team Aerobic Fitness -.5 – 1.0 credit (also earned through Dance 1) Individual Sports / Team Sports credit Strength & Tone -.5 – 1.0 Outdoor Education -.5 PE substitution credit through Band, Cheerleading, and Drill Team

Sports Offered Basketball Volleyball Swimming Diving Soccer Golf Track Basketball Volleyball Swimming Diving Soccer Golf Track Cross Country Tennis Baseball Softball Football Wrestling Athletic Trainer

What will your ENDORSEMENT be? STEM Multidisciplinary Arts and Humanities Business and Industry Public Service

ENDORSEMENT Details You must specify in writing the endorsement you intend to earn upon entering Grade 9. You may select more than one endorsement. You must specify in writing the endorsement you intend to earn upon entering Grade 9. You may select more than one endorsement.

STEM ENDORSEMENT Students who choose a STEM endorsement will need to take a coherent sequence of credits in a specific area of interest and Algebra 2, Chemistry, and Physics. Options may include:  STEM/Engineering  Additional Science  Additional Math  Information Technology Students who choose a STEM endorsement will need to take a coherent sequence of credits in a specific area of interest and Algebra 2, Chemistry, and Physics. Options may include:  STEM/Engineering  Additional Science  Additional Math  Information Technology STEM

STEM options

STEM more options

Business and Industry Endorsement Students who choose a Business and Industry endorsement will need to take a coherent sequence of credits in a specific area of interest: Ag, Food, and Natural ResourcesMarketing Architecture and ConstructionCareer Preparation Arts, Audio/Video Tech. & Comm.Debate Business Management & Administration Newspaper FinanceYearbook Information TechnologyTechnology Application NISD Culinary Arts and Hospitality Academy (BNHS only) NISD AMAT Academy (NHS only)

Business & Industry options

Business & Industry more options

Public Service Endorsement Students who choose a Public Service endorsement will need to take a coherent sequence of credits in a specific area of interest: - Education and Training - Health Science - Human Services - Career Preparation - NISD AMP Academy (BNHS only) - NISD Cosmetology Academy (SAHS only) Students who choose a Public Service endorsement will need to take a coherent sequence of credits in a specific area of interest: - Education and Training - Health Science - Human Services - Career Preparation - NISD AMP Academy (BNHS only) - NISD Cosmetology Academy (SAHS only)

Public Service options

Arts and Humanities Endorsement Students who choose an Arts and Humanities endorsement will need to take a coherent sequence of credits in a specific area of interest: - Additional Social Studies - Fine Arts - Additional World Languages Students who choose an Arts and Humanities endorsement will need to take a coherent sequence of credits in a specific area of interest: - Additional Social Studies - Fine Arts - Additional World Languages Arts & Humanities

Arts and Humanities options

Arts and Humanities more options

Multidisciplinary Endorsement Complete four credits from each core area (English, math, science, and social studies). Must include English 4 and Physics and/or Chemistry Complete four AP or dual credit (college) credits from the following departments: English, math, science, social studies, LOTE, and/or fine arts. Complete four credits from each core area (English, math, science, and social studies). Must include English 4 and Physics and/or Chemistry Complete four AP or dual credit (college) credits from the following departments: English, math, science, social studies, LOTE, and/or fine arts.

Multidisciplinary options

Performance Acknowledgements Students may earn performance acknowledgments for outstanding performance in the following areas:  Dual credit courses  Bilingualism and bi-literacy  AP testing  ACT – Plan, PSAT, SAT, or ACT  Earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license * See NISD Course Selection Guide for more detailed information. Students may earn performance acknowledgments for outstanding performance in the following areas:  Dual credit courses  Bilingualism and bi-literacy  AP testing  ACT – Plan, PSAT, SAT, or ACT  Earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license * See NISD Course Selection Guide for more detailed information.

Diploma & Transcript Endorsements and Performance Acknowledgements will be printed on diplomas and transcripts.

As You Complete YOUR Puzzle 6 credits = Sophomore 13 credits = Junior 19 credits = Senior Remember, 26 credits to graduate! 6 credits = Sophomore 13 credits = Junior 19 credits = Senior Remember, 26 credits to graduate!

Required STAAR Tests Algebra 1 English 1 English 2 US History Biology Algebra 1 English 1 English 2 US History Biology

Step One: Complete the top See below for Due Date Wilson Middle School Form due: March 24th Chisholm Middle School Form due: March 25th Pike Middle School Form due: March 27th Wilson Middle School Form due: March 24th Chisholm Middle School Form due: March 25th Pike Middle School Form due: March 27th Complete all lines. Please write NEATLY!

Step Two: Choose your core Choose one in each box

Step 3: Your Electives Please Read Carefully!

The Symbols and More The most up-to-date Course Selection Handbook can be found on our website at You may also make changes to your course selection sheet (once submitted) by accessing the NHS counseling website. Changes are due by June 6, 2014 The most up-to-date Course Selection Handbook can be found on our website at You may also make changes to your course selection sheet (once submitted) by accessing the NHS counseling website. Changes are due by June 6, 2014

Your Electives: Keep in Mind… You need the following pieces to your puzzle by the time you graduate. PE – 1 credit Communication Applications -.5 credit (Speech) Fine Art – 1 credit LOTE – 2 credits (Languages Other Than English) You need the following pieces to your puzzle by the time you graduate. PE – 1 credit Communication Applications -.5 credit (Speech) Fine Art – 1 credit LOTE – 2 credits (Languages Other Than English)

If Choosing a Sport… If you play more than one sport, select the sport that occurs first in the school year. If you enter another sport in the school year, your counselor will change your schedule reflecting your next sport. You must obtain your middle school coach’s signature indicating his/her approval for the sport. If you play more than one sport, select the sport that occurs first in the school year. If you enter another sport in the school year, your counselor will change your schedule reflecting your next sport. You must obtain your middle school coach’s signature indicating his/her approval for the sport.

Electives and Your Endorsement Also keep in mind: Your electives will be aligned with your endorsement(s) each year, your field of study. STEM Public Services Business and Industry Arts and Humanities Multidisciplinary Studies Also keep in mind: Your electives will be aligned with your endorsement(s) each year, your field of study. STEM Public Services Business and Industry Arts and Humanities Multidisciplinary Studies

Endorsement Commitment Requires Student and Parent Signature Your Endorsement can be changed as long as there is still time to complete a new Endorsement!

Parent Night Wilson & Pike – TONIGHT!!! 6:30pm in the cafeteria Chisholm – March 25 th 6:30pm in the cafeteria Wilson & Pike – TONIGHT!!! 6:30pm in the cafeteria Chisholm – March 25 th 6:30pm in the cafeteria

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 Counselor 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 Counselor