Class of 2017 Registration for Senior Classes Independence High School Home of the Knights

Juniors, registration for your senior year classes will be beginning soon! The IHS counselors will be meeting with you February 2nd-5 th. Here is some information for you in order to prepare!

During your individual meeting with your counselor, we will review with you: The courses you would like to take next year Review your credits and make sure you are on- track for graduation senior year Explain Dual Credit options for next year at Collin College College Admissions SAT & ACT Testing NCAA requirements for student athletes

How Many Credits are Required to Graduate? A student needs 26 credits in order to graduate. A half-credit is earned each semester for each class passed with a 70 or above average. Next year, as a senior, you must take a minimum of 6 classes (most seniors still decide to take more than 6).

Graduation Plans for Class of 2017 Recommended Program – designed for students who plan to go to college Distinguished Program – requires completion of the 3rd year of foreign language and completion of advanced measures The graduation plans are high school graduation plans, not college admission requirements.

Recommended Plan SubjectCreditsRequired Courses English4English 1, 2, 3, 4 Math4Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II, 4 th math Science4Biology, Chemistry, Physics, 4 th science OR Biology, IPC, Chemistry, Physics Social Studies4World Geo, World History, U.S. History, Government & Economics Foreign Language2Spanish, French, Chinese, ASL* 1&2 P.E.1P.E., Athletics/Training, Fall Band, Fall Color Guard, Drill Team, Cheer, Dance (not an option for athletes) Health.5Health, Health Science (Pre-req: Medical Terminology) Speech.5Professional Communications Fine Arts1Art, Theater Arts, Choir, Band, Dance, Orchestra, DGA, Elements of Floral Design Technology1BIM, Digital Interactive Media, DGA, Computer Science, Web Technologies, Computer Maintenance, Yearbook, Video Technology, Broadcast, Intro. Engineering, Architectural Design. Journalism, Photojournalism Electives 4 Total26 * ASL does not meet all college admissions requirements. Juniors, PLEASE REVIEW:

Academic & Course Catalog Academic & Course Catalog The Academic & Course Catalogs are online! You can find the complete Academic Guide and Course Catalog online on the Frisco ISD website at:

New for AP CAPSTONE Program AP Capstone is a two year sequence of courses- AP Seminar and AP Research. AP Seminar will be offered in for any 10 th -12 th grader. AP Seminar focuses on college-level analysis, writing, and research skills. This class will count as an additional Social Studies credit. For more information, make plans to attend the AP Capstone information night on: January 20 th at 6:00 pm in the IHS auditorium

Sports and Entertainment Marketing

Rank in Class Policy Rank in class, honor graduate status, valedictorian and salutatorian determination shall be based on a weighted grade point average (GPA) system. Grades will be weighted according to the level of the course. AP/PAPDual Credit On-LevelGrade Point GPA and Rank calculations will take place early September for college admissions. You will not have a transcript available for college admissions until then!

Top 10% Rule Class Rank and GPA are used to determine if you are in the “Top 10%” of your class. Students who are in the top 10% of their class (at the end of junior year) are automatically accepted into Texas public colleges. (UT Austin is top 8% for those entering college Fall 2016).

Programs Needing Applications or Teacher Approval at IHS: Teacher Approval or Audition: Band Orchestra Choir Athletics Off Campus PE – Contact Sally Turner at district Applications: Music Theory Athletic Trainer Broadcast 2 & 3 Yearbook 2 & 3 Partner’s P E Teen Leadership 2 ISM **All applications can be picked up in the counseling office starting February 1st!

CTE Courses that require an online application: Marketing Dynamics Practicum in Marketing Dynamics Practicum in Veterinary Medical Applications Advanced Practicum in Veterinary Medical Applications Instructional Practice in Health Science Technology - Clinical & Nursing Home Rotations (HST 2) Practicum in Health Science Technology - Specialized Rotation (HST 3) Practicum in Health Science Technology - Pharmacology Practicum in Educational Practice Advanced Practicum in Educational Practice Child Guidance & Management Practicum in Child Guidance & Management Culinary Arts Practicum in Culinary Arts Sports Management Practicum in Law Enforcement (This Practicum course is no longer available) Practicum in Local Government Practicum in Graphic Design & Illustration Practicum in Architectural Design ***Online application is on the CTE Center’s website! **The deadline for the completed application is Sunday, February 21st ** Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted

Late Arrival/Early Release May not be looked upon favorably by colleges No rank points or credit earned Must be off campus during scheduled time for late arrival or early release; Must have transportation!

Aide Positions May not be looked upon favorably by colleges No rank points or credit earned Do not sign up for teacher/office aide now….request those positions in August at schedule pick-up or during the first two weeks of school!

Dual Credit Requires that you attend Dual Credit Night at IHS on Wednesday, April 13th, at 6:00 p.m. at IHS. Requires that you meet Collin College’s admissions criteria and complete the admission process with the college You must currently have an overall average of a “B” or higher in the curriculum area for which dual credit is being requested Student responsibilities: Attendance Transportation Tuition & Fees (approximately $100) plus Books

Making a Schedule Change Your last opportunity to change an elective is on or before: April 17th, 2015 Only approved program changes (in or out of athletics, band, etc.) can be made the first two weeks of the new semester. PAP/AP students must complete the first six-weeks grade cycle before a change to on-level will be considered.

State Assessments for Graduation 5 STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) Exams −English I −English II −Algebra I −Biology −US History

Career Planner in HAC Want to update your courses before you meet with your counselor in February? Starting January 15 th, IHS students can update courses in Home Access under the “Class” icon by selecting the “Career Planner” tab.

Career Planner in HAC This is an assignment you will complete on your own, if you choose. Login to Home Access and modify your 4-year plan to reflect your new courses for the upcoming year(s). This online function will close January 24 th. The counselors will meet with you in February to review your selections and make any needed changes.

Dates to Remember Jan. 15 th -24 th - Career Planner turned on in HAC for students to update 4 year plan if they choose to February 2 nd -5th – Counselors will meet individually with all juniors February 12 th - all course verification forms due back to the IHS counseling office ***If you do not turn in your course verification sheet, we will choose classes for you. ***Complete the alternate classes or we choose those for you! Alternates that end up on your schedule next year cannot be changed!

Next August: Requesting Transcripts Parchment.com

IHS Counselors  Heather Holmes (A-B)   Rosalyn Greer (C – J)   Katie Puente (K-Q)   Jason Wooden (R-Z)  We look forward to seeing you in a few weeks for registration!