1. Welcome 8th Grade Dragon Parents
JDS Counselors – Ms. Aldana, Ms. Rodriguez, Ms. Arellano

2. PREPARING FOR HIGH SCHOOL
What are colleges
looking for in
students?
Consistent good grades
Took challenging classes
Involved in extra-curricular activities
Leadership experience
Volunteer experience
All of the above

3. PREPARING FOR HIGH SCHOOL
How far back do colleges
look when making
admissions decisions?
Kindergarten
7th Grade
9th Grade
11th Grade

4. ADVANCED CLASSES Potential for FREE college credit
BENEFITS OF ADVANCED COURSES/ACADEMIES
Potential for FREE college credit
GPA/Class rank boost
Credit towards advanced degrees
Experience with college level material
Potential to save time and money in college
Increase competitiveness of college applications

5. ADVANCED CLASSES ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)
Cost to Student: No cost for tuition/books
$86 for AP Exam (waivers available)
Rigor: College-level rigor set by national standards
Registration: Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors
Pay Off: Credit awarded by many U.S. accredited colleges Must meet a minimum score for credit.

6. ADVANCED CLASSES DUAL CREDIT
Cost to Student: No cost for tuition/books
Rigor: College-level rigor set
by state standards.
Registration: Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
Must take a placement test.
Pay-Off: Credit awarded by all public Texas
colleges. Must pass course
with a 70% for credit.

7. ADVANCED CLASSES
All SISD high schools offer a variety of DUAL CREDIT and/or AP courses.

8. PAAM and TSI Testing
These placement tests are to qualify students to enroll in DUAL CREDIT courses as freshman.
PAAM – February 6-10
TSI – April 17-21

9. CCRP College and Career Readiness Planner
Your child will fill this out in Ms. Burton’s CATE class. If they have her this semester, CCRP’s were sent home MONDAY and are due FRIDAY. If not, your child will have her next semester. Changes need to be made BEFORE your child enters high school.

10. CCRP
The only part you need to check and make sure of on this form is the Endorsement part and the career cluster. All the classes listed are pre-populated and once your child enters high school, their counselor will give them a list of courses available to them based on the ENDORSEMENT they chose.

11. 2016-2017 Socorro ISD HB5 Endorsement Verification Form Revised 08/29/16
STEM
Business and Industry
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Animal Science-Veterinary Technology (EDHS/EHS/PHS) *
Horticulture/Floral Design (EDHS/EHS/PHS) *
Architecture and Construction
Architecture
Electrical Technology (AHS/MHS/SHS) *
HVAC Technology (EDHS) *
Mill and Cabinet (MHS)
Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
Animation
Audio and Video Production
Graphic Design & Illustration *
Fashion Design (MHS) *
Journalism/Communications
Business Management and Administration/Finance
Business Management/Banking and Financial Services
Sparta Business Academy – PHHS *
Hospitality and Tourism
Culinary Arts
Information Technology
Computer and Network Systems
Computer Programmer
Digital Media & Web Design
Manufacturing
Welding (AHS/EDHS) *
Marketing
Marketing and Sports Promotion(AHS,EDHS, SHS)*
Transportation, Distribution and Logistics
Automotive Technology
Public Service
Education and Training
Teacher Preparation/Child Development
Government and Public Administration (AHS)
Libertas Academy-Government (AHS- Libertas accepted students only) *
Libertas Academy-Public Administration
(AHS-Libertas accepted students only) *
Health Science
Dentistry (HPA students accepted only) *
Emergency Medical Technician (HPA accepted students only) *
Pharmacy Technician (HPA accepted students only) *
Physician/Pre-Nursing (HPA accepted students only) *
Human Services
Cosmetology/Nail Tech*
Law, Public Safety and Security
Emergency and Fire Management Services Academy (SHS) *
Security and Protective Services
Law Public Safety and Corrections(Law Enforcement)
Libertas Academy-LAW (AHS Libertas accepted students only) *
* Programs followed by the Asterisks may require an application, transfer approval and or acceptance into the program.
Science Technology Engineering & Math
PLTW - Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Synergi (MHS) Biomedical *
Synergi (MHS) Engineering*
Synergi (MHS) Math*
Computer Science (EHS-SATA)*
Advanced Math & Science Studies
(*IB, MECHS)
*NOTE: IB & MECHS may qualify for more than one endorsement area.
Science/Math-Athletic Trainer
Science/Math-Health Occupations(Non-Academy-
Arts and Humanities
AP Social Studies
IB Social Studies-EDHS *
The same language for 4 years in a language other than English (LOTE)/2x2 (2years in 2 different Languages)
4 years of Performing Arts/2By 2
( 2 years in 2 different Fine Arts)
(Art, Dance, Theatre, Music [Orchestra, Band, Mariachi, Choir, Guitar, Piano})
Multidisciplinary
Includes courses from the
curriculum of each endorsement area.

12. 7 Advanced Academies

13. ENDORSEMENT: PUBLIC SERVICE
Americas High School
LIBERTAS ACADEMY
FOCUS: LAW CAREERS
ENDORSEMENT: PUBLIC SERVICE

14. ENDORSEMENT: PUBLIC SERVICE
Americas High School
LIBERTAS ACADEMY
FOCUS: LAW CAREERS
ENDORSEMENT: PUBLIC SERVICE
The Libertas Academy is designed to prepare students for career and college-readiness in the fields of law (focus on the judiciary system), government (focus on local, state and federal laws) and public administration (focus on business law and the economy). Libertas Academy is the only one of it’s kind in El Paso and in fact, is one of four law academies in the entire State of Texas.
Please contact Eduardo Hinojos, program coordinator, with any questions at
Please visit AHS website for more details about Libertas Academy.

15. FOCUS: COMPUTER SCIENCE
EASTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL
SATA PROGRAM
FOCUS: COMPUTER SCIENCE
ENDORSEMENT: STEM

16. FOCUS: COMPUTER SCIENCE
EASTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL
SATA PROGRAM
FOCUS: COMPUTER SCIENCE
ENDORSEMENT: STEM
The School of Advanced Technology Applications is a program focused on the field of computer sciences. SATA was developed to build creativity, innovation, communication and collaboration amongst students through research, building information fluency, critical thinking, problem solving and decision making skills with an emphasis on digital citizenship and technology operation and concepts.
Students will create apps and games their Freshman year.
Game Programmers and Robotics Developers will have the opportunity to compete.
All accepted Freshman will go to Eastlake High School.
Bus Transportation from JDS available
Please visit EHS website for more details about SATA.

17. EL DORADO HIGH SCHOOL FOCUS: ANY DESIRED MAJOR/DEGREE
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM (IB)
FOCUS: ANY DESIRED MAJOR/DEGREE
ENDORSEMENT: VARIOUS

18. EL DORADO HIGH SCHOOL FOCUS: ANY DESIRED MAJOR/DEGREE
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM (IB)
FOCUS: ANY DESIRED MAJOR/DEGREE
ENDORSEMENT: VARIOUS
IB is focused on developing independent learners and critical thinkers who are strong writers with proven time management skills that make them successful students in any field of study. IB Diploma graduates are awarded some of the largest scholarships available and this due to the rigorous preparation experienced at the high school level.
IB Preparatory Program
(9th & 10th Grades)
IB Diploma Program
(11th & 12th Grades)
All accepted Freshman will go to El Dorado High School.
Bus Transportation from JDS available
Please visit EDHS website for more details about the IB Program.

19. MISSION EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL FOCUS: ANY DESIRED MAJOR/DEGREE
MECHS
FOCUS: ANY DESIRED MAJOR/DEGREE
ENDORSEMENT: VARIOUS

20. MISSION EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL FOCUS: ANY DESIRED MAJOR/DEGREE
MECHS
FOCUS: ANY DESIRED MAJOR/DEGREE
ENDORSEMENT: VARIOUS
ONLY 135 students will be accepted.
NO Competitive sports available but rather an extensive fine arts program and intramural sports program.
MANDATORY Parent Night in order to apply.
Bus Transportation from JDS available
Please visit MECHS website for more details.
MECHS is founded on the belief that many high school students are ready and eager to do serious college work. Through a partnership with El Paso Community College, MECHS enables highly motivated students to accelerate in four years from the 9th grade through the first two years of college, earning an Associate’s of Arts Degree.

21. Montwood High School
SYNERGI4
FOCUS: MATH & SCIENCE
ENDORSEMENT: STEM

22. Montwood High School SYNERGI4 FOCUS: MATH & SCIENCE ENDORSEMENT: STEM
The Synergi4 Program is designed for creative students that are motivated by academic success, aspire to obtain college and career readiness skills and prepare for the challenges of a global community with an interest and aptitude in applied science and mathematics. It’s designed to provide opportunities for inquiry, investigation, innovation and inventions. The Synergi4 Program is one of 16 programs in Texas to be designated a Texas Education Agency STEM approved academy.
All accepted Freshman will go to Montwood High School.
Bus Transportation from JDS available
Please visit MHS website for more details about Synergi4.

23. SOCORRO HIGH SCHOOL HEALTH PROFESSIONS ADADEMY (HPA)
Emergency and Fire Science
FOCUS: MEDICAL CAREERS
ENDORSEMENT: PUBLIC SERVICE

24. HEALTH PROFESSIONS ADADEMY (HPA) Emergency and Fire Science
SOCORRO HIGH SCHOOL
HEALTH PROFESSIONS ADADEMY (HPA)
Emergency and Fire Science
FOCUS: MEDICAL CAREERS
ENDORSEMENT: PUBLIC SERVICE
HPA was established in 1991 has prepared students for various fields within the medical careers spectrum. HPA offers a rigorous practical hands-on experience in the clinical setting where students tackle problem solving skills that prepare them for college and beyond.
Student have the option of earning the following State certifications:
*Emergency Medical Technician
*Dental Assistant
*Pharmacy Tech
*Firefighter
All accepted Freshman will go to Socorro High School.
Bus Transportation from JDS available
Please visit SHS website for more details about HPA.

25. Pebble Hills High School
Sparta Business Academy
FOCUS: BUSINESS CAREERS
ENDORSEMENT: BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

26. Sparta Business Academy
FOCUS: BUSINESS CAREERS
ENDORSEMENT: BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
SPARTA business academy is the newest academy. This class will be the second freshman class to start the academy. While it may be new, the program is well underway with a recently approved GECU branch in the school in which Juniors and Seniors will be able to work there plus get paid!
Raquel Gomez is the contact person for this academy.
All accepted Freshman will go to Pebble Hills High School.
Bus Transportation from JDS available
Please visit PBHS website for more details about SPARTA Business Academy.

27. Advanced Academy Applications
Applications were passed out last week and are due FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9th. We will be gathering all attendance, report cards and discipline reports.