1. Brazos High School Course Selection
Spring 2017

2. Welcome Welcome Class of 2021! Principal – Mary McCarthy
Counselor – Nanette Kubena
Secretary – Janette Demny
Registrar – Rachel Martinez

3. Introduction to High School
High School students may be in grade level specific core courses or multi-age electives
High School students are required to earn a specific number of course credits to move to the next grade level
There is no “social promotion” in High School
High School students must pass 5 STAAR End-of-Course exams to be eligible tor graduate.

4. Classification of Students
GRADE
CREDITS
CLASSIFICATION 9
0-4.5
Freshman 10
5-9.5
Sophomore 11
Junior 12
15 and above
Senior
Classification is based on the classes a student has passed and received credit for; not the number of years the student has been in high school.
For more information: See Course Catalog page 4

5. High School Credits
High School Credits for students in grades 9-12 are awarded on a semester by semester basis.
If a student fails a semester of a full-year course and passes the other semester, the two semester grades will be averaged together to determine whether the student has earned a passing grade for the year.
Example: 65 (1st semester) + 75 (2nd semester) = 70 avg.

6. Grade Point Average
The District shall include in the calculation of class rank semester grades earned in high school credit courses taken at any grade level in the District in the following subject areas only: English, mathematics, science, social studies, and languages other than English.
The District shall also include semester grades earned in high school credit courses in these subjects in grades 9–12 at an accredited school that is not a District school.
The calculation shall include failing grades.
The calculation of class rank shall exclude grades earned in any local credit course.

7. Weights for GPA Computations
Category Weight
AP/Dual credit multiplied by 1.1
Enrichment multiplied by 1.05
Regular multiplied by 1

8. Class Rank
All students graduating from high school shall be assigned a class rank in accordance with legal and local requirements.
Computation of class rank for graduation ceremonies will be done after the completion of the fifth six weeks of grade 12. Final GPA and ranking calculations will be completed following the completion of the final semester.

9. Graduating with Honors
The District shall recognize as an honor graduate each student who has completed the Foundation Graduation plan with Endorsement -Distinguished Level and whose weighted numerical grade average is among the top 20 percent in the graduating class.

10. Guidelines for High School Honors Courses
Strong grades in previous coursework
Strong desire to excel
Commended level of performance on STAAR
Teacher recommendation
Completion of summer assignments(s) (if applicable)

11. Exiting an Honors/AP Class
May exit an Honors Course at the end of the six weeks or at semester by submitting the signed exit form to the counselor.
Before a student can exit from an Honors course, they must conference with teacher and complete course assignments and/or attend recommended tutorials.
A parent conference will be required before exit is approved
The petition may or may not be granted depending on input from teacher, student performance and availability of space in other courses
Exiting from an Honors course may cause you to have to exit other Honors courses because of scheduling conflicts.
In order for the semester grades in a two-semester course to be awarded a weight other than Regular weight, the student must complete both semesters of the course as per EIC (Local)
For more information: See Course Catalog page 10

12. Dual Credit
Students have the opportunity to take college courses while still in high school.
Students are able to earn both college and high school credits simultaneously. Grades received will be on the high school and college transcript.
Fees apply
IMPORTANT: Please be aware that your grade earned in a dual credit course will follow you to college!
In order to take a course you must either meet TSI standards or be TSI exempt
For more information: See Course Catalog page 7-8

13. Mandatory
All students wishing to enroll in Dual Credit Courses, will need to attend with their parents a mandatory meeting in May.
Any student along with guardian unable to make the meeting will not be permitted to enroll in Dual Credit Courses.

14. Exiting Dual Credit Classes
Should the student withdraw from a one-semester college level course (i.e. Government) that is a requirement for graduation after the second week of school, the campus will accept the withdrawal grade and place the student in the comparable high school course.
Should the student withdraw from a year-long course during the first semester (i.e. English IV or U.S. History) that is required for graduation after the second week of school, the campus will accept the withdrawal grade and place the student in the comparable first semester high school course.
Should the student withdraw from a year-long college level course during the second semester (i.e. English IV or U.S. History), the student must recover the fall semester of the high school credit and enroll in the comparable second semester high school course.
for more information: See Course Catalog page 9-10

15. Texas Success Initiative
Before taking college courses, the state requires students to prove they are college ready. This can be done through:
SAT: 1070 (500Verbal & 500 Math)
ACT: 23 (19 English & 19 Math)
Note: Students taking dual credit courses may use the PSAT scores as well
Students who not meet the TSI Exemptions must take the TSI Assessment
For more information: See Course Catalog pages 8-9

16. HOUSE BILL 5
Overview

17. Graduation Overview 26-credit Foundation Program
*(BISD requires all students to complete 26 credits)
17 specified credits + 9 electives
26-credit Endorsements
19 specified credits + 7 electives
26-credit Distinguished Level of Achievement
19 specified credits, including Algebra electives
For ANY student:
Performance Acknowledgements
For more information: See Course Catalog page 8

18. Foundation High School Program
Eligible for general admission to institutions of higher education
Foundation Curriculum
Enrichment Curriculum
English Language Arts (4 credits)
English I *
English II*
English III
English IV
Physical Education
1 credit
Mathematics (3 credits)
Algebra I*
Geometry
Advanced Mathematics Course
Languages Other Than English
2 credits in the same language
Science (3 Credits)
Biology*
IPC or Advanced Science Course
Advanced Science Course
Fine Arts
Social Studies (3 credits)
World Geography or World History
U.S. History*
U.S. Government (.5 credit)
Economics (.5 credit)
Electives
Speech (0.5 credits)
4.5 credits
TOTAL: 26 credits
*Course has an EOC requirement
For more information: See Course Catalog pages 17-42

19. ENGLISH (4 credits) English 1* English 2* English 3* English 4*
Dual Credit English /1302
Dual Credit English /2323
Dual Credit English /2328
*Required courses

20. Math (3 credits) Algebra 1* AP Calculus Geometry* Math in Ag
Geometry Honors
Statistics and Risk Management
Math Models
College Prep Math
Algebra 2
MATH 1314 (UTPB)
Algebra 2 Honors
Math 2412/2413 (UTPB)
Pre-Calculus Honors
*Required Courses

21. Science (3 credits) Biology* Physics Biology Honors Physics Honors IPC
Environmental Systems
Chemistry
Anatomy & Physiology
Chemistry Honors
Advanced Animal Science
*Required Courses

22. Social Studies (3 credits)
World Geography
Government*
World Geography Honors
Dual Credit Government
World History
Economics*
World History Honors
Dual Credit Economics
U.S. History*
Dual Credit Psychology
Dual Credit U.S. History
Dual Credit Sociology
*Required Courses

23. Foreign Language (2 credits)
Spanish 1*
Spanish 2*
Spanish 3
Spanish 1411 Dual Credit
Spanish 2311 Dual Credit
*Required Courses

24. Fine Arts (1 credit) Band 1-4 Art 1-4
Principles & Elements of Floral Design (Prerequisite: Principles of Agriculture)
MUSC 1301
ART 1301

25. P.E. Credit (1 credit) PE
Athletics
Band (2 Fall semesters)

26. Speech Credit (0.5 credit)
Professional Communications
Dual Credit Speech

27. Endorsements
Upon entering 9th grade, a student must indicate in writing an endorsement he/she intends to earn
Students will be allowed to choose a different endorsement at any time
Students may graduate with more than one endorsement

28. Endorsements (26 credits)
A student may earn an endorsement by successfully completing:
Curriculum requirements for the endorsement
4 credits in mathematics
4 credits in science
2 additional elective credits
26 credits total

29. Foundation High School Program with Endorsement(s)
Eligible for general admission to institutions of higher education
Foundation Curriculum
Enrichment Curriculum
English Language Arts (4 credits)
English I *
English II*
English III
Advanced English Course
Physical Education
1 credit
Mathematics (4 credits)
Algebra I*
Geometry
2 Advanced Mathematics Course
Languages Other Than English
2 credits in the same language
Science (4 Credits)
Biology*
IPC or Advanced Science Course
2 Advanced Science Course
Fine Arts
Social Studies (3 credits)
World Geography or World History
U.S. History*
U.S. Government (.5 credit)
Economics (.5 credit)
Electives
Speech (0.5 credits)
6.5 credits
TOTAL: 26 credits
*Course has an EOC requirement

30. Endorsements offered by Brazos High School

31. Business & Industry Endorsements

32. Arts & Humanities Endorsements

33. Multidisciplinary Endorsement

34. STEM Endorsements

35. Advanced Math & Science Credits
Advanced Third Mathematics Credit
(perquisites must be met)
Mathematical Models
Algebra 2/Algebra 2 Honors
Math in Ag
Advanced Second Science Credit
Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC)
Chemistry/Chemistry Honors
Physics

36. Advanced Third and Fourth Science Credit
Chemistry/Chemistry Honors
Anatomy & Physiology
Physics/Physics Honors
Environmental Science
Additional Advanced Mathematics Credit to Earn an Endorsement
(prerequisites must be met)
Algebra 2/Algebra 2 Honors
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Calculus/Pre-Calculus Honors
College Prep Math (pursuant to TEC, §28.014)
Statistics and Risk Management
Advanced English Language Arts
English 4
Dual Credit English

37. Graduation without an Endorsement
A student can graduate under the foundation Program without an endorsement if, after his/her sophomore year:
The student and the parent are advised by the counselor of the specific benefits of graduating from high school with one or more endorsements and
The student’s parent files with the school counselor written permission (on a TEA developed form) allowing the student to graduate under the foundation High School Program without an endorsement

38. Distinguished Level of Achievement (26 credits)
A student may earn a Distinguished Level of Achievement by completing:
4 credits in mathematics which MUST include Algebra 2
4 credits in Science
The remaining curriculum requirements; and
The curriculum endorsements for at least one endorsement

39. Distinguished Level of Achievement
Students must earn Distinguished Level of Achievement in order to be eligible for Top 10% Automatic Admission to Texas institutions of higher education

40. Performance Acknowledgements
Any student may earn a performance acknowledgement
For outstanding performance
in dual credit courses (12 hours, 3.0 GPA)
in bilingualism and biliteracy
on an advanced placement test
on PSAT, PLAN, SAT or ACT
For earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license
For more information: See Course Catalog page 9

41. EOC Exams Five required EOC exams
English 1
English 2
Algebra 1
Biology
U.S. History
Students must pass all five EOC Exams in order to graduate from high school
For more information: See Course Catalog page 11

42. Accelerated Instruction
Must be provided each time any student fails a state assessment
May require participation of the student outside of normal school hours/days
May require giving up an elective is acceleration is provided during the school day

43. Credit by Examination
A student who has previously taken a course or subject—but did not receive credit or a final grade 6 for it—may, in circumstances determined by the principal or attendance committee, be permitted to earn credit by passing an exam approved by the district’s board of trustees on the essential knowledge and skills defined for that course or subject
A student will be permitted to take an exam to earn credit for an academic course or subject area for which the student has had no prior instruction, i.e., for advancement or to accelerate to the next grade level. Must be provided each time any student fails a state assessment
If a student plans to take an exam, the student (or parent) must register with the school counselor no later than 30 days prior to the scheduled testing date
Please see pages 5-6 of Course Catalog for passing score information
Exam schedule is printed on page 7 of Course Catalog

44. Credit Recovery
Students who do not earn a grade of 70 or greater in a course will be required to make up that credit.
Students whose semester average falls between may repeat the course using the Plato credit recovery courseware.
Students whose semester average falls below 60 will retake the course with an instructor.
Students in grades 9 – 11 will not be allowed to earn initial course credit using the Plato courseware.
Seniors who are credit deficient for graduation may be allowed to take courses for initial credit using the Plato courseware. Requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Every effort will be made to enroll students in face-to-face instruction first.

45. Schedule Changes Schedule changes will be made if:
1. Student is missing a pre-requisite class and needs an alternate course.
2. Student has already earned credit for the class.
3. Paid fee bill for dual credit not submitted.
4. Summer reading for Honors English not completed.
5. Student needs to repeat a failed course.
6. Student received a program recommendation by a coach or sponsor/teacher (example Athletics, Band). Coach/Sponsor/Teacher signature required.
Students will not be able to drop Career and Technical courses without the approval of the principal.
Parent permission is required for all schedule changes.

46. Course Selection
1. All students will take a full course load (8 courses)
2. Be certain that the courses that you are selecting fit in your degree plan. Don’t be afraid to ask if you are uncertain.
3. Consider future career and educational goals of the student. Core academic classes should be chosen that sufficiently challenge and prepare the student for his/her educational plans beyond high school. It is also helpful to identify areas of personal interests when looking at elective options.
4. The purpose of electives is to enrich the curriculum. Students will be eligible for enrollment provided they have completed the necessary prerequisite requirements. Seniors needing courses to fulfil graduation requirements will be given first priority.
5. In the event that very few (less than 8) students register for an elective, the class may be dropped from the master schedule.
6. To have periods off for work, students must be in Career Preparation, must have a job, and be in good standing with credits and state testing requirements.
7. Seniors who are in good academic standing and who have completed all state testing requirements are eligible for one aide period.
8. Course selection must be completed and turned in NO LATER THAN 3/10/2017. A parent signature is required.