1. Welcome to Middle School and Beyond

2. Planning the 6th Grade Year
2 Math (same math double-blocked)
1 ELA
1 Science
1 Social Studies
1 P.E. (All 6th graders take P.E.)
1 Fine Art Elective
(Band, Choir, or Orchestra)
1 other elective which could include a second fine art
Band, Choir, Orchestra, Intro. to Art, Intro. to Theatre, Technology Apps, & Teen Leadership

3. Advisory
All Tidwell students attend an Advisory class daily called “CONNECT.” This time allows us to present Counseling and Guidance lessons, share announcements, and distribute other important information.

4. Choices for 6th Grade Core Courses
Language Arts, Pre-AP Language Arts, or GT Language Arts (for identified GT students)
Math, Pre-AP Math, or GT Math (for identified GT students)
Science or Pre-AP Science
Contemporary World Cultures & Geography or Pre-AP Contemporary World Cultures & Geography
Applied core courses are also available for students who require the courses as determined by an ARD committee.

5. Math Curriculum and STAAR/EOC
Pre-AP Math/GT Math 6
6th and 7th TEKS
6th Grade STAAR
Pre-AP Math/GT Math 7
7th and 8th TEKS
8th grade STAAR
Pre-AP Algebra 1
Algebra 1 TEKS
Algebra 1 EOC
Pre-AP Geometry
Geometry TEKS

6. Selecting 6th Grade Courses
Advanced Academics
Students are encouraged to enroll in Pre-AP (Pre-Advanced Placement) courses in middle school whenever possible to best prepare for future academic opportunities.
Pre-AP courses will prepare students for success in AP and other rigorous courses.

7. Math Sequence Through High School
6th Grade
Math
7th Grade Math
8th Grade Math
Algebra I or PreAP Algebra I
Geometry or PreAP Geometry
Algebra II or PreAP Algebra II
Precalculusor PreAP Precalculus
PreAP 6th Grade Math
PreAP 7th Grade Math
PreAP Algebra I
PreAP Geometry
PreAP Algebra II
PreAP Precalculus
AP Calculus

8. Courses Available for High School Credit in 8th Grade
Pre-AP Algebra I*
Art I*
Professional Communications (.5)*
PreAP Spanish I*
*Required for high school graduation – Algebra I, one high school fine art (i.e. Art I), two years of the same world language (i.e. Spanish), Professional Communications (Speech)

9. Factors to consider when choosing courses:
College and career readiness
Challenging classes
Classes preparing students for rigorous high school courses
Students are encouraged to take at least ONE Pre-AP course.

10. How many Pre-AP courses should my child take?
Consider…
Your child’s academic strengths
Teacher input
Reviewing past grades and test performances
Personal goals
Extra-curricular activities
Most importantly…motivation, effort, & attitude!

11. Why all the talk about advanced academics?
Opportunities will come before we know it---
Endorsements
Academies
AP courses and exams
Dual credit courses
Rigorous courses in middle school will help maximize a student’s efforts in preparing for these opportunities.

12. Beginning with the End in Mind
While in high school, students will have the opportunity to earn college credit through AP courses and Dual Credit college courses.
AP courses are college-level courses reflecting what is taught in introductory college courses. The AP course culminates at the end of the school year with a national AP exam.
Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely then their peers to complete a college degree on time.

13. Preparing for high school, college, and a career
By 7th or 8th grade, students will be provided instruction in the following:
The creation of a high school personal graduation plan
Endorsements
The distinguished level of achievement
College readiness standards
Potential career choices and the education needed to enter those careers

14. Just a Glimpse: the Personal Graduation Plan (PGP) in the Home Access Center (HAC)

15. Just a Glimpse: the Five High School Endorsements Initiated by the State in 2014-15

16. Just a Glimpse: NISD High School Academies
Academy of Aeronautics & Aviation Sciences (AAAS) – Eaton HS
Academy of Biomedical Sciences (ABS) – BNHS
Academy of Business Management and Entrepreneurship (BME) – Eaton HS
NISD Collegiate Academy – SAHS
Academy of Cosmetology – SAHS
Academy of Culinary Arts and Hospitality – BNHS
Academy of Media Arts and Technology (AMAT) – NHS
Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) – NHS

17. Just a Glimpse:
Each middle school student will have his/her own Naviance (a.k.a. Family Connections) account. Through Naviance, our middle school students have the opportunity to research colleges and careers, track his/her community service, build a resume’, and take personality and career assessments.

18. Just a Glimpse:
As a student enters high school, he/she will continue to use Naviance/Family Connections to:
Indicate colleges he/she is thinking about or applying to
Request transcripts
Request teacher and staff letter of recommendations
Track college applications/view deadlines
Utilize the personalized TestPrep course for SAT and/or ACT

19. Partnering in Planning
We share all of this not to overwhelm you, however, to give you a glimpse of the opportunities your child will have over the next several years. We invite you to partner with us as your child begins to plan for his/her future and the path he/she will take to get there. -NISD Counselors

20. Tidwell Middle School Counselors
Counselor: Student Last Name:
Terry Harris A-Gar
Debbie Adley Gas-M
Stefanie Jardine O-Z
Visit us on our website at: