1. Welcome to high school Class of 2022
Welcome Parents and Class of 2021! Thank you for coming tonight to learn more about this very important transition in your child’s life. In collaboration with the middle school counselors, we are working with your students to make the shift from middle school to high school a successful one. Tonight you will receive a broad overview of the graduation requirements, hear about some tips for setting your child up for success when they get to college and learn more about what your 8th grader will be doing in the upcoming weeks to prepare for 9th grade. Learning about graduation requirements and the high school way can be overwhelming – particularly if this is your first child entering high school. Please know both the middle school and high school counselors are here to assist you and your child through this process and we will post this presentation along with other information on our websites.
Welcome to high school
Class of 2022

2. The differences between middle school and high school
Grades do not count as credits
You go to the same classes every day
Grades become credits that are required for graduation
You will follow a modified block schedule
What are the main differences between middle school and high school?
Grades become credits in high school. You must earn a specific number of credits to be “promoted” to the next grade level and you must earn at least 26 credits to graduate.
The schedule in high school is called a modified block schedule. You will have some classes every day and some classes every other day.
Generally, high school is less restrictive and students have more freedoms than in middle school. However, this means more responsibility is placed on the student.

3. How do I earn a credit???
A student earns a credit when he or she successfully completes a course by earning a minimum grade of a 70 and being in attendance 90% of the time.
Students earn a half credit for each successfully completed semester class.
Students must earn a particular number of credits to be promoted from one grade to the next and to graduate.
How does a student earn a credit? Students earn a half credit for each class he or she successfully completes each semester. Successful completion of a class means the student has passed the class with a grade of at least a 70 and the student has been in attendance at least 90% of the time. Students must earn a certain number of credits to be promoted to the next grade level and to graduate from high school. If a student fails a class that is required for graduation, he/she will have to take it over again until he/she passes it. One thing to note, each semester stands alone. Semester grades are not averaged.

4. Graduation requirements
The class of 2022 will complete the Foundation plus Endorsements Graduation Plan and pass 5 End of Course (EOC) Exams to graduate.

5. STAAR EOC REQUIREMENTS
English 1
Algebra 1
Biology
Freshman Year
English 2
Sophomore Year
US History
Junior Year

6. Core foundation Requirements
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
4 CREDITS
MATHEMATICS
SCIENCE
SOCIAL STUDIES
English 1
Algebra 1
Biology
World Geography or AP Human Geography
English 2
Geometry
Chemistry
World History
English 3
Algebra 2 or Math Models
Physics
US History
English 4
Algebra 2 or Advanced Math
Advanced Science
Government/Economics
*All courses have a PreAP, AP or IB option.

7. Core foundation continued:
WORLD LANGUAGE
2 CREDITS
SPEECH
½ CREDIT
HS 101
FINE ARTS
1 CREDIT
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Spanish
French
German
Latin
American Sign Language*
Professional Communications
High School 101
Art
Band
Dance
Choir
Orchestra
Theater Arts
P.E. or Partner P.E.
Athletics
ROTC
Marching Band (fall only)
Cheerleading (fall only)
Drill Team (fall only)
* Not all colleges and universities recognize this course as a world language

8. Elective courses
In addition to core courses, students will select additional electives to bring their credit total to 26.

9. Weighted Courses (PreAP, AP, IB)
The calculation of your GPA begins the first day of high school
All core classes (English, Math, Science and Social Studies) plus world language will be calculated into your GPA
High school course credits earned in middle school do not calculate into the GPA
Unweighted Courses
Weighted Courses (PreAP, AP, IB)
90 – 100 = 4
90 – 100 = 5
80 – 89 = 3
80 – 89 = 4
70 – 79 = 2
70 – 79 = 3
69 or below = 0
Another important piece of your high school experience is the grade point average or GPA. A GPA is the average of the grades you earn while in high school. It is important to note that your GPA “counts” from day one of class. Core classes such as English, Math, Science, and Social Studies plus world language courses are calculated into your GPA. If you took a course for high school credit in middle school such as Algebra or Spanish – it does NOT calculate into the GPA. You can read about the specific details regarding GPA in the course catalog on the Denton ISD website or our counseling website.
Grade Point Average
Course Planning Guide

10. ENDORSEMENTS
Every student will select an Endorsement under which he or she will graduate:
Multidisciplinary
STEM
Business and Industry
Public Service
Arts and Humanities
Students in Denton ISD who meet the before described graduation requirements will graduate with at least the Multidisciplinary Endorsement.
Another component of the graduation requirements is the selection of an endorsement. Denton ISD students select an endorsement in 8th grade. An endorsement is similar to a major in college or an area of specialization. By selecting an endorsement students will be able to customize their graduation plan to match their career interests and goals. An endorsement can be changed at any time throughout the high school career. Students may select any of the five endorsements offered (STEM, Business and industry, Public Service, arts and Humanities or Multidisciplinary) and many students will graduate with more than one endorsement. Students in Denton ISD who meet the before described graduation requirements will automatically graduate with the Multidisciplinary Endorsement.

11. Why choose an endorsement?
Allows the student to apply core curriculum in a practical way
Allows the student to earn licensures and certifications while in high school
Helps the student build skills toward college and/or career choices
The intention behind choosing an endorsement is to encourage students to take courses that will best prepare them for their future
Many of the career courses in each endorsement give students real world experience
These courses can also help students make an educated, informed decision when choosing a future career path
Exploring these courses while in high school can help save money because there is less need to explore during college where courses cost money – a lot of money
Many of these courses allow students to earn a certification or license that can provide an immediate financial benefit

12. Advanced technology complex
Many of our classes that provide hands on career experiences are available at the Advanced Technology Complex also known as the ATC. While most of the courses at the ATC are for 11th and 12th grade students, it will be important that students explore these options now so that they know which prerequisite courses they should take.
Advanced technology complex
LaGrone ATC

13. Distinguished level of achievement
A student may earn a distinguished level of achievement by successfully completing the curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement, including four credits in science, and four credits in mathematics, to include Algebra II. The distinguished level of achievement must be earned for students to be admitted to public universities under the top 10 percent automatic admission law.
Distinguished level of achievement

14. Performance acknowledgements
Dual Credit
Bilingualism and Biliteracy
AP/IB Exams
National Merit Scholarship Finalist
Particular score on PSAT, SAT or ACT
Business/Industry Certification
Additionally, students can earn a performance acknowledgement honor. A student can earn a performance acknowledgement through various avenues which include AP and IB Exams, dual credit, bilingualism and bilteracy, the National Merit Scholarship program, scores on the PSAT, SAT or ACT, and business and industry certifications. Students can earn multiple performance acknowledgements throughout their high school careers.

15. Performance acknowledgements
Take rigorous courses your freshman year and throughout high school.
Keep your grades up. They can affect future opportunities.
Request tutoring if you need it.
Make school attendance a priority.
What can I do now to work toward earning a performance acknowledgement?
The best way to ensure you are on the path to earn a performance acknowledgement is to take rigorous courses such as PreAP courses your freshman year.

16. To pre-ap or not to pre-ap
Students who take PreAP/AP coursework are better prepared for college curriculum
Students who take PreAP/AP coursework are better prepared for SAT/ACT college admissions exams
If a student scores 3 or higher on an AP exam, it might count as college credit
PreAP and AP courses are weighted more heavily in the GPA
Not taking the first years of PreAP courses may hurt your chances of success in AP courses later
PreAP and AP courses can require a larger time commitment – assume each class will require 30 – 45 minutes of study/homework time per night
Pre AP classes are available to all freshmen who feel they are ready for rigorous course work. PreAP courses frequently go into more depth and breadth than other courses. Also, these courses often have summer reading and/or writing assignments. Pre AP courses are a great way to prepare for AP courses through which students can earn college credit.
To pre-ap or not to pre-ap
That is the question!

17. International Baccalaureate Program
Middle Years Programme (MYP) 9th & 10th Grade
Diploma Programme (DP)
11th & 12th Grade
ALL 9th graders will take MYP Design (HS 101/Professional Comm. )
Begin or continue 4 years of a World Language
Individual learning through Problem-Based Units and Personal Project
Gain technology and practical skills that will produce success in the DP
All 9th & 10th graders are MYP students
Students receive a rigorous, college prep program valued throughout the world
Multiple assessments are used to achieve scores reported to colleges
TX HB 111 provides a minimum of 24 college credit hours at TX public universities for diploma earners
DP is a choice program for 11th and 12th graders but is required for all IB transfer students
The IB graduation program is a unique diploma plan only offered at Denton High School. For more information regarding the International Baccalaureate program, please contact Crystal Sullivan at Denton High School. She can then schedule an individual meeting with you and your child regarding IB.
Crystal Sullivan:

18. Personal graduation plans
With the assistance of their counselors, each Denton ISD 8th grader will create a personal graduation plan. This is essentially a road map of their course work over the next 4 years of school. Like all plans, the personal graduation plan can be changed along the way.
Personal graduation plans
a.k.a. 4 – year plans

19. Science, Engineering, Technology & Math
Endorsements
Science, Engineering, Technology & Math
Arts & Humanities
Business & Industry
Public Service
Multidisciplinary
Students have explored different career options and have taken a career inventory. After reflecting on that information and learning more about the endorsements, each student selects (or has selected) the endorsement that best fits them at this point.

20. PGP CARD
Based on the endorsement your child has selected, they will develop their own personal graduation plan and select courses for their 9th grade year.

21. Course selection
Counselors will work with students to make sure they are selecting the correct courses for 9th grade.
The 9th grade courses will be written in on the students Personal Graduation Plan or PGP. Only the courses being input for 9th grade on the PGP will be for actual course selection.
Students may not take a course in high school that they have already taken in middle school for HS credit. (Example – Algebra and/or Spanish)
The 9th grade courses will be written in on the students Personal Graduation Plan or PGP. Only the courses being input for 9th grade on the PGP will be for actual course selection.

22. Students will write in their endorsement and Career Pathway
Students will write in their endorsement and Career Pathway. These can be changed!
Prior to students selecting an endorsement, they have completed different types of assessments to help them learn more about themselves such as the Career Cluster, Career Key, and Gallup Strengths Explorer (explain further if needed). We have also done a lesson on the different endorsements and the types of careers that fall under the different endorsements. One thing we emphasize with the students is that an endorsement can be changed. The endorsements and personal graduation plans will be revisited each year in high school. Students can make changes to their endorsements and personal graduation plans with the assistance of the counselors.

23. With the assistance of the counselors, students will select the courses they will be taking as 9th graders.
Once students have selected their endorsement, they will select the courses they will be taking as 9th graders. While the courses selected for 9th grade are part of the students personal graduation plan – these courses cannot be changed after the April 13th, The 9th grade courses selected by students determines which classes are offered and which and how much staff is hired. While the 9th grade schedule is limited somewhat in flexibility, it is important that students make thoughtful decisions. It is strongly recommended that all 9th grade students take as many of their required electives as possible. The older students become, the more elective choices they will have.

24. All freshman core courses are available at the Pre AP level or regular level. At Denton HS, core classes are also available as part of the IB diploma program. If your child is debating about which level of course is most appropriate, encourage him/her to seek input from his/her teachers and counselor. If your child does choose to take a PreAP level course, it is required that you and your child review the PreAP Agreement found in the pink packet that will be given to your son or daughter. It must be signed and returned with the Personal Graduation Plan. We encourage students to try at least one PreAP course. Remember – rigorous course work is essential to college and career success.

25. With the assistance of the counselors, students will develop the remainder of their Personal Graduation Plans. This will be revisited each year of high school.
Once students have selected their 9th grade courses, they will complete the rest of their personal graduation plan. This portion of the PGP will be revisited again in 9th grade, so students can make adjustments as necessary. Again, the courses written in for the 10th – 12th grade year are pre planning. These courses are not set in stone. The purpose of completing the PGP is to get our students thinking in a forward direction and making sure our they are knowledgeable about their future opportunities in high school.

26. The student and parent should sign the PGP acknowledging the endorsement choice and schedule change policy.
Personal graduation plans will be sent home with your child on _________________________ (date). Please review and discuss the PGP with your son/daughter, sign it, and return to school no later than _____________________ (date). Students will input their PGPs onto Naviance where you and your child can access his/her PGP from any wifi device. Again – endorsements and personal graduation plans will be revisited each year of your student’s academic career.

27. middle school
Due date

28. April 13 will be the last date to make any changes to the 9th grade
A VERIFICATION LETTER WILL BE MAILED HOME IN LATE MARCH FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS TO REVIEW.
April 13 will be the last date to make any changes to the 9th grade
selected courses.
A verification letter will be mailed home in April with a list of the courses your child selected for 9th grade. Students can make changes to the 9th grade course selections by returning the verification letter with any changes or by contacting the 9th grade counselor at your assigned high school. Again, the last date to make changes is April 13.
Verification letter

29. Got questions???? Please reach out to the school counselor
We have the high school counselors here tonight to answer any questions you may have. If other questions arise after tonight, please do not hesitate to reach out to your counselor.
Got questions????
Please reach out to the school counselor

30. View this power point on the DENTON ISD counseling website or the high school websites.
Still have questions???
Planning is brining the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.
– Alan Lakein