1. Parent Information Night 10th and 11th Grade Parents
Tomball High School
January 2018

2. Graduation Requirements
Earn 26 Credits
Foundation Courses + Endorsement(s)
Successful completion of the following STAAR EOC exams
English 1 (Combined Reading and Writing)
English 2 (Combined Reading and Writing)
Algebra 1
Biology
US History

3. Distinguished Level of Achievement
4 credits in Math (must include Algebra 2) and
4 credits in Science and
Curriculum requirements for Foundation and
1 or more Endorsement areas
Distinguished level of Achievement is mandatory to be eligible for the top 10% Automatic Admission

4. Performance Acknowledgements
A student may earn a performance acknowledgement for
“B” or higher in a Dual Credit courses
“3” or higher on an AP Exam
PSAT commended scholar
SAT math + reading = 1250
ACT score = 28
Earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license (Welding, Health Science)

5. Endorsements Students must earn 1 or more endorsements to graduate
STEM
Business & Industry
Arts & Humanities
Public Services
Multidisciplinary

6. STAAR/EOC Testing Dates

7. STAAR/EOC Testing April 10, 2018 – English I
April 12, 2018 – English II
May 8, Algebra 1
May 9, 2018 – Biology
May 10, US History

8. Credits for Grade Classification
Sophomore – 6 credits
Junior – 12 credits
Senior – 18 credits
Graduation – 26 credits (meeting all specific state credit requirements)

9. Course Selections for 2018-2019

10. Course Selections-Timeline
January – Course Selection
Course verification sheets will go home February 12-15, 2018 for parent review
Course selection changes due by February 21, 2018
See THS website home page for the TISD High School Course Selection Guide

11. Local Credit Options Office Aide (11th or 12th)
Duty assignments made by Assistant Principal
No State Credit awarded, local credit only
Is not included into GPA calculation
Student must be in good standing with attendance and discipline

12. Senior Release Late Arrival or Senior Release
Students must have enough state credits to be eligible
Students must have passing scores on all state required STAAR EOCs
Students must be off campus during release time

13. Advanced Placement Dual Credit

14. Advanced Placement (AP) or Dual Credit (DC)
Both can earn college credit
AP: Colleges may award a student credit based on AP exams in May. The student must be enrolled in the college before credit is awarded.
DC: Lone Star College awards college credit on a transcript at the end of the semester the student is enrolled in the college course.
Both give 15 quality points per semester toward high school GPA
The TISD Course Description Book provides course descriptions and requirements.

15. Advanced Placement (AP)
AP courses are open enrollment.
Expectation is that all students take the AP exam during the first two weeks of May.
Students are required to pay for each AP exam taken ($99 per test)

16. More Advanced Placement
College credit is based on AP exam scores.
Scores range from 1 to 5.
Passing scores range is from 3 to 5.
Most colleges require a 3 or higher. Check with each college for required passing score.
Students earning below a 70 for the semester in any AP course may be removed for the spring semester.

17. Profile of the Student Who Should Take an AP Course
Able to work at a higher level of rigor and faster pace of a university course
Above grade level in reading, and the specific area of the AP course
Above grade level in writing skills, especially for English and Social Studies courses
Interests match courses in the areas the student wants to pursue as a career

18. Dual Credit (DC) Student dually enrolled in THS and Lone Star College
Courses taken on THS campus
Student is responsible for course fees and textbooks
Grade and credit posted on both high school and college transcripts
Credits generally accepted by Texas state colleges and universities. Check with each college/university for credit transfer details.

19. Dual Credit (DC)
First time DC students are REQUIRED to attend ONE of these meetings:
January 30th – 6:45am or 2:45pm in the LGI
January 31st – 6:45am or 2:45pm in the LGI
First time DC Parent Meeting
January 22nd – 6:30pm in the LGI
RETURNING DC students – Mrs. Nichols will be coming to the classrooms during the week of February 5th
Qualification Deadline (TSI) – April 20th
Registration Deadline for Fall courses – April 25th
Calculus – Qualification deadline for Accuplacer/SAT/ACT – June 1st (April 20th for TSI)

20. Making an Informed Decision: AP vs. DC
Student professes interest in subject selected
Research what colleges are accepting and requiring, as well as degree requirements
Check with colleges about transfer course equivalency and AP scores needed.
Don’t overextend yourself!
Talk to current subject teacher in courses considering AP or DC.
Talk to your counselor.

21. Post Secondary Planning

22. What are my options? Four year university Community or Junior College
Associate degree or certificate program
Military
Many branches and scholarships available to help you fund your education
Tech School
Certifications for specific job areas
Work

23. SAT/ACT Recommended to take in the spring semester of the junior year
Writing component should be taken
for SAT
for ACT
Please review/practice for tests! – see handout

24. Junior To Do List Take SAT and/or ACT in the spring.
Schedule college visit days (2 each year in 11th and 12th!)
Research college entrance requirements (required test scores, deadlines, essay requirements, scholarship opportunities, etc.)
Study, study, study! GPA sent to colleges comes out before the fall of the senior year.
Community Service.

25. To Do List Summer BEFORE Senior Year
Visit colleges and make decisions on where to send applications.
Write essays for college applications.
Study if taking SAT/ACT again in fall.
Continue looking for scholarships.
Apply Texas (for Texas Public Universities) opens August 1st. Start the application early, especially if you are applying to a competitive 4 year university.

26. What makes my college application complete?
For Texas public universities apply at
All others see the university website
Official Test Scores
Must come from testing agency (SAT-College Board or ACT)
Official Transcripts—Available this summer!
Send 6th semester rank/GPA
Application Fee

27. Letters of Recommendation
Not required for all college applications
If needed, request from someone who knows the student well
Counselor Recommendation/Brag Sheet available on Naviance
Allow 2 weeks for processing
Give the person addressed, stamped envelopes AND date needed by the college

28. Scholarships http://connection.naviance.com/tomballhs
Username - Student ID#
Password – tisd + date of birth
ex. tisd

29. Thank you for coming!
Please feel free to contact your child’s counselor with specific questions you may have about their graduation plan.
A-Fe Amy Vann
Fi-Le Keyla Carroll
Li-Rod Karen Hill
Roe-Z Nancy Lynch
College & Career Emily Nichols