1. Counseling Department
8th Grade Course
Selection Presentation
Spring 2019

2. Important things to think about
GPA- Grade Point Average
Points are assigned to semester averages based on difficulty of coursework (Regular, PAP, AP, Dual Credit)
Class Rank
Ranking is based on the 6.0 weighted scale
Official GPA and Rank will be calculated at the end of your 10th grade school year

3. GPA? What is it? All semester grades GPA starts in 9th grade
All semester grades averaged together
Harder classes get extra points added:
Dual Credit College Classes
Pre-AP and AP classes

4. Classification Freshman - less than 5 credits
Sophomore - minimum of 5.5 credits
Junior - minimum of 11.5 credits
Senior - minimum of 17 credits
26 total credits required to graduate

5. Foundation High School Plan
Foundation plus Endorsement(s)
English 4
Math 3
Science
Social Studies
Fine Arts 1 PE
Languages other than English 2
Electives 5 7
Total Credits for Graduation 22 26

6. Endorsements
A student may earn an endorsement by successfully completing:
Curriculum requirements for the endorsement
4 credits in math
4 credits in science
A Sequence of elective courses in an endorsement pathway

7. Five Endorsement Areas
STEM Public Services Business & Industry Arts & Humanities Multidisciplinary

8. Distinguished Level of Achievement
To be eligible for the top 10% automatic admissions, students must earn Distinguished Level of Achievement requirements:
4 credits in math including Algebra II
4 credits in science
All Foundation High School Program Requirements
At least one endorsement

9. Performance Acknowledgements
A student may earn a performance acknowledgement by demonstrating outstanding performance:
In a dual credit course (12 hours with 3.0 or higher)
In bilingualism or bi-literacy
On an AP Exam (3 or higher)
A score on the PSAT(qualifying for National Merit, National Hispanic or National Achievement Scholarships), ACT (score of 28 excluding writing) or SAT (combined Critical Reading and Math score of 1250)
For earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license

10. STAAR (EOC Exams)
ALL students are required to take and pass 5 End of Course exams to be eligible for graduation Algebra 1, English 1, English 2, Biology, US History

11. Earning College Credit While in High School
Students have an opportunity to earn college credits by taking AP and or Dual Credit courses
Advanced Placement
Credit earned by passing AP exam. Exam scores and credit awarded varies with each university
Texas universities will award credit for AP scores of 3 or higher
Dual Credit
Offered through Alvin Community College
Placement test required prior to enrolling in courses
Cost=$168 per 3 credit hours plus textbooks
Opportunity to graduate with both high school diploma and Associate’s Degree

12. 2019-2020 Course Selection Must select 8 total classes
Be sure that you have obtained teacher permission for all courses requiring approval
A parent signature is required
If selecting dual credit courses, remember that you must meet ACC requirements. See Ms. Burgess, ACC Dual Credit Advisor for any questions that you may have

13. Suggested Courses for 9th Grade
English 1
Algebra 1 (Have not had Algebra 1 in JH)
Geometry (Have had Algebra 1 in JH)
Biology
W. Geography
PE (Athletics/Band/Cheer/Dance/Color Guard/ROTC)
Foreign Language
Fine Art (Art/Band/Choir/Theatre)
Endorsement Course (Endorsement Pathway)

14. THS Schedule

15. UIL Activity Class Schedule

16. Pre-AP and AP Courses
Students may petition to move from an advanced class to a regular level class during the 6th week of the semester

17. Available Dual Credit Classes for 9th Grade
High School Course Title
HS Credits
TSI/Pre-Req
Learning Strategies (PSYC 1300)
0.5
Admission Only
Art Appreciation (ARTS 1301)
R/W
Art History (ARTS 1303)
Theatre Appreciation (DRAMA 1310)
R or W
Acting 1 (DRAMA 1351)
Spanish 1 (SPAN 1411) 1
Spanish 2 (SPAN 1412)
1411 C+
Business Information Management (BCIS 1307)
Mass Communications (COMM 1307)

18. How Do I Qualify for Those Courses?
Apply to ACC at and click Apply Now
Take the TSI
Required College Ready TSI Scores:
Reading - 351
Writing - 4+ on essay and 340+ objective score or
5+ on essay and objective score
Math - 350
Complete Early Admissions Contract
Register for Dual Enrollment Orientation
Pay tuition and purchase textbooks (if required)

19. Deadlines Admissions Deadline for Dual Credit April 26, 2019
Course Selection Deadline February 22, 2019
College Now Scholarship Deadline April 5, 2019
Can be found on the THS website on the Counselor’s Page

20. TCCHS Counselors Juan De la Garza (A-Gi) delagarzaj@pearlandisd.org
Priya Patel (Gj-O)
Kimosha Seastrunk (P-Z)
Please see your counselor if you have any questions regarding classes or your graduation requirements and 4 year plans

21. ACC Dual Credit Advisor Turner College & Career High School Gwendolyn Burgess (281) Akilah Martin ACC Director of Dual Credit (281)

22. QUESTIONS?