1. 8th Grade Registration and Class Selection
Chisholm Trail Middle School

2. Success in 8th grade
Success in middle school involves much more that just good grades!
Use a Planner or calendar
Stay organized
Turn in assignments and homework on time
Attend tutorials when needed
View online grades daily or weekly in Home Access Center (HAC)
Talk to your teachers, ask questions, communicate your needs
Maintain a well-rounded schedule which includes extra-curricular activities
Take High School Credit classes and PASS them!

3. 8th Grade Schedule 8 periods 1 LA, 1 Math, 1 Science, 1 Social Studies
1 College & Career Readiness or AVID
3 Electives (Free Choice)

4. High School Career Plans

5. What is an ENDORSEMENT?
A coherent sequence of electives in a specific area of interest. It’s like declaring a major. These electives may be taken through an academy or through a specified Career Pathway. All students will choose an endorsement.

6. There are FIVE Endorsements
STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Public Services- Health Sciences, Education Business and Industry- Agriculture, Audio/Visual Technology, Culinary Arts, Business Management Arts and Humanities- Fine Arts, Language Multidisciplinary Studies- General

7. NISD Academies
ABS (Academy of Biomedical Sciences) at Byron HS = Public Service Endorsement Culinary Arts & Hospitality Academy at Byron HS = Business & Industry Endorsement AMAT(Academy of Media and Technology) at NHS= Business & Industry Endorsement STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Academy at NHS = STEM Endorsement BME (Academy of Business Management & Entrepreneurship) at Eaton =Business & Industry Endorsement Aviation Academy at Eaton HS = Business & Industry Endorsement Collegiate Academy at Steele HS = Multidisciplinary Endorsement Cosmetology Academy at Steele HS = Public Service Endorsement

8. Graduation Requirements
for students entering high school in 2014 and thereafter.
26 Credits to graduate
Must include 1 Fine art, 1 PE, 2 yrs. Language, 1 Comm.Apps., 6.5 other electives

9. What does this mean for an 8th grader?
Grades and Pre-Ap classes matter if you want to get into an academy.
Some students apply for an academy and only a certain number of students are accepted.
Everyone chooses an endorsement toward the end of 8th grade.
Consider all of your likes, dislikes, strengths and weaknesses.
Consider what elective classes you should take to fit into your high school plan.

10. Choices for 8th Grade Core Classes
Math – Pre-AP Algebra (High School Credit) or 8th grade math
Language Arts – G/T (for identified GT students), Pre-AP, or standard
Science – Pre-AP or standard
Social Studies – Pre-AP or standard

11. How many Pre-ap Course should you take?
Consider…
Your academic strengths
Teacher, parent, and/or counselor input
Reviewing past grades and test performances
Personal goals
Extra-curricular activities
Most importantly…your motivation, effort, & attitude!

12. Pre-AP Classes Keep in mind:
Pre-AP is not for everyone but we encourage most of you to take at least 1 Pre-AP.
It is college preparatory and helps prepare students for Advanced Placement and Dual Credit classes in High School.
Standard and Pre-AP classes teach the same TEKS or objectives (With the exception of 8th grade math/high school algebra)

13. Electives Physical Education
Students are NOT required to take PE/Athletics in 8th grade.
You may choose to take PE, Athletics or Tennis as one of your electives.
Must maintain a passing grade each 6 weeks in order to participate and play.
A physical and athletics packet is required for Athletics and Tennis.

14. High School Credit ELECTIVES
Art 1
Pre-AP Spanish 1
Consider taking at least ONE HS credit class.
Students MUST maintain a 70 average for the year and have 90 percent seat time in order to obtain the credit.

15. Other ELECTIVES
These are offered but do NOT count as High School Credit:
Choir
Band
Orchestra
Theater
Teen Leadership
Skills for Living/Consumer Science
Media
Journalism/Yearbook
Office/Library/Counseling Aide/Partner PE
AVID

16. College & Career Readiness
.5 credit High School Professional Communications meets graduation requirement for Speech
Beginning in , all students in grade 8 will participate in College & Career Readiness or AVID.
College and Career Readiness teaches the skills needed in order to be better prepared for the demands of high school graduation requirements, NISD Career academies, endorsements and to develop their high school personal Graduation Plans (PGP).

17. Art Before you decide, consider this….
If you are taking fine arts in HS (band, choir, orchestra), consider NOT taking Art 1 in 8th grade. You will receive that credit in HS anyway.
Art

18. Before you decide, consider this….
Spanish is a 2 year commitment. You will only have 3 electives in High School. If you take Spanish 1 in 8th grade, you MUST take Spanish 2 in 9th grade, which will take up one of your electives.
If you are fluent in Spanish, consider NOT taking Spanish in 8th grade. You will be able to test out of Spanish 1 and take Spanish 1-2 in HS.

19. AVID
AVID supports students in advanced academics including Pre-AP, future dual credit classes, and AP classes.
Students will learn organizational techniques, note taking skills using Cornell notes, and study skills to help guide them to be successful in their advanced classes.
Students must have a desire to go to college and a motivation to do well in school.
Must be enrolled in one Pre-AP class.
Application Required.
AVID students who want to continue, make sure it is top 4. If you applied for AVID, you will have an interview.

20. Registration Forms – Core

21. Registration Forms - Electives
You get up to 3 electives!
Number Entire Back Side of Registration Form # 1-8

23. These are DUE: Friday, March 10th
Thank you!