1. 9 th Grade Course Selection

2. Academic Catalog You can find the 2014-2015 Course Catalog online at: http://www.friscoisd.org/ly/parentsStudents/ HighSchoolCourseAcademicCatalogs.htm All course offerings are subject to change! Funding levels and student interest may affect whether or not an offering is available.

3. Tentative Changes in Texas Graduation Plans (HB 5) ► Creates a Foundation High School Program ► Allows a student to earn an Endorsement in one of the following: ● Arts & Humanities ● Business & Industry ● Multidisciplinary ● Public Service ● STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) ► Provides for a Distinguished Level of Achievement ► College Admission Requirements versus High School Graduation Plans

4. What is a Credit? A student needs 26 credits in order to graduate. A half-credit is earned each semester for each class passed with a 70 or above average. All 9 th grade students must be enrolled in eight class periods.

5. Current Recommendations for College Readiness (Distinguished Level of Achievement) SubjectCreditsRequired Courses English4English 1, 2, 3**, 4 Math4Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II**, 4 th math Science4Biology, Chemistry, Physics, 4 th science OR Biology, IPC, Chemistry, Physics Social Studies4World Geo, World History, U.S. History, Government & Economics Foreign Language2Spanish, French, Chinese, ASL* 1&2 P.E.1P.E., Athletics/Training, Fall Band, Fall Color Guard, Drill Team, Cheer, Dance (not an option for athletes) Health.5Health, Health Science (prereq Medical Terminology) Speech.5Communication Applications Fine Arts1Art, Theater Arts, Choir, Band, Dance, Orchestra, DGA, Elements of Floral Design (grade 10+) Technology1BIM, Digital Interactive Media, DGA, Computer Science, Web Technologies, Computer Maintenance, Yearbook, Video Technology, Broadcast + possible additions Electives (Endorsements) 4 Total26 * ASL does not meet all college admissions requirements.

6. Distinguished Level of Achievement Requires completion of the following: ► Four credits in math which must include Algebra 2 ► Four credits in science with one course being advanced (courses to be determined) ► The remaining curriculum requirements ► The requirements for at least one endorsement

7. Registration Process 8 th Grade Year Four-Year PlanDecember Group PresentationsJanuary Individual Meetings – Verification Forms January Changes & Addition of Alternates February Last Day to Make Changes May 9, 2014 Fall 9 th Grade Year GuidanceOctober Four-Year Plan Review October Changes to Four- Year Plans November Spring 9 th Grade Year Individual Meetings – Verification Forms February Changes & Addition of Alternates February

8. Rank in Class Policy Rank in class, honor graduate status, valedictorian and salutatorian determination shall be based on a weighted grade point average (GPA) system. Grades will be weighted according to the level of the course. AP/PAPDual Credit On-LevelGrade Point 951005.5 94995.4 93985.3 92975.2 91965.1 90951005.0 8994994.9 8893984.8 8792974.7 8691964.6 8590954.5 8489944.4 Incoming 9 th Graders will not receive a GPA and Rank until after the first Fall semester at Independence!

9. Top 10% Rule ► Class Rank and GPA are used to determine if you are in the “Top 10%” of your class. ► Students who are in the top 10% of their class are automatically accepted into Texas public colleges. (UT Austin is now top 7%) ► Freshman grades count! Start strong and do your best from your first day of high school. For admissions purposes, rank at the close of junior year dictates the top 10% of the class.

10. Prerequisites Prerequisite - required or necessary as a prior condition. In order to take the classes below, a prerequisite class is required first. Examples: Spanish II Prereq: Spanish I Health Science (10 th Grade Course) Prereq: Medical Terminology (9 th Grade) The 2014-2015 Course Catalog will outline the Prerequisites and the Grade Restrictions

11. Course Pathways at CTE Center ► Arts & Humanities ● Art ● Dance ● Music ● Theatre ● Language ► Business & Industry ● Advanced Journalism ● Ag, Food & Natural Resources-Animal Science ● Ag, Food & Natural Resources-Horticulture/Landscape ● Ag, Food & Natural Resources-Ag Mechanics ● Architecture & Construction

12. Course Pathways at CTE Center ► Business & Industry continued ● Arts, AV Technology & Communication ● Business Management & Administration ● Financial Systems ● Hospitality & Tourism ● Information Technology ● Marketing, Sales & Service ● Sports & Entertainment Management ► Multidisciplinary ► Public Service ● Education & Training ● Government & Public Administration ● Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

13. Course Pathways at CTE Center ► STEM ● Computer Science ● Health Science ● Math ● Science More information regarding Career & Technology pathways can be found online at http://schools.friscoisd.org/spc/cte http://schools.friscoisd.org/spc/cte

14. What Counts in College Admissions Admission Trends: Trends Survey 2008 NACAC

15. Pre-AP and Advanced Placement Program What is the Pre-AP/AP program? Allows students to participate in college preparatory courses and college level courses while still in high school Who can enroll in a Pre-AP/AP course? Any student can enroll Better preparation for college What are the advantages of Pre-AP/AP courses? Students committed to completing the course they sign up to take Changes will be allowed at the 1 st six-week point and at semester Students may receive college credit in high school, saving both time and money Colleges and universities look favorably on students who have completed this course work

16. PAP/AP Six-Weeks Commitment ► Students who sign up for a PAP/AP class will be required to stay the entire first six weeks. At the close of the first six weeks, students who wish to drop will meet with their teacher, parent and counselor to discuss the move. The grade the student has at the end of the six weeks will go with the student to the new class. ► Following the close of the first six weeks, students will not be allowed to drop the course until second term begins.

17. High School Schedule ► Known as an A-B block schedule ► 8 total classes ► A Day = 4 classes; B Day = the other 4 classes ► 30-minute lunch is based on student’s 3 rd period class ► School begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 4:10 p.m. ► Each class is 90 minutes with 5 minutes between each class

18. Block Schedule SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday A Day Periods 1-4 B Day Periods1-4 A Day Periods 1-4 B Day Periods 1-4 A Day Periods 1-4 B Day Periods 1-4 A Day Periods 1-4 B Day Periods 1-4 A Day Periods 1-4 B Day Periods 1-4

19. Typical Schedule for a Student in P.E. Class A DayB Day 1 st period: Algebra I 1st period: Biology 2nd period: English I 2nd period: Health/Speech 3 rd period: Art I 3rd period: World Geography 4 th period: PE 4th period: Spanish I

20. Typical Schedule for a Student in Band or Athletics Every Day A DayB Day 1 st period: Algebra I 1st period: Biology 2nd period: English I 2nd period: Health/Speech 3 rd period: Spanish I 3rd period: World Geography 4 th period: Athletics or Band

21. 9 th Grade English ► English I OR PAP English I ● PAP English I requires Summer Reading ● Check the website in May for book titles

22. 9 th Grade Math ► Students who are taking 8 th grade math will take Algebra 1 or PAP Algebra 1. ► Students who complete Algebra 1 or PAP Algebra 1 in the 8 th grade will take Geometry or PAP Geometry. ► Students who are taking Geometry this year will take Algebra 2 or PAP Algebra 2.

23. 9 th Grade Science ► IPC (Integrated Physics and Chemistry), Biology, PAP Biology, Physics, or AP Physics 1

24. 9 th Grade Social Studies ► World Geography or AP Human Geography

25. Spanish in Middle School ► Students who have successfully completed the two-year Spanish program in 7 th and 8 th grades have Spanish 1 credit and will take Spanish 2 or PAP Spanish 2 to satisfy the two-year requirement for graduation

26. Ways to Meet P.E. Credit ► Take PE class: ● Personal Fitness ● Aerobics ● Team/Individual ● Weightlifting ● Adventure/Outdoor ► Make an athletic team (football, volleyball, soccer, etc.) ► Make Color Guard (fall PE credit only) ► Make Drill Team ► March in the Band- (fall PE credit only) ► Make Cheerleading ► Be an Athletic Trainer (+ Sports Medicine and application) ► Take Dance I (course cannot be taken with athletics)

27. Athletic Try-Outs ► All students are free to sign up for any athletic class they wish, but they must make the team in order to stay in the class. PE teaches how to play various sports, but the athletic teams in high school are competitive and require you to already know how to play. ► Try-outs typically occur the first two weeks of each semester. ► Those not making the team will be moved to P.E. and to elective classes that are STILL OPEN.

28. Athletics ♦ Football ♦ Basketball ♦ Swimming ♦ Volleyball ♦ Soccer ♦ Tennis ♦ Golf ♦ Softball ♦ Wrestling ♦ Track/Cross Country ♦ Trainer ♦ Baseball Only one sport will appear on the schedule - the sport that starts first.

29. BAND ► Band is a double-blocked class; band director must approve a student wanting to single-block. ► Fall band is marching band. ► The band director and athletic coach must be contacted if a student wants to participate in both band and a sport.

30. Dance – Fine Arts & PE ► One year of Dance fulfills Fine Arts requirement for 1 credit AND ► PE requirement for 1 credit ► Athletes cannot sign up for Dance 1

31. DGA – Fine Arts & Technology ► One year of DGA fulfills Fine Arts requirement for 1 credit AND ► Technology requirement for 1 credit

32. Programs Needing Applications or Teacher Approval Teacher Approval: Band Orchestra Choir Debate Off Campus PE: Contact Sally Turner Applications: Music Theory Academic Decathlon Athletic Trainer Technical Theater Partner’s P E

33. Back Up Classes ► Make sure and complete the alternate electives on the verification form for your current campus. These will be used if the student’s first choice does not work. ► We will pick these FOR THE STUDENTS if they don’t! And, they won’t be able to change once school begins.

34. State Assessments ► 5 STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) Exams ● English I ● English II ● Algebra I ● Biology ● US History

35. Making a Schedule Change ► Your last opportunity to change an elective is on or before: May 9, 2014 ► Only approved program changes (in or out of athletics, band, etc) can be made the first two weeks of the new semester. ► PAP/AP students must complete the first six-weeks grade cycle before a change to on-level will be considered. ► Please see your current counselor at your current campus in order to update any schedule requests!

36. How to Help Your Students… ► Encourage them to do their homework on the day that it is assigned. ► Monitor their grades on Home Access but don’t make it your homepage! ► Help them with organizational skills. ► Begin to shift responsibilities to them. Allow them an opportunity to learn how to manage time and handle difficult situations on their own. “The most important thing that parents can teach their children is how to get along without them.” --Frank Clark

37. Family Connection ► Family Connection is a website run by the counseling center to keep you and your student informed of upcoming events and deadlines. ► College information, scholarship opportunities, summer internship possibilities, career and personality tests, SAT/ACT links, class rank.

38. Community Service ► Community service is not a requirement for graduation, but it does enhance a college application. ► Students are responsible for finding and keeping up with all hours earned. ► Students who earn 100 hours or more by April 1 of graduating year will be recognized with a special cord at graduation. www.x2vol.com

39. Thinking of Summer School??? ► The following courses will be offered in summer school for advancement: ● Business Information Mgmt (1 credit/2 terms) ● Digital Interactive Media (1 credit/2 terms) ● Health (.5 credit/1 term) ● Communication Applications (.5 credit/1 term) ● IPC (Integrated Physics & Chemistry) (1 credit/2 terms) ● Medical Terminology (.5 credit/1 term) **Can take up to 1 full credit in summer school. Counts in GPA calculation for Freshman Entering HS Fall 2013**

40. Credit By Exams for Acceleration ► Current 8 th graders need to test prior to the end of school this year to ensure that grades are received in time for an accurate schedule at schedule pickup. ► A student’s schedule will not change until grades have been received. ► Grade does not count in GPA.

41. Reminders ► Elective choices cannot be changed after May 9, 2014. Be sure the student’s choices and alternate choices on the verifications are classes the student wants! ► Course verifications will be given to the students during our individual student meetings at their current campus. Please sign and return to your current school counselor as soon as possible. ► Don’t forget to list alternate choices! Your student’s schedule may not work out as planned, and we prefer not to make that choice!

42. Dates to Remember ► May 9, 2014 – Last Day for Elective Changes ► August 2014 - Schedule Pickup (Date TBD)

43. Balance – There are only 24 hours in a day! Balance – There are only 24 hours in a day! ► Try not to overload yourself. We do not recommend that a student take all advanced-level classes, join numerous activities (band, athletics, student council…), and expect to be successful in EVERYTHING. ► We all need some down time. Consider your well-being and choose carefully.

44. IHS Lead Counselor Heather Holmes 469-633-5914 holmesh@friscoisd.org