1. Mineral Wells High School Course Selection Information 2015-2016

2. 3 Requirements to Graduate  1. Earn 26 State Credits  2. Pass Required State Courses  3. Pass STAAR (EOC) tests

3. Transcripts  A transcript is the official record showing courses you have earned credit for  To request a transcript, see Mrs. Jackson, in the front office

4. Grade Point Average (GPA) Grade point values are awarded at the end of each semester for each course that is successfully completed and recorded on your transcript. Grade points are calculated for the semester averages only, not 6 weeks grades. Local credits do NOT count in GPA. “You have BRAINS in your HEAD. You have FEET in your SHOES. You can STEER yourself any DIRECTION you CHOOSE.” ~Dr. Suess

5. Class Rank After all grade points are averaged, students are ranked from those with the highest GPA to the lowest GPA.

6. Top 10 Percent Rule A Student is eligible for automatic admission to a college or university as an undergraduate student if the applicant earned a GPA in the top 10% of the student’s high school graduating class, or the top 7% for admission to the University of Texas at Austin. Students must also complete the requirements for the Recommended High School Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program

7. Graduation Requirements- Recommended Plan  4 years of English  4 years of Math  4 years of Social Studies  4 years of Science  Communication Applications or Professional Communication (Speech)  1 year of Fine Art  Health  1 year of Technology  1 year of P.E. or Equivalent  2 years of the same Foreign Language  Electives  Total of 26 Credits

8. STAAR Requirements for Graduation Students pass 5 EOC tests: English 1 Algebra 1 Biology English 2 U. S. History “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi

9. Graduation Requirements for Distinguished Achievement Plan  Same course requirements as the Recommended Graduation Plan in addition to the following: -3 years of a Foreign Language -Four Advanced Measures (A.P. exam score of 3 or better, Dual credit class or CTE articulated course with GPA of 3.0 or better, or National Merit Commended student or higher)

10. What Courses Count for Math? (4 Credits needed for Graduation) ***Algebra 1 ***Geometry Math Models ***Algebra 2 Advanced Quantitative Reasoning Precalculus Calculus AP Statistics AP College Algebra ***Required for Graduation “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” – Dr. Suess

11. What Courses count for Science? (4 Credits needed for Graduation) AP Chemistry 2 AP Physics 2 **Dual Credit: General Botany General Zoology ***Biology IPC-Integrated Physics and Chemistry ***Chemistry ***Physics Advanced Animal Science Environmental Systems Anatomy & Physiology

12. What Courses Count for Fine Arts? (1 credit needed for Graduation) Dance Band Art Floral Design Choir Color Guard Theater

13. What Courses count for Technology Credit?  Animation  Graphic Design & Illustration  Digital & Interactive Media  Web Technologies  Business Information Mgmt I  Computer Science  Audio/Video Production

14. ENDORESEMENTS SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATH BUSINESS & INDUSTRYARTS & HUMANITIESPUBLIC SERVICESMULTIDISCIPLINARY English Language Arts English I, II, III Advanced English* Mathematics Algebra I, Algebra IIAlgebra I Geometry advanced math*2 advanced math* Science Biology Chemistry*, Physics IPC or chemistry or physics* 1 advanced science*2 advanced science* Social Studies World Geography OR World History US History Government Economics Languages other than English choice of language I, II Fine Arts choice of performance art I OR visual arts I Physical Education choice of PE OR Athletics Electives appropriate for programs of study in the Texas Career Clusters (or student’s career of choice) STEM-math Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Arts, A/V Technology & Communications Human Services 4 credits in AP, dual credit selected from English, Math, science, social studies, economics or LOTE STEM-science Architecture & Construction World LanguagesHealth Sciences Computer Science Business Management & Administration Fine Arts-Art, Theatre, Dance & Music EngineeringFinance Information Technology Manufacturing Hospitality & Tourism Transportation, Distribution & Logistics [i] [i] Course Requirements for Endorsements

17. Dual Credit Courses  Must apply to Weatherford College, completed in Go Center  Bring a completed Early Admissions Form to Mrs. Ortiz  Testing: Satisfy TSI (Texas Success Initiative) testing requirements by meeting one of the following standards: Passing the TSI test Specific scores on SAT or ACT See Mrs. Ortiz in Go Center for further information

18. Dual Credit Courses Cont.  Pay tuition and textbook fees. Approximately $400-$500 per class.  If you are eligible for free and reduced lunches, the college may assist with a fee waiver if offered.  Purchase or rent books, materials, and supplies for each college course.  Research colleges you are interested in and make sure you are taking courses that will help you with your future degree.

19. For Juniors Intro to Psychology 2301 Music Appreciation 1306 For Seniors English 1301 and 1302 Biology 1411 and 1413 Spanish 1411 and 1412 Math 1314 (college algebra) Economics 2301 Government 2305 Courses offered as dual credit with MWISD and Weatherford College

20. Making Changes to Schedules  Parental and teacher consent is required to drop from an AP or PAP course.  Sponsor/Coach and parent consent is required to quit a program, such as band, athletics, choir, etc.

21.  Look over the MWHS course catalog available online (on MWISD home page)  Complete your Course Request Sheet and turn it into your teacher on the designated date.