2. Selecting Your 9 th Grade Courses Begin with the end in mind: Which college do you want to attend? What do you want to study? What are your career goals?

3. Schedule 2 semesters 2 semesters 7 classes—Choose classes with your future in mind 7 classes—Choose classes with your future in mind Approximately 47 minutes Approximately 47 minutes Some classes change at the semester (i.e., Health, Communication Applications, etc.) Some classes change at the semester (i.e., Health, Communication Applications, etc.)

4. A Quick, Important Definition: Credit : A credit is what you receive when you pass a full year of one subject. Passing one semester (or half a year) will earn you a ½ credit. Example: English I = 1 credit Comm Apps. = 0.5 credit You need a total of 26 credits over 4 years.

5. 6 credits = Sophomore 13 credits = Junior 19 credits = Senior **You retake only the courses you fail. ***It takes 26 credits to graduate and you can only earn 28 credits in your four years at BNHS!! Every Class Counts

6. Graduation Requirements: 4 years of each core subject (4 x 4) -more core classes translates to fewer electives, so more thorough planning is important RecommendedDistinguished English (I, II, III, IV)4 Credits Mathematics 4 Credits (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II + 1 other) Science 4 Credits (Biology, Chemistry, Physics + 1 other) Social Studies 4 Credits (W. Geography, W. History, US History, Government, Economics) Physical Education1 Credit Other Language 2 Credits (same language) 3 Credits (same language); *Other measures are necessary to graduate on this plan. See following slide. Fine Arts 1 Credit (same course) Communication Applications1/2 Credit Total Core Subjects20 ½ Credits21 ½ Credits General Electives5 ½ Credits4 ½ Credits Total Credits 26 Credits

7. Distinguished Plan: Requires 3 years of the same foreign language (Spanish, French, German, or Chinese) AND… Four Advanced Measures: A combination of four of the following: 1.AP Classes with scores of three or better on the AP exam or Dual Credit classes with a B or better. 2. National Merit Commendation (PSAT). 3. A research project done through an independent study class.

8. PreAP? What are the Benefits Better preparation for college Better preparation for college College entrance College entrance Better preparation for SAT/ACT Better preparation for SAT/ACT Scholarship opportunities Scholarship opportunities Preparation for AP classes - can help you earn college credits Preparation for AP classes - can help you earn college credits Discuss this option with your parents and teachers.

9. GPA The grade point average, more commonly known as the GPA, is calculated on both an unweighted and a weighted scale. The grade point average, more commonly known as the GPA, is calculated on both an unweighted and a weighted scale. The unweighted GPA is calculated using all high school courses. The unweighted GPA is calculated using all high school courses. The weighted GPA is used for class ranking purposes and is based on a scale which gives a higher weight to upper level courses: The weighted GPA is used for class ranking purposes and is based on a scale which gives a higher weight to upper level courses: Advanced Placement (AP) = up to 7 points Pre-AP = up to 6 points Regular courses = up to 5 points The weighted GPA is only calculated using the following subjects: English, Math, Science, Social Studies (including Economics), and Foreign languages. Grades earned in these courses during middle school shall be included in the class rank The weighted GPA is only calculated using the following subjects: English, Math, Science, Social Studies (including Economics), and Foreign languages. Grades earned in these courses during middle school shall be included in the class rank A GPA is calculated for every student beginning with the first high school course a student takes (including those taken in middle school)

10. English: PreAP, GT, or Regular English Math: Algebra 1, Geometry, PreAP Algebra I, or PreAP Geometry Social Studies: PreAP, GT, or Regular World Geography Science: PreAP or Regular Biology Freshman Core Classes

11. Recommended Plan = 2 credits Distinguished Plan = 3 years Spanish GermanFrench Other Languages Chinese A fee is required for this Language

12. PE: 1 credit Fine Arts: 1 credit (Same course for 1 year) Communication Applications: ½ credit Required Credits Needed for All Graduation Plans:

13. Fine Arts Art (all courses) Dance Drill Team BandChoirOrchestra Theatre Arts I Floral Design AP Music Theory Color Guard/Winter Guard

14. Physical Education credit  PE courses listed on the course request sheet (EXCLUDES Health) (EXCLUDES Health)  Band (fall semester, ½ credit)  ColorGuard (fall semester, ½ credit)  Drill Team (fall semester, ½ credit)  Cheerleading ( ½ credit)  Sports (Full year, 1 credit)  Dance 1 (Full year, 1 credit) Dance 1 will also give students a fine art credit at the same time! Dance 1 will also give students a fine art credit at the same time!

15. Athletics Football Football Wrestling Wrestling Basketball Basketball Volleyball Volleyball Swimming/Diving Swimming/Diving Soccer Soccer Cross Country/Track Cross Country/Track Baseball/Softball Baseball/Softball Golf Golf Tennis Tennis  If you play more than one sport, select the sport that occurs first in the school year.

16. Please fill out this information as neatly and correctly as possible.

17. Pick one class in each core area.

18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

19. # = Pre-requisite (required criteria necessary for certain courses, i.e., Art I is required for Art II) # = Pre-requisite (required criteria necessary for certain courses, i.e., Art I is required for Art II) * = Teacher approval (i.e., band, upper level courses, specialized courses, etc.) * = Teacher approval (i.e., band, upper level courses, specialized courses, etc.) ∆ = One semester course (i.e., Comm. Apps., Health, PE courses, etc.) ∆ = One semester course (i.e., Comm. Apps., Health, PE courses, etc.) 9th Grade Course Request Form

20. Step 1 - Write your demographic information Step 2 - Choose core classes Step 3 - Pick your electives

21. The 5 alternate classes are classes you pick in case one is unavailable. They are very important—choose them carefully, too.

22. Important Dates: January 23 rd - Counselors meet with 8 th grade students. January 24 th - Counselors meet with parents of 8 th grade students, BNHS Student Union, 6:30 pml January 27 th - Registration forms are due to your counselor. March 30, 2012 - Last day to change your course requests.

23. 9 th Grade – Paige Smith psmith04@nisdtx.org 817-698-5689 psmith04@nisdtx.org 2011-2012 Counselor

24. Steele Accelerated High School Steele is located near downtown Roanoke in the old Roanoke Elementary School. The school building was completely remodeled prior to opening. Beginning with the 2012-13 year, Steele will take applications for incoming 9 th grade students Steele will provide students with opportunities for acceleration which could enable a student to graduate from high school early Steele will provide students with opportunities for acceleration which could enable a student to graduate from high school early Steele will also have additional Dual credit opportunities beyond those of Byron Nelson and Northwest high school. Steele will also have additional Dual credit opportunities beyond those of Byron Nelson and Northwest high school.

25. Interested in going to Steele… Important Dates to Remember: Applications are due to your middle school counselor by Friday, February 3 rd. Applications are due to your middle school counselor by Friday, February 3 rd. Once your application is complete, the counselor from Steele will contact you to set up a meeting to talk to you about attending Steele. Once your application is complete, the counselor from Steele will contact you to set up a meeting to talk to you about attending Steele. If you have more questions about Steele, contact the counselor at Steele: If you have more questions about Steele, contact the counselor at Steele: Teresa English, 817-698-5810, TEnglish@nisdtx.org Teresa English, 817-698-5810, TEnglish@nisdtx.org