The Road to High School

1. The Road to High School Byron Nelson High School 9th Grade Here we come!

2. So Many Options and Potential Obstacles!

3. Areas of difficulty for 9th grade students: • Change in educational environment • (larger building size, new people, new routines) • More independence and responsibility on students • (At times giving the perception the staff is less nurturing) • Heavier Workload (homework, athletics, performances, etc.) • (resulting in time management and organization struggles)

4. What You Can Do to Help • Be involved. - Online Grade access - Email communication with teachers • Encourage your student to use some type of planner or organizer. • Encourage your student to find a way to get connected at school. (athletics, fine arts, UIL academics, clubs, etc.)

5. Extra Curricular Activities and Clubs Art Club Business Professionals of Band America (BPA) Orchestra Drill Team (Bobcat Dazzlers) Color Guard Family, Career and Community Cheerleading Leaders of America (FCCLA) Choir Fellowship of Christian Athletes Athletics (FCA) French Club Future Farmers of America (FFA) German Club Health Occupation Students of Spanish Club America (HOSA) Student Council National Honor Society (NHS) Link Leaders Newspaper (Bobcat Insider) Interact Club Speech and Debate JROTC Club Student Athletic Trainers STUCO UIL Academic Events Skateboarding Club Yearbook (The Territory) Key Club Theater

6. Things You Need to Know: Schedule change procedures - Changes can be made the first ten days of school - Level changes (Out of Pre-AP into Regular) are only made at the end of each six week period after the beginning of school

7. Where to Start? Keep the End in Mind!

8. Career? Fields of Study? College?

9. Destination: High School Graduation! Requirements: 26 credits 4X4 - Four of each: English, Math, Science, and Social Studies

10. 7 classes x 4 years = opportunity for 28 credits plus any credits earned in middle school 26 miles to Graduation

11. Earning Credits • Full year courses can be averaged to gain full credit • Example – English I: Semester One Semester Two Avg. 65 75 70 1.0 credit is granted Poor attendance can cost you credits!

12. Two Major Routes D R Distinguished Recommended

13. 16.0 core 1.0 PE 1.O Fine Art 2.0 World Lang. 0.5 Comm. Appl. 5.5 electives 26.0 credits 16.0 core 1.0 PE 1.O Fine Art 3.0 World Lang. 0.5 Comm. Appl. 4.5 electives 26.0 credits The Plans Recommended Distinguished

14. The Distinguished Achievement Plan also Requires . . . A combination of FOUR advanced measures: -A score of three or above on an AP exam -National Merit Commendation based on PSAT score; limited to one measure from this category -A grade of 3.0 (B) or higher on courses that count for college credit (dual credit or tech prep); limited to one measure from this category -Original research/project; limited to two measures from this category

15. The Freshman Core English – Regular, Pre-AP, or GT Math – Algebra I or Pre-AP Algebra I Geometry or Pre-AP Geometry Science – Biology or Pre-AP Biology Social Studies – World Geography Regular, Pre-AP, or GT

16. Rigorous Coursework A student should select the most rigorous courses he/she is capable of completing. Colleges will look for rigor. Students with higher level courses are generally more prepared for college level work. (However, beware of overloading your student in the 9th grade year)

17. GPA & Ranking • The grade point average (GPA) used to determine class rank is calculated on a weighted scale. • Advanced Placement (AP) = up to 7 points • Pre-AP = up to 6 points • Regular courses = up to 5 points (This is referred to as the weighted GPA)

18. Physical Education credit • PE courses listed on the course request form (excludes Health) • Band (fall semester) • Color Guard (fall semester) • Cheerleading (fall semester) • Drill Team (fall semester) • Sports

19. ~ Football ~ Volleyball ~ Basketball ~ Soccer ~ Baseball /Softball ~ Wrestling ~ Cross Country /Track ~ Swimming /Diving ~ Golf ~ Tennis Sports offered…

20. Fine Arts Art Dance Orchestra Band Choir Theatre Arts AP Art History (11th & 12th) AP Music Theory Floral Design

21. World Languages Spanish French German Mandarin Chinese

22. Electives Students have four core classes plus three electives each year. As your student goes through each year, keep this in mind and help them plan accordingly. * Consider required electives first and then interests

23. Pacing the Journey… 6 credits = Sophomore 13 credits = Junior 19 credits = Senior And again… 26 credits to reach the FINISH LINE!!!

24. Ways to gain extra miles… Summer School Correspondence Courses Dual Credit

25. BNHS Counselors 9th Grade – Paige Smith psmith04@nisdtx.org 817-698-5600 10th Grade – Alicia Edwards aedwards@nisdtx.org 817-698-5672 11th Grade – Mark Hard mhard@nisdtx.org 817-698-5673

26. BNHS Administration Linda Parker – Principal lparker@nisdtx.org 817-698-5600 Jason Childress – 9th Grade Principal 817-698-5600 jchildress@nisdtx.org Barry Fox – 10th Grade Principal bfox@nisdtx.org 817-698-5607 Kathleen Eckert – Associate Principal/ 11th Grade keckert@nisdtx.org 817-698-5604

27. Thank you for attending tonight and your involvement in your student’s educational journey! We are excited to be partnering with you in this wonderful adventure.