Preparing for High School

1. Preparing for High School

2. House Bill 5 – Only for You Guys! House Bill 5

3. Created a more rigorous plan for the lowest graduation plan (Foundation). • Created Endorsements to better focus and prepare students for college and career (Foundation+ Endorsements) • Decreased requirements for the highest graduation plan (Distinguished) • Created additional meeting requirements between the parents, students and counselors to discuss career and college plans

4. Things for students to think about: • What is my Career Goal? • How am I going to get to this career? • High School Preparations by Endorsements • Technical training (Perhaps at ATC in Denton) • Community College • 4-year University (public or private) • Military • Plan Ahead! It’s never too early to begin looking at post-secondary options/opportunities • Use Interest and Ability Inventories to determine strengths and interests (Naviance) • Use websites to identify: • Colleges of interest • Financial Aid options • Scholarship Opportunities • Internships and Summer programs available

5. After High School (If a Four-Year College IS the Plan) • Top 10 % on Distinguished Plan (Top 7% if UT) Gain Automatic Admission • 90% of students aren’t in the top 10 % • Every grade counts • Every test counts • Get involved and stay involved • Community Service • Extracurricular activities • Work and Summer activities • BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND

6. Grade Point Average (GPA) and Rank • GPA and Rank are calculated on a 100-point scale with a 10-point bonus for Pre-AP (Honors) Classes, AP (Honors) Classes, Dual Enrollment College Courses and Spanish 3. • Student Has to be Distinguished to be considered Automatic Admission (Four Math and Four Science and an Endorsement). • GPA does not include courses taken at the middle school for high school credit, PE/Athletics, Band, or online courses taken for acceleration or course recovery, Summer School Courses, and College Courses taken at NCTC outside of Dual Credit Courses • A list of courses and GPA calculations can be found in the PPHS Academic Guide (This will be updated in time for registration)

7. Terminology qCore Subjects – English, Math, Science, Social Studies (Used to be called 4 x 4) qStateRequired – courses that the state t mandate for graduation credits (note BOTH semesters of same course must be completed for credits to be awarded if two semester course) q Locally Required – courses that the state/district mandate for graduation credits (note BOTH semesters of same course must be completed for credits to be awarded if two semester course) qElective Course – courses that are not specified as a required course (This course may still be highly recommended and not completely optional). qCredits –earned by semester – every class each semester receives ½ credit for passing grades and acceptable attendance. You must earn credit in each semester of a year long course. qAlternate Courses - must be selected in case requested classes are full or will not work with your schedule qPre-requisite – a course required before taking another course qEndorsement– a particular group of courses that earn a commendation on your diploma

8. Graduation Plans • Foundation Plan • Foundation Plan with Endorsements • Distinguished Achievement Plan Graduation for Students receiving Special Education Services are Discussed and Planned During the ARD Process

10. Distinguished Achievement Plan (DAP) • Same as Foundation Plan with an Endorsement the vast majority of the time • The Four Maths Must Include Algebra II • The Four Sciences May be Subject to Greater Specification

11. 9th Grade Required Core Courses English Credit English 1 *Pre-AP English 1 Social Studies Credit World Geography (Elective)***** Math Credit Algebra 1 • *Geometry *Pre-AP Geometry Science Credit Biology *Pre-AP Biology *Teacher recommendation required and Pre AP Contract {Agreement} * Some of these courses will have summer assignments: Please look at the Pilot Point High School website for the specific summer reading.

12. Who is a good match for Pre-AP? • ABOVE grade level in skills • Self-manager • Motivated and hard working • Organized and meets deadlines • Goal Oriented • Strong reading, writing, or math skills depending on the content area • Efficient note taker • Works independently • Goes above and beyond teacher expectations • Manages time well • Enjoys learning and wants to be in the class! • Meets the standards listed in Academic Guide

13. Additional Courses Required for Graduation Physical Education Credit: 1 P.E. Athletics (actual sport)* Marching Band ½ credit fall semester only Fine Arts Credit: 1 Art Marching Band/Concert Band * Jazz Band * Floral Design Languages Other than English (LOTE) Credit: 2 Spanish Some Computer Classes (If Available) Other Classes if Determined Appropriate for Specialized Committee *Signatures are required to enroll in Athletics, Band

14. Additional Courses Locally Required/Recommended for Graduation Professional Communications for ½ credit** Methodologies to Academic and Personal Success for ½ credit** Business Information Systems for 1 credit** World Geography(Recommended Elective) for 1 credit ***** ** Not yet through the School Board for discussion and approval so subject to change

15. Purpose of CTE Classes(Career and Technical Education) • Build skills toward college/career choices • Provide opportunity for students to apply the core curriculum skills in a different, more practical way • Nearly 90 percent of the fastest growing jobs in the U.S. require some form of education beyond high school • Some courses involve earning an industry certificate • Articulated classes provide a seamless transition to the college setting and can earn college credits at no charge • CTE classes in a particular strand (order) earns the student an Endorsement in a particular area

16. Endorsement Areas • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math • Advanced Science and Advanced Math Strands • Business/Industry • Agriculture - Animal and Mechanical Strands • Business – IT and Accounting (Possible) Strands • CulinaryArts and Hospitality – Culinary and Hospitality Strands • Public Service • Human Services – Cosmetology (at ATC) and Education (Possible) Strands • Fine Arts • World Languages (Possible), Social Studies (Possible), Fine Arts – Music and Visual Arts Strands • Multidisciplinary • Multidisciplinary by making a combination of appropriate electives from other endorsements

17. 11th - 12th Graders (SO PLAN AHEAD!)

18. Students interested in the ATC should: • Take care of required coursework early • Public Communication • PE • Foreign Language • Business Information Management • Fine Art • In Order to attend the ATC as a Jr or Sr students must be on track to graduate on Texas’ Foundation+ or Distinguished Graduation Plan. *This includes passing the STAAR Assessments.

19. Electives • Each day has 8 periods available so students over 4 years can have 32 credits • Students can sample from other endorsements as long as they have the pre-requisites and there is enough room (Ninth grade students are more limited in this sampling ability) • There are additional electives so that students can have secured places to be during the class day (Teacher’s aids, Office aids, etc.) • Some students may have to take support electives (Learning Labs, College Readiness)

20. 8th grade STAAR • If a student fails to master any section of STAAR this spring, the student may be assigned to acceleration coursework during next school year • These may be scheduled before school, after school, Saturdays, summer, or during elective classes

21. Order of Events for Registration • March 6 – Parent Meeting • Time for parents to discuss/guide students • March 24 – Meeting with students and release of paperwork • Time for parents to discuss/guide students, and for students to fill out documents and collect necessary signatures • April 7 – Human Library to learn more about career/endorsement choices • April 10 – Students finalize their selections during school hours online • May 16 – Students receive courses • May 23 – Schedules are due back with signatures and possible corrections • May 30 – Final list of courses distributed to students

22. Remember:There’s only 24 hours per day • Balance your life. • 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.

23. High school staff will be hired, the master schedule will be set, and textbooks will be purchased based on your requests; therefore, if you receive the courses or alternate you request, you will not be allowed to change your schedule next fall. Requesting a course does not guarantee that it will be offered next year.

24. Contact Information Kevin Moffitt kmoffitt@pilotpointisd.com 940-686-8740 Ext 226 Twitter: @PPHSCounseling For automatic updates text “follow @PPHSCounseling” to “40404” Melody Vest mvest@pilotpointisd.com 940-686-8740 Ext 227 Twitter: @PPHSCounseling