Transcript McKinney High School Open House September 13, 2004

10th & 11th Grade Parent Meeting
Registration Overview
Process for Registration
January 24th-January 26th Counselors met with
students in their Social Studies classrooms. Students
were given:
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Unofficial Transcript & Credit Check Sheet
Registration cards
Online registration instructions
Registration FAQ
Jan. 28th-February 4th Students will enter their course
requests via the Home Access Center
– HAC code is available from the counseling or House office
Open Lab February 1st and February 3rd
– 11 AM to 7 PM at the MHS Library
February 4th Registration card returned to Social
Studies teacher
Online Resources
District Website
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Top Right Corner—”Parents” button
Academic Planning Guide
Student Transfer Information
Summer Reading Information
McKinney High School Website
– Narrated Student Presentation (registration & graduation
requirements)
– Online Registration Instructions & FAQ
– Showcase Parent Meeting PowerPoints
High School Policies
High School Policies
Must attend 90% of class days for credit
UIL Rules in Academic Planning Guide (APG)
Work must be turned in on time
Grading
– Progress reports at the end of each 3 weeks
– Report cards issued every 9 weeks
– Final course grade must be 70 or better to
earn credit
GPA & Class Rank
The GPA = (all grade points / number of
courses)
Rank is based on GPA
Grade pts are based on semester averages
More grade points are awarded for Pre-AP,
Dual Credit and AP courses
Grades below 70 earn 0 grade pts!
Semester Averaging
May restore credit for a failed 1st
semester course if the average of 1st
and 2nd semesters grades is equal to
70 or better
Cannot average summer school
with regular school grades
GRADE CLASSIFICATIONS
Students are classified by grade
level based on the number of credits
earned
Junior
Senior
12 credits
18 credits
Academic Planning
Requirements for Graduation:
see Academic Planning Guide
4 credits English
4 credits Math
4 credits Science
4 credits Social Studies
2 years of the same Language Other Than English
1 credit Fine Arts
.5 credit Professional Communications
.5 credit Health
1 credit P.E. or Athletics
5 credits of electives
26 Credits TOTAL
Recommended Vs. DAP
Both Plans Require:
26 credits total
Passing scores on required state testing
Distinguished Achievement Plan ALSO requires:
One of your electives must be a 3rd year of your current world
language
IPC and Math Models cannot be used as core credits on the
DAP
You must complete any combination of 4 of the following
advanced measures:
 Original Research Project
 Test Data (AP Exam with 3 or higher)
 College Courses (Eng, Gov or Econ) with grade of 80+
Additional Details in the Academic Planning Guide.
The AP Program
College Level Curriculum
AP exam is required at the end of the year
Exams may earn college credit or
placement (check with each prospective
university for details on their specific policies)
Successful AP students are confident in
their critical reading, organizational, and time
management skills
AP programs have “open” enrollment. See
the APG for further information regarding
course policies and expectations.
AP Potential
If your child has taken the PSAT, you may
be receiving a letter recommending an AP
course.
This recommendation is based on your
child’s PSAT score
This letter is not required for enrollment in
the class, but is meant to encourage and
to challenge your child with advanced
coursework!
Dual Credit Program
Eligible students may earn both Collin College and
high school graduation credit during the school year
Classes are taught by Collin College staff and may be
taken at Collin College facilities
Separate admission and registration process must be
completed at Collin College
Successful dual credit students are outstanding critical
readers and writers, are comfortable with adhering to a
college syllabus, and possess time management and
organizational skills.
Courses may transfer to other institutions (check with
each prospective university for details on their specific
policies)
Dual Credit at Collin College
The following courses are available for dual
credit from Collin College:
For 12th only:
1) English Composition and Rhetoric
2) Macroeconomics
3) American Government
4) Calculus for Business and Economics
For 11th and 12th:
1) College Algebra
2) Earth
& Space Science
3) Advertising & Sales Promotion
For 11th only:
1) US History
AP or Dual Credit?
Students and parents should consider that:
AP courses follow a national curriculum and conclude
with a nationally standardized exam
AP courses and Dual Credit courses are weighted at
different levels. Dual Credit receives the same weight as
PreAP courses
Dual Credit courses begin your college transcript (and
GPA). Consider past grades (whether PreAP or Core
level), extracurricular commitment and maturity
Dual Credit courses require tuition, though financial
assistance may be available. Purchasing books is also a
student responsibility. Transportation is required for
courses taken at the Collin campus
Both AP and Dual Credit courses are subject to the credit
transfer guidelines of the specific university and the
specific major you are pursuing
So, how many advanced
courses should be taken?
Students and parents should
carefully consider:
Student abilities and previous performance
Student interest in a particular discipline
Involvement in extracurricular activities
Time requirement for each class
Ways to Get Ahead
Summer School
1st sem: usually three weeks in June (dates TBD)
2nd sem: usually three weeks in July (dates TBD)
only one semester per session
$$$ TBD
Limited course selections.
Check with counselors in May
Possible courses for acceleration:
Fine Arts
PE
Communications
Online Courses
Current Course Offerings:
Health
Psychology
First available in the spring of junior year:
Government
Economics
If you are interested in taking a course online,
stop by the counseling office in May to pick up
an application!
Early Graduation
The state currently offers a $2000
scholarship for students
graduating in 36 months or less;
There is a $500 scholarship for
graduating in 41 months or less.
If you are interested, plan ahead
and meet with your HS counselor
ASAP!
College Planning
WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR
SAT or ACT scores
GPA
Rank
Difficulty of courses
Essays
Extracurricular
Activities
Community service
Letters of
recommendation
Interview
•Remember, if you rank in the Top 10% (or 9% at
UT) of your graduating class, you are guaranteed
automatic admission to the Texas public school,
not major, of your choice
• Research potential colleges thoroughly! Each
one is different!
STANDARDIZED TESTING
College Preparation
PSAT 11th grade
– during junior year this qualifies for NMSQT
– must register with the counseling office
College Admission
SAT
www.collegeboard.com
ACT
www.act.org
College Entrance
TSI
– Accuplacr
– THEA
– Compass
– exemptions
Junior Year Timeline
September- College Night, Open House, Club &
Organization Fair
October-PSAT exam (must register!!)
January/February
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Review 1ST Semester credits
Review PSAT Results (My College Quickstart)
Senior Year Registration
FAFSA 4 Caster
March-June
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Take ACT and/ or SAT
Complete Exit Level TAKS
Summer school registration opens
Narrow list of potential Colleges/Universities to 3-5 that you will
research in-depth (and possibly visit)
June- Schedule your Senior Portrait!
Senior Year Timeline
August-Sign up for Senior
Parking Space
September/October
– College Night
– Retake SAT and/or
ACT if desired
– Order cap, gown and
announcements
– Early Action / Early
Decision
– Check on Housing
November/December
– Regular Decision
January/February
– Review 1st semester
credits
– Complete FAFSA
– Apply for MEF & other
scholarships
March-June
– Make college decisions
– Sign up for College
Orientation
– Watch grades!
– Come to graduation!!
COLLEGE VISITS!
Visitation Days
Individual Visits
For attendance/exemption
purposes: Be sure to bring
official documentation of
your visit. Check with the
House Principal for details.
COLLEGE PAPERWORK
You must order your transcripts from
Registrar- Give at least 3 days notice
Counselor Recommendations (if required)
* 30 DAYS NOTICE to counselor
* Require Parent Insights and Student
Information Sheet
Student Applications –
* Texas Public Schools: Apply Texas
* Private/Out-of-State Schools: Common
Application
FINANCIAL AID
EVERYONE CAN ATTEND COLLEGE –
see www.fafsa.ed.gov
90% of aid comes from the federal
government.
Most financial aid “packages” include
grants, loans, and work study
Take advantage of the opportunity to meet
with your MEF representative
Questions?
Have a Great Year