Transcript Why is 9th grade important for my future?

Course Selection Information
for 2015-2016
Where it is always a GREAT day to be a Hurricane!
The purpose of this presentation is to assist
9th grade students in planning for high
school.
Students and parents are strongly encouraged to:
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Refer to the FBISD Course Guide for more detailed
information.
Contact building counselors for questions and
additional guidance.
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Foundation + Endorsements 26 credits
Distinguished Level of Achievement
26 credits, must include:1endorsement, Algebra 2, and
a 4th science credit.
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Eligible for “Top 10%” for automatic admission
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Foundations only 22 credits
PLUS - Scoring Satisfactory on the
5 End of Course Exams (STAAR/EOC):
Algebra 1, Biology, English 1, English 2, and US History
Grades determine your GPA and Class Rank used for postsecondary opportunities!!
***Every year counts!
You Tube, RegalCosmos, edited
http://youtu.be/Wd8ORoL_Tiw
Credits are what move students to the next grade towards
graduation. A student must earn 6 credits Freshman year to be
classified as a Sophomore the following year.
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A full year course will earn you 1 credit (1 credit
awarded at the end of the year)
Ex. English 1, World Geography
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A semester course will earn you a ½ credit (½
credit awarded at the end of the semester
semester)
Ex. Health, Professional Communications
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English – 4
Math – 4
Science – 4
Social Studies – 3*
Health/Speech - .5 each
Fine Art – 1
PE or substitutions – 1
Foreign Language – 2 of the same
Electives – 6
◦ Endorsements fall under electives
* Note – Per Foundations this is “3” for Social Studies
HOWEVER, we advise students to continue a 4 x 4 in core
areas as college admissions may depend on it.
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Counselors will be advising students in
alignment with what the 4 year institutions
require.
To date, colleges are requiring the 4x4
graduation plan.
Please check admissions requirements now.
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An Endorsement is the personal part of a student’s
high school experience. They are what are known
as “majors” in college – the subjects that students
are most interested in and do the best in. These
classes give specialized knowledge and skills to
prepare students for higher education and careers!
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FBISD students will select their endorsement
in Skyward Family Access when they select
their courses for next year.
Students will have the opportunity to change
their endorsement.
The endorsement, and any changes, must be
indicated in writing and signed by the parent.
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Business and Industry Endorsement
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Public Service Endorsement
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Arts and Humanities Endorsement
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STEM Endorsement
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Multidisciplinary Endorsement
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Who: Students interested in agriculture,
business, accounting, digital graphics, and
architecture.
Related Careers: Accountant, Aircraft
Controller, Interior Design, Electrician, Chef,
Architect
Business and Industry Endorsement
Ag, Food & Natural Resources
Architecture & Construction
Arts, A/V & Communications
Business & Finance
Academy – Digital Media
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Who: Students who love helping others and
are interested in law enforcement,
firefighting, education, the military, and
government.
Related Careers: Teacher, Social Worker, Fire
Fighter, Private Investigator, Animal Control
Worker, Mental Health Counselor.
Public Service Endorsement
Human Services
Cosmetology Pathway
JROTC Pathway
Academy – Medical Science
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Who: Students interested in fine arts, world
languages, and social studies.
Related Careers: Actor, Movie Director,
Translator, Ambassador, Musician.
Arts and Humanities Endorsement
Art, Theater, Choir, Dance, Band, Orchestra, World
Language, Social Studies
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Who: Students considering a career in
engineering or computer science, and those
who enjoy and are energized by math,
science, design, and problem solving.
Related Careers: Robotics Technician,
Computer Programmer. Medical Researcher,
Engineer, Biochemist, Microbiologist,
Environmentalist.
STEM Endorsement
Math Pathway
Science Pathway
Computer Science
Engineering
Multidisciplinary Endorsement
Provides students an opportunity to earn an
Endorsement from courses taken from multiple
subject areas and/or Endorsements:
◦ 4 AP or Dual Credit Core Subjects
◦ 4 X 4 Core Subjects
◦ Combination of CTE or Tech Apps from different
Endorsements
A Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA) may be earned through
successful completion of:
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All requirements for the Foundation High School Program, plus
The requirements of at least one endorsement, including
Algebra 2 among the four required math credits, and
A fourth science credit
A student must graduate with a Distinguished Level of Achievement
(DLA) to be considered for the Top 10%* and eligibility for automatic
admission to a Texas public college or university. *Not all institutions
admit Top 10% but may have their own % **
Students must pass the following assessments in
order to graduate:
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5 End-of-Course Tests (EOC)
– Algebra I (3500)
– Biology (3500)
– English I (3750)
– English II (3750)
– U.S. History (3500)
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HHS online entry window = Feb. 19th- Feb.27th
9th graders: During non-credit classes, will
meet in a lab for counselor assistance between
Feb. 20th to Feb. 27th.
Parents must log into Skyward Family Access to
sign their student’s endorsements selection.
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English 1
Algebra 1 or Geometry
World Geography
Biology
Endorsement Pathway course
Health and Speech
PE/Athletics
9th Grade Transition (or other non-credit class)
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7 credits / 8 classes
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English 2
Geometry or Algebra 2
World History
IPC or Chemistry
Foreign Language
PE/Athletics or other required course/electives
Endorsement – 2nd year course – if did not
select 1st year course – must do so this year
Elective
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8 credits
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Review your course choices and enter them in
Skyward. Do not forget that if you choose a
semester course you will need another one to
pair with it.
List alternate elective choices from 1-3 in order
of preference.
Turn in the course selection worksheet with your
chosen endorsement. Be sure to have parent
signature!
Contact your counselor with any questions or
concerns.
Apply for our special programs such as AVID,
PALS (11th and 12th grade), and the Tech
Center (11th and 12th grade) !!
*Volunteer
YES Service Organization at school
*Join a club/team at school
*Part time jobs
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1nHtq1
0HD4&feature=em-share_video_user
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If students want to make a change after inputting
their courses online, they must print their schedule,
make the correction, obtain a parent signature and
return it to their middle school/high school
counselor no later than March 20th .
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The course selection window for
Hightower HS is Feb 19 – 27th.
March 20th is the last day to request a
change to courses requested for
2015-2016.
March 20th, Enter & Sign off on
Endorsement selection in Family
Access.
 Thank
you!