1. Leander High School PRIDE Night 8th Grade Parent/Student Night
Senior Class of 2019
(2015 Freshman)

2. Tiffany Spicer – Principal
Welcome
Tiffany Spicer – Principal
@LeanderHS
@Tiffany_Spicer
@lhsROAR
BRAD

3. Introductions Shandalyn Porter – Dean of Instruction Counselors:
Julie Cooper (Lead Counselor/IB Coordinator)
Brent Parsons (Last Names A – F)
Deborah McKenna (Last Names G – J, AVID)
Duane Teets (Last Names K – Q)
Marsha Simmons (Last Names R – Z)
Melissa Wood – Transition Coordinator

4. Tonight’s Topics Credits and GPA Top 10%- Automatic Admissions
FAFSA/TASFA
Graduation Requirements
Freshman Curriculum
Athletics
Fine Arts
Advanced Program options
Endorsements
Performance Acknowledgements
Student Success
MARSHA

5. Athletics or Band Sample Schedule
A/B Block Schedule
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY A B
HOLIDAY
Athletics or Band Sample Schedule
Sample Schedule
A Day
B Day PE
5. Elective
2. English 1
6. Biology
3. Prof. Comm.
7. Elective
4. Algebra 1
8. W Geography
A Day
B Day
Football/Band
5. Football/Band
2. English 1
6. Biology
3. Prof. Comm.
7. Elective
4. Algebra 1
8. W Geography

6. Credits & Grade Point Average
26 credits are required for graduation
Credits are earned when you pass (70 or higher) a class.
1 semester grade = .5 Credit
Fall semester + Spring semester = 1 credit
Student must have 90% attendance to get credit for class, so student cannot miss more than 4 class meetings
You have the possibility to earn 7- 8 credits per year depending on double blocked courses like band and athletics.
GPA
Based on a 6 point weighted scale
Begins the first day of 9th grade
More information is available in course catalog
MARSHA

7. 4 Credits – Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, 4th Math Science
English
4 Credits – English 1, 2, 3, 4
Math
4 Credits – Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2,
4th Math
Science
4 Credits – Biology, Chemistry, Physics, 4th Science
Social Studies
4 Credits – World Geo., W. Hist., US Hist.,
Government & Economics
Foreign Language
3 Credits – same language PE
1 credit* - Band/Cheer/ROTC/Athletics/Dance
Professional Communications or AVID
1 credit
Fine Arts
Electives
4 credits
Endorsement
Credit requirements specific to at least one endorsement
MARSHA

8. Graduation Plans Available Graduation Plans:
1. Foundation with Endorsements
2. Distinguished Level of Achievement
3. LISD Distinguished with Honors
All students will enter 9th grade on the LISD Distinguished with Honors Graduation plan.
Other options are available after the student’s sophomore year or through ARD committee decisions.

9. Distinguished Level of Achievement
Allows you to compete for Top 10% Automatic Admission eligibility at any Texas public university.
May allow you to be eligible for the Texas Grant (if you qualify financially).
Ensures you as a more competitive applicant at the most selective colleges & universities, since it:
Requires more Math & Science than the Foundation High School Program
4 Math credits (Including Algebra 2)
4 Science credits
Successful completion of 1 or more Endorsements

10. Top 10% Automatic Admission Policy
Any student ranked in the Top 10% of their graduating high school class, after completing their junior year OR during their senior year
Who will graduate under the Distinguished Level of Achievement graduation plan (or above)
Is eligible for automatic admission into ANY Texas state college/ university (with the exception of the University of Texas at Austin).
Class of Top 7%/ Class of Top 8%
Example: in the senior class…….
#1-52 would be eligible for automatic admission

11. What is the FAFSA? Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The form that must be filled out (based on your income and/ or tax information) during your child’s Senior year in high school.
Qualifies students for federal student loans, grants, the work-study program, scholarships and student/ parent loans (subsidized & unsubsidized).
Many universities require the FAFSA be filled out, in order to be eligible for scholarships.
The FAFSA should be completed if you are a:
U.S. Citizen
Permanent U.S. resident with an Alien Registration Card (I- 551)
Conditional permanent U.S. resident with visa type I-551C
Eligible noncitizen with an Arrival/Departure Record (I-94) showing you as a :
(a) Refugee (b) Asylum granted (c) Parolee (d) Cuban-Haitian entrant

12. The TASFA is the Texas Application for State Financial Aid.
What is the TASFA?
The TASFA is the Texas Application for State Financial Aid.
If you're an undocumented student in Texas wondering about your college prospects, keep this in mind: Texas allows undocumented students to apply for state financial aid and state tuition under certain conditions.
To be filled out during the Senior year in high school
Is currently only available in paper form
See your counselor for additional information

13. Endorsement Areas Arts & Humanities Business & Industry
Multi-disciplinary Studies*
Public Service
STEM
*All students will begin freshman year with the Multi-disciplinary Studies Endorsement and may change/add endorsements as desired.
MARSHA

14. Endorsements are earned by successfully completing at least one of the Programs of Study listed below:

15. Performance Acknowledgements
Passing Dual-Credit/ Articulated Classes
Being Bilingual or Bi-literate
Earning Qualifying Scores on a College Board Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) Exam
Specific Scores Achieved on the PSAT, ACT-PLAN, SAT or ACT
Earning a Nationally or Internationally Recognized Business or Industry Certification and/or License

16. One more requirement...
In addition to earning the required number of credits, each student must pass the required STAAR assessments to graduate!

17. Graduation Requirements and STAAR
In addition to earning the required number of credits, each student must achieve the necessary score on the STAAR Assessment System to graduate.
Students will take the STAAR tests for:
English I and II, Algebra I, Biology, and US History.
Students will have the opportunity to retest in any subject area where they do not meet the passing standard.

18. What Classes do Freshman Take?
9th Grade Required Courses:
4 Academic Courses *
(English, Math, Social Studies & Science)
Professional Communications or AVID
PE or equivalent course
Fine Arts/Endorsement Elective
Elective/ Foreign Language
*Students have the opportunity to take a
Pre-AP/AP/ or Pre-IB course for these subjects.
DUANE

19. Course Suggestions- 4 Academic Courses
English
Math
Science
Social Studies
Based on data points
Parents will be given paperwork showing how the recommendation was made when verification forms go out.
If a course is not “Suggested” for your child, please look at the data points to determine “WHY?”. However, please note that Parents/ Guardians ALWAYS have the option to self-select courses and override what was suggested.

20. Data Points Used for 4 Academic
Course Suggestions:

21. English Suggestions: English 1 English 1 Pre-AP English 1 Pre-IB
English 1 QUEST Pre-AP/IB
DUANE

22. Math Suggestions: If in 8th grade Math= Algebra 1 If in Algebra 1= Geometry Pre-AP/IB If in Geometry= Algebra 2 Pre-AP/IB
DUANE

23. Biology Suggestions:
Biology 1
Biology 1 Pre-AP
Biology 1 Pre-IB
DUANE

24. Geography Suggestions:
World Geography
AP Human Geography
Students taking AP Human Geography should feel comfortable with challenging college prep curriculum. .
DUANE

25. Foreign Language Options
Students need 2 years of the same foreign language for ALL graduation plans under the Foundation Program.
Students need 3 years of the same foreign language for the LISD Distinguished with Honors Graduation Plan.
Students who take and pass Spanish 1 in 8th grade should take Spanish 2 in 9th grade.
DEBBIE

26. Students are not required to take a foreign language in 9th grade
Students are not required to take a foreign language in 9th grade. A student can begin in 10th grade.
Foreign Language Choices include:
American Sign Language
French
Latin
Spanish

27. Lee Bridges – Boys Athletic Coordinator
Jonathon Lamb – Girls Athletic Coordinator
See LHS Athletics Webpage for more information regarding specific sport
BRENT/COACH BRIDGES

28. PE or Equivalent Course
Students may choose from the following courses:
(Band and Athletics meet every day, so they count as 2 classes.) PE
Band
Dance
Dance Team Prep
ROTC
Girls Basketball
Girls Volleyball
Girls Soccer
Girls Softball
Boys Football
Boys Basketball
Boys Soccer
Boys Baseball
Cross Country
Golf
Swimming
Tennis
Wrestling
Sports Medicine
BRENT/COACH BRIDGES

29. Fine Arts Choices Art 1 General – Beginning Art 1 class
Art 1 Studio – Experienced Art 1 class, this student is planning to take more Art 1 classes and planning to do Art in college.
Band – Band directors will come to middle school for tryouts
Choir – Choir director will come to middle school for tryouts
Dance 1 – PE/Fine Arts credit, survey of dance class
Dance 1 Team Prep – prepares to try-out for Blue Belles
Theater 1 - Acting
Theater Tech – Building sets, lighting, etc.
BRENT/LINDA/NILS

30. Leander HS Choir
All 9th grade students can participate in choir. No audition or prior musical experience needed.
Minimal amount of before/after school mandatory requirements.
Private voice lessons available during the school day.
Focus on how to become a better singer and how to read music.
Opportunity to sing a wide variety of musical styles and genres.
Travel to renowned musical destinations around the U.S.
Questions?
(512)
SPENCER

31. Professional Communications
The freshman course that serves as a freshman orientation and includes:
Knowledge of self in relation to college and career readiness
Academic skills like note taking, binder organization, time management, and goal setting
Research and planning for high school course selection, endorsements and four year plan development
Communication and presentation skills
PSAT preparation
Student-led conference/portfolio
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Speech course
DEBBIE

32. …Or AVID
If your student is currently in AVID they can sign up for AVID.
Students not currently in AVID must complete an application, and interview process. See your 8th grade counselor or AVID teacher.
DEBBIE

33. Elective Options
Freshman will take either one or two electives, depending on whether or not the student participates in band or athletics.
Art 1 General
Art 1 Studio
Theater Arts 1
Tech Theater 1
Girls Choir
Boys Choir
OR any Endorsement Level I course
Principles of Ag, Food, and Natural Resources
Principles of Business, Marketing and Finance
Business Information Management 1 (BIM 1)
Principles of Human Services
Principles of Biomedical Sciences
Intro. to Engineering Design
Journalism/Analysis of Visual Media
Computer Science 1 Pre-AP (student must also be taking Geometry Pre-AP/IB concurrently)
DEBBIE

34. 4 Year Plans
Your child will complete a 4 year plan this spring, and Middle School counselors will meet with each 8th grade student (by the end of the school year), to review their 4 year plan and answer any questions they may have.
It is a GUIDE for courses to be taken….with the end in mind!!
It is a FLUID document!
It will be REVIEWED & UPDATED yearly!
Courses and Endorsement Areas can be CHANGED!
NOTHING IS PERMANENT!!!

35. High School - Four Short Years
“The single most important factor in
determining college success is the academic challenge of the courses taken in high school.”
David T. Conley,
College Knowledge
JULIE

36. Advanced Programs Options in Leander ISD
Advanced Placement (AP)
Shandalyn Porter, Dean of Instruction
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Julie Cooper, IB Coordinator/Lead Counselor
JULIE

37. IB Information Meeting
February 5, 2015
6:00 pm
Leander High School
Little Theater
Julie Cooper, IB Coordinator/Lead Counselor
jULIE

38. Students interested in participating in the LHS IB Diploma Program should…
Be prepared to take 4 years of the same language
(French, Latin or Spanish)
Take Pre-IB/AP classes in all 4 core subject areas both freshman and sophomore years to prepare for the rigor of IB courses junior and senior year.
English
Math – It is recommended that Algebra 1 be completed in 8th grade.
Science
History
JULIE

39. IB Transfer Policy
Any student in LISD may transfer to LHS for the IB Diploma Program.
Students are encouraged to transfer as 9th graders to enable them to participate in extracurricular programs available at LHS.
Transportation is provided.
Complete the online transfer form on the LISD website beginning _______. Applicants must complete the following:
LISD Online transfer form
IB Application
LHS Course Choice Sheet

40. Advanced Placement (AP)
Shandalyn Porter, Dean of Instruction
LHS Advanced Programs Night
April 14, 2015
5:30 p.m.
Leander High School
SHANDY

41. How Can my Student be Successful in High School?
Come to school every day and make sure that you pick up your assignments when you are absent.
Do your homework and then turn it in. Create a time and a place at home to study.
Use a planner!
Go to tutorials.
Communicate with teachers and your counselor.
JULIE

42. Middle School Registration Schedule
LHS Counselors will be at middle schools on the following days to do schedules with your incoming LHS Freshman.
Leander Middle School
January 29th and January 30th
Running Brushy Middle School
February 5th and 6th
Transfer Students for IB from other Middle Schools
Will fill out the Course Request available online.
JULIE

43. LHS Course Choice Sheet

44. Links to Important Information:
LISD Course Guide
LISD College and Career Readiness Website

45. Thank you for coming.
JULIE