1. Mineral Wells High School Course Selection Information 2015-2016

2. 3 Requirements to Graduate
1. Earn 26 State Credits
2. Pass Required State Courses
3. Pass STAAR (EOC) tests

3. STAAR Requirements for Graduation
Students pass 5 EOC tests:
English 1
Algebra 1
Biology
English 2
U. S. History
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
– Mahatma Gandhi

4. Transcripts
A transcript is the official record showing courses you have earned credit for
To request a transcript, see Mrs. Hernandez, in the front office

5. Remember a transcript is like a resume!
Bragging to the world!!
The type of Endorsements and Performance Acknowledgements your child earns will be written on their:
Diploma
Transcript
Remember a transcript is like a resume!

6. Grade Point Average (GPA)
Grade point values are awarded at the end of each semester for each course that is successfully completed and recorded on your transcript. Grade points are calculated for the semester averages only, not 6 weeks grades. Local credits do NOT count in GPA.
“You have BRAINS in your HEAD.
You have FEET in your SHOES.
You can STEER yourself any
DIRECTION you CHOOSE.”
~Dr. Suess

7. Class Rank
After all grade points are averaged, students are ranked from those with the highest GPA to the lowest GPA.

8. Top 10 Percent Rule
A Student is eligible for automatic admission to a college or university as an undergraduate student if the applicant earned a GPA in the top 10% of the student’s high school graduating class, or the top 7% for admission to the University of Texas at Austin. Students must also complete the requirements for the Recommended High School Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program

9. Distinguished Level of Achievement
This is earned by going beyond the just the Foundation. It requires a total of 26 course credits, including Algebra II, a fourth science credit and an endorsement.
4 year colleges are really looking for
4 credits in each of the core classes
(4x4)

10. Performance Acknowledgments
Students may earn an additional acknowledgment on their diploma because of outstand performance in:
dual credit courses (JR & SR)
Bilingualism (now)
Advanced placement (AP) (JR & SR)
PSAT or PLAN (can take this year!)
SAT or ACT

11. 5 endorsement areas (areas of specialized study or career pathways)
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math
Arts & Humanities
Public Service Business & Industry
Public Service
Multi-disciplinary Studies (smaller districts may only offer this endorsement)

12. Endorsements Available at MWHS
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
Health Science
Hospitality Tourism
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Architecture & Construction
Business Management & Administration
Finance
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
Human Services
Multidisciplinary

13. [i] Course Requirements for Endorsements ENDORSEMENTS
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATH
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
ARTS & HUMANITIES
PUBLIC SERVICES
MULTIDISCIPLINARY
English Language Arts
English I, II, III
Advanced English*
Mathematics
Algebra I, Algebra II
Algebra I
Geometry
advanced math*
2 advanced math*
Science
Biology
Chemistry*, Physics
IPC or chemistry or physics*
1 advanced science*
2 advanced science*
Social Studies
World Geography & World History
US History
Government
Economics
Languages other than English
choice of language I, II
Other required courses
Technology, Physical Education, Health, Speech, Fine Arts
Electives appropriate for programs of study in the Texas Career Clusters (or student’s career of choice)
STEM-math
Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources (Animal or Plant)
Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
Human Services
4 credits in AP, dual credit selected from English, Math , science, social studies, economics or LOTE
STEM-science
Architecture & Construction
World Languages
Health Sciences
Computer Science
Business Management & Administration
Fine Arts-Art, Theatre, Dance & Music
Engineering
Finance
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Hospitality & Tourism
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

15. What Courses Count for Math? (4 Credits needed for Graduation)
***Algebra 1
***Geometry
Math Models
***Algebra 2
Advanced Quantitative Reasoning
Precalculus
Calculus AP
Statistics AP
College Algebra
***Required for Graduation
“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” – Dr. Suess

16. Endorsements Available at MWHS
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
Health Science
Hospitality Tourism
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Architecture & Construction
Business Management & Administration
Finance
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
Human Services
Multidisciplinary

17. What Courses count for Science? (4 Credits needed for Graduation)
***Biology
IPC-Integrated Physics and Chemistry
***Chemistry
***Physics
Advanced Animal Science
Environmental Systems
Anatomy & Physiology
AP Chemistry 2 AP Physics 2 **Dual Credit: General Botany General Zoology

18. What Courses Count for Fine Arts? (1 credit needed for Graduation)
Dance
Band
Art
Floral Design
Choir
Color Guard
Theater

19. What Courses count for Technology Credit?
Animation
Graphic Design & Illustration
Digital & Interactive Media
Web Technologies
Business Information Mgmt I
Computer Science
Audio/Video Production I
TECHNOLOGY

20. Making Changes to Schedules
Parental and teacher consent is required to drop from an AP or PAP course.
Sponsor/Coach and parent consent is required to quit a program, such as band, athletics, choir, etc.

21. CHECKLIST
Look over the MWHS course catalog available online (on MWISD home page)--- paper copies available
Complete your Course Request Sheet and 4 year plan. Don’t forget to get parents signature on both!!
Turn it into your teacher next Monday!! Otherwise you can’t build your schedule.