9th and 10th Grade Parent Night Information and Planning High School Years

NHS Counselors A-Coo – Sheneka Davis Cop-G – Mike Hays H-L – Trista Lepore M-Rec – Amber Ward Red-Ti – Keith Tremethick To-Z – Betty Collins, Lead Counselor

Grade Classification Promotion to 10th Grade = 6 credits

GPA & Class Rank Grade Point Average (GPA) starts the semester a student enrolls in a course eligible for HS credit through the final semester of 12th grade Class rank measures performance compared to all students in the class. It begins the first semester of 9th grade and continues until graduation Reported GPA is unweighted Class Rank is weighted The level of coursework (i.e. Pre/AP and AP courses) is factored in the weighted class ranking

GPA & Class Rank, cont. Un-weighted GPA – all courses are weighted on a 4.0 scale Weighted GPA – courses are assigned grade points according to rigor; weighted on a 6.0 scale (PreAP) or a 7.0 scale (AP). Weighted GPA determines class rank. GPA exempt courses – correspondence, credit by exams, and summer school for remediation Weighted elective courses Only weighted electives in the four core subject areas and world languages will count toward GPA and class rank.

Attendance Requirements Students must attend class at least 90% of the time in order to receive credit earned for a course There will be opportunities to make up attendance should students fall below 90% Assistant principals will be able to assist with an attendance redemption plan.

Graduation Program Foundation Plan + Endorsement 26 credits 4 English 4 Math 4 Science 3 Social Studies 2 World Languages (same language) Spanish, French, or German 1 Physical Education 1 Fine Art Art, Choir, Dance, Theatre Arts, and more ½ Credit of Communication Applications (Speech) 6 ½ Elective Credits

NISD Endorsements Arts and Humanities Business and Industry Public Services STEM Multidisciplinary Studies

English 1 English 2 Algebra 1 Biology US History STAAR Requirements English 1 English 2 Algebra 1 Biology US History

STAAR Testing Calendar 2015-2016 Dec. 7-11 Make up Testing March 29 English I March 31 English II May 2-6 Algebra 1, Biology, US History July 11-15

College Admissions Criteria Criteria important in the college admissions process rated by college admissions officers: GPA Class Rank Strength of Course (PreAP, AP, and dual credit courses) ACT/SAT Scores Essay or writing sample Other potential factors for college admissions Recommendations Special talents/awards Extracurricular/community service activities Interviews

Top 10% Rule for Admissions Graduate in the top 10% of class at a public or private Texas high school, or Graduate in the top 10% of class from a HS operated by the US Dept of Defense and be a Texas resident or eligible to pay resident tuition Enroll in college no more than two years after graduation; and Submit an application to the Texas public university for admission before the institution’s application deadline (check w/university regarding specific deadlines) Under legislation approved May 2009 by the Texas House as part of the 81st Regular Session (Senate Bill 175), UT Austin (no other state university) was allowed to trim the number of students it accepts under the 10% rule; UT Austin could limit those students to 75% of entering in-state freshmen from Texas. The university would admit the top 1%, 2%, and so forth until the cap is reached, beginning with the 2011 entering class.

Strength of Course Pre-Ap and AP Program Benefits Students who follow a Pre-AP/AP program in school tend to perform better in college More challenging courses Potential to earn college credit by taking an AP exam at the end of the course Colleges and scholarship committees desire students who complete Pre-AP/AP courses

Dual Credit: http://www.nisdtx.org/Page/53742

List of Dual Credit Courses(2015-2016): English Composition and Literature (Communication) Creative Arts Arts 1301 (Art Appreciation) English 1301 (Comp I) English 1302 (Comp II) Government English 2322 (World Lit I) Government 2305 (Federal Government) English 2323 (World Lit II)   Mathematics Social and Behavioral Sciences Math 1314 (College Alg.) Economics 2301 (Macroeconomics) Math 1316 (Trigonometry) Psychology 2301 (General Psychology) Math 1342 (Elm. Statistics) Sociology 1301 (Intro to Sociology) Math 1342 (Elm. Statistics OnRAMPS) Math 2412 (PreCalculus) Component Area Option Math 2412 (PreCalculus OnRAMPS) Speech 1315 (Public Speaking) Math 2413 (Calculus I) Speech 1321 (Business and Professional Communication) Life Sciences Education 1300 (Learning Frameworks) Biology 2401 ( Human Anatomy and Physiology I) Biology 2402 (Human Anatomy and Physiology II)

Paying for College Keeping College Costs Down Enroll in challenging courses in high school to avoid taking developmental or remedial courses in college Take AP courses and exams Take dual credit courses to earn college and high school credit

PSAT/SAT/ACT Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) - A standard test measuring critical reading, math, problem solving and writing skills important for success in college - Available for 9th, 10th, and 11th grades - Provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test - National Merit Scholarship programs, based on 11th grade scores Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) & American College Test (ACT) - The majority of colleges, univerisities, and scholarship commmittees take the scores of these assessments into consideration - Begin taking one or both during 11th grade, spring semester

Credit Recovery Options Summer School Academic Coaching Program (ACP) Credit by Exam - Not available for students who failed due to absences Correspondence Courses through Texas Tech or UT On-line Courses through TXVSN Averaging of semester grades -If 1st and 2nd semester grades average 70 or higher, a failing 1st or 2nd semester credit may be recovered

Credits for Acceleration Summer School Credit by Exam Correspondence Courses through Texas Tech or UT On-line Courses through TXVSN

Community Service and Extracurricular Activities Community service and extracurricular activities play an important role with colleges and scholarship committees. Become involved in school and community activities now – don’t wait until your senior year Seek activities and opportunities relative to your future career plans Visit the Northwest High School Counseling website for volunteer and community service activities Start an activities record including all school and community activities, leadership positions, honors, awards, uniques educational experiences, employment, and volunteer work. THE BIG EVENT! April 30, 2016 Be sure to update this record at least once a year.

NHS Extracurricular Activities and Clubs & Organizations

Graduation Cords

Naviance is an American “college and career readiness software provider” that partners with high schools and other K-12 institutions to provide students with college planning and career assessment tools.

Sends student to ACT and SAT Prep

“My Planner” tab

“Colleges” tab

“Careers” tab

“About Me” tab

Students can only take the Strengths Explorer one time.

Strength Explorer

Tips for Parents Discuss classes and set goals Be available to help with homework Monitor your child’s activities and jobs Work with your school Contact the teacher if you do not receive a progress report for a specific class or the school if you do not receive a report card Teacher contact information can be found on the NHS website or by calling 817.215.0200 For questions or concerns regarding a specific class, please contact the teacher directly

Q & A THANK YOU!!