1. Welcome to Middle School and Beyond

2. Planning the 6 th Grade Year 2 Math 1 ELA 1 Science 1 Social Studies 1 P.E. (All 6 th graders take P.E.) 1 Fine Art Elective (Band, Choir, or Orchestra) 1 other elective which could include a second fine art –Band, Choir, Orchestra, Intro. to Art, Intro. to Theatre, Technology Apps, & Teen Leadership

3. Choices for 6 th Grade Core Courses Language Arts, Pre-AP Language Arts, or GT Language Arts (for identified GT students) Math or Pre-AP Math Science or Pre-AP Science Contemporary World Cultures & Geography or Pre-AP Contemporary World Cultures & Geography Applied core courses are also available for students who require the courses as determined by an ARD committee.

4. Advanced Academics Students are encouraged to enroll in Pre-AP (Pre-Advanced Placement) courses in middle school whenever possible to best prepare for future academic opportunities. Pre-AP courses will prepare students for success in AP and other rigorous courses. Selecting 6 th Grade Courses

5. Math Sequence 8 th Grade Math Regular or Pre-AP Algebra I Regular or Pre-AP Geometry Regular or Pre-AP Algebra II Advanced Math Pre-AP Algebra I (high school credit) Pre-AP Geometry Pre-AP Algebra II Pre-AP Pre- Calculus AP Calculus or AP Statistics 9 th Grade 10 th Grade 11 th Grade 12 th Grade

6. Math Curriculum and STAAR/EOC Pre-AP Math 66 th and 7 th TEKSSTAAR 7 th grade Pre-AP Math 78 th TEKSSTAAR 8 th grade Pre-AP Algebra 1Algebra 1 TEKSAlgebra 1 EOC Pre-AP GeometryGeometry TEKSSTAAR 8 th grade

7. Courses Available for High School Credit in 8 th Grade Pre-AP Algebra I* Art I* Communication Applications (.5)* Spanish I* Health (.5) Lifetime Nutrition & Wellness *Required for high school graduation – Algebra I, one high school fine art (i.e. Art I), two years of the same world language (i.e. Spanish), Communication Applications

8. Factors to consider when choosing courses: College and career readiness Challenging classes Classes preparing students for rigorous high school courses Students are encouraged to take at least ONE Pre-AP course.

9. How many Pre-AP courses should my child take? Consider… Your child’s academic strengths Teacher input Reviewing past grades and test performances Personal goals Extra-curricular activities Most importantly…motivation, effort, & attitude!

10. Opportunities will come before we know it--- Endorsements Academies AP courses and exams Dual credit courses Rigorous courses in middle school will help maximize a student’s efforts in preparing for these opportunities. Why all the talk about advanced academics?

11. While in high school, students will have the opportunity to earn college credit through AP courses and Dual Credit college courses. AP courses are college-level courses reflecting what is taught in introductory college courses. The AP course culminates at the end of the school year with a national AP exam. Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely then their peers to complete a college degree on time. Beginning with the End in Mind

12. Students who do well on AP exams can earn credit and/or placement into advanced courses in college. Students who earn a 3 or higher on an AP exam (5-highest possible score) and attend a public university in Texas will receive college credit. Northwest ISD partially pays the fee for the exam for all students. Beginning with the End in Mind: AP Exams and Earning College Credit

13. Beginning with the End in Mind: AP Course Offerings in High School Arts AP Art History AP Music Theory AP Studio Art: 2-D Design AP Studio Art: 3-D Design AP Studio Art: Drawing English AP English Language & Composition (English 3) AP English Literature & Composition (English 4) History and Social Science AP European History AP Human Geography AP Macroeconomics AP Psychology AP US Govt. & Politics AP World History Math & Computer Science AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Computer Science A AP Statistics Science AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Environmental Science AP Physics C: Mechanics AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based World Language & Cultures AP French Language and Culture AP German Language and Culture AP Spanish Language and Culture

14. Experience the demand of college earlier with more support. Get ahead on your potential college and career pathway. Save some additional funds for college. Ease your transition into higher education. Take advantage of the opportunity to access college facilities and resources. Enhance your skills for success. Beginning with the End in Mind: Dual Credit – Why Dual Credit?

15. A student who takes just ONE dual credit course is twice as likely to enroll in college and complete a degree within six years will experience the rigor of college level courses and acquire the confidence to succeed academically and socially in the college environment. Students who complete dual credit experiences are more likely to persist into their 2 nd year of college at both two and four year institutions in Texas compared to their peers who did not participate. Beginning with the End in Mind: Dual Credit – Why Dual Credit?

16. Preparing for high school, college, and a career By 7 th or 8 th grade, students will be provided instruction in the following: The creation of a high school personal graduation plan Endorsements The distinguished level of achievement College readiness standards Potential career choices and the education needed to enter those careers

17. Just a Glimpse: the Personal Graduation Plan (PGP) in the Home Access Center (HAC)

18. Just a Glimpse: the Five High School Endorsements Initiated by the State in 2014-15

19. Just a Glimpse: NISD High School Academies Academy of Aeronautics & Aviation Sciences (AAAS) – Eaton HS Academy of Biomedical Sciences (ABS) – BNHS Academy of Business Management and Entrepreneurship (BME) – Eaton HS NISD Collegiate Academy – SAHS Academy of Cosmetology – SAHS Academy of Culinary Arts and Hospitality – BNHS Academy of Media Arts and Technology (AMAT) – NHS Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) – NHS

20. Just a Glimpse: the Foundation Plan with an Endorsement(s) and the Distinguished Level of Achievement

21. Just a Glimpse: Each middle school student will have his/her own Naviance (a.k.a. Family Connections) account. Through Naviance, our middle school students have the opportunity to research colleges and careers, track his/her community service, build a resume’, and take personality and career assessments.

22. Just a Glimpse: As a student enters high school, he/she will continue to use Naviance/Family Connections to: Indicate colleges he/she is thinking about or applying to Request transcripts Request teacher and staff letter of recommendations Track college applications/view deadlines Utilize the personalized TestPrep course for SAT and/or ACT

23. Partnering in Planning We share all of this not to overwhelm you, however, to give you a glimpse of the opportunities your child will have over the next several years. We invite you to partner with us as your child begins to plan for his/her future and the path he/she will take to get there. -NISD Counselors