1. Planning for
Bush Middle School

2. Bush Counselors A-Gn Mrs. Sandoval (esando2@neisd.net)
Counselors are assigned based on students’ last names.
A-Gn Mrs. Sandoval
Go-N Mrs. Everest
O-Z Mr. Ansley
Counseling Office:

3. Open Access to Rigorous Courses
Pre-Advanced Placement courses in middle school are available to students willing to take on the academic challenges & put in the work to be successful in them
Students wishing to rank in the top 10% of their high school class need to pursue rigorous academic courses to prepare for high school

4. College & Career Readiness
NEISD has an initiative to ensure that after high school, all students are prepared to enter
A four-year college or university
A junior or community college
A trade or technical school
The military or
The workforce
Taking rigorous courses in middle school better prepares students for college and career course work in high school.

5. Success in High School Requires Planning
Preparation for high school success and rigor requires students to
Take rigorous middle school courses
Develop meaningful goals
Learn and utilize strong study
habits
Plan for the future

6. HS Graduation Requirements Foundation HS Program With Endorsement(s)
Students in the state of Texas are required
To earn 26 credits to graduate
To take four years of Math,
Science, and English to graduate
To take three years of Social Studies
to graduate

7. What Does This Mean in Middle School?
Preparation through rigorous foundation courses is important in 6th – 8th grades
GT students will still be in a separate program, but the curriculum is aligned with the high school requirements in mind

8. Course Selection Process
Students and parents will have opportunities to carefully examine course offerings.
Current 6th grade students’ choice sheets are due back to their science teacher by Wednesday, February 1st.
Current 7th grade students’ choice sheets are due back to their science teacher by Friday, February 3rd.

9. 7th and 8th Grade Courses 5 academic courses
PE (4 semesters in middle school: a semester each year with 1 full year of PE)
Maximum of 3 electives
AIM is highly recommended
Remember: 1 semester of a fine art required by the state of Texas, but NEISD strongly recommends 1 full year or 2 semesters of a fine art

10. Pre-AP English
Pre-AP English is a challenging, fast-paced course that requires a parent and student signature on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form.
Pre-AP English must be taken
with Pre-AP Reading
It is strongly recommended that you consult with your child’s English teacher before registering for this course.

11. Pre-AP Reading
Pre-AP Reading is a challenging, fast-paced course that also requires a parent signature on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form.
Pre-AP Reading is offered in 7th and 8th grades.
Any student may enroll in this class, but it is strongly advised that you scored very well on STAAR reading, are doing well in your current reading class, and you consult with your teacher.
This class must be taken with Pre-AP English.

12. Pre-AP Math
Pre-AP Math is Pre-Algebra in the 7th grade and Algebra I Pre-AP in 8th grade
Pre-AP math MUST be taken in 7th grade in order to take Algebra I Pre-AP in 8th grade
These are advanced courses
A parent signature is required on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form
It is strongly recommended that you consult with your child’s math teacher.

13. Pre-AP Courses Offered in 7th Grade
Pre-AP Math
Pre-AP English and Pre-AP Reading must be taken together
** A parent and student signature is required on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form.

14. Pre-AP Courses Offered in 8th Grade
Algebra I Pre-AP
Pre-AP English and Pre-AP Reading (must be taken together)
Pre-AP Science
Pre-AP American History
It is strongly recommended that you consult with your child’s teachers/counselor.
** A parent and student signature is required on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form.

15. Electives

16. Electives
8 period day
Choose 5 electives and rate them 1-5 (if you are choosing semester electives you must pick at least 2)
Go over course descriptions
Counselors will try to schedule the top 3 choices whenever possible
Please keep the required PE & Fine Arts credits for middle school in mind when choosing electives.

17. 7th and 8th Grade Electives

18. AIM
This class is designed as an enrichment opportunity for students to review academic concepts, seek assistance in solving academic problems, promote independent skills in time management and learn strategies for success such as vocabulary development, agenda use, binder organization, goal setting and character education.

19. Band, Choir and Orchestra
7th and 8th grade Band, Choir and Orchestra are a continuation of the 6th grade program.
Year long fine art electives
These classes are for students who are dedicated to Band, Choir or Orchestra

20. Semester Theatre Arts
This fine art course is for the student learning the fundamentals of theatre arts
This is a semester course

21. Theatre Arts II
Year long theatre arts is for 7th or 8th grade students who are interested and dedicated to learning about theatre
Theatre arts I is a pre- requisite
Counts as a fine art (1.0)
(Required to participate in events in fall festival & events in spring festival)

22. Theatre Arts III
Theatre Arts II is required to participate in Theatre Arts III in 8th grade
This is a year long
fine arts course
(Required to participate in events in fall festival & events in spring festival)

23. Debate A semester or year long course (semester only in 6th grade)
Open to all grade levels
Excellent reading and writing skills highly recommended
Debate does not count as a fine art

24. Art I
Art I is a year long fine arts course designed for the student to learn the fundamentals of art.
This course is available
to 7th and 8th grade students.
***There is a separate Art I course for 6th grade students.***

25. Art II Art II is a year long fine arts course
This course is available to 7th & 8th grade students
Pre-requisite is Art I
Students develop advanced art skills in the Art II course

26. Art III Art III is a year long fine arts course
This course is available to 8th grade students only
Pre-requisites are Art I & Art II
Students taking the Art III course have a passion for art and have advanced art skills

27. Athletics Before/After school participation REQUIRED!
Open to incoming 7th & 8th graders with PASSING GRADES! (6th grade students must go through boot camp in PE)
Coach’s signature REQUIRED (contact coaches for details)
The athletic class is a year long elective (counts as PE credit)
MUST participate in a minimum of 2 sports (Boys-Football & Basketball, Football & Track or all 3; Girls-Volleyball, Basketball and/or Track)
Contract must be signed by student & parent

28. Office/Teacher Aides 8th Grade Elective
Office/Teacher Aide classes are semester or year long courses
Fill out application completely
Grades, attendance & discipline considered in selection process.
Turn in with choice sheet, staple to back (late applications may not be considered)

29. PALS Application comes later in the year (April/May)
Sign up for another elective now,
once PALS have been chosen
counselor will contact you about
adding it to your schedule.
PALS is a year long course.
8th graders will be student mentors to 6th graders, peer mediators, assist with Special Olympics, leaders on campus, help with campus recycling, etc.

30. High School
Credit Courses

31. High School Credit Courses for 7th and 8th Grade Students
Principles of Arts, Audio Video Technology, and Communications
(1.0 credit)
Principles of Applied Engineering
Spanish IA (7th Grade) and
Spanish IB (8th Grade)
(1.0 credit for completion of both courses, do not get credit if both are not completed)

32. High School Credit Courses for 8th Grade Students Only
Health (0.5 credit)
Spanish IA (7th Grade) and Spanish IB (8th Grade) (1.0 credit for both courses)
Spanish I (1.0 credit-accelerated course)
Spanish II Pre-AP for Native Speakers (must take a placement test to qualify for entry into this course)
Algebra I Pre-AP & Algebra I Pre-AP/GT

33. STAAR Reading & STAAR Math
Schedule changes will be made due to STAAR scores
Takes the place of one of the elective choices
Students will be placed in an SSI (Student Success Initiative) class for support in reading or math
Remember: DO YOUR BEST! 33

34. Counselors
Please contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions on concerns. (210)
Thank you so much for your attendance tonight!
Mrs. Sandoval, Mrs. Everest, and Mr. Ansley