1. Welcome Class of 2021 Students & Parents!
Independence HS
Home of the Knights
Welcome
Class of 2021 Students & Parents!

2. Agenda for Tonight Welcome to Independence!
*Knight Club - Can’t Stop the Feeling
The “Focus” at Independence
Getting Involved
Words from Counseling
PAP/AP Class Information
*Knight Club - School Song
Touring the Campus
Note: Please hold all questions for the meet and greet portion of the evening.
Thanks!

3. An Exciting Time Tonight!
Visiting with our Amazing Staff
Hearing About What Students Will Experience at IHS
Learning the Ways of the Knights
Signing Up for Clubs & Organizations

4. Independence Focus “Inspire to Learn, Empower to Excel”
Smooth Transition from 8th Grade
Building Healthy Relationships
Building a Safe and Spirit-Filled Climate
Striving for Academic Excellence
Meeting Students Where They Are!
Setting High Expectations in Everything
Preparing Students for Life After High School

5. The Knight’s Code
Integrity
Unity
Loyalty
Courage
Perseverance
Service

6. The “We Share” Philosophy
Athletics
Fine Arts
Academic Decathlon
Clubs & Organizations
And many more
We encourage students to join multiple organizations!

7. Watch for Newsletter Updates
Athletic Camps
Band Camps
Cheer Camps
Drill Team Camps
Updates can also be found on the IHS website!

8. IHS Administrative Team
Mr. Waligura - Principal
Mr. Green - Associate Principal

9. IHS Administrative Team
Mrs. Ginn Assistant Principal A-K
Student Services
Mr. Solano Assistant Principal L-Z
Student Services
Mr. Garcia Assistant Principal A-K
Academic Services
Mrs. Robinson Assistant Principal L-Z
Academic Services

10. IHS Counselors Mrs. Puente L-Q Mr. Ford A-D
Mrs. Mayfield Lead Counselor
Mrs. Greer E-K
Mr. Wooden R-Z

11. Course Catalog, Academic guide, and Graduation Plan Info.
*Prerequisite info!

12. All 9th grade students must be enrolled in eight class periods.
What is a Credit?
A student needs 26 credits in order to graduate. A half-credit is earned each semester for each class passed with a 70 or above average.
All 9th grade students must be enrolled in eight class periods.

13. Graduation Requirements for Class of 2021
4 credits of core classes each year (Science, English, Math and Social Studies)
2 credits of Foreign Language (Spanish, French, Chinese)
1 credit of P.E
1 credit of Fine Art
1 credit of Technology
.5 credit of Health
.5 credit of Professional Communications
4 credits of elective classes
Total credits needed: 26
State Assessments
English I EOC
English II EOC
Algebra I EOC
Biology EOC
US History EOC

14. 4 Credits in Each Core Area: English, Math, Science, Social Studies
Endorsement Plans
Multidisciplinary
All Career Pathways
Arts & Humanities
Political Science, World Languages, Cultural Studies, Literature, History, Fine Arts
4 Credits in Each Core Area: English, Math, Science, Social Studies
Public Services
Doctor, Nurse, Criminal Investigator, Law Clerk, Teacher, Athletic Trainer
Business & Industry
Information Technology, Finance, Architecture, Ag Science
STEM
Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

15. Foreign Language
We encourage all freshman to start their foreign language in 9th grade!
Freshman can currently offers Spanish, French, and Chinese*.
*Chinese is an online course

16. 3D-Modeling – Fine Arts & Technology
One year of 3D-Modeling fulfills Fine Arts requirement AND Technology requirement
Dance – Fine Arts & PE
One year of Dance fulfills Fine Arts requirement for 1 credit AND
PE requirement for 1 credit
Athletes cannot sign up for Dance 1

17. High School Schedule Known as an A-B block schedule 8 total classes
A Day = 4 classes; B Day = the other 4 classes
30-minute lunch is based on student’s 3rd period class
School begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 4:15 p.m.
Each class is 90 minutes with 5 minutes between each class

18. Grades will be weighted according to the level of the course.
Rank and GPA
AP/PAP
Dual Credit
On-Level
Grade Point 95
100
5.5 94 99
5.4 93 98
5.3 92 97
5.2 91 96
5.1 90
5.0 89
4.9 88
4.8 87
4.7 86
4.6 85
4.5 84
4.4
Rank in class, honor graduate status, valedictorian and salutatorian determination shall be based on a weighted grade point average (GPA) system.
Grades will be weighted according to the level of the course.
Freshman grades count! “Start strong and do your best from your first day of high school.” For admissions purposes, rank at the close of junior year dictates the top 10% of the class.

19. Top 10% Rule
Class Rank and GPA are used to determine if you are in the “Top 10%” of your class.
Students who are in the top 10% of their class are automatically accepted into Texas public colleges. (UT Austin is now top 7%)

20. Athletic Try-Outs
All students are free to sign up for any athletic class they wish, but they must make the team in order to stay in the class. PE teaches how to play various sports, but the athletic teams in high school are competitive and require you to already know how to play.
Try-outs are typically made the first two weeks of each semester.
Those not making the team can try for another sport, or take P.E. or elective classes that are STILL OPEN.

21. BAND
•Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band (top 2 groups), & percussion are double-blocked classes; Concert Band (third band) & color guard are single blocked classes. Variances are handled on a case by case basis in order to work with other campus programs.
•All band students participate in marching band during the fall.
The band director and athletic coach must be contacted if a student wants to participate in both band and a sport.

22. Thinking of Summer School???
If your student is planning to attend FISD Summer School, please note the format will be changing. More information will be given to the middle schools after spring break.
Summer school or online courses do not count in GPA calculation

23. Credit By Exams for Acceleration
Current 8th graders may be able to test at the end of school this year to ensure that grades are received in time for an accurate schedule at schedule pickup.
A student’s schedule will not change until grades have been received.
Grade does not count in GPA.

24. Your student will have the opportunity to take dual credit classes in high school. More information will be given in March during the Dual Credit Info Night.

25. Dates to Remember
Tuesday, January 24th- Scoggins Individual Meetings
Wednesday, January 25th – Nelson Individual Meetings
*** All course verification forms due back to the middle school counselors the following week. Don’t forget to list alternates courses!
April 13th, 2017– Last Day for Elective Changes (Home Access open to view course requests- course request change form with middle school counselors)
May 18th 2017– 8th grade field trip to IHS for Aloha Pep Rally
August Schedule Pickup/9th Orientation

26. Balance – There are only 24 hours in a day! ☺
Try not to overload yourself. We do not recommend that a student take all advanced-level classes, join numerous activities (band, athletics, student council…), and expect to be successful in EVERYTHING.
We all need some down time. Consider your well-being and choose carefully.

27. Pre-AP and Advanced Placement Program
What is the Pre-AP/AP program?
Allows students to participate in college preparatory courses and college level courses while still in high school
Who can enroll in a Pre-AP/AP course?
Any student can enroll
Students committed to completing the course they sign up to take
Changes will be allowed at the 1st six-week point and at semester
What are the advantages of Pre-AP/AP courses?
Better preparation for college
Students may receive college credit in high school, saving both time and money
Colleges and universities look favorably on students who have completed this course work

28. PAP/AP Six-Weeks Commitment
Students who sign up for a PAP/AP class will be required to stay the entire first six weeks.
Following the close of the first six weeks, students will not be allowed to drop the course until second semester begins.
We encourage AP Human Geography for experienced PAP students and students new to PAP!

29. IHS Grading Philosophy
Daily Grades (20%)
*Measures Behaviors
*Graded through rubric
Minor Grades (30%)
Major Grades (50%)
*Graded on the academic merit of work

30. Opportunities to Participate
Athletics
Fine Arts
Academic Decathlon
Clubs & Organizations
And many more
We Share!
We encourage students to join multiple organizations.