1. High School Scheduling
Endorsements, Choice Sheets, & 4 Year Plans…OH MY!

2. Graduation Plans Foundation with Endorsement
Distinguished Level of Achievement

3. Foundation with Endorsement ALL students will graduate with a Foundation + Endorsement
Foundation Credits
Endorsement Credits
English 4
Math 3
Science
Social Studies (includes Govt. & Economics)
Foreign Language 2
Fine Arts 1
Physical Education
Electives (includes Health & Speech)
Foundation Total 22
4th Math 1
4th Science
Endorsement Electives 2
Endorsement Total 4
Foundation Credits (22) + Endorsement Total (4) = 26 Credits

4. Distinguished Level of Achievement
Students must complete all the requirements of the Foundation High School Program and the requirements of 1 Endorsement AND take Algebra II as one of the 4 Math credits.
Foundation (22 credits) + Endorsement (4 credits) = 26 total credits
Students who graduate with the Distinguished Level of Achievement and are in the top 10% of their graduating class are eligible for automatic admissions to Texas public universities.
We plan and schedule with this as the goal for all of our students.

5. Pathway Selection Guide

6. TISD offers 5 endorsements and more than 30 pathways
TISD offers 5 endorsements and more than 30 pathways. The pathway selection guide gives the specific course sequence for each pathway.

7. High School Choice Sheets
High school choice sheets are given out based on the attendance zone for your high school. Please fill out, sign, and return the choice sheet even if you plan to transfer. Information about transfers can be found on the district’s homepage under the “Students & Families” tab.

8. Filling out the choice sheet
Select courses for 8 credits. Four and a half credits will be in the core subjects and the other 3.5 will come from elective sections e.g. “Fine Arts,” “Foreign Language” etc. All students should take Research & Tech. Writing, but have a semester long alternative in the event changes are made at their home campus. High school counselors suggest this class be paired with Health.

9. To Pre- AP or not to Pre-AP
High school Pre-AP differs in the rigor and the amount of homework required from middle school.
Only students who are motivated, want to be challenged, currently have good grades, and strong study habits should take all 4 core Pre-AP classes.
We encourage our students to get teacher recommendations from their current science and math teachers for high school Pre-AP math and science.
For students wanting to attempt their first Pre-AP class, high school counselors recommend World Geography.

10. AVID 8th grade students who are interested in AVID should apply now.
Students must take at least one Pre-AP class
Extra support for first generation college bound students

11. Extra Curricular
Athletics- MUST have participated on an organized team within the last year in the sport they are trying out for and must have a coach’s approval. Football & volleyball have summer practice. Please check your school’s website for more information.
Athletes will also be enrolled in Leadership and Excellence unless they are also in AVID or Band, Choir, or Orchestra.
Leadership and Excellence will take the place of Research and Tech Writing
Band- MUST have previously participated in band. Band requires summer practice as well.

12. Extra Curricular
Dance- Please check your school’s website for information on Drill Team
REL ONLY: Students can be in BOTH PE POM and Dance. This counts as a Fine Art and a PE Credit. Students who want in Drill Team should be in both.
JT students may be enrolled in EITHER PE Dance or Dance1 but not both. Students who want to be in Drill Team should chose Pep Squad 1.
Cheerleading- More information can be found on your school’s website about tryouts, expectations, and requirements.

13. Other recommendations from High School Counselors
PE credit should be earned next year if possible.
If students do not struggle in ELAR, sign up for a foreign language
Theater Arts 1 is a performance/participation class. Theater Arts Appreciation is NOT a performance class.
Changes to the schedule will be made due to poor or failing STAAR scores.

14. Four Year Plans
We will be meeting with your student to help him/her plan for the next four years.

15. How can you help?
Talk to your student about his or her academic strengths and weaknesses.
Some of our students find four year plans overwhelming. Remind your student that this is only a plan.
Be realistic with your student. Students are going to have to make choices about participating in extra curricular activities. It is very difficult for students to be involved in everything they want.

16. How can you help?
Sign and return the 4 year plan!
Our GOAL is to send this home with 1st Semester Report Cards.

18. Questions???