1. Elkins High School Course Selection
It’s a great day to be a knight!

2. Graduation Requirements
Foundation + Endorsements 26 credits
Distinguished Level of Achievement
26 credits, must include: 1endorsement, algebra 2, and a 4th science credit.
Must be DLA to be “Top 10%” for automatic admission to a Texas public university.
Foundations only 22 credits
Scoring Satisfactory on the 5 EOC
tests: Algebra 1, Biology, English 1, English 2, and US History

3. Why is 9th grade important for my future?
Grades determine your GPA and Class Rank used for post- secondary opportunities!!
***Every year counts!

4. What is a Credit?
Credits are what move students to the next grade towards graduation.
A full year course will earn you 1 credit (1 credit awarded at the end of the year)
Ex. English 1, World Geography
A semester course will earn you a ½ credit (½ credit awarded at the end of the semester semester)
Ex. Health, Professional Communications

5. Required Core Courses:
English – 4
Math – 4
Social Studies – 4
Science – 4
Health/Speech - .5 each
Fine Art – 1
PE or substitutions – 1
Foreign Language – 2 of the same
Electives – 5
Endorsements fall under electives

6. Post High School Advisement
Several of the listed courses may not be “required” by HB5
Counselors will be advising students in alignment with what the 4 year institutions require.
To date, colleges are requiring the 4x4 graduation plan.

7. What is an Endorsement?
An Endorsement is the personal part of a student’s high school experience. They are what are known “majors” in college – the subjects that students are most interested in and do the best in. These classes give specialized knowledge and skills to prepare students for higher education and careers!

8. Endorsement Pathways at Elkins
Business and Industry Endorsement Agriculture Mechanics Pathway Animal Science Pathway Design Pathway (CAD) Fashion Pathway Production Pathway Business Management Pathway Business Law Pathway Finance Pathway Sports Marketing Pathway Advertising and Sales Pathway

9. Related Careers for Business and Industry Endorsement
Who: students interested in agriculture, business, accounting, digital graphics, and architecture.
Related Careers: Accountant, Aircraft Controller, Interior Design, Electrician, Chef, Architect

10. Public Service Endorsement Nutrition and Wellness Pathway Fashion Pathway Health Science Pathway Cosmetology Pathway JROTC Pathway

11. Related Careers Public Service
Who: Students who love helping others and are interested in law enforcement, firefighting, education, the military, and government.
Related Careers: Teacher, Social Worker, Fire Fighter, Private Investigator, Animal Control Worker, Mental Health Counselor.

12. Arts and Humanities Endorsement
Pathways in:
Art, Theater, Choir, Dance, Band, Orchestra, World Language, Social Studies, etc.

13. Related Careers Arts and Humanities
Who: Students interested in fine arts, world languages, and social studies.
Related Careers: Actor, Movie Director, Translator, Ambassador, Musician.

14. Multidisciplinary Endorsement Students have to choice to select from a variety of electives to satisfy this endorsement, or complete the 4x4, or complete 4 AP or dual credit courses. This endorsement pathway provides students with the opportunity to earn an endorsement from courses taken from multiple subject areas. The options include a coherent sequence or series of courses designed to prepare students for college course work.

15. STEM Endorsements
Math Pathway
Science Pathway
Computer Science
Project Lead the Way – Engineering Pathway

16. Related Careers STEM
Who: Students considering a career in engineering or computer science, and those who enjoy and are energized by math, science, design, and problem solving.
Related Careers: Robotics Technician, Computer Programmer. Medical Researcher, Engineer, Biochemist, Microbiologist, Environmentalist.

17. Online Course Selection
Online input window: Feb. 19th- Feb.28th
Your student’s current counselor at the middle school campus will train and assist students with inputting course selections online and completing their 4 year plans.
9th grade students will be in the labs for course selection on 2/23 with their counselor.
Parents must log into Skyward Family Access to sign their student’s endorsements selection.

18. Typical Freshman Schedule
English 1
Algebra 1 or Geometry
World Geography
Biology
Select Endorsement Pathway
Health and Speech
PE/Athletics
7 credits

19. Typical Sophomore Schedule
English 2
Geometry or Algebra 2
World History
IPC or Chemistry
Foreign Language
PE/Athletics or other required course/electives
Endorsement – 2nd year course – if did not select 1st year course – must do so this year
7 credits

20. Review your course choices and enter them in Skyward
Review your course choices and enter them in Skyward. Be sure that you have 7 credits. Do not forget that if you choose a semester course you will need another one to pair with it.
List alternate elective choices from 1-6 in order of preference.
Turn in course selection sheet with your chosen endorsement. Be sure to have parent signature!
Contact your 8th grade counselor if in middle school or high school counselor if in 9th grade with any questions or concerns.

21. GET INVOLVED-Do not wait until your senior year to join activities!
Apply for our special programs such as AVID, PALS (11th and 12th grade), and the Tech Center (11th and 12th grade) !!
*Volunteer
YES Service Organization at school
*Join a club/team at school
*Part time jobs

22. REMINDER
Middle school counselors will field any questions 8th graders have about online input. High school counselors will not have access to 8th grade student selections until later in the year.
If students want to make a change after inputting their courses online, they must print their schedule, make the correction, obtain a parent signature and return it to their middle school counselor no later than March 22nd .

23. Questions
Thank you for taking your time to come meet us!!