1. High School
&
Beyond
Tomball High School

2. Begin with the end in mind…
What kind of life do I want in the future?
What college do I want to go to?
What do I want to study?
What kind of career goal(s) have I set for myself?

3. What is required to graduate?
Twenty-six (26) credits are required to graduate in the State of Texas
Students are also required to meet or exceed score requirements on 5 End of Course Exams (EOC)
English I
English II
Algebra
Biology
U.S. History

4. What is a credit?
A credit is what you receive when you pass a full year of one subject
Passing one semester (or a half a year) will earn you a ½ credit
Some classes are just a ½ credit but most are one whole credit
If you choose a ½ credit course you will need to choose another ½ credit course for the second semester (two halves make a whole).

5. What is a prerequisite?
A course that is required prior to taking a more advanced course.
Chemistry I
Chemistry II

6. What is a sequence?
Courses that follow a pathway, usually three to four courses in the same area of study.
They become more advanced and/or more specific as you reach the junior/senior year.
Example: Introduction to Engineering (9th)
Principles of Engineering (10th)
Biological Engineering (11th)

7. What is Grade Point Average (GPA)?
Semester averages are recorded on a transcript (a record of all high school semester averages)
The GPA for high school courses is required on college and scholarship applications.
The GPA starts when entering 9th grade and does not include junior high grades.

8. How many courses? 7 classes in a day Choose 7 courses
4 core courses each year (English, Math, Science, Social Studies)
3 elective courses of choice*
7 total courses
2 alternate elective choices (backups)
9 total choices
*remember if you choose ½ credit course you must choose a second ½ credit course!

9. What level classes are best to take?
Regular or Advanced
PAP (Pre-Advanced Placement) begins 9th grade
AP (Advanced Placement)10th through 12th
DC (Dual Credit) 11th through 12th
Advantage of Advanced
15 quality points added to the final semester average “when” the GPA is calculated (IF passed)
Noted on the transcript that the course was advanced.
Disadvantage of Advanced
More rigorous and requires self-motivation, outside reading, organizational skills & additional study

10. Advanced classes? Consider these guidelines.
Must be self-motivated and an independent worker.
Must be willing to spend hours out of class completing research, projects and supplemental reading.
Must have good study skills and time management (use a planner and keep up with long-term projects).
Consider outside activities and responsibilities.

11. Advanced is the choice? Open enrollment:
Can request to be moved with D or F:
After first three weeks
After first six weeks
End of semester
English I PAP has a summer assignment (check online in May or June)

12. Plan Ahead! Additional Required courses besides the 4 core:
2 credits in same Foreign Language
1 Fine Arts credit
1 semester of:
Speech
Health
1 credit in P.E. or equivalent
5 or more electives of your choice and apply toward your chosen Endorsement. Anything else you take is considered an elective.

13. What is an Endorsement
Subject areas where students can elect courses according to their interests.
It indicates the type of elective coursework in which students choose to focus during high school.
There are 5 Endorsement Areas
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)
Business & Industry
Public Service
Arts & Humanities
Multidisciplinary

14. It’s Your Decision!
When to take the additional required courses and when to take chosen electives.
Remember that some advanced electives will have a prerequisite so be aware and be prepared in planning. See the Course Selection Guide on the Tomball ISD website.

15. What foreign language do you want to take and when?
French
German
Spanish

16. What Fine Arts do you want to take and when?
Band (Spring)
Choir
Dance / Drill Team
Floral Design
Orchestra
Theatre
Technical Theatre

17. What Health course to take and when?
Health Education (.5 credit)
Principles of Health Science (1 credit) open to 10th graders and up

18. When to take the speech course?
One Semester:
Professional Communications
(.5 credit)
Debate (1 credit)

19. What PE to take and when? One year or one credit is required
(additional credits count as electives)
General P.E.
Individual/Team Sports
Dance/ Aerobics
ROTC
Cheerleading (one year credit) Tryouts required. Local credit after 1st year.
Drill Team – Tryouts required
Marching Band / Color Guard- fall semester only
Athletics
Must live within TISD boundaries and be registered at THS
Must have been promoted not placed to 9th grade to be eligible the 1st six weeks
Must have physical completed on UIL form-TISD physicals will be held Spring 2017
$20 participation fee
Baseball, Boys/Girls Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Boys/Girls Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track, Volleyball
Off Campus P.E. – requires prior-to-semester Central Office approval

20. Distinguished Level of Achievement
Successful completion of required courses
Successful completion of at least one endorsement
Four credits in Math (including Algebra II)
Four Credits in Science
Required to be eligible for top 10% and automatic state college admissions

21. Performance Acknowledgments
12 hours of dual credit with a 3.0 grade equivalent on 4.0 scale or
An Associate degree while in high school or
Outstanding performance in bilingualism & biliteracy or
A Score of 3 or more on an AP Exam or
Outstanding performance on PSAT/NMSQT, ACT, SAT or
Nationally recognized industry certification score or license

22. How to choose electives?
Step 1
What are students interests?
What are students strengths?
Step 2
What area of Study or Endorsement(s) does your student want to focus on
STEM; Business & Industry; Public Service
Arts & Humanities; Multidisciplinary
Step 3
Visit the TISD Course Selection Guide for a brief description and prerequisites for each course offered
Step 4
Choose the specific classes wanted or needed for your Career Pathway and when to take them
Consider prerequisites and sequencing
Remember electives can help you choose a career!

23. 9th Elective Choices: Principles of Ag (FFA)
Principles of Architecture
Principles of Business, Mkt. & Finance
Money Matters
Business Info Mgt. (Microsoft Office)
Computer Science (programming--Alg. is prerequisite)
Medical Terminology
Debate
Principles of Education
Nutrition/Wellness(1/2)
Intro to Culinary Arts
Introduction to Engineering
Design (STEM)
Journalism (1/2)
Photojournalism (1/2)
Advertising (1/2)
Sports & Entertainment (1/2)

24. THS Course Selection Timeline
Week of January Current 8th Grade Students
February 7, Verification sheet sent home
February 16, All changes Due

25. How to make Changes
Verification Sheets will be given to students on February 7, 2017
Make changes on the sheet and return to the Junior High Counselor
Final Change deadline is February 16, 2017