1. High School 101: Understanding Classes, Credits and Grades
Pleasanton High School
High School 101: Understanding Classes, Credits and Grades
Mrs. Guajardo will open and introduce administrators and counselors.

2. What is an Endorsement?
A broad area of study that encompasses multiple related pathways
Endorsement can be in the career area a student wishes to pursue after high school or in an area of activities in which the student will participate in high school
All students entering the 9th grade must choose an endorsement and complete a personal graduation plan when planning for high school
Evans presents

3. 5 Endorsements Arts and Humanities Business and Industry
Public Service
STEM
Multidisciplinary
Evans presents

4. Endorsements Each endorsement has several pathways of study
Endorsement requires 4 courses
Student may list only 1 endorsement on their Personal Graduation Plan, but may take courses from other areas as long as they meet their graduation requirements
Evans presents – hand over to Hardy

5. Graduation Requirements
Students must:
Complete either the Foundation with Endorsement or Distinguished plan
Pass all Five STAAR/EOC tests
Hardy presents

6. Graduation Plans
Must graduate on the distinguished plan to be in the TOP 10% of your class.
Top 10% = Automatic college entrance to public universities in Texas (currently UT Austin is top 6%)
Hardy presents-hands over to Leach

7. How many credits are needed to graduate?
Foundation with Endorsement, and Distinguished must have 26 credits to graduate
Credits must be earned:
Each full year class that is passed = 1 credit
Each semester class that is passed = ½ credit
Leach presents

8. Foundation with Endorsement – Required Credits (26)
English (4 credits):
English 1, 2, 3, and 4
Math (4 credits):
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Advanced Math
Science (4 credits):
Biology
Chemistry
Physics or Advanced Science
Advanced Science
Social Studies (4 credits):
World Geography
World History
U. S. History
Government/Economics
Leach presents – hand over to Downs
+ 2 credits in Spanish
+ 1 credit Fine Arts
+ 1 credit in PE
+ 1 credit Prin of Info. Technology
+ .5 credit in Prof Comm (Speech)
+ .5 Interpersonal Studies
+ 4 Endorsement Courses

9. EOC / STAAR Assessments
Five Tests
Algebra I (9th)
Biology (9th)
ELA I (9th)
ELA II (10th)
U.S. History (11th)
Downs presents – hand over to Macias

10. Grade Classification Grade classification is based on credits:
9th grade: 0 – 5.5 credits
10th grade: 6.0 – 12.5 credits
11th grade: 13.0 – 18.5 credits
12th grade: credits
Macias presents

11. Attendance and Credits (by class period)
State Law says that you must be at school at least 90% of the days per semester. If you have too many absences you will be denied credit even if you pass the class.
Example: 100 days in a semester and you miss 12 –you will not receive credit for the class and will have to take it again.
Macias presents – hand over to Brito

12. What can I expect my 9th grader to take?
Your student will be enrolled in the following courses:
English I (Pre-AP or Regular)
Algebra 1 (Pre-AP or Regular) OR Geometry (Pre-AP or Regular) if Algebra 1 was completed at PJHS
Biology (Pre-AP or Regular)
World Geography (Pre-AP or Regular)
Brito presents

13. What can I expect my 9th grader to take?
Technology—Principles of Technology
PE - PE, Athletics, JROTC, Band (Fall semester)
Spanish 1 or Fine Arts
(or Spanish 2 if your child is currently in Spanish 1(Pre-AP or Regular)
Endorsement Course focused on chosen endorsement
Brito presents – hands over to Grose

14. Pre – AP Classes Steps when signing up for Pre-AP classes:
Students need to be sure they are prepared for the rigor of these courses. Parents/Guardians need to be supportive and monitor that students stay on target with course requirements.
One determining factor for Pre-AP classes is a passing score on the STAAR test for that subject area.
Grose presents – hand over to Evans

15. Dual Credit Program & Advanced Placement
Academic & Workforce dual credit—students eligible their Sophomore, Junior or Senior year, depending on course
Dual Credit Partners
Delmar College * UTPB * Coastal Bend
Advanced Placement
Every Core Department
Electives: Spanish, Art, and Music
Evans presents

16. Personal Graduation Plan (PGP)
The PGP lists the student’s chosen endorsement, future plans, and courses for each grade.
HB5 law requires that all parents review and sign their student’s Personal Graduation Plan their freshman year.
If we do not have this approved plan on file with your signature, we will not be able to process a 9th grade schedule for your student.
Evans presents

17. Scheduling Timeline
2/1 – 8th graders will view endorsement videos during enrichment
2/2 – student will complete their PGPs during enrichment
2/5-2/9 and 2/16 – HS counselors will meet individually with 8th graders during athletic, PE, or elective time (last period) to go over PGPs/9th grade course selections
2/20-2/23 – Copies of PGPs will be sent home this week; please review and sign
2/23 – Signed PGP is due back to student’s enrichment teacher
4/1 – Copy of course selections (not final schedule) will be mailed home for review
Evans presents

18. Need More Information
This presentation and presentations viewed by 8th graders along with other information about high school is available online at
click on Schools then click High School
click on Academics then Counseling and Guidance
click on Class of 2022 high school registration
Evans presents – hand over to Guajardo

19. Contact Information
Mrs. Twila M. Guajardo, Principal
Mrs. Stacy Downs, Academic Dean
Mr. Alberto L. Macias, Asst Principal: A-K
Mrs. Eileen C. Grose, Asst Principal: L-Z
Pleasanton High School: (830)
For questions about class scheduling and endorsements contact your student’s counselor (divided by last names)
Mrs. Amanda Hardy: A – D ; (830)
Mrs. Sarah Evans: E – K (830)
Mrs. Marsha Leach: L – Ra (830)
Mr. Steve Brito: Re – Z (830)
Mrs. Guajardo will close