1. Marble Falls High School
8th GRADE PARENT NIGHT 2019
Marble Falls High School

2. Tonight’s Topics Academic Support Options Graduation Plans
Career Pathways
Registration Process
Course Options for Freshmen Year
Advanced Academics
GPA/Class Rank
AP Courses

3. Academic Support Options
Tutorials
Intervention/Support Classes
The Learning Center
Family Access in Skyward

4. Graduation Plans - Class of 2023
The graduation plan options are:
Foundation with Endorsement
Distinguished Level of Achievement

5. Graduation Credit Requirements
4 English (Eng 1, Eng 2, Eng 3, and advanced Eng)
4 Math (to include Algebra 1 & Geometry)
4 Science (to include Biology and a 2nd credit from a lab based couse (IPC, Chemistry, or Physics))
3 Social Studies (W Geo or W Hist, US Hist, Govt and Eco)
1 PE
1 Fine Art
2 credits of the same Foreign Language
0.5 credit Professional Communication/Communication App.
0.5 credit in College & Career Choices
8 Electives

6. Foundation with Endorsement
Foundation with Endorsement requires 28 credits for graduation, including:
a career pathway within the following endorsement areas:
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
ARTS AND HUMANITIES
PUBLIC SERVICE
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
MULTIDISCIPLINARY

7. Distinguished Level of Achievement
Complete the Foundation with Endorsement
Complete Algebra 2
Only students completing the Distinguished Level of Achievement are eligible for college admission under the Top 10% automatic admissions provision.

10. TESTING REQUIREMENTS STAAR End of Course Exams (EOC) English l
English ll
Algebra l
Biology
US History

12. What to consider about the graduation plans
Student’s chosen pathway
Which science and math courses are needed
College/University student may attend
Which science and math courses are required for admission and/or a chosen major
Aprenticeship program student may apply for
Which courses will assist them in getting in and what math or science courses will be helpful
Technology or Certification wanted
Which courses will prepare students for career choices, both core subjects and electives

14. Course Registration
Counselors were in classrooms last Thursday going over the graduation plans and course offerings
Counselors will meet with all students individually on February 28th, March 1st and 4th.
Students will state their preference regarding endorsements at that time
Please make sure you look at pre-requisite courses in the course selection guide that is available online when you choose your courses.

15. Course Registration cont.
Students and parents will have the opportunity to view course requests in Skyward.
Alternates are extremely important! Please make sure you put your alternates in order of preference.
All changes to course requests must be completed by May 10th
No changes will be processed once the school year begins
Check Skyward prior to May 10th to confirm courses are correct

16. Course Offerings
All Freshmen are required to take C3 (College & Career Choices) and Professional Communications (if not taken in 8th grade)
Special Approval Courses - Cheerleading, Starlettes, Color Guard, Athletic Teams, Show Choir, and Jazz Band
Pre-AP/AP offerings: English 1, Geometry, Biology, Spanish 2, and Spanish 3; AP Human Geography

18. GPA/Class Rank Includes:
Core Classes (English, Math, Science, & History)
Foreign Language
Pre-AP, AP, and Dual Credit Courses are weighted

19. GPA/Class Rank What’s not included:
Middle School courses for high school credit (ex. Algebra 1, Spanish 1, IPC, CBE’s)

20. GPA/Class Rank
Pre-AP Classes & Dual Credit earn an extra weight of 10 points (ex. 87 = 97)
AP Classes earn an extra weight of 20 points (ex. 87 = 107)
If you fail a Pre-AP or AP Course then no weight is assigned (Ex. 68 = 68)
Points are only applied in the GPA calculation – they do not appear on the report card or transcript.

21. Counselor Contacts Angela Williamson A – G Amy Hudspeth H – P
Amy Hudspeth H – P
Kathy Craig Q-Z
Sign up for Remind 101 to 81010
Follow us on

23. AP COURSE OPTIONS Social Studies AP Human Geography (usually 9th)
AP World History (usually 10th)
AP US History (11th)
AP Government / Macro Economics
Other Courses
AP Computer Science
AP Music Theory
AP Spanish Language (IV)
AP Spanish Language (V)
AP Studio Art
English
AP Language (11th)
AP Literature (12th)
Math
AP Calculus
AP Statistics
Science
AP Biology
AP Physics A
AP Chemistry
AP Environmental

24. AN AP STUDENT SHOULD BE:
focused
organized
motivated
self-disciplined
prepared for daily homework/reading in each AP class
willing to grow & be pushed through adversity
Note – If your child does not possess the characteristics above, it doesn’t mean that they cannot be successful in an AP class. However, the course will likely be more of a struggle for them.

25. AN AP PARENT SHOULD KNOW…
Teachers are facilitators of learning.
Students are responsible for content.
A “C” in an AP class is NOT like a “C” in a on-level class
An “A” is RARE
Be mindful of the number of AP classes your child is taking at once.
Be mindful of work life/home life balance (church, extra-curricular, work, etc…)
Teachers are held to “College Board” standards.
Classes are rigorous.
Be mindful of your child’s strengths and interests when selecting AP courses.

26. BENEFITS of an AP CLASS Save money on tuition Earn college credit
Help develop college-level academic skills
Can strengthen a college application and resume
May give the opportunity to skip some introductory college classes

27. QUESTIONS for our PANEL???
We have a teacher present in each of the following content areas.
English
Math
Science
Social Studies