1. 2018-2019 9th Grade Orientation Rio Vista High School
Tony Martin, Principal
Jack Pruitt, Assistant Principal
Dana Stockton, Counselor

2. When should you start thinking about life after high school?

3. High School Transcript
It is your scorecard!
It is how colleges/employers evaluate you.
It is the official/legal record of: - student efforts/grades - accomplishments - extra-curricular activities

4. High School Transcript
Remember colleges look at all grades from freshman year to the senior year.
You must do your best in all classes in order to keep your GPA high enough to be admitted to the college of your choice.
Community service is important in so many ways so make sure you keep up with the hours and places you serve. This will help in college and scholarship applications.

5. Credits High School Classes are broken down into semesters and credits
One semester in one class is ½ credit
Must earn a semester average of 70
One full year in a class is 1 full credit
Semesters may be averaged for a passing grade of 70
Excessive absences will result in loss of credit

6. GPA and Class Rank Rio Vista HS uses Weighted Scale
GPA is calculated using semester grades of all subjects
AP, Honors and Dual credit are weighted*:
Ex. Regular class: 100
Ex. Honors: 105
Ex. AP or Dual Credit: 110
*Students must take AP exam in order to receive weight for AP courses.

7. Grade Level Classification
Freshman – Promoted from 8th grade or have less than 5 credits
Sophomore – 5 credits
Junior – 10 credits
Senior – 15 credits

8. What if I don’t pass a course?
You must continue repeating the course until you receive credit

9. Graduation Plans HB5 Foundation Plan Foundation Plan with Endorsement
(College Bound Plan)
Distinguished Plan
(Advanced Academic Plan)

10. Graduation Plans Foundation Endorsement(s) Distinguished
Foundation
Endorsement(s)
Distinguished
(eligible for top 10%)
Subject Area
Credits
English 4
Math 3
(Must include Algebra II)
Science
(Must include Chemistry & Physics)
Social Studies
Foreign Language 2
Fine Arts 1
Technology
Speech/Health
Physical Educ
Electives
Total Credits for Graduation: 22 26

11. Foundation Plan
Must be approved by administrator, counselor, and parent
Not the best preparation for college
Cannot select this program until completion of Sophomore year

12. Endorsements
All students are on this plan beginning their freshman year
Students select an Endorsement as part of their High School registration
Students follow a Plan of Study to complete Endorsement

13. Distinguished Program
Foundation Graduation Requirements &
One additional math credit, which must be Algebra II or higher
One additional science credit, which must include chemistry & physics
The curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement
World History (required by all RVHS students)
(required to be considered for top 10%)
Currently, the only difference between FHSP plus endorsement and the FHSP DLA is the requirement that Algebra II must be one of the four credits in math.

14. Top 10% Rule
Students in the top 10% of their graduating class AND complete requirements for Distinguished Graduate are eligible for automatic admission to any public University in Texas (except UT).
To be eligible:
Top 10% [UT – 6%]
Enroll after HS [2yrs]
Apply by the college deadline
SAT or ACT scores

15. Performance Acknowledgement
For Outstanding Performance:
In a dual credit course
In bilingualism and biliteracy
On a college AP test (Score of 3 or higher)
On the PSAT, PLAN, ACT, SAT
For earning a nationally/internationally recognized business or industry certification or license

16. ENDORSEMENTS STEM Business & Industry Arts & Humanities Public Service
Multi-Disciplinary Studies

17. MULTIDISCIPLINARY 4 x 4 Option
*This endorsement is required for entrance to most colleges & universities
*Most students will earn this endorsement along with their other chosen endorsement
Foundation Graduation Requirements &
One additional math course that must include Algebra II
One additional science course that must include Chemistry and Physics
BIM
World History

18. STEM
The STEM endorsement may be the right pathway for a student interested in careers such as a biochemist, bioengineer, civil engineer, electrical engineer, medical scientists, mechanical engineer, chemical engineer, environmental engineer, avionics technicians, and physicists.

19. STEM Mathematics Option
Foundation Graduation Requirements &
One additional advanced science
Two additional advanced math courses for which Algebra II is a prerequisite
Pre Cal
Calculus
College Algebra / College Trig
(Total of 5 Math Credits)

20. STEM Science Option Foundation Graduation Requirements &
One additional advanced math
Two additional advanced science courses in addition to Chemistry and Physics
A & P
Environmental Systems
Scientific Research & Design
Advanced Animal Science
(Total of 5 Science Credits)

21. BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Possible career paths and interest areas for the Business & Industry Endorsement may include: Agricultural Science, Automotive Technology, Welding, Floral Design and Technology

22. BUSINESS & INDUSTRY Animal Science Option
Foundation Graduation Requirements &
One additional advanced math credit
One additional advanced science credit
Principles of Agriculture
Livestock Production
Advanced Animal Science
Practicum

23. BUSINESS & INDUSTRY Floral Design Option
Foundation Graduation Requirements &
One additional math credit
One additional science credit
Principles of Agriculture (can be taken concurrently with Art I)
Art I (can be taken concurrently with Principles of Ag)
Floral Design (certification possible)
Practicum

24. BUSINESS & INDUSTRY Mechanics and Metals
Foundation Graduation Requirements &
One additional advanced math credit
One additional advanced science credit
Principles of Agriculture
Ag Mechanic Metals
Ag Design and Fabrication
Choose one of the following:
Automotive (take concurrently with Design and Fabrication)
Welding (take concurrently with Design and Fabrication)
Practicum

25. BUSINESS & INDUSTRY Technology Option
Foundation Graduation Requirements &
One additional advanced math credit
One additional advanced science credit
BIM I
BIM II
Web Technologies
Animation

26. BUSINESS & INDUSTRY Administrative Support Option
Foundation Graduation Requirements &
One additional advanced math credit
One additional advanced science credit
BIM I
Principles of Business
BIM II
Practicum

27. ARTS & HUMANITIES
Possible career paths and interest areas for students pursuing an Arts and Humanities endorsement include courses related to Art, Band, Theater, World Languages, History, and Cultural Studies

28. ARTS & HUMANITIES Fine Arts Option
Foundation Graduation Requirements &
One additional advanced math credit
One additional advanced science credit
A coherent sequence of four credits from one of the following areas:
Art
Band
Band Ensemble
Jazz Band
Theater

29. ARTS & HUMANITIES Language other than English Option
Foundation Graduation Requirements &
One additional advanced math credit
One additional advanced science credit
A coherent sequence of four levels of Spanish

30. ARTS & HUMANITIES Social Studies Option
Foundation Graduation Requirements &
One additional advanced math credit
One additional advanced science credit
BIM
World History
Psychology (1/2 credit)
Sociology (1/2 credit)

31. PUBLIC SERVICE
Possible career paths and interest areas for students pursuing a Public Service endorsement include courses related to: nursing, physician’s assistant, hair stylist, hospital administrator, nutritionist, counselor, child care worker, social worker

32. PUBLIC SERVICE Child Care/Development Option
Foundation Graduation Requirements &
One additional advanced math credit
One additional advanced science credit
Principles of Human Service/Hospitality
Child Development
Child Guidance
Practicum

33. PUBLIC SERVICE Cosmetology Option
Foundation Graduation Requirements &
One additional advanced math credit
One additional advanced science credit
Principles of Human Service/Hospitality
Choose one of the following
Lifetime Nutrition
Child Development
Cosmetology (Hill College-Jr & Sr)

34. High School Honors
Honors courses are a privilege not a right. Therefore the following criteria will be used in determining if a student will be allowed into an honors course:
Student cannot have failed any class the previous year
Student must have a final average of 85 in the subject the previous year
For honors chemistry & physics, math and science grades must be 85
Current teacher must recommend student for class by signing course selection sheet

35. High School Honors
Student must have a cumulative average of 85 for the semester, or be removed
Students & Parents will be required to sign a contract

36. Testing Requirements

37. All tests are completely online
All Graduation Plans….
REQUIRE students to pass all 5 EOC/STAAR tests:
English 1
English 2
Algebra
Biology
U.S. History
All tests are completely online

38. Registering for Courses
What a 9th grade schedule will look like:
English I or Honors English I
Algebra I or Geometry
Biology or Honors Biology
World Geography or Honors World Geography
Spanish/Fine Arts/Athletics/PE/Endorsement

39. Registering for Courses
Complete Course Selection Forms and return to Middle School by
Thursday, April 25, 2019

40. RVHS Guidance Office Counselor – Dana Stockton–