1. Pre-Registration Information for Incoming 8 th Grade 2014-2015

2. INTRODUCTIONS Susan Cleveland, Principal Sherry Mireles, Assistant Principal Celia Collard, Counselor (A-K) Kim Berny, Counselor (L-Z) Holly Taylor, Registrar

3. TIMELINE Counselors will visit students in their Texas History classes February 11 and February 12 and receive their course card. Counselors will visit students in their Texas History classes February 11 and February 12 and receive their course card. Completed cards are due no later than Friday, February 21 st to their Texas History teacher. If your child chooses to take a Pre-AP class, the back of the card MUST be signed by the student and the parent. Completed cards are due no later than Friday, February 21 st to their Texas History teacher. If your child chooses to take a Pre-AP class, the back of the card MUST be signed by the student and the parent. Parents/students will receive a confirmation letter of course selections in early April. Parents/students will receive a confirmation letter of course selections in early April. If any changes must be made, please note it on the confirmation letter and return to the counseling office by April 11 th. If any changes must be made, please note it on the confirmation letter and return to the counseling office by April 11 th. Please Note: After school begins, there will be no elective changes. The only changes that will be considered will be Pre- AP to regular between the 4 th -6 th weeks of school or at the end of the 1st semester. Please Note: After school begins, there will be no elective changes. The only changes that will be considered will be Pre- AP to regular between the 4 th -6 th weeks of school or at the end of the 1st semester.

4. REQUIRED COURSES English English Reading Reading Math Math Science Science American History American History Computer Technology Computer Technology P.E. (semester) If enrolling in Athletics, Coach Hepler or Coach Taylor’s approval is required on the course card. P.E. (semester) If enrolling in Athletics, Coach Hepler or Coach Taylor’s approval is required on the course card.

5. Pre-AP vs. On-level Is my child currently in the 7 th grade level Pre- AP class? (English, Reading, Math 7 P-AP, Science or TX History) Is my child currently in the 7 th grade level Pre- AP class? (English, Reading, Math 7 P-AP, Science or TX History) If my child is in a Pre-AP class has he/she consistently had a grade of 85 and above? If my child is in a Pre-AP class has he/she consistently had a grade of 85 and above? If my child has been in an on-level class has he/she consistently had a grade of 95 and above? If my child has been in an on-level class has he/she consistently had a grade of 95 and above? Has my child had difficulty with completing the homework in their Pre-AP class? Has my child had difficulty with completing the homework in their Pre-AP class? How many hours does my child spend on extra- curricular activities? How many hours does my child spend on extra- curricular activities?

6. BISD Math Pathways Grade Level Traditional Pathway (60-70% of students) Accelerated Pathway (30-40% of students) Two Year Acceleration (5% of students) 6 Math 6: STAAR PreAP Math 6: STAAR (All Grade 6 TEKS + approximately ½ Grade 7 TEKS) PreAP Math 6: STAAR and 90%+ on Grade 8 Credit-by-Exam (CBE) 7 Math 7: STAAR PreAP Math 7: STAAR (Remaining Grade 7 TEKS + all Grade 8 TEKS) PreAP Algebra I Algebra I EOC & Grade 7 STAAR 8 Math 8: STAAR PreAP Algebra I Algebra I EOC & Grade 8 STAAR PreAP Geometry 9Algebra I or Algebra I with Lab Algebra I EOC PreAP GeometryPreAP Algebra II 10 Geometry PreAP Algebra II PreAP PreCalculus** 11 Math Models with Applications Algebra II AP Statistics Dual Credit College Algebra PreAP PreCalculus PreAP PreCalculus and AP Statistics AP Statistics AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC AP Calculus AB and AP Statistics 12Algebra II or College Preparatory Course Advanced Quantitative Reasoning or PreCalculus or Dual Credit College Algebra or AP Statistics PreAP PreCalculus or Dual Credit College Algebra PreAP PreCalculus and/or AP Statistics AP Statistics or AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC AP Statistics AP Calculus BC

7. English 8 Pre-AP Based on writing and using reading models to enhance or develop stronger writing styles. Based on writing and using reading models to enhance or develop stronger writing styles. Recommended that Pre AP English be taken with a Pre AP Reading course – both classes become one in high school and the reading class is considered a support class because of the skills and requirements achieved. Recommended that Pre AP English be taken with a Pre AP Reading course – both classes become one in high school and the reading class is considered a support class because of the skills and requirements achieved. The BIG difference between an On-level English Course and a Pre AP Course is the depth and complexity of the writing and reading. The BIG difference between an On-level English Course and a Pre AP Course is the depth and complexity of the writing and reading. Pre AP novels can be challenging for analysis and understanding and will require out of class time to complete reading and writing assignments. Pre AP novels can be challenging for analysis and understanding and will require out of class time to complete reading and writing assignments. Pre AP must purchase their own novels. Pre AP must purchase their own novels.

8. Science 8 Pre-AP Solving scientific problems, analyze scientific data, and complete independent projects. Solving scientific problems, analyze scientific data, and complete independent projects. Class requires an abundance of maturity, seriousness, self-discipline, organization and personal accountability. Class requires an abundance of maturity, seriousness, self-discipline, organization and personal accountability. Students are expected to think critically and apply the knowledge presented. Students are expected to think critically and apply the knowledge presented. Curriculum is more rigorous and requires extra effort on student’s part in and outside of class. Scientific vocabulary is challenging; more effort and time will be required to fulfill expectations and present class/independent projects. Curriculum is more rigorous and requires extra effort on student’s part in and outside of class. Scientific vocabulary is challenging; more effort and time will be required to fulfill expectations and present class/independent projects.

9. Science 8 Pre-AP (cont’d) You are expected to fully participate in class activities and discussions. PAP class discussions tend to move faster and build on existing higher level science background. You are expected to fully participate in class activities and discussions. PAP class discussions tend to move faster and build on existing higher level science background. You want to maintain the AP coursework in high school and onto college You want to maintain the AP coursework in high school and onto college

10. American History Pre-AP Expected to have better study skills and performance initiative. Expected to have better study skills and performance initiative. Class discussions and assignments are geared to higher level thinking and the expectations of student behavior are to be reflective of a student who is motivated and eager to learn. Class discussions and assignments are geared to higher level thinking and the expectations of student behavior are to be reflective of a student who is motivated and eager to learn. Complete a History Fair project. Complete a History Fair project.

11. Communication Applications Communication Applications focuses on public speaking and its fundamentals. Students will prepare various types of speeches, oral interpretations, and some debates. This course requires some research and speaking before audiences. Students receive 0.5 high school elective credit.

12. Creative Writing Students will write pieces in multiple genres and study published works, as well as selected writings of class members. By the end of the course, each student will have a fuller understanding of his/her own relationship as an artist to the characters, voices, and stories he/she creates.

13. Independent Investigation (I2) Independent Investigation encourages students to select an area of interest to study by using investigative research skills while preparing students for the complex reading and in-depth analysis of life-long learning. Students will clarify research questions, evaluate and synthesize information using fiction and non-fiction texts, and utilize support from a community mentor and other secondary sources. This reading course encourages choice, independent thinking and the development of comprehensive research skills.

14. Technology choices Comp Tech/PE Comp Tech/PE Comp Tech/STEM 2 Comp Tech/STEM 2 Comp Tech/STEM 1 Comp Tech/STEM 1 Comp Tech/Consumer Focus Comp Tech/Consumer Focus Comp Tech/Exploring Careers Comp Tech/Exploring Careers Comp Tech/Student Aid (app req’d) Comp Tech/Student Aid (app req’d) Comp Tech/Comm Apps (HS credit) Comp Tech/Comm Apps (HS credit)

15. Electives Electives Art / Consumer Focus Art / Consumer Focus Art/Exploring Careers Art/Exploring Careers *Comm Apps/Exploring Careers *Comm Apps/Exploring Careers Consumer Focus/Th Arts Consumer Focus/Th Arts Consumer Focus/STEM 2 Consumer Focus/STEM 2 Exp Careers/STEM 2 Exp Careers/STEM 2 PE/Comm Apps PE/Comm Apps PE/Personal Focus PE/Personal Focus *High School Credit course Personal Focus/Cons Focus Personal Focus/Cons Focus Personal Focus/Exp Careers Personal Focus/Exp Careers Span Lang App/Cons Focus Span Lang App/Cons Focus Personal Focus/STEM 2 Personal Focus/STEM 2 *Student Aid/STEM 2 *Student Aid/STEM 2 *Student Aid/Cons Focus *Student Aid/Cons Focus *Student Aid/Exp Careers *Student Aid/Exp Careers * Application required for Student Aid

16. Full year electives Spanish I (high school credit) Spanish I (high school credit) Spanish for Spanish Speakers 2 (high school credit) Spanish for Spanish Speakers 2 (high school credit) Art 8 (must have had Art 7/8 in 7 th grade) Art 8 (must have had Art 7/8 in 7 th grade) Theater Arts 8 (must have had Th. Arts 7/8 in 7 th grade) Theater Arts 8 (must have had Th. Arts 7/8 in 7 th grade) Creative Writing Creative Writing I2 Independent Investigations I2 Independent Investigations Campus Yearbook (application required, limited slots) Campus Yearbook (application required, limited slots) String Orchestra (audition required) String Orchestra (audition required) Choir Choir Band (must have been in band previous Band (must have been in band previous

17. Spanish 1 High School credit High School credit The emphasis of this course is the development of oral language; developing fundamental language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The study of introductory vocabulary, phonetics, and grammar are included. The culture and civilization of the Spanish-speaking world is integrated into all aspects of the course. The emphasis of this course is the development of oral language; developing fundamental language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The study of introductory vocabulary, phonetics, and grammar are included. The culture and civilization of the Spanish-speaking world is integrated into all aspects of the course.

19. Information Credit by Exam – Reading Credit by Exam – Reading Computer Tech Computer Tech Spanish 1 Spanish 1 Must make an 80% Must make an 80% June 10 th & 11 th 9:00 am to 1:00 pm June 10 th & 11 th 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Forms in Counseling Office Forms in Counseling Office

20. Summer school option 8 th Grade Computer Technology 8 th Grade Computer Technology June 10-13, 16-20, 23-27, 30-July 3 June 10-13, 16-20, 23-27, 30-July 3 8:00-11:00 am, Monday-Friday 8:00-11:00 am, Monday-Friday $110/student and minimum of 20 students $110/student and minimum of 20 students Upon successful completion of summer school, students may replace course with another elective Upon successful completion of summer school, students may replace course with another elective

21. Important Deadline Information Important Deadline Information Course Cards are due to Texas History teacher February 21 st (sign Pre-AP agreement) Course Cards are due to Texas History teacher February 21 st (sign Pre-AP agreement) Student Aide Applications, I2 and Yearbook Applications are due in the office by 4:00 p.m. February 21 st. Student Aide Applications, I2 and Yearbook Applications are due in the office by 4:00 p.m. February 21 st. Celia Collard, Counselor (A-K) 357-3307 Kim Berny, Counselor (L-Z) 357-3308 Holly Taylor, Registrar 357-3302 celia.collard@boerne-isd.net kimberly.berny@boerne-isd.net holly.taylor@boerne-isd.net holly.taylor@boerne-isd.netholly.taylor@boerne-isd.net