9th and 10th Grade Forum

1. 9th and 10th GradeForum Information and Planning High School Years

2. NHS Counselors • A-Con – Sheneka Davis • Coo-G – Mike Hays • H-Le – Cayce Feemster • Li-Per – Amber Ward • Pes-Ste – Keith Tremethick • Stf-Z – Jamie Farber, Lead Counselor

3. Grade Classification • Promotion to 10th Grade = 6 credits • Promotion to 11th Grade = 13 credits • Promotion to 12th Grade = 19 credits

4. GPA & Class Rank • Grade Point Average (GPA) starts the semester a studentenrolls in a course eligible for HS creditthrough the final semester of 12th grade • Class rankmeasures performance compared to all students in the class. It begins the first semester of 9th grade and continues until graduation • Reported GPA isunweighted • Class Rank isweighted • The level of coursework (i.e. Pre/AP and AP courses) isfactored in the weighted class ranking

5. GPA & Class Rank, cont. • Un-weighted GPA – all courses are weighted on a 4.0 scale • Weighted GPA – courses are assigned grade points according to rigor; weighted on a 6.0 scale (PreAP) or a 7.0 scale (AP). Weighted GPA determines class rank. • GPA exempt courses – correspondence, credit by exams, and summer school for remediation • Weighted elective courses • Beginning with the class of 2015, only weighted electives in the four core subject areas and world languages will count toward GPA and class rank.

6. Attendance Requirements • Students must attend class at least 90% of the time in order to receivecreditearned for a course • There willbeopportunities to make up attendanceshouldstudentsfallbelow 90% • Assistant principalswillbe able to assistwith an attendanceredemption plan.

7. Graduation Programs The Recommended Program: • 26 Credits • 4 English • 4 Math • 4 Science • 4 Social Studies • 2 World Languages (samelanguage) • Spanish, French, or German • 1 PhysicalEducation • 1 Fine Art • Art, Choir, Dance, TheatreArts, and more • ½ Credit of Communication Applications (Speech) • 5 ½ Elective

8. Graduation Programs, cont. • The Distinguished Program: • Designed for studentswhowant to achievebeyond the state recommended graduation requirements • Criteria for the DistinguishedAchievement Program • Meet all requirements of the Recommended Graduation Program • Requires 3 credits of a World Language • Obtain a combination of 4 of the followingadvancedmeasures or throughindependentresearchproject • AP classes with scores of 3 or higher on the AP Exam • National MeritCommendation (PSAT) • College courses must earn a B or higher

9. Texas Scholars The Texas Scholars Program focusesstudents on education and career planning during middle and high school and preparesthem for the transition to life after high school. Studentswhograduate as Texas Scholars are recognized for completing the rigorouscourseworkrequired by the Texas Business and Education Coalition. To become a Texas Scholar: 1. Complete the Recommended or DistinguishedAchievement Program 2. Complete at least twocreditseligible for collegecredit (AP or dual credit) 3. Participate in a minimum of one high schoolextracurricularactivity for twoconsecutiveyearsduring high school. 4. Passeverysemester of all high schoolcore classes.

10. STAAR Requirements English I Reading & Writing Algebra I Biology World Geography English II Reading & Writing Geometry Chemistry World History English 3 Reading & Writing Algebra II Physics US History The Recommended Program (RHSP): • Studentsunder the RHSP must take all twelve STAAR EOC assessments and meet the cumulative score requirement in each of the four foundation content areas. In addition, thesestudents must achievesatisfactory performance on the STAAR EOC assessments in Algebra 2 and English 3. The DistinguishedAchievement Program (DAP): - Studentsunder the DAP must take all twelve STAAR EOC assessments and meet the cumulative score requirement in each of the four foundation content areas. In addition, these students must meet the collegereadiness performance standard on the STAAR EOC assessments in Algebra 2 and English 3.

11. STAAR Testing Calendar 2012-2013 • Dec. 3 – 14 • Make up Testing • April 1 – 5 • English I Reading and Writing • English II Reading and Writing • English III Reading and Writing • May 6 – 17 • Algebra I, Biology, World Geography • Geometry, Chemistry, World History • Algebra II, Physics, US History

12. College Admissions Criteria • Criteria important in the college admissions processrated by college admissions officers: • GPA • Class Rank • Strength of Course (PreAP, AP, and dual credit courses) • ACT/SAT Scores • Essay or writingsample • Otherpotentialfactors for college admissions • Recommendations • Special talents/awards • Extracurricular/community service activities • Interviews

13. Top 10% Rule for Admissions • Graduate in the top 10% of class at a public or private Texas high school, or • Graduate in the top 10% of class from a HS operated by the US Dept of Defense and be a Texas resident or eligible to payresidenttuition • Enroll in college no more thantwoyearsafter graduation; and • Submit an application to the Texas public university for admission before the institution’s application deadline (check w/universityregardingspecific deadlines) • Under legislationapproved May 2009 by the Texas House as part of the 81st Regular Session (Senate Bill 175), UT Austin (no other state university) wasallowed to trim the number of studentsitacceptsunder the 10% rule; UT Austin couldlimitthosestudents to 75% of entering in-state freshmenfrom Texas. The universitywould admit the top 1%, 2%, and soforthuntil the cap isreached, beginningwith the 2011 entering class.

14. Strength of Course • Pre-Ap and AP Program Benefits • Studentswhofollow a Pre-AP/AP program in school tend to performbetter in college • More challenging courses • Potential to earncollegecredit by taking an AP exam at the end of the course • Colleges and scholarshipcommitteesdesirestudentswhocompletePre-AP/AP courses

15. PSAT/SAT/ACT • PreliminaryScholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) - A standard test measuringcriticalreading, math, problem solving and writingskills important for success in college - Available for 9th, 10th, and 11th grades - Providesfirsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test - National MeritScholarship programs, based on 11th grade scores • Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) & American College Test (ACT) - The majority of colleges, univerisities, and scholarship commmitteestake the scores of theseassessmentsinto consideration - Begin taking one or bothduring 11th grade, springsemester

16. Community Service and Extracurricular Activities Community service and extracurricularactivitiesplay an important rolewithcolleges and scholarshipcommittees. • Becomeinvolved in school and communityactivitiesnow – don’twaituntilyour senior year • Seekactivities and opportunities relative to your future career plans • Visit the Northwest High School Counseling website for volunteer and community service activities • Start an activities record including all school and communityactivities, leadership positions, honors, awards, uniques educationalexperiences, employment, and volunteerwork. • THE BIG EVENT! April 6, 2013 • Be sure to update this record at least once a year.

17. NHS ExtracurricularActivities andClubs & Organizations

18. Graduation Honor Cords

19. To Do List for College Admissions 9th Grade • Study: grades are reported on your permanent transcript • Select challenges classes • Explore extracurricularinterests and volunteerwork • Start an activities record listing honors, awards, and activities • Take the PSAT • Start a collegesavingsaccount • Visitcollegewebsites and campuses • Researchcollege information • Visit the NHS Counseling website for helpfulresources

20. To Do List forCollege Admissions 10th Grade • Study • Continue participation in extracurricular and volunteeractivities • Update yourhonors, awards, and activities and record • Request information fromcolleges • Take the PSAT • Add to collegesavingsaccount • Continue researchingcollege information • Visit the NHS Counseling website for helpfulresources • Visitcollegecampuses

22. Paying for College KeepingCollegeCosts Down • Enroll in challenging courses in high school to avoidtakingdevelopmental or remedial courses in college • Take AP courses and exams • Take dual credit courses to earncollege and high schoolcredit

23. Credit Recovery Options • SummerSchool • Academic Coaching Program (ACP) • Credit by Exam - Not available for studentswhofailed due to absences • Correspondence Courses through Texas Tech or UT • On-line Courses through TXVSN • Averaging of semester grades -If 1st and 2ndsemester grades average 70 or higher, a failing 1st or 2ndsemestercreditmayberecovered

24. Credits for Acceleration • Summer School • Credit by Exam • Correspondence Courses through Texas Tech or UT • On-line Courses through TXVSN

25. Tips for Parents • Discuss classes and set goals • Be available to help withhomework • Monitor yourchild’sactivitiesand jobs • Workwithyourschool • Contact the teacher if you do not receive a progress report for a specific class or the school if you do not receive a report card • Teacher contact information canbefound on the NHS website or by calling 817.215.0200 • For questions or concernsregarding a specific class, please contact the schooldirectly

26. Common Mistakes • My 9th grade yeardoesn’t count; I have plenty of time to makeit up. • I chose this class becausemyfriendistakingit. • I skipped 4th periodbecauseitwon’thurt to miss one day of that class. • I don’tfeellikedoingmyhomework, soI’lljust do well on the test. • I don’t have time to joinschool clubs because I have to spendmy free time studying. • Everyoneelseunderstood the teacher’sexplanation but me; I amtooembarrassed to ask the teacher for more help. • I amafraid to tell the teacher about the problems I amhavingwiththis class. • I want to takeblow off classes duringmy senior year.

27. Q & ATHANK YOU!!