Welcome to #WESTNATION! Class of 2020 Parent Night
Grades, GPA, Credits & Transcripts Advanced Academics EOC (STAAR) Graduation Requirements/Endorsements Course Selection College and Career Planning
MYTH: It doesn t matter which classes I take in high school as long as my grade point average is high. MYTH: My freshman classes don t impact my GPA. REALITY: Choosing a schedule that isn t challenging will catch up with you in college. College Admissions officers pay close attention to HS course selection. Both grades and course level impact GPA and Class Rank. 4
Classification Requirements 9 TH TO 10 TH 6.0 CREDITS 10 TH TO 11 TH 12.0 CREDITS 11 TH TO 12 TH 19.0 CREDITS 5
Magnolia ISD Grading Scale A= 100 90 B= 89 80 C= 79 70 F= 69 or below As of Fall 2015, MISD no longer recognizes D s
GPA & Class Rank GPA s and rank are determined by semester averages. GPA s are calculated on a weighted scale. Per local district policy, the Valedictorian, Salutatorian and top 10% for graduation will be determined by the cumulative GPA at the end of the 3 rd 9 weeks of the SENIOR year. 7
Grade Points 6.0 Scale (Pre-AP/AP) 5.0 Scale (On-Level) 100 = 6.0 100 = 5.0 99 = 5.9 99 = 4.9 98 = 5.8 98 = 4.8 97 = 5.7 97 = 4.7 96 = 5.6 96 = 4.6 95 = 5.5 ETC 95 = 4.5 ETC Subject Semester Average Converted Grade Scale English 2 PreAP 95 = 6.0 Scale = 5.5 English 2 95 = 5.0 Scale = 4.5 AP World History 88 = 6.0 Scale = 4.8 World History 95 = 5.0 Scale = 4.5 *Dual Credit classes will no longer be calculated in GPA for the Class of 2017 and beyond. 8
Semester & Year Grade Calculations Example: Algebra 1 1st Nine Weeks 2 nd Nine Weeks 1 st Semester 65 + 60 = 63 (0 CR) 3 rd Nine Weeks 4 th Nine Weeks 2 nd Semester 75 + 79 = 77 (0.5 CR) 63 + 77 = 140 140/2 = 70 Yearly Average = 70 = 1.0 credit
Need Extra Help? Teachers offer tutoring before/after school. Contact your teacher : Visit www.magnoliaisd.org > MWHS > Academics> Academic Departments Tutoring available during advisory (30 minutes every day) Late Bus available on Tuesdays and Thursday for after school tutoring. 11
HB 5 Graduation Requirements & Endorsements
KEY COMPONENTS OF HB 5 HB5 created a new graduation plan called the Foundation High School Graduation Plan with Endorsements This plan consists of 3 key components: 1. Successfully passing 5 EOC ASSESSMENTS 2. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 3. ENDORSEMENT - a personal pathway of study
EOC (STAAR) Graduation = Earn 26 credits AND successfully pass all 5 EOC tests: English 1 English 2 Algebra 1 Biology US History
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Graduation Plan Foundation with Endorsement (Distinguished Level of Achievement) Discipline Credits English/Language Arts 4 Mathematics 4 (Alg. II) Science 4 Social Studies Physical Education 1 Language Other than English 2 Fine Arts 1 Health (MISD Requirement) 0.5 Speech (MISD Requirement) 0.5 Endorsement/Elective Courses 5.0 Total Credits for Graduation: 26 4 Highly recommended
DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT Requirements beyond Endorsement(s): A student in the top 10% of his/her class must have earned the Distinguished Level of Achievement to be eligible for automatic admission to a Texas public college or university Requirements 26 Credits with an Endorsement(s) and: 4 math credits must include Algebra II
5 ENDORSEMENT AREAS MULTIDISCIPLINARY STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) PUBLIC SERVICE ARTS AND HUMANITIES. BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Endorsements at a Glance MULTIDISCIPLINARY 4 X 4 (4 LEVELS OF EACH: ENGLISH, MATH, SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES) or ADVANCED ACADEMICS (A COMBINATION OF 4 AP, DC, OR IB COURSES) STEM (SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY-ENGINEERING-MATH) 5 MATH COURSES or 5 SCIENCE COURSES PUBLIC SERVICES 4 YEARS OF ROTC or HEALTH SCIENCE or COSMETOLOGY ARTS & HUMANITIES ART, CHOIR, OR THEATER (4 YEARS) or BAND, COLOR GUARD, DANCE, OR DRILL TEAM (4 YEARS) or FOREIGN LANGUAGE (4 YEARS OF THE SAME LANGUAGE OR 2 YEARS OF BOTH SPANISH AND FRENCH) or SOCIAL STUDIES (5 YEARS) BUSINESS & INDUSTRY YEARBOOK, NEWSPAPER, OR DEBATE or FINANCE or MARKETING or HORTICULTURE/FLORAL DESIGN or AG MECHANICS / WELDING or AUTO TECHNOLOGY or CULINARY ARTS or AUDIO/VIDEO PRODUCTION
Every student has a Family Connections account created in a computer program called Naviance Students selected courses Students chose their endorsement MWHS Counselors met individually with each 8 th grader to approve freshmen year classes
Academics: Core Classes English 1- On level or Pre-AP Algebra 1- On level Geometry - On level or Pre-AP if student took and passed Algebra 1 in 8 th grade Algebra 2 - On level or Pre-AP if student took and passed both Algebra 1 and Geometry in Jr. High Biology On level or Pre-AP World Geography or AP Human Geography
Required Elective: Speech Professional Communications Teen Leadership Principles of Agriculture Principles of Audio/Video Production Principles of Business Marketing & Finance Principles of Human Services Principles of Architecture Debate 1 ACADEC (Academic Decathlon)
Required Elective: Health Health Principles of Health Science (required for Public Service endorsement in Health Science and recommended for Athletic Trainers)
Required Elective: PE PE Band * 2 years required Color Guard JROTC Drill Team Dance Cheer Athletics *Freshmen choose PE for their schedules as a place marker, MJH coaches will give a roster of athletes to coaches at West, counselors at West will drop PE and add specific sport
Required: Foreign Language Spanish 1 on level Spanish 2 on level or PreAP for students who successfully completed Spanish 1 at MJH French 1 on level 2 years required Options are available for Native Speakers. They will test at the end of 8 th grade to determine placement. Recommended that students do NOT take a foreign language their Freshman year unless they maintained an 85+ in ELA in 8 th grade.
Required: Fine Arts Art Choir Theater Arts Band Dance Drill Team Color Guard
How do I change the courses I selected? Students may fill out a course change sheet tonight or visit Mrs. Wheeler s office at MJH anytime throughout the remainder of the school year. Mrs. Wheeler s office, and the counselors at West will make the changes.
Mrs. Claudia Dominguez Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction
4 Types of Advanced Courses: Pre-AP, AP, DC and IB coursework is available to anyone who Wants to excel in specific academic coursework Is motivated to spend the required amount of time to meet the advanced academic standards of the program Is committed to learning college-level curriculum 29
AP - Advanced Placement College level coursework completed at MWHS AP Exams are taken in May, providing a standardized measure of the curriculum of the AP classroom with scores ranging from 1 to 5 Scores of 3, 4 or 5 indicate that the student is qualified or well qualified to earn college credit 30
AP Credit Policy Search Search: AP Credit Policy - CollegeBoard Example: Texas Tech University
Mr. Wurst AP Human Geo slide(s) here
Mr. Jeremy Day
International Baccalaureate (IB) It is an international, cross-curriculum program that aims to help students become independent critical thinkers and scholars. It is one of the best college preparatory programs in the world. Junior s and Senior s only!
IB Learner Profile Inquirers Knowledgeable Thinkers Communicators Principled Open-Minded Caring Risk-takers Balanced Reflective
Misconceptions about IB Myth-You can t participate in extracurricular activities and do the Full Diploma Programme. Fact-Majority of students that do the Diploma Programme are involved in a sport, band, theatre, ect Myth-It is for only the really smart kids! Fact-IB rewards students that will put in effort! It is an open enrollment program! Myth-I will have no life as an IB student! Fact-IB is challenging no doubt! It is manageable!
Is IB right for you? Those highly motivated and self-driven Those willing to think critically Those willing to explore different ideas and cultures Those that like to be challenged Those not afraid to think outside of the box
University Recognition of the IB Diploma Texas Public Universities will award a diploma graduate a minimum of 24 hours of credit (this is state law). If you include room and board, the IB Diploma will save you around $17,582*. *($21,978/30hrs=$732 per hour*24hrs=$17,582). *This number will vary depending on the university chosen This does not include any AP credit the student may receive.
Family Connections Family Connections is a vital part of your student s high school career. class rank GPA college and career searches sending student and parent emails requesting transcripts Make sure that both the student AND the parent have working email addresses listed in Family Connection
Freshman Year MATTERS! Your grades your freshmen year factor into your overall GPA that you will use when applying for colleges and scholarships!
Want to play college sports? College sports are governed by the NCAA. They REQUIRE that you have a minimum GPA in order to be eligible. This GPA includes ONLY your core classes, and not your electives.
College Applications Extracurricular Activities Were Hours Per Week/ you Description Hours Pr Year elected to Level of Activities (3/32=three hours per Organization Your Position/Year this Examples: 233k/32 weeks per yr) Examples Examples position? Examples Hosted Speech Fresh. Soph. Jr. Sr. Speech/Debate Club Committee Chair/senior (circle Yes Regional Tournament 3/32 3/32 Basketball Team Captain/junior or No) Local Played Forward 5/16 5/16 6/32 6/32 Community Service Service/Volunteer Work Description of Service From-Thru Total Hours Examples: Habitat for Humanity Examples: Helped build houses 5/06-5/07 120 Hospital Volunteer Helped nurses and visited patients 6/06-8/07 112
Getting involved is the key! Cosmetology Cheerleading Student Council Volleyball Football Girl s Basketball Boy s Basketball Baseball Cross Country Girl s Track Boy s Track International Thespian Society Fellowship of Christian Athletes Debate Team Team NJROTC UIL Academics Literary Criticism Swimming & Diving Skills USA FFA Choir National Honor Society Business Prof. of America UIL Journalism Drama Club Fillies Dance Team FCCLA, TAFE Interact (Rotary) Club Academic Decathlon We have something for everyone here at MWHS!
Community Service How many hours do I need to graduate? None BUT hours are strongly suggested for college and scholarship applications There is a section for your hours on college applications The average applicant has 50 hours- we encourage you to have more! How do I track my hours? Document through x2vol on Family Connections Directions and Guidelines: www.magnoliaisd.org/communityservice 44
PSAT Test Includes Verbal, Math, Writing sections and is given in October each school year Freshmen & Sophomores test for practice will improve score on the SAT Juniors test with the opportunity for possible awards & scholarships Juniors and Seniors test with SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) to begin college application process
Freshmen Checklist Check the email associated with your Family Connections account Begin using Career Profiler and College Match to find colleges that appeal to you Review SAT Prep words online Take the October PSAT Be involved in extra-curricular sports, clubs, and organizations! Earn and log Community Service hours 46
Stay Connected! Twitter- @westmustangs, @AlexEverett10 Facebook- Magnolia West High School Family Connections (be sure you have updated your email) Remind 101- Text @MWHS19 to 81010 Download the MWHS App 47
Freshmen Orientation August 2016