Eagle Mt. Saginaw ISD Chisholm Trail High School Registration Information Class of 2015-2017
Selecting Your High School Courses Begin with the end in mind: What do you want to study? What are your career goals? Do you want to attend the Career Center?
High School Life Get involved! Join clubs and organizations. Participate in fine arts and athletics. Take harder courses whenever possible. Colleges are looking for well-rounded students!
Semester System Semester 1 Semester 2 English 1A Algebra 1A Biology 1A World Geography 1A PE A Spanish 1A Professional Communications English 1B Algebra 1B Biology 1B World Geography 1B PE B Spanish 1B Health
A quick definition Credit: A credit is what you earn when you pass one full year of one class. A one semester class will earn ½ credit when passed. English 1 = 1 credit = year-long class Professional Communications=.5 credit = semester class You will need a total of 26 credits to graduate
Grade Classification In high school you move up grades according to credits, not years. Freshman Promotion from 8 th grade Sophomore 5.5 to 11.5 credits Junior 12 to 18.5 credits Senior 19 plus credits
A Few Main THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE SELECTING CLASSES
Advanced Academics: (Pre-AP, AP & Dual Credit) What are the Benefits? Better preparation for college Better preparation for SAT/ACT More scholarship opportunities AP & Dual Credit classes can help you earn college credits while in high school Extra points added to your grade point average Pre-AP and AP classes are available to all students. Discuss taking these courses with your parents and teachers. Check the district website for the summer reading assignment.
What if I decide Pre-AP or AP is not for me after school starts? The goal of CTHS is to help every student select a level of class that will challenge them academically and give them the opportunity to reach their personal level of success. The SAVE process is available if The course you are looking to change has an on-level equivalent You are scheduled for 3 or more Advanced Academic classes If you qualify, you may request a SAVE meeting after the first three weeks of the class. You will not be removed from the class until the end of the first six weeks. After the first six weeks is over, no more request for SAVE meetings will be accepted. Pre-AP and AP classes take extra time, effort and a commitment from you, but you can do it!
Pre-AP Classes English I Pre-AP English II Pre-AP Algebra I Pre-AP Geometry Pre-AP Algebra II Pre-AP Pre-Calculus Pre-AP Biology Pre-AP Chemistry Pre-AP World Geography Pre-AP Art I Pre-AP Art II Drawing Pre-AP Art III Drawing Pre-AP Art III Graphic Design Pre-AP Art III Photography Pre-AP Art III Sculpture Pre-AP French III Pre-AP German III Pre-AP Spanish III Pre-AP Spanish V Literature Pre-AP for Spanish Speakers Computer Science Pre-AP
AP Classes English III AP English IV AP AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC Statistics AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics 1 AP Physics 2 AP Environmental Science AP Human Geography AP World History AP European History AP U.S. History AP U.S. Government AP Economics AP Art IV Drawing Portfolio AP Art IV 2-D Design Portfolio AP Music Theory AP French IV AP German IV AP Spanish IV AP Spanish V Literature AP Computer Science AP
Students enrolled in AP classes are expected to take the AP exam in May. Students may gain college credit for AP test scores of 3 or above. The awarding of college credit is based upon individual university policies and standards. There is a cost for exams. Fee-reduced exams College Board and the State of Texas will pay a portion of the fees for students who are currently receiving free or reduced lunches. See your counselor or college access specialist for eligibility requirements.
Dual Credit A partnership between Tarrant County College Northwest Campus and Eagle Mountain -Saginaw ISD provides opportunities for students to gain both high school and college credit at the same time. Eligibility: Completion of high school sophomore year Overall grade B average Obtain permission from the high school Enroll at the college/university offering the course(s) Meet the entrance requirements of the college/university including the required placement exams Classes offered on campus: English 3 English 4 Pre-Calculus OnRamps U.S. History Government Economics Business Information Management 2 Advanced Aircraft Technology Fire Fighter I Cost: Approximately $165 per three hour class (based upon current Tarrant County College tuition rates) Textbooks Students who wish to take other courses through an accredited college or university must have prior approval to receive dual credit. Not all courses offered by colleges meet the requirements for awarding of high school credit.
Grade Point Average Your Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by averaging the semester grades you earn in every class you take for state credit towards graduation. For students who entered high school prior to 2013-2014, Pre-AP and AP classes give you 10 extra points per semester calculated into your GPA. For students entering high school 2013-2014 and after Pre-AP and Dual Credit add 5 points to your GPA and AP Courses add 10 points to your GPA. (This policy includes any Pre-AP or AP course taken this year in 8 th grade.)
Automatic College Admission (Top 10% Rule) Earn a grade point average (GPA) in the top 10% of graduating class Top 7% for University of Texas at Austin (may vary year to year) Recommended or Distinguished Plan Satisfy ACT college readiness benchmark or score 1500 of 2400 on SAT Meet all application and transcript submission deadlines Page 6
Graduation Requirements For Students Entering High School 2011-2012 and After
Recommended Graduation Plan Requirements Subject Area Recommended Plan Distinguished Achievement English 4 4 Math 4 4 Science 4 4 Social Studies 4 4 World Language 2 3 Fine Arts 1 1 Physical Education 1 1 Communications.5.5 Electives 5.5 4.5 TOTAL CREDITS 26 26
Distinguished Achievement Program: Recommended Program with Specific Acceptable Math and Science Courses 3 Levels of the Same Language 4 Advanced Measures ADVANCED MEASURES # ALLOWED APPROVAL Score of 3 or above on an AP exam (AP exams taken during the senior year will be verified after graduation.) Original research/project of professional quality as judged by a panel of experts Score on the PSAT that qualifies a student for recognition as a Commended Scholar or higher by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation; as part of the National Hispanic Scholar Program of the College Board; or as part of the National Achievement Scholarship program for Outstanding Negro Students of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation College academic courses, advanced technical credit courses, and dual credit courses, including local articulation, with a grade of A or B 1-4 None 1-2 Prior 1 None 1-4 Prior
Requirements cont. Other Languages Recommended Plan = 2 credits Distinguished Plan = 3 years German French Spanish
Requirements cont. Fine Arts Band (full year) requires tryout Dance - requires tryout for Drill Team but not for dance class Art Theater Arts Technical Theater Arts Choir open to all students but requires tryout to determine which choir you will be placed in. Floral Design
Requirements cont. Physical Education 1 credit May be fulfilled by: PE Classes (Foundations of Personal Fitness, Adventure/Outdoor Education, and Individual/Team Sports Athletics Marching Band (1 st semester) Drill Team (1 st semester) Cheerleading Gymnastics ROTC Aerobic Activities (taken with Dance 1) Students may earn a maximum of 4 state physical education credits through any combination of physical education courses and/or substitutions.
Athletics Baseball Basketball Cross Country Golf Football Soccer Gymnastics Softball Swimming Tennis Track Volleyball Wrestling Coach approval is required for all sports. Please be listening for announcements about tryouts. Remember, in high school, sports are played on a competitive level. Some sports hold summer camps with required participation. Before and after school practices and attendance at games are mandatory.
New Courses for 2014-2015 Course Grade Level Prerequisite Pre-Calculus OnRamps 11-12 Algebra 2 Adv Manufacturing Engineering 12 Manufacturing Engineering
Testing Requirements For students entering high school in 2011-2012 and after, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR ) will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). STAAR includes 12 end-of-course (EOC) course assessments: Algebra I, geometry, Algebra II, English I, English II, English III, biology, chemistry, physics, world geography, world history, and U.S. History. In order to graduate, students on the Recommended High School Plan must meet a cumulative score requirement in each of four core content areas and must also perform satisfactorily on the Algebra II and English III assessments. Students on the Distinguished Achievement Plan must meet a cumulative score requirement in each of four core content areas and must also perform satisfactorily on the college-readiness component of Algebra II and English III assessments.
The Course Description Handbook The book is available online for you to access or save to your computer.
Registering for Classes Log into your Career Cruising account from home. Discuss the courses you are choosing with your parents tonight. Double check to make sure 7 credits of courses are selected. Make sure you have selected 3 credits of alternates. Current 8 th Grade: Counselors will meet with you next week to finalize selection. Do Not Submit Courses. All Other Rangers: You will receive a print out after spring break to confirm or make changes to your request.
Important Dates/Deadlines February 2-20: CTHS counselors have met with all current 9 th 11 th grade students. February 23: CTHS counselors will meet with all 8 th grade students at Creekview. February 24: CTHS counselors will meet with all 8 th grade students at Willkie. February 25: CTHS counselors will meet with all 8 th grade students at Prairie Vista. All changes to requests must be returned to your high school by June 1 st.
Important Dates/Deadlines March 30 April 3: CTHS counselors will release course selections to all students. June 1: Deadline for submitting changes to requests through the CTHS counseling office. All changes to requests must be returned to your high school by June 1.