COURSE SELECTION INFORMATION The Foundation High School Program + Endorsement (FHSPE) Katy ISD Freshman Class of 2018-2019 Information for Students and Parents
WELCOME TO PAETOW HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2022
2017-18 PHS ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM Principal Mindy Dickerson Associate Principal Shalonda Dumas 10 th Grade Assistant Principal Richard Celestine 9 th Grade Assistant Principal Rom Crespo (students A-L) 9 th Grade Assistant Principal Bryan Hill (students M-Z)
2017-18 PHS COUNSELING TEAM Students A-K Jeff Faust, Lead Counselor Students L-Z Christina Carson Testing Coordinator Jill Buell Registrar Brandi Price Counseling Assistant Shelly Neighbors
UNDERSTANDING THE HIGH SCHOOL WAY Paetow High School 7 Class Periods Power Hour Lunch School Day Hours 7:25-2:35 Credits Passing a class=earning credit Credits are earned each semester Class rank and grade point average (GPA) are calculated from all semester averages. 9 th grade begins the blueprint for your high school career. TAKE YOUR SCHOOL WORK SERIOUSLY FROM DAY ONE!
PHS POWER HOUR LUNCH Power Hour is an hour where students can self select when they eat and also attend tutorials makeup tests and labs attend club/organization meetings participate in a study group in the Quiet Café or Library work on homework Power Hour is built into the schedule every day!!!
GRADE LEVEL CLASSIFICATION Students are classified based on the number of academic credits they have earned at the beginning of the school year. All students who have completed 8th grade enter high school as freshmen, regardless of the number of high school credits they may have already earned through junior high and summer school.
CLASS RANK Class rank is based on the cumulative grade point average (GPA) of all high school credit courses including courses that a student took in junior high for high school credit. A student s GPA is derived by dividing the total number of grade points by the number of semester courses attempted. Class rank is officially calculated during the SPRING semester of the JUNIOR year and is updated after each subsequent semester.
STATE END OF COURSE TESTING REQUIREMENTS The following 5 end of course (EOC) assessments are required for graduation. These assessments are taken at the end of the year when the student takes the course. English I typically taken 9 th grade year English II typically taken 10 th grade year Algebra I typically taken 9 th grade year Biology typically taken 9 th grade year U.S. History typically taken 11 th grade year The student must pass each of the 5 EOC assessments to meet state graduation requirements.
THE FOUNDATION HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM: BASIC INFORMATION All FHSPE students must choose an endorsement in one of 5 areas at the time they enter 9 th grade. Katy ISD students will select the endorsement along with their course selections. The endorsement should be selected based on the student s individual interests and goals. Students will have the opportunity to change the endorsement if they so choose. The endorsement, and any changes, must be indicated in writing and signed by the parent. 2018-2019 Course Catalog, page 11
THE FHSP + ENDORSEMENT COURSE/CREDIT REQUIREMENTS English 4 credits English I, II, III, and an additional/advanced English Math 3 credits Algebra I, Geometry, and an additional/advanced math Science 3 credits Biology, and one course from IPC, or Chemistry, or Physics, and one additional/advanced science Social Studies 3 credits US History,.5 credit government,.5 credit economics, and either World History or World Geography LOTE 2 credits Credits must be in the same language Fine Arts 1 credit Physical Education 1 credit Health.5 credit (KISD requirement) Electives 4.5 credits, including A communication skills component + Endorsement (4 additional credits) Students are expected to earn an endorsement in one of 5 areas. Each endorsement requires: a 4 th math credit a 4 th science credit 2 additional electives 2018-2019 Course Catalog, page 9
THE 26-CREDIT FHSP + ENDORSEMENT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS PE substitutions All students must earn one PE credit. The following are approved PE substitutions: Athletics Fall semesters of Marching Band I and Marching Band II Fall semesters of Color Guard I and Color Guard II Dance I Dance Team Training I Dance Team I, Cheer 1 st year (if PE credit has not already been earned), or NJROTC 1 st year.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Health Health is a Katy ISD-required course for all students. Health course options: Health Education (one semester) Principles of Health Science (year long) Communication Skills Students on the FHSPE must have a communication skills component. The communication skills component can be satisfied through any of the following courses: Professional Communications (one semester) Debate I (year long) Oral Interpretation I (year long) Professional Standards in Agribusiness (one semester) Teen Leadership (one semester) Theatre I (year long) AP Seminar (year long) Dual Credit Speech (one semester at HCC) Look for to identify courses marked that satisfy the communication skills component
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS A Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA) may be earned through successful completion of: All requirements for the Foundation High School Program, plus The requirements of at least one endorsement, including Algebra II among the four required math credits, and A fourth science credit A student must graduate with a Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA) to be considered for the Top 10% and eligibility for automatic admission to a Texas public college or university. 2018-2019 Course Catalog, page 10, under Recognitions
THE ENDORSEMENTS STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) Business & Industry Public Services Arts & Humanities Multidisciplinary Studies
STEM SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING MATH
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
PUBLIC SERVICES
ARTS & HUMANITIES
MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
MILLER CAREER & TECHNOLOGY CENTER Miller Career & Technology Center is a central site for Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. Many of the advanced courses offered at Miller can be taken to complete an endorsement. For more information regarding a list of courses, please refer to the course catalog on page 57.
CHOOSING COURSES FOR NEXT YEAR Students must be mindful of their graduation plan and endorsement requirements. Choose core (required) courses and enough courses from other areas to complete 7 full class periods. If one course marked (sem) is selected, a second (sem) course is also required. Review the course catalog when making selections. Pay special attention to Selecting Courses for the Next School Year on page 35, including the Schedule Changes information List alternate choices in the spaces provided. Turn in course selection sheets according to campus instructions. The student will meet to review credits and finalize course requests with the school counselor.
COURSE VERIFICATIONS FOR NEXT YEAR Students will receive a course verification sheet later in the spring semester. The course verification sheet lists course selections for 2018 2019 as well as the endorsement. Review all course requests and the endorsement for accuracy. Make any changes on the verification sheet. Course verification is the time to change requests if they are needed. List alternate choices in the order of preference. Turn in the course verification sheet as instructed. Schedule changes requested after this time will be honored for a limited number of reasons. See page 35 of the course catalog.
COURSE SELECTION CHECKLIST Choose or review your endorsement. Choose courses from the core (required) subject areas. English Math Science Social Studies Choose courses from other areas to completely fill all 7 class periods. If one course marked (sem) is selected, a second (sem) course is selected. Warning! You cannot repeat a course for which you have already earned credit. No credit is awarded for a duplicated course. Review your credits and course selections with your counselor.
FINAL NOTES