After the ninth grade, students are classified according to the number of credits earned toward graduation
Classification Credits Earned Freshman (9th) -- Sophomore (10th) 7 Junior (11th) 14 Senior (12th) 21
TOTAL NEEDED FOR GRADUATION - 28
Grade Classification
4.0 GPA – used by colleges - is calculated using semester grades for all courses taken with weights applied
Ranking GPA – currently calculated using weighted core courses only, but is under review based upon new endorsement guidelines.
Top Ten – SISD ranks only the top 10% of each graduating class.
GPA, CLASS RANK, TOP TEN
Regular and Modified courses receive no weight
Honors Courses receive 10 points
Dual Credit courses receive 20 points
Class Rank Calculations
Middle school courses that count for high school credit:
Algebra ISpanish IArt I
MS Courses for HS Credit
Grades need to be consistently good or improved upon during high school. Colleges especially want to see solid scores in academic core courses.
Extra-Curricular activities are important because colleges like to see that a student is well-rounded. So become involved in clubs and other school activities.
Community Service is another area in which colleges like to see students involved. It demonstrates their desire to be a productive citizen.
What Counts in College
Beginning with next year’s incoming freshmen, all students will graduate on the Foundation Plan with an Endorsement.
There will also be an opportunity to add a Distinguished Level of Achievement.
A student must earn distinguished level of achievement to be eligible for top 10% automatic admission.
Graduation Plans
STEM
PublicServicesArts
&
Humanities
Multi-
Disciplinary
Business
& Industry
1 PE
2 L
OT
E
5 Electives 2 SISD
1 Fin
e Art4 ELA
3Math
3Sci
3SS
Foundation Plan
EndorsementsSHSGraduation Plan
24 credits
28 credits
Students will be given the opportunity in the next week to explore careers and look at the endorsements that pertain to their career interests.
Students will then decide which elective (and alternates) they would like to put in their schedule.
Choice of Endorsements can be changed at the start of registration each year.
Career Experience
Recommended Freshman Course Selection
English 1 Algebra 1 or Algebra 2 Biology World Geography or World History Spanish 1 or 2, ASL 1, German 1 Fine Arts PE or Athletics Elective
Students who sign up for athletics MUST participate in one of these athletic events:
FootballBasketballVolleyballBaseballSoftball
Athletics is a full year course, andstudents are required to participate inoff-season.
Athletics
GolfTennisSoccerTrackCross Country
Students will receive PE credit by participating in these after school sports.
After School Sports
Honors and Dual Credit courses are designed to challenge & motivate students and prepare them for success in college-level coursework taken during high school and college. These courses typically move at a faster pace, are more academically challenging, and require more independent learning and homework than academic courses.
Dual Credit courses are taken during a student’s junior and senior year.
Honors, Dual Credit Classes
Honors Class Requirements To proceed from an Honors course to the
next Honors course, students must have a final average of 80 at the end of the year, and a teacher recommendation*.
To move from a regular Academic course to an Honors course, students must have a
final average of 90 at the end of the year, and a teacher recommendation*.
*All honors classes must have a teacher signature on the course selection sheet.
Students will be placed on academic probation if their nine weeks average is below 70 in any Honors course. They will be required to attend mandatory tutorials for that subject area. Students will be removed from the Honors course at the end of the semester if they receive a second nine weeks average below a 70 or fail to attend the mandatory tutorials. Students will begin the school year on probation if they receive a nine week average below 70 during the 4th nine week period in the prior year.
Honors Course Standards
Some classes are a full year, which equals one credit.
Some classes are one semester, which equals one-half credit.
Credits
There could be schedule conflicts with some classes; therefore, please be sure to select several alternative classes for your electives.
Schedule Conflicts
Selection Sheets are due March 19th with all signatures
Students will turn in selection sheets to Mr. Brooks.
Registration
Individual Parent Meetings will take place Wednesday, March 5th (8:30-2:45) and Thursday, March 6th (1:00-7:00).
Sign up for your individual appointment using the following link.◦ http://goo.gl/8D7mRg
Registration