Welcome to Johnson High
School Class of 2024!
This is the first step in your
journey through High School!
Here is what your day at Johnson will look like…
9th Grade Recommended Schedule
• Language Arts: English I (Regular or Honors)
• Math: Algebra I or Geometry (Regular or Honors)
• Science: Biology (Regular or Honors)
• Social Studies: Geography (Regular, Honors, or AP)
• LOTE(Language other than English) Foreign Language of student’s choice
• PE/Health or Fine Arts:Semester of PE and/or Health or Fine Arts course
(PE Equivalents: Athletics, Pep, ROTC, Band)
(Health Equivalents: Principles of Health Science)
• Elective: Based upon endorsement
Should I take Regular or
Honors Courses?
Honors Courses require students to be:
● Self motivated with a strong work ethic
● Time management skills
● Willingness to seek help
● Strong STAAR/EOC scores
• Summer reading assignment
What are the Benefits of Taking
Honors Courses?
● Better prepare students for Advanced
Placement and/or Dual Credit classes
● Promote college readiness
● Offer a weighted grade system
- grades are multiplied by 1.15 for Honors and
1.29 for AP when they are calculated in your GPA
(i.e., a 75 in Honors class would calculate as an 86 in your GPA)
● Enhance students’ resumes and applications- Colleges look for rigorous coursework
Social Studies Options
Texas only requires 3 credits, but many colleges require 4 credits. So the recommended sequence is:
1- Geography (1 year)
2- World History (1 year)
3 - US History EOC (1 year)
4 - Government (1 sem) / Economics (1 sem)
The Benefits of following this recommended sequence:
• They will have opportunities to improve language skills
• They will be well prepared for STAAR US History EOC.
• They will be VERY well prepared for AP classes.
• They will qualify for multiple endorsements.
What is AP Human Geography?
• Counts for Geography credit for High
School graduation
• College level reading assignments for
homework/ reading quizzes in class
• Advanced academic language
• Great course to prepare for the rigorous
reading and writing assignments in later AP
social studies courses (1 semester of
content and skill taught over 2 semesters)
Math Course Options
Algebra I: for current students taking 8th grade math
(Honors Algebra I is not offered in high school)
Geometry Regular or Geometry Honors:for current students taking Algebra in 8th grade
Regular or Honors?
Regular Honors
Purpose prepare students for the
STAAR End-of-Course
assessment
primarily prepare students
academically and personally for the
rigors of AP courses as well as the
STAAR End-of Course assessment
Homework 20 - 25 minutes per night 30 - 40 minutes per night
Content State TEKS State TEKS + enrichment based on
select introductory AP concepts
Rigorous questioning and discourse
Pace District pace Faster paced
Responsibility time allocated in class to
read novels and work on
projects
CONSIDERABLE Outside Reading
Time Management Skills -- Long-term
Assignments/Projects
The Expectation that Struggling
Students Will Attend Tutoring
English I and Biology courses are both STAAR-assessed.
How Many Honors Classes
Should I Take?
• Individual decision
• Consider extra-curricular commitments
• Seek balance
• Better to make an A in regular class than a C
in an Honors class
Important things to know. . .
• There are 2 steps for Course Selections- students
will return a course card AND enter course selection
online through Skyward
• Students can drop an Honors class to a Regular level
equivalent course within the first 9 week grading period
of the 1st semester
• Students can only add an Honors class within the first
two weeks of school, or they must wait till semester
• Course cards and NEISD Course Catalog are posted on
Johnson website
• Elective changes will not be made after May 28, 2020
Begin With the End in Mind!!
The Graduation Plan for your
Class of 2024
Foundation with Distinguished Level of AchievementStudents must complete:
• Curriculum requirements for an endorsement
• 4 credits in English
• 4 credits in Math (includes Algebra II)
• 4 credits in Science
• 3 credits in Social Studies
• 2 credits in languages other than English
• 1 credit in Fine Arts
• 1 credit in Physical Education
• 0.5 Health credit
• 6 and 0.5 Electives (Must include Endorsement)
Foundation with Distinguished Level of Achievement + Endorsements = 26 credits
Students must pass all 5 STAAR End of Course (EOC) exams to meet graduation requirements:
English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology, and US History
Course Card Directions
• Be sure to write your name & ID number
• Circle course number in bottom section
• Write course number & name in top section
• Select 7 courses & list 2 alternates
• Be sure to list Endorsement in top section
• Be sure to have required signatures
• Return to Middle School Counselors by Friday,
February 14th
Skyward Course Selection
Skyward Course Selection
Skyward Course Selection
Skyward Course Selection
Skyward Course Selection
Endorsements
● Found on back of course card
● Must choose a Pathway within the five
Endorsement Options:
● STEM
● Multidisciplinary
● Arts/Humanities
● Public Service
● Business/Industry
Selecting Endorsements
● Students select their endorsement on their course card
● Students are required to select at least one endorsement,
but may have more than one
● Students can change endorsements based upon
interests and course selections
● All 9th grade students will have an 4-Year Career Plan
online to plan their courses and track the Endorsements
they will qualify for
Johnson Course Fair
• Course Fair will be 6:00pm-8:00pm
• Course Fair located in cafeteria area & gym- Electives arranged by Endorsements
• Electives available for 9th graders are on 9th
grade course card & Endorsements listed on
back of course card
• Coaches will be available in the small gym for
required signatures for Athletics
Remember:
• Must have coach signature for Athletics
• Middle School Coaches can sign for their sports
• High School Coaches need to sign for sports not offered
in Middle School (swimming, diving, softball, wrestling)
• Must have alternate electives on course card
• Must have Endorsement Pathway listed on card
• Last day to make changes to courses with
our Johnson Counselor is May 28, 2020
Course Cards are
due on
February 14th
to all Middle School
Counselors
Final Date for Course Changes:
May 28, 2020
Way to Change a Course:
• E-mail your assigned Johnson Counselor any
change request
o Include student name, ID number, course to drop,
course to add
JOHNSON COUNSELORS
Courtney Tarbox A - [email protected]
Rebecca Hudkins BN - [email protected]
Patti Snider E - [email protected]
Julie Metcalf HER – [email protected]
Richard Boeger MAL - [email protected]
Mary Solis Martinez PAT - [email protected]
Brandy Weaver SM - [email protected]
Lisa Williams STAN/Intervention Counselor [email protected]
JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL
WELCOMES YOU!