FRESHMAN GUIDANCE

Fall 2013

NHS CounselorsSheneka Davis Cayce Feemster A – Car J-Mh

Mike Hays Amber Ward Cas-F Mi-Res

Brenda Evans Keith Tremethick G-I Ret-Th

Jamie Farber Ti-Z

Grade Classification• Promotion to 10th Grade = 6 credits

(Sophomore)• Promotion to 11th Grade = 13 credits

(Junior)• Promotion to 12th Grade = 19 credits

(Senior)• High School Graduate = 26 credits

Earning Credits

• In high school, credits are earned by PASSING classes with a grade of 70 or above.

• You must have attended the class 90% of the time to receive credits earned.

• The high school transcript is where credits are recorded each semester.

• YOU MUST HAVE 26 CREDITS TO GRADUATE!!!

Attendance Requirements

• Students must attend a class at least 90% of the time in order to receive credit for the course.

• There will be opportunities to make up attendance should you fall below 90%.

• Credit is granted or denied every semester.

GPA

• Grade Point Average (GPA) is un-weighted on a 4.0 scale.– All courses are factored into this un-weighted GPA

(this includes middle school courses taken for high school credit)

Class Rank

• Class rank is weighted.

– For the class of 2017, only the core courses of English, math, science, social studies (including economics), and languages other than English shall determine class ranking.

GPA and Class Rank, cont.• Unweighted GPA – all courses are weighted the same on a 4.0

scale (A=4) (B=3) (C=2) (F=0)• Weighted GPA (used to determine class rank) – courses receive

grade points based on level of difficulty.– Regular courses maximum grade point possibility is 5.0.– Pre/AP courses maximum grade point possibility is 6.0.– AP courses maximum grade point possibility is 7.0.

• GPA Exempt courses– Correspondence, Credit by exams, and Summer school for remediation

• Graduating in the top 10% of your class could result in automatic admission to most public and private universities in Texas.

Transcripts• Your transcript is an academic achievement

record of all classes taken for High School credit.

• All semester grades, GPA, and class rank are listed on the high school transcript.

• Your transcript is one of the most important documents of your high school career!!!

Graduation Requirements“the core”

4 x 44 English4 Math4 Science4 Social Studies

Graduation Plansboth plans require 26 credits

Recommended DistinguishedPE (1.0) PE (1.0)Foreign Language (2.0) Foreign Language (3.0) (same language) (same language)Fine Art (1.0) Fine Art (1.0)Communication Apps (0.5) Communication Apps (0.5) orProfessional Comm (0.5) Electives (4.5)Electives (5.5) 4 additional measures***

(see College & Career Handbook – p. 5) (currently being updated)

Texas Scholar

• Graduate on the Recommended or Distinguished Plan.

• Participate in a minimum of one high school extra-curricular activity for two consecutive years.

• Complete at least two courses eligible for college credit.

Credits for Acceleration

• Summer School• Credit by Exams • Correspondence Courses through TX

Tech or UT• Online courses through TXVSN

Credit Recovery Options

• Summer School• Academic Coaching Program (ACP)• Credit by Exams• Correspondence Courses through TX Tech or

UT• Averaging of 1st and 2nd semester grades

– (If 1st and 2nd semester grades average 70 or higher, a failing 1st or 2nd semester credit may be recovered.)

Freshman Focus 2014Extracurricular & Community Involvement

Community service and extracurricular activities play an important role with colleges and scholarship committees.

• Become involved in school and community activities now – don’t wait until your senior year

• Seek activities and opportunities relative to your future career plans• Visit the Northwest High School Counseling website for volunteer and community

service activities• Start an activities record including all school and community activities, leadership

positions, honors, awards, uniques educational experiences, employment, and volunteer work.

• THE BIG EVENT! April 5, 2014– Be sure to update this record at least once a year.

Freshman Focus 2014 Extracurricular & Community Involvement

https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/html/preview13/frs_ec.html

Freshman Focus 2014Extracurricular & Community Involvement

Freshman Timeline

Highlighting just a few items…• Study: Grades are reported on your

permanent transcript• Select challenging classes• Explore extra-curricular interests and

volunteer work• List honors, awards, and activities• Start a college savings account

NHS Counseling Website

• Summer Opportunities

• Community Service Opportunities

• College and Career Planning Handbook

• Request to see the Counselor

www.nisdtx.org/nhs

NHS Counseling Website

9th guide.MHT

Common Mistakes1. My 9th grade year doesn’t count; I have plenty of time to make it up.2. I chose this class because my friend is taking it.3. I skipped 4th period because it won’t hurt to miss one day of that

class.4. I don’t feel like doing my homework, so I’ll just do well on the test.5. I don’t have time to join school clubs because I have to spend my free

time studying.6. Everyone else understood the teacher’s explanation but me; I am too

embarrassed to ask the teacher for more help.7. I am afraid to tell the teacher about the problems I am having with

this class.8. I want to take blow off classes during my senior year.

GPA GAME!!!