Preparing for High School

Guyer High School Denton High School Ryan High School

Terminology

 

q       Block – a scheduled class

q       A-B Schedule – alternating days of 4 classes per day: 90 minutes per block

q       Double Block Schedule – one course that either takes one block each day or two blocks in one day.

q       Single Block – courses that meet only once every other day. Most classes are single blocked.

Terminology 

q       Credits –earned by semester – every class each semester receives ½ credit for passing grades and acceptable attendance. You must earn credit in each semester of a year long course. Attendance: 5 or more unverified absences can equal loss of credit even with passing grades.

q       Required – courses that the state/district mandate for graduation credits (note BOTH semesters of same course must be completed for credits to be awarded)

q       Core Subjects – English, Math, Science, Social Studies (4 x 4)

q       Elective Course – courses that are not specified as a required course

q       Alternate Courses - must be selected in case requested classes are full or will not work with your schedule

q       Pre-requisite – a course required before taking another course

q       Waiver – credit received from other class participation

Grade Point Average (GPA) and Rank GPA and Rank are calculated on a 4-point scale with a 1-point bonus

for Pre-AP (Honors) Classes, AP (Honors) Classes, and Dual Enrollment College Courses.

Only 18 (36 semesters) academic foundation courses are used in the final calculation. (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and World Language Courses)

Only courses taken at the high school campus or by dual credit count toward GPA.

A list of these courses and GPA calculations can be found in the Course Catalog.

Students MAY NOT graduate in the top 10% or receive honors in graduating class unless they are candidates for the Distinguished Achievement Plan including the four advanced measures (DAP) requirements.

Two Graduation Plans

Recommended Plan

Distinguished Achievement Plan

RECOMMENDED PLAN• 4 years English• 4 years Math on high school campus (Algebra I,

Geometry, Math Models, Algebra II, Advanced Mathematical Decision Making,

Pre-Calculus, AP Stat, AP Calculus) • 4 years Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, TBD)• 4 years Social Studies• 1 year Physical Education or P.E. Substitute• ½ year Communication Applications or Professional

Communications (Speech)• 2 years same Foreign Language (2 years taken at high school campus

count toward GPA, so if you take only 1 year in high school, only those 2 semesters of the possible 4 will be averaged into your GPA)

• 1 year Fine Arts (2 semesters of same course)• 5 ½ credits of electives

Total 26 Credits

Distinguished Achievement Plan

(DAP)• Same as Recommended Plan but add

3rd year of Foreign Language and four (4) additional advanced measures on the next slide

Advanced Measures Include:

• AP Courses(and satisfactory grade on AP exam)

• National Merit Scholarship Finalist

• Researched based project

• Dual Credit University Courses (with a “B” or higher grade)

• Tech Prepped CTE Courses (with a “B” or higher grade)

4 x 4 CORE REQUIREMENTS:

4 years of English

4 years of Math

4 years of Science

4 years of Social Studies

Courses Required for Graduation

English CreditEnglish 1

*Pre-AP English 1 

  

Social Studies CreditWorld Geography

*Pre-AP World Geography  

Math CreditAlgebra 1 *Geometry

*Pre-AP Geometry*Algebra 2

*Pre-AP Algebra 2  

Science CreditBiology

*Pre-AP Biology

9th Grade Required Courses

**Reading will be required for students who do not pass TAKS or have an acceptable score on the SRI

*Teacher recommendation required

World Language: 2 credits (3 if on the DAP)SpanishFrenchGermanLatin*American Sign Language *(ASL fulfills the graduation requirement and while accepted as a foreign language at many colleges in the U.S., please check admission requirements for any school in which you are interested.)

Additional Courses Required for Graduation

Physical Education Credit: 1 P.E. or PE SoccerAthleticsAthletic Training ½ROTC Marching band Cheerleading Drill Team

Maximum of 1 in each PE equivalent and maximum 4 PE/Equivalent combination credits total.

Additional Courses Required for Graduation

 Speech Credit: ½ Communication Applications ½(can be satisfied by Professional Communications, a one credit CTE course for Juniors/Seniors)

Fine Arts Credit: 1Art DanceBand OrchestraChoir Theater Arts

(Recommended Freshman Electives include: Health and BIM—Both include essential life-skills)

Additional Courses Required for Graduation

Purpose of CTE Classes(Career and Technology Education)

• Build skills toward college/career choices• Provide opportunity for students to apply the core

curriculum skills in a different, more practical way• TechPrep classes provide a seamless transition to the

college setting and can earn college credits at no charge

• TechPrep classes can count for Advanced Measures toward the DAP

• Earn licensures and certifications

9th Grade CTE Elective CoursesBusiness Management: Marketing and Finance(Accountant, Bank Manager, Entrepreneur, Stock Broker)

-Touch System Data Entry - 1

-Business Information Management I ( BIM)*– 1

-Principles of Business Marketing and Finance – 1

*BIM contains skills considered essential for successIn producing research papers and documents for both High School and College coursework as well as workplaceentry.

9th Grade CTE Elective CoursesAgriculture, Food and Natural Resources(Veterinary, Game Warden, Park Ranger, Horse Breeder, Machine Repair)

-Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources 1

Architecture and Construction(Architect, Drafter, CNC Machinist, Manufacturing Engineer)

-Principles of Architecture and Construction- ½ (Fall Semester)-Principles of Manufacturing- ½ (Spring Semester)

9th Grade CTE Elective Courses

Law, Public Safety & Security (Lawyer, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Diplomat)

-Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security -1

Human Services (Counselor, Teacher)

-Principles of Education and Training- ½ (Fall Semester)-Principles of Human Service – ½ (Spring Semester)

9th Grade CTE Elective CoursesScience, Technology, Engineering, & Math

(Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Automotive Technician, Computer Network Associate)

-Concepts of Engineering and Technology- 1

Health Science(Medicine, Veterinary, Nursing, Pharmacy)

-Principles of Health Science- ½ (Fall Semester)-Medical Terminology- ½ (Spring Semester)

11th - 12th Graders + 10th grade Engineering Students

(SO PLAN AHEAD!)

• Selected upper level courses will be taught at the Advanced Technology Complex• Selected upper level classes may count as a P.E. Waiver• Selected upper level courses earn community college credit• Acceptance into upper level will be based on attendance, grades, and conduct• See your Career Counselor for information

Check the “Hot Pink Folder”• Recommended/DAP Graduation Plans

• Space to do a 4 Year Plan• All DISD CTE/ATC Courses • Recommended Prerequisites—

Call Career Counselors:– Jeanie Bragg @ Guyer High School– Patsy Chilcote @ Ryan High School– Kimberly Keith @ Denton High School

• Career-building opportunities toward becoming architects/engineers, doctors/nurses/teachers, etc.

(Given to every 8th grader)

AF JROTCWhat you’ll study:- Aviation history (1 year)…Kitty Hawk to Operation Iraqi Freedom- Science of Flight (1 year)…How airplanes fly and aviation weather- Exploration of Space (1 year)…Manned Space Flight & rocketry

What you’ll do:- Orienteering, Rifle Drill Team, Saber Drill Team, Honor Guard- Learn to Lead! Be ready to lead after high school- Build and Fly Model Rockets & Remote Control Planes- Community Service! Get involved to improve Denton

• Hundreds of College ROTC Scholarships Reserved for JROTC• Field Trips to exciting military facilities: - Overnight plans to Colorado, San Antonio, and Florida! - Day visits planned to Sheppard AFB & Lockheed F-16 Factory

Course Catalog-Grades 9-12

High School Planning Guide

• General InformationGraduation Programs, GPA, Early Graduation,THEA, TAKS,

ACT/SAT/PSAT, Guidance Services, Class Loads

• Optional ProgramsCredit by Exam, EXPO, Advanced Coursework, Dual Credit,

Concurrent Enrollment, Correspondence Courses, DAP, National Merit

• Description of High School CoursesArranged by course number, Core Academic Disciplines, Foreign

Language, Fine Arts, Health/PE/Athletics, Career and Technology,

Air Force Junior ROTC, Hot Links for College and Career Planning

PLEASE NOTE ALL UIL Athletics are competitive… NOT

Instructional !

English 1 W. Geo.ChemistryAlgebra 110110 15110 20210 22110

Art PE

Keyboarding461103Prep ATC Core46620

Intro. to Electronics56210Spanish I28110

DHS 0123391 Guyerson Grant

33110Tech Systems 53110

Health Commapp

381103 10575374110