The Road to High School
Parent Presentation
So Many Options!
Where to Start?
Must Keep the
End in Mind!
Career?
Fields of
Study?
High School
Graduation:
one Destination!
Requirements:
26 credits
4X4 - Four of each: English,
math, science, and social studies
7 classes x 4 years =
opportunity for 28 credits
plus any credits earned in
middle school
26 miles to Graduation
Earning Credits

Full year courses can be averaged to
gain full credit

For example – English I:
Semester One Semester 2
65
75
Avg.
70
 STAAR Exam will factor into
final average!
(stayed tuned for updates)
1.0 credit is granted
Poor
attendance
can cost you
credits!
Two Major Routes
R
Recommended
D
Distinguished
The Plans
Recommended
Distinguished
16.0 core
16.0 core
1.0 PE
1.0 PE
1.O Fine Art
1.O Fine Art
2.0 World Lang. 3.0 World Lang.
.5 Comm. Appl.
.5 Comm. Appl.
5.5 electives
4.5 electives
26.0 credits
26.0 credits
Other Distinguished
Achievement Requirements
A combination of FOUR
advanced measures:
-A score of 3 or above on an AP exam
-National Merit Commendation (PSAT)
-A grade of 3.0 (B) or higher in Dual
Credit classes
-Original research/project; limited to
two measures from this category
The Freshman Core
English –
Regular, Pre-AP, or GT
Math –
Alg. I or Pre-AP Alg. I
Geom. or Pre-AP Geom.
Science – Bio. or Pre-AP Bio.
Social Studies – World Geo.
Regular, Pre-AP, or GT
Rigorous Coursework
A student should select the most
rigorous courses he/she is
capable of completing.
Colleges look for rigor.
Students with higher level
courses are generally more
prepared for college level work.
GPA & Ranking
The grade point average (GPA)
used to determine class rank is
calculated on a weighted scale.
Advanced Placement (AP) = up to 7
points
Pre-AP = up to 6 points
Regular courses = up to 5 points
GPA & Ranking
Class of 2015
Weighted GPA

Only the core courses of English,
science, math, social studies,
including economics; and languages
other than English will be used in
determining class rank.

Any of these courses taken in middle
school for high school credit will
count in class rank calculation.
GPA & Class Rank
Class of 2016, cont’d.

All high school courses,
including those taken in
middle school for high
school credit, will be used
in determining a student’s
UNWEIGHTED GPA.
Top 10% Rule
Under legislation approved in May 2009
by the Texas House as part of the 81st
Regular Session (Senate Bill 175), UTAustin (but no other state universities)
was allowed to trim the number of
students it accepts under the 10% rule;
UT-Austin could limit those students to
75 percent of entering in-state
freshmen from Texas. The university
would admit the top 1 percent, the top
2 percent and so forth until the cap is
reached, beginning with the 2011
entering class.
Physical Education credit
PE courses listed on the course
request sheet (excludes Health)
Band (fall semester –
extra .5 credit)
Cheerleading (fall semester –extra .5
credit)
Drill Team
credit)
Dance I
Athletics
(fall semester – extra .5
Sports offered…
~ Football
~ Wrestling
~ Volleyball
~ Cross Country
/Track
~ Basketball
~ Soccer
~ Swimming
/Diving
~ Baseball
/Softball
~ Golf
~ Tennis
If selecting a sport…
Select your sport
that occurs
first in the
school year.
Obtain your
middle school
coach’s
signature
Fine Arts
Art
Dance
Band
Choir
Theatre Arts I
Floral Design
AP Art History (11th & 12th)
AP Music Theory
World Languages
Mandarin Chinese
German
Electives
We will ask students to select 8
electives (including alternates) in
order of preference
#1 being the TOP choice
Four core plus electives each
year
Consider required electives and
then interests
Career Clusters
(or Career Pathways)
-Agricultural Mechanics
-Allied Health
-Animal Science
-Architectural Design &
Construction
-Banking & Finance
-Business Management
-Computer Programming
-Education
-Emergency Medical
Technician
-Engineering Technology
-Family & Community
Services
-Floral Design & Landscape
Management
-Media Technology
-Nutritionist/Dietician
-Pre-Veterinary
-Sales & Marketing
Need Rigorous Academics
AND
Relevant Career Education
The pathways are
merely a guide!
The Academies of
Northwest ISD

The Academy of Medical Professions
(AMP) – BNHS

The Academy of Culinary Arts and
Hospitality – BNHS

The Academy of Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics
(STEM) – NHS

The Academy of Media Arts and
Technology (AMAT) – NHS
Note: Academy acceptance letters will be mailed on December 15, 2011.
Student acceptance letters are due to middle school counselors on January
13, 2012.
Pacing the Journey…
6 credits = Sophomore
13 credits = Junior
19 credits = Senior
And again…
26 credits to reach
the FINISH LINE!!!
Ways to gain
extra miles…
Summer School
Correspondence
Courses
Online Courses
Dual Credit
Important Dates
December 15th – Academy
Acceptance/Denial letters
mailed
January 13th – Student
acceptance letters due to
middle school counselors
June 1st – Last day to submit
elective changes
NHS Counselors
A-Con: Sheneka Davis
Coo-G: Mike Hays
H-Le: Cayce Feemster
Li-Per: Amber Ward
Pes-Ste: Keith Tremethick
Stf-Z: Jamie Farber
NHS Counseling Website
www.nisdtx.org/nhs
Click on the Counseling tab
You will find this
presentation as well as
other useful information
on our website.
Join our mailing list!
Parents,
Thank you for your
attendance tonight and your
involvement in your child’s
educational journey!
the NHS Counselors