*Course Selection Sheet
*Quick Guide to Courses
*CTE Pathways
*FISD Course Guide is now online
FISD web site
Recommended
Program
Distinguished Achievement
Program (DAP)
.
Subject
Credits
Required Courses
English
4
English 1, 2, 3, 4
Math
4
Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II, TBD
Science
4
IPC, Bio, Chemistry, Physics*
Bio, Chemistry, Physics, TBD
Social Studies
4
W. Geo, W. Hist, U.S. History,
Government & Economics
Foreign Language
2
Spanish, French, American Sign Language
P.E.
1
P.E., Athletics, Fall Band,
Drill, Cheer, Colorguard
Health
.5
Health, Health Science
Speech
.5
Communications Applications
Fine Arts
1
Art, Theater Arts, Choir,
Band, Dance, Orchestra, Elements of Floral Des.
Technology
1
BIM, Comp. Sci, DIM, DGA, Web Tech., Comp.Maint.,
Yearbook 2, Newspaper 2, Broadcast 1 or 2
Electives
4
Electives are classes you choose.
Total
26
*Science sequencing determined by individual student. Please see Course Catalog for prerequisites.
CORE COURSES
 4 English credits
 4 Math credits (Alg.1 in MS counts)
(MMA*)
 4 Science credits (IPC*)
 4 Social Studies credits
 Plus
additional required courses and
electives to minimum 26 credits.
 **IPC
DAP
and MMA cannot be taken on
Other Required Courses:
 Fine
Art = 1.0 credit
 Communication Applications = .5 credit
 Health = .5 credit
 Technology = 1.0 credit
 LOTE = 2 levels of the same
 PE = 1.0
 Electives = 4
 Need
3 years of LOTE
 No IPC, MMA
 4 additional measures (any combination)
 Original research project
 AP scores of 3 or better (1-5)
 Tech Prep courses with B or better
 Dual Credit courses with B or better
 National Merit commended or higher
4
Core areas-15 tests
 English I, II, III (reading and writing)
 Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II
 Biology, Chemistry, Physics
 W. Geography, W History, US History
 Must
meet Level 2 Satisfactory Score in
order to be on track for cumulative score
requirement for graduation.
 Recommended grad plan= must meet
Level 2 on both Algebra II and English III
EOC’s
 DAP grad plan= must meet Level 3 on both
Algebra II and English III EOC’s.
 The
goal is to earn 26 credits for
graduation
 Each 1 semester course = .5 credit
 Example = Health
 Each 2 semester course = 1.0 credit
 Example = English 1
Grade points are assigned to each SEMESTER
grade
 Grade points are then averaged
 Example: English 1 = 85 semester average
 That equals 3.5 grade points in a regular
class
 That equals 4.5*** grade points in a Pre-AP
class

85
percent of selective colleges
and universities report that a
student’s AP experience favorably
impacts admissions decisions
Drop
window will be at end of
1st 6 weeks
Eligibility Waiver available



Class Rank and GPA are used to determine if
you are in the “Top 10%” of your class.
Students who are in the top 10% of their class
are automatically accepted into Texas public
colleges. (UT is now top 8% for freshman
entering fall of 2013 and top 7% for freshmen
entering fall of 2014)
Freshman grades count! Start strong and do
your best from your first day of high school.
For admissions purposes, rank at the close of
junior year dictates the top 10% of the class.
Fall
Football
Volleyball
Cross Country
Golf
Tennis
Swim/Dive
Winter
Basketball
Soccer
Wrestling
Golf
Tennis
Swim/Dive
Spring
Baseball
Softball
Track
Golf
Tennis
Swim/Dive
 Pre-AP
or not (No changes until 6 weeks)
 Summer reading assignments
 Tryouts for Drill team, cheer, sports
 CTE courses and pathway to CTE center
 EOC = End of Course exams = core
 Summer school? Classes for advancement

Communication Applications, Health, BIM, DIM,
IPC, MMA
Juniors are eligible for a maximum of 2 release
periods
Morning or Afternoon (any combination)
Be sure you have enough credits
Colleges look at the courses you take and when
Release periods will be adjusted if in conflict
with a selected course(s)
Release periods are subject to passing all parts
of EOC
You must have your own transportation!!
Students are not allowed to hang out in
library during their early release/late arrival
period (s)
Dual Credit* – used for HS & College credit (Senior
year)
Concurrent* – college courses = college credit only
Distance Learning – Better known as
“Correspondence”
Credit by Exam – Comprehensive exam to test out
See Course Guide for additional info
Counselors need proof of enrollment and/or grade before
removing a class from schedule needed for graduation.
Students responsibility to verify final grade(s).
*Can use for DAP measures
As you prepare to choose courses, remember to see
if “teacher” approval is required.
If required, secure that approval prior to the
individual meeting with your counselor.
In some cases, your approval will not occur until
later in the spring. In that case, choose an
alternative and once approved, you can change
your course requests.
Example of teacher approval: Debate 2, Debate 3,
Broadcast 2, Broadcast 3, etc.
 Partners
PE- application
 Debate I- application
 Theater Productions- requires audition
 Athletic Trainer- application
 ISM- Application For class of 2015 and beyond
ISM will carry a gpa weight of 5.5
 Yearbook
 Co-op
Don’t FORGET……
Some classes have pre-requisites….a class you MUST have had prior to
taking the one you want….
You Must PLAN AHEAD to make sure you can get in all of the
classes you would like to.
 Plan
ahead
 Summer School: packets available in March/April
 Advancement: Health, BIM, DIM, Speech, IPC,
MMA
 Remediation: Most core classes, if sufficient
#’s
 Bring grades to your counselor if you attend
summer school out of district
 Credit by Exam – Test dates are arranged
Counselors need proof of enrollment and/or grade before
removing a class from schedule needed for graduation.
 To
become a Junior:
 12 credits total
A
student can graduate early by completing all
credits by the end of the 3rd year in high
school (Or by end of first semester of 4th year
for Dec. grad)
 Students must decide early if summer school
or distance learning courses are necessary
 Do not expect FISD to offer all courses in
summer school
 Early grads must graduate on recommended or
distinguished grad plan.
A declaration of intent to graduate early must
be filed after May 1st of second year of high
school but prior to September 1 of the third
year.
 Complete
Course Request for 2013-14
 Complete your 4 year plan on paper
 Pickup is Feb. 20th-March 1st (see
English teacher for your designated
day)
 Please have your course request
prepared as the counselors will
complete yours for you if you do not.
Teachers
are employed based on
student course requests.
Students will be able to make
adjustments to their course
requests through May 15, 2013
The last opportunity to sign up
for a change will be AT schedule
pick up in August. Following that
deadline, it is too late.
 Dance
I cannot be taken by athletes
 CTE & Tech Prep course identification is
ongoing
 http://youtu.be/y5oS5dtwMtk


Ms. Casares (A-De)
Mr. Siciliano (Dh-Ke)
Ms. Lopez (Kh-Ra)
Ms. Schwarz (Re-Z)
Ms. Chandler