BROCK HIGH SCHOOL 9TH GRADE MEETING
Requirements to Graduate



Earn the required credits
Pass all required courses
Pass all STAAR (EOC) tests
Testing


STAAR END OF COURSE EXAMS (EOCS)
NUMBER OF EXAMS REDUCED FROM 15 TO 5:
o ALGEBRA I
o BIOLOGY
o ENGLISH I
o ENGLISH II
o U.S. HISTORY
New Graduation Plan

Students entering 9th grade in 2014-2015 will have a new graduation plan.

Students at Brock High School will graduate on the Foundation High School Program with a
Multidisciplinary endorsement and earn the Distinguished Level of Achievement. (26 credits)

Students will possibly be able to add additional endorsements, as additional endorsements are
added locally.

Students will have the opportunity to earn Performance Acknowledgements.
Performance Acknowledgements
A student may earn Performance Acknowledgement(s)on their diploma and transcript for:

Outstanding Performance
•
•

in dual credit courses (12+ hours with a 3.0 or higher)
on the PSAT, ACT, or SAT (Qualifying Score)
Earning a Business or Industry Certificate or License (Nationally or Internationally Recognized)
Weighted Courses
For the purpose of calculating GPA, 10% will be added to the final grade for each of the courses below:




Honor Classes
Dual Credit Classes (approved)
Spanish III
Classes designated by the district
Dual Credit




A student takes a college course that also counts as high school credit.
Official grades must be reported to the high school upon completion of the course.
College courses may be offered off campus, online or on the high school campus by a BHS teacher.
Students are responsible for all tuition payments, fees charged by the college and textbooks.
Grade Point Average (GPA)



Grade point values are awarded at the end of each semester for each course that is successfully
completed and recorded on the student’s transcript.
Grade points are calculated for the semester averages only, not 6 weeks grades.
The following courses shall not be used in computing the GPA• Local Credit Courses
• All correspondence grades
• Credit by examination
• Athletics, band, physical education, or any other course that substitutes for physical
education.
Class Rank



After all grade points are averaged, students are ranked from those with the highest GPA to the
lowest GPA.
Class rank is given to the students twice a year-- in September and January
Highest Ranking Graduate- is awarded free tuition (to a Texas state school) during both semesters
of the first regular session immediately following the student's high school graduation.
Top 10 Percent Rule


A Student is eligible for automatic admission to a Texas college or university as an undergraduate
student if the applicant earned a GPA in the top 10% of the student’s high school graduating class,
or the top 7% for admission to the University of Texas at Austin.
Students must earn the Distinguished Level of Achievement to be eligible for Top 10%
Post-Secondary Options
2-Year Colleges (Community/Junior Colleges)






2-year colleges are schools that offer the core classes and offer associates degrees.
2-year colleges are great places to transition from high to a 4-year university.
2-year colleges are usually cheaper and they still offer financial aid.
2-year colleges also offer many certificates and programs in addition to traditional classes.
Consider a 2-year college if you are unsure of a career or if you need to work on your GPA.
Many 2-year colleges will only require a high school diploma for admissions (check each school for more
information).
4-Year Universities




4-year universities are traditional schools that offer bachelors, masters and even doctoral degrees.
4-year universities offer on-site housing.
4-year universities have higher requirements for admissions.
4-year universities will have many options for majors and will specialize in certain areas.

The first 2 years at a 4-year university will be spent working on the core curriculum and then the last 2
years will be spent working on classes in the major area.
Trade & Technical Schools




Trade/technical schools offer programs and certificates in many areas that do not require associates or
bachelor’s degrees.
Trade/technical schools do not usually have a core curriculum; students have classes related to the career
choice only.
Some trade/technical schools have on-site housing, but many do not.
Check accreditation for trade/technical schools to ensure you are attending a quality school.
U.S. Military




Talk to a recruiter for specific information on each branch of the U.S. Military. Do not sign any paperwork
without discussing your decision and choice with your parents.
Students can earn college credit while in the U.S. Military.
The U.S. Military can pay for some or all of your college tuition.
College ROTC programs can help you prepare for the U.S. Military while attending college.
Financial Aid Information
To receive any financial aid, you must fill out the FAFSA!









FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
The FAFSA becomes available on January 1, 2018 (for the Class of 2018).
Apply for a PIN number. It takes anywhere from 3 days to 6 weeks to obtain a PIN number. You
will have a PIN number for each child.
You can go to the FAFSA website and fill out the FAFSA Forecaster to find out the anticipated aid.
Remember, the information you receive is only for federal financial aid. Each college will take the
federal information and can award other financial aid.
Remember to send your FAFSA information to the college of your choice.
Colleges can add additional money to any federal money.
Negotiate!! Your financial aid package is like buying a car…ask to recalculate – they will if possible.
You must reapply every year for FAFSA.
How is eligibility for Financial Aid determined????
Cost of Education
- Family Contribution
-Estimated Financial Assistance from Outside Resources
= Student’s Financial Need
Loan Options




Federal Direct Stafford Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
Federal Direct PLUS Loans (Parent Loans)
Federal Perkins Loans (at some institutions)
Private Education Loans
Other Options to help pay/lower cost for college





Scholarships
Student employment
529 Savings plan, other savings plans
Payment Plans
Summer courses at community college
Talk to the college’s financial aid office.
They’re the best resource for information regarding financial aid!!!
Scholarships
Scholarship Advice…




Check scholarship websites weekly.
Many scholarships are not claimed because no one applies for the scholarship.
Stay organized and pay attention to deadlines.
Do not pay for scholarships.
Scholarship Information…




Brock High School will post local scholarships on the BHS Guidance Counselor webpage and will
be on the BHS daily announcements.
Large scholarships usually come from the college or a foundation at the college.
You can earn scholarships while in college.
Many scholarships are available for specific majors-- check with your major advisor for more
information.
A TIMELINE FOR COLLEGE PLANNING
FRESHMAN
1. Challenge yourself by taking difficult courses.
2. Participate! Explore various extracurricular activities. Colleges want well-rounded students.
3. Plan your high school academic course requirements. If you plan to take college classes during high
school, don't forget that you must pass a college entrance assessment.
4. Meet with the counselor to discuss college and career choices. What do you want to be doing for the
next 50 years?
5. Begin keeping a written account of activities and awards (resume). This will be needed for college
and scholarship applications and for letters of recommendation.
6. Read as much as you can!!!!
Summer-- Find a place to volunteer! You need this for your college applications.
SOPHOMORE
1. Keep your grades up! Grade Point Average (GPA) is one criteria used by colleges and scholarship
programs to judge applicants.
2. Continue extracurricular activities. (for college and scholarship applications)
3. Take the PSAT in October. Scores won't count, but it will help you get familiar with the test.
4. Start researching colleges that you might like to attend. Go to their website. Check for entrance
requirements and degree requirements.
5. Find a summer job or do volunteer work! (also for college and scholarship applications)
6. Update your written account of activities and awards (resume).
7. Read as much as you can!!!!
Summer-- Find volunteer opportunity or paid employment.
JUNIOR
1. Continue with challenging courses and keep your grades high! (what is your GPA?)
2. Take the PSAT in October to practice for the SAT and to be eligible for the National Merit
Scholarship awards.
3. Discuss with your parents how you will finance your education. Attend college and financial aid
information sessions to learn about federal financial aid. Begin researching scholarship opportunities,
local and national.
4. Get to know your favorite teachers well. Start thinking about whom you might ask to write letters of
recommendation for you. (Update your resume)
5. Don't forget extracurricular and volunteer activities. You need to show that you are a well-rounded
individual.
6. Continue researching colleges and begin to focus on your top 4 to 5 choices.
7. If you think you may play Division I athletics, register at the NCAA Eligibility Center at
ncaastudent.org.
8. Talk to your counselor about taking the SAT or ACT in the spring.
9. Read as much as you can!!!!
Summer-- Volunteer work or paid work: try to find something in the field that you plan to major in.
SENIOR
September-November
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Continue taking challenging courses and keep up your grades. (GPA and class rank?)
Decide which colleges you will apply to and meet the deadlines.
FINANCIAL AID deadlines may vary. Find out what they are and get your application in!!
Use your 'college days' to visit the college you are deciding on.
Submit early action or early decision applications.
Take or retake the SAT or ACT in the early fall.
December-February
7. Request transcripts and test scores be sent to the colleges of your choice.
8. Complete the necessary financial aid forms, including the FAFSA! The FAFSA can be submitted
beginning Jan. 1.
9. Continue finding and applying for scholarships.
10. Plan a visit or phone conversation with the Financial Aid Office of your college to see if there
are institutional scholarships for which you qualify.
March-May
11. Notify people who will be writing letters of recommendation for you. Supply them with a
neatly written resume of your activities and awards received over the past four years.
12. Talk with your high school counselor and the college admissions office to make sure you have
all necessary forms submitted.
13. Tell your high school counselor where to send your 'final transcript'. This one will have your
GPA, class rank, state graduation plan, and tests scores.
14. Read as much as you can!!!!
Summer Continue service projects, paid employment, or internship opportunities.