Preparing Today for a
Successful Tomorrow
HMS PARENT WORKSHOP
Total Credits Required: 22
• Math: 4 Credits Including Algebra I, II, Geometry and a fourth higher level
math course.
• Science: 3 Credits Including Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, and a third lab
course.
• English: 4 Credits
• Social Studies: 3 Credits Including World History and Geography (9th or
10th Grade), U.S. History (11th Grade),
Government and Economics (12th Grade)
• Physical Education and Wellness: 1.5 Credits (a sport, marching band, or
show choir can count as .5)
• Personal Finance: .5 Credits
• Foreign Language: 2 consecutive years of the same foreign language
• Fine Arts: 1 Credit
• Elective Focus: 3 Credits
**Honors Algebra I and Honors Physical Science taken in 8th grade count as
Electives.
TN Graduation Requirements
• Students must take English and Mathematics each year in
high school. Therefore, students taking Physical Science
and/or Algebra I in the 8th grade, must take an additional
4 units of mathematics and 3 units of science in high school.
• TN requirements meet or exceed state requirements for
most states except the state of Alabama requires 4 science
and 4 social studies, and U of Alabama requires 4 social
studies. Therefore, students must pay attention to specific
requirements of their school of choice.
http://ecs.force.com/mbdata/mbprofall?Rep=HS01
• Some select schools such as Stanford require 3 or more
years of a foreign language and Harvard 4 years of a
foreign language. Many colleges require 2 years of the
same foreign language as the minimum but like to see more
than 2 of the same language.
TN Graduation Requirements
Academic Offerings
Houston High School
*Class Rank at Houston High is determined by Weighted Grade
Point Average where lowest-level Standard Courses are on a 4.0
scale, Honors Courses are on a 4.5 scale, and Advanced Placement
Courses are on a 5.0 scale.
*Grade point average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total
amount of grade points earned by the total amount of credit hours
attempted.
*Standard Courses (courses tailored to provide grade level
curriculum) are scored on the 4.0 scale.
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A- 4.0
B- 3.0
C- 2.0
D- 1.0
F- 0.0
Standard Courses
Students take 7 classes per year.
One of those classes may be a study hall.
Students may take a study hall every year for either one
semester or both. (*They cannot save up their study
halls and take more than one in a calendar year.)
Course Load
Honors Courses offer the same curriculum as Standard Courses
but are tailored for high-achieving students — covering topics at a
faster rate, covering additional topics, and covering some topics in
greater depth.
*Three points added to final grades and 4.5 Scale for GPA:
A- 4.5, B- 3.5, C-2.5, D-1.5, F-0.0
• English I, II, III, IV,
• Etymology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy & Physiology
• World History, World Geography,
• Latin I, II, III
• French I, II, III
• German I, II, III
• Spanish I, II, III, IV,
• Geometry, Algebra I, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus
• Fine Arts
Honors Courses
Advanced Placement (AP)- high school course taught at the college level
that offers college credit if successfully completed
*AP Exams in May scored 1-5 with possible college credit (Each college sets
standards for acceptable scores and which AP courses to accept.)
*Five points added to final grades and 5.0 Scale for GPA:
A-5.0, B-4.0, C-3.0, D-2.0, F-0.0
• English Language, English Literature, Capstone
• U.S. History, World History, European History
• French Language, German Language, Spanish Language, Latin
• Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, and Computer Science
• Physics I and Physics II
• Biology, Chemistry
• Studio Art, Music Theory
• Human Geography, U.S. Government, Comparative Government,
Economics
Advanced Placement
Dual Enrollment- (DE) involves students being enrolled
in college courses while in high school.
*University Credit for each course:
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English 12
Biology II
College Algebra
Calculus III
Dual Enrollment
Students have the potential of saving a lot of money by
successfully completing AP and Dual Enrollment courses.
Most colleges grant credit for AP test scores of 3, 4, or 5.
However, some colleges place a cap on the number of AP
credits they will accept and also dictate which Dual
Enrollment and AP credits they will accept.
College/Univ.
Un. Of TN. Knox.
Clemson
Un of SC
Un of Alabama
Credit Hrs.
3
3
3
3
Potential Savings
$440 X 3=$1320
$1403 X 3=$4209
$1245 X 3=$3735
$1206 X 3=$3618
College Credit
Math Progression WITH Algebra in 8th Grade:
• Honors/Standard Geometry
• Honors/Standard Algebra II
• Honors Pre-calculus
or Advanced Algebra & Trig
• AP Calculus
or AP Statistics
or Standard Calculus .5 and Statistics .5
or College Algebra Dual Enrollment
Math Progression
Math Progression WITHOUT Algebra in 8th Grade:
• Honors/Standard Algebra
• Honors/Standard Geometry
• Honors/Standard Algebra II
• Honors Pre-calculus
or Advanced Algebra & Trig
or AP Statistics
or Bridge Math
or College Algebra Dual Enrollment
Math Progression
Science Progression WITH Physical Science in 8th
Grade:
• Honors/Standard Biology
• Honors/Standard Chemistry
or Environmental Science
• AP Physics I/II
or AP Chemistry
or AP Biology
or Biology II Dual Enrollment
or Honors/Standard Human Anatomy
Science Progression
Science Progression WITHOUT Physical Science in 8th
Grade:
• Honors/Standard Physical Science (Physical Science is
a prerequisite for Chemistry)
• Honors/Standard Biology
• Honors/Standard Chemistry
or Environmental Science
Science Progression
Students may only take Geometry and Biology in the 9th
grade at HHS if they have successfully completed
Algebra I and Physical Science in the 8th grade.
Math and Science
• A student’s IEP drives educational placement in the
high school.
• If a child has special needs, parents must contact the
child’s case manager if they have questions.
• SPED IEP files will be transferred to Houston High
School at the end of the 8th grade year unless requests
are made to send the IEPs elsewhere.
• Gifted (APEX) IEPs end in 8th grade and do not carry
over to Houston High School.
SPECIAL EDUCATION IEP
• Course Electives are required courses where students
have choices.
• Students are required to complete three electives in a
Focus area to graduate, but students may complete
more.
Course Electives
Focus Plan of Study (Elective Focus)
• (Each student must choose one plan of study)
*Science and Math *Liberal Arts
*Humanities *Career and Technical (CTE) *Fine
Arts *Advanced Placement (AP) *Journalism
Elective Focus
Science and Math Each student will take 4 math classes
in high school even if they took Algebra 1 in the 8th
grade. Each student will take 3 science classes in high
school even if they took Physical Science in the 8th
grade. To have science and math as a focus, a student
would then choose a combination of 3 or more
additional credits from the science and math sections of
the Course Catalog. Physical science and Algebra 1
taken in the 8th grade may count as credits in this focus.
Elective Focus
Liberal Arts Students will take 3 credits of Social
Studies in addition to World Geography or World
History, Government, and Economics. To have a liberal
arts focus, a student would then choose 3 or more
additional credits from the classes in the Social Studies
section of the Course Catalog, African American
Literature, Creative Writing, Honors Humanities,
Etymology, and an additional Foreign Language above
the two units required for graduation.
Elective Focus
Career and Technical Education Students may earn
three credits in one of the following tech areas:
Architecture & Design, Business Management &
Administration, Computer Science, Criminal Justice,
Finance, Health & Biomedical Science, Horticulture
Science, Human Studies, Information Technology,
Marketing Sales & Service.
Elective Focus
Fine Arts Fine Arts credits may be earned in Visual
Arts, Performing Arts, or Theatre Arts. If a student
chooses Arts as a program of study, he or she must earn
three credits in addition to the 1 credit that is required
for every graduate.
Elective Focus
Advanced Placement A total of three AP credits will
satisfy the requirements for this Program of Study. The
AP credits are exclusive of the required courses for
graduation. The guidance office has a list of accepted
courses.
Elective Focus
Journalism Journalism credits can be earned in
Newspaper, Yearbook, or Literary Journalism. A total of
3 Journalism credits will satisfy the requirements for
this Program of Study.
Elective Focus
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Computer Applications
Criminal Justice I
Classical Mythology
Introduction to Business/Marketing
American Business Legal System
Art I
Art History/Art Appreciation
Color Guard
Battery Percussion
Mallet Percussion
Varsity Band
Orchestra
General Music
Women’s Honors Choir
Chamber Singers Honors
Swing/Show Choir Honors
AP Music Theory
Theatre Arts-Intro to Theatre
• Theatre Arts- Introduction to Film
and Video
• Health Science Education
• Health Wellness
• Principles of Plant Science &
Hydroculture
• Introduction to Human Studies
• Information Technology Foundation
• Web Design I – Foundations
• AP Human Geography
• Honors or Standard World History
and Geography
• Ancient History
• STEM I Honors
• Foreign Language I- Chinese, Latin,
Spanish, German, French
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Elective Choices 9 Grade
• The Leadership Academy originated during the 2015-2016
school year.
• Applications will be available to incoming freshman. Coach
Chad Becker is the sponsor.
• The Academy focuses on community, leadership, and
collaboration and helping students develop the skills
needed to be future community leaders.
• The students work in conjunction with GMSD and the
Germantown community.
• For more information see:
http://www.gmsdk12.org/protected/articleView.aspx?iid=5
GPA30&dasi=3G02
HHS Leadership Academy
• The Honors Academy challenges students to pursue
academic and leadership excellence.
• Members of the Academy have chosen to distinguish
themselves academically and to participate actively in
service to the school and local community. (12
community service hours per year required)
• Seniors complete and present capstone projects.
Honors Academy Goals
• Complete Online Honors Academy Form in January
of 8th grade
• Sign Student/Parent Intent Form
• Submit a copy of student's report card and nationallynormed or state-normed achievement test scores
(TCAP, Explore Test)
• Submit document-based writing sample
• Complete interview process
• Students must have high academic achievement
demonstrated through standardized test scores,
semester grades must consist of A's and B's with no
more than one C, and students must have satisfactory
conduct and attendance.
Honors Academy Application
• Students acquire sophisticated academic skills and
increased self-confidence in preparation for college.
• Members participate in a small learning community
that focuses on character development and academic
success.
• The community service requirements as well as the
senior capstone project will help cultivate students
into school and community leaders.
Honors Academy Benefits
By completing the program, students will be in a position to be
recognized as graduating with distinction from the Tennessee
Department of Education by obtaining a B average and completing
at least one of the following:
• Earn a nationally recognized industry certification
• Participate in one the state's Governor's schools
• Participate in one of the state's All State musical organizations
• Be selected as a National Merit finalist or semifinalist
• Attain a composite score of 31 or higher on the ACT
• Attain a score of three or higher on at least two AP exams
• Earn twelve or more semester hours of post- secondary credit
Honors Academy Honors
Diploma
• Visit: http://www.gmsdk12.org/HonorsAcademy.aspx
• E-mail: houstonhonorsacademy@gmail.com
Honors Academy Questions
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30+Club
Anime Club
Band
Beta Club
Book Club
Bridge Builders
Chess Club
Concert Choir
DECA: An Association of
Marketing Students
Drama Club
Environmental Club
FCA (Fellowship of Christian
Athletes)
FCCLA (Family, Career,
Community Leaders of
America)
• French Club/ Club Français
• Future Business Leaders of
America
• FFA (Future Farmers of
America)/ Horticulture
• German Club
• German Folk Dancing
• National German Honor Society
• Horizons Club
• HOSA - Health Occupations
Students of America
• International Club
• Junior Classical League
• Key Club
• Knowledge Bowl
• Literary Magazine- Avatar
Clubs Available
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Model United Nations
Mu Alpha Theta
National Art Honor Society
The Pony Express R.A.K.
(Random Acts of Kindness
Club)
Rho Kappa Social Studies
Honor Society
STEM Club
Students Against Destructive
Decisions (S.A.D.D.)
Science Bowl Team
SGA (Student Government
Association)
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Show Choir (Mixed
Show Choir (Women's
Skills USA
Spanish
Spanish National Honor
Society
Speech and Debate Team
St. Jude Club
Student Impact
Teams Engineering
Wordsmith
Yearbook
*Students may also found
new clubs with
administrative approval.
Clubs Available
Watch for information sent
home from HMS in the
spring. Some fall sports have
try-outs and begin practice
prior to school starting in
August.
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Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Cheerleading
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Soccer
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Softball
Track
Volleyball
Wrestling
Tennis
Trap Shooting
Pom
Summer Camps
Swimming
Sports
2nd Semester 8th grade: Students
interested in taking Honors Art in
the 9th grade must develop an art
portfolio. Watch for notes home.
• Honors Art Portfolio Review will
be in March. Watch for dates.
Contact information:
Amanda.schulter@gmsdk12.org
Bobby.Spillman@gmsdk12.org
Suggested portfolio entries include:
• Working with observationObserve something and draw it
such as a still life, self-portrait,
landscape, room, or object
• Color & value- Mix original colors
in a painting, use different shading
techniques, mix mediums, or use
texture
• Media- Use a variety such as
pastels, charcoal, colored pencils,
watercolor, ink, or paint.
• Use your imagination- Keep a
sketchbook, collect prints or
patterns, create work from dreams
or stories, combine different things,
or create cartoons
Honors Art Application
2nd Semester 8th grade: Watch
for notes home.
• Choir Auditions start
February 1 with separate
audition dates in February
for Show Choirs. Auditions
include singing a designated
song along with sight
reading. Show Choir
auditions include performing
a song of choice in front of
the other students
auditioning.
*Choir contact
• Band New Parent Meeting
March 31.
*Band contact
jim.smith@gmsdk12.org
• Honors Orchestra
Auditions: Must play 3
octave scales and solo
piece and may send video
link to Mr. Kang prior to
registration.
*Orchestra contact
longlong.kang@gmsdk12.org
william.rayburn@gmsdk12.org
Music Auditions
• Enter the work force
• Join the Military
• Postsecondary Schooling: Postsecondary is a term
used to identify the broad scope of educational or
skill-building opportunities that a student has once he
or she graduates. Postsecondary includes 4-year
universities, 2-year community colleges, Tennessee
Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT), and
apprenticeship programs that lead to an industry
certification, credential, or degree.
Post Graduate Options
• The Tennessee Promise is offering free community college to all
state residents regardless of merit or need.
• The goal is to increase the number of Tennesseans who are
college graduates to 55%.
• The program is funded by the state’s lottery reserves as well as
an endowment created by the state General Assembly.
• Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA and give 8 hours of
community service per semester.
• Some 4 year colleges will accept transfer credits from community
colleges while others will not. For instance the University of
Memphis accepts credits from Southwest Community College,
but Vanderbilt does not.
• If students transfer to universities that accept the credits, then
students attending a community college first will not be behind
students who attend a university first.
Community College
• Numerous colleges (as well as the Military Branches) send
representatives to present at HHS throughout the year.
• HHS hosts Annual Houston High Mini College Fair with
twenty colleges, including schools from Tennessee,
Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, and Mississippi.
• Seniors have 2 excused absences for pre-approved college
visits.
• Juniors have 1 excused absence for pre-approved college
visits.
• It is a good idea to visit and review college requirements
prior to entering high school in order to set goals to ensure
standards are met for dream schools as requirements vary
from school to school.
College Visits
College Admission Officers examine the following:
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GPA/ Class Rank (Looking for course rigor)
Community Service
Leadership
Activities
Awards
Writing Samples
Recommendations- teachers and college counselor
School Conduct
ACT/SAT scores (Most colleges do not have minimum
score requirements, but higher scores make applicants
more competitive. Also, certain areas within colleges may
add requirements such as there is a minimum ACT score of
21 for acceptance in the University of Memphis School of
Nursing.)
College Admissions
Composite
25%
• Belmont
24
• Frisk
17
• Lipscomb
22
• Maryville
20
• Milligan
21
• Rhodes
26
• Sewanee
26
• TN Tech
21
• Union
22
• U of M
19
• U of TN
24
• Vanderbilt
32
75%
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22
28
26
27
31
30
26
29
25
29
34
Top TN Colleges ACT Averages
When should a student take the ACT and/or
SAT?
• It is suggested that the tests be taken after the student
completes Algebra II in the high school in order to
ensure the math skills have been gained.
• However, some students take the test prior to high
school in order to begin setting goals of study.
• Students may take the tests numerous times. Most
schools only require students to send their top scores.
However, some selective schools are requiring all
scores to be sent.
ACT or SAT
Should students take the SAT or the ACT?
• The test selected is a student preference; however, students
must make sure which test certain colleges accept.
• For instance, some colleges will only accept the ACT if the
student completes the essay section along with the test.
Therefore, it is always advisable to sign up for the essay
section each time the ACT is taken. The SAT format is
changing in April 2016, and the essay section will also be
optional, so the above will apply to the SAT as well.
• A state-wide ACT test is administered to all juniors at no
cost at HHS each March. However, the essay section is not
administered at this testing.
ACT or SAT
When should students take the PSAT?
• Students may register and pay to take a “practice”
PSAT at school their freshman and sophomore years.
• However, the junior year PSAT (in conjunction with
the SAT) is the test that is used in the selection of
National Merit Scholars. National Merit Scholars
have opportunities for college scholarships as well as
national recognition.
• The PSAT test is administered at HHS in October, but
students must register and pay to take it. It is not
required for all students.
PSAT
How do you prepare for these tests?
• HHS offers an ACT prep class to Juniors.
• Some students buy prep books as well as complete online practice tests.
• Kahn Academy offers free on-line PSAT and SAT
prep in conjunction with the new PSAT and SAT
format. https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep
• Some students hire private tutors and/or prep classes.
ACT/ PSAT/ SAT
Common Application: The Common Application
(informally known as the Common App) is an
undergraduate college admission application that
applicants may use to apply to over 600 colleges and
universities with only one application.
• The Common App link becomes available to high
school seniors in August of their senior year.
• The Common App provides a free, structured data
base for seniors to access due dates and input contact
information, activities, awards, essays, and whatever
else the individual colleges require.
• Commonapp.org
Applying to Colleges
How do students apply to colleges that do not accept the
Common App?
• The students must access the applications directly
from the individual college web pages and submit the
applications directly to the colleges.
• Most colleges prefer electronic submission of
applications but still provide the paper application
option.
Applying to Colleges
Many resources are eager to work in partnership with
students to ensure that a college education is affordable:
• The Federal Government:
• From federal grants, to federal student loans, to
employment through the federal work-study program,
the U.S. Department of Education awards about $150
billion a year to more than 15 million students.
College Funding
State Government:
• Similar to the federal government, home states offer
various types of financial aid. Students might be
eligible for this type of aid even if they are not eligible
for federal aid.
College Funding
Colleges and Universities:
• Many colleges and universities provide financial aid
and scholarships from their own funds – sometimes
for a particular field of study. To learn if a school
offers this type of financial support, visit the financial
aid section of their individual website or contact the
school’s financial aid office.
• TIP: College financial aid officers are more than
willing to help students understand the financial aid
process, even before they have applied. Don’t be
afraid to reach out to these officers directly.
College Funding
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA)
• The FASFA form is used to determine the amount of
money a family is expected to contribute to the price
of attending a postsecondary institution.
• The form is submitted annually, and the results of the
FAFSA are used in determining student grants, work
study, and loan amounts.
• https://fafsa.ed.gov
College Funding
Explore Scholarship Opportunities
• Scholarships are gift money that can help students pay for
college. Most scholarships are awarded by individual
colleges in recognition of academic performance, athletic
excellence, a commitment to community service, or other
unique talents. Students can learn about these
opportunities by visiting individual colleges’ admission and
financial aid offices (or websites).
• Students can also find scholarship opportunities through
local, regional, and national non-profit organizations.
• Houston High School’s College Counselor Andrea Little is
also an invaluable resource andrea.little@gmsdk12.org.
College Funding
• 8th Grade High School Honors Classes: Honors Algebra and
Honors Physical Science grades become a part of the student’s
high school GPA. Both classes are elective credits. Therefore,
students taking Physical Science and/or Algebra I in the 8th
grade must take an additional 4 units of mathematics and 3 units
of science in high school.
• High School Coursework is determined in the spring of the 8th
grade year, based on placement tests, teacher recommendations,
and grades. Honors courses in the middle school are not
prerequisites for Honors and AP courses in the high school.
• Students should take adequately challenging courses so skills are
mastered and grades maintained.
• Students must develop organizational skills and study skills.
Elementary/Middle School
Preparation
The following will help students build talents, make
connections, and gain experiences that will help when
applying for positions and trying out for activities in HHS.
However, the actual hours, awards, and positions accrued
prior to high school will not be included on college
applications.
• Community Service
• Leadership
• Clubs, Activities, Fine Arts, and Sports
• Citizenship
• Summer Camps
Elementary/Middle School
Preparation
• Brandy Thompson (Houston Middle Counselor) and
Sara Schmitt (HHS Freshman Counselor) will assist
8th graders with course selections beginning in
January. Explore results will be returned in this
month. (Keep them for your high school records.)
• Mrs. Thompson may be contacted at
brandy.thompson@gmsdk12.org.
• Mrs. Schmitt may be contacted at
sara.schmitt@gmsdk12.org
Counselor’s Assistance
As you have questions, please call or email:
Brandy Thompson
Houston Middle School Counselor
901-756-2366 ext. 259
brandy.thompson@gmsdk12.org
Questions