Class of 2017
ONE YEAR
(AND A COUPLE OF MONTHS)
until GRADUATION!

Review DHS Academic Handbook

Review how GPA works (and rank) – look at transcripts

University admissions & top 10% law

Community Colleges

Discuss the PreAP/AP program

Discuss the Dual Credit/Collegiate HS Programs

Review HS Graduation Plans/STAAR & Attendance
Requirements
Today’s Agenda
Review the Naviance program – email,
official transcripts
Financial Aid Night – Next Monday, January
25, 2016 at 6pm in DHS auditorium
SAT/ACT exams – take this semester on a
Saturday
 Course Registration Sheet….(you will then
review with parents)
Today’s agenda -
continued
P.7-8 – Alternate Credit Opportunities
P.10-13 – PreAP/AP Program
P.14-15 – Grading & GPA
P.18 – UIL Eligibility
P.19-22 – NCAA Eligibility Requirements
DHS Academic Handbook
(online also)
P.24-25 –Graduation Programs
(Recommended & Distinguished)
P.26-81 – Course descriptions by
department (Table of Contents, p.5)
P.82-104 – Dual Credit course list, Dual
Credit Workforce Programs, TSI, NCAA,
Helpful websites, college visit tips, Senior
Timeline
DHS Academic Handbook - continued

Grade Point Average
3.5
4.0
4.0
GPA=3.83
Each semester grade is given
points. The points are averaged
together for the GPA.

Grading Scale
Semester
Grade
Pre-AP/
AP
Points
Regular
Grade
Points
95-100
90-94
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
85-89
80-84
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
75-79
70-74
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
0-69
0
0
Class Rank
Your rank is where you stand in your class
based on GPA.
If you have the highest GPA in your classthen you would be ranked #1 out of the
number of students in your class.
EX: 1 out of 685
Each student is ranked
1 through 685.
Why does it matter???
Top 10% Law
If you attend a Texas public high school and graduate in the top
10% of your class, you are automatically admitted to any public
university in Texas
(exception - University of Texas at Austin, top 7%)
Public universities in Texas:
University of Houston, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F.
Austin University, Texas A&M University, Texas State University,
and many more!
“I AM NOT IN TOP 10%. CAN I
STILL ATTEND A UNIVERSITY AS A
FRESHMAN?”
Yes! Each university has their own guidelines
as to how they accept new students. Always
apply to your first choice….and more.
Remember: Apply to “4 or more” colleges
1. Dream school
2. Fall-back school
3. Middle of the road school
4. A different middle of the road school
UNIVERSITY ADMISSTIONS
Examples:
University of Houston – freshman admissions
http://www.uh.edu/admissions/
Sam Houston State University – freshman admissions
http://www.shsu.edu/admissions/
Straight to work
Military
________________________________
 Certification or Licensure (6-18 months)
 Associate Degree (2-3 years)
________________________________
 Bachelor Degree (4 years)
 Master Degree (6 years)
 Doctorate Degree (8+ years)


Choices after HS
Community Colleges
They usually offer:
* Continuing Education for adult students (non-credit)
*
Certifications
*
Licenses
*
Associate Degrees…that lead toward a Bachelors
degree
*
Honors Programs
*
Typically lower costs than a university or private school
Local Community Colleges
College of the Mainland (COM) – in district
Alvin Community College
San Jacinto College
Houston Community College
* The colleges many times have multiple campus’
that offer different programs. Find a campus that
offers a program that leads to your career choice.
PreAP or AP next year?
Grades this year + STAAR scores determine
eligibility for next year.
See chart in handbook on P. 12 for requirements
Plus
• Attend 1 mandatory PreAP/AP meeting with parent
Expectations
• Summer assignments completed
• Sign a commitment to the program
• Take the AP exam for college credit (3 or above)
• Make a good/reasonable choice when signing up.
You will not be removed until the end of the 1st
nine-week grading period if you change your mind
Pages 4-7 of handbook
 What
is dual credit?
 How
is it offered here at the HS
for seniors?
 What
do I need to do to take
dual credit?
Is Dual Credit for you?

1. ATTEND INFORMATIONAL MEETING – Feb 22 at DHS

2. Complete college application for COM

3. Take the TSI (college readiness exam) - All 11th graders
will be taking exam in spring – unless already taken an received scores
needed

4. Submit required documents

5. Submit shot records including meningitis

6. See Mr. Herbert with questions
2016 DUAL CREDIT AND COLLEGIATE
HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION/STEPS
Collegiate High School
Info. Meeting: February 22, 2016
at DHS
www.com.edu/chs
Dual credit courses on campus (DHS)
Info. Meeting: February 22, 2016
at DHS
http://www.com.edu/dual-credit











Recommended
4 years of English
4 Years of Math
4 Years of Science
4 Years of Social
Studies
2 Years of Foreign
Language
1 Year Fine Art
1 Year PE
.5 Speech
+ 5.5 Electives
= 26 credits
See p.18 of your handbook for
specifics












Distinguished
4 years of English
4 Years of Math
4 Years of Science
4 Years of Social
Studies
3 Years of Foreign
Language
1 Year Fine Art
1 Year PE
.5 Speech
4.5 Electives
= 26 credits
+ 4 Advanced Measures
To graduate from
Dickinson High School,
you must:
1. Complete all of your credits needed for
the Recommended or Distinguished
Graduation Plan (26)
2. Pass all of the 5 STAAR EOC exams –
English1, English2, Algebra1, Biology, US
History
3. Attend school at least 95% of time to
receive credit for course
Skyward
Access
Student Skyward login is
student computer login.
Reset password with
Ms. Martinez in D-101
What you can see on
Skyward:
• Attendance
• Transcript
• Grades
• GPA/Rank
Naviance Family Connections
*
*
*
*
Research colleges
Research careers
Do career interest survey
Receive emails & updates from Mr.
Herbert (update new email address under profile)
* Order official transcripts
DHS website – Quicklinks
Ask Ms. Martinez in D101 if trouble
logging in.
SAT exam
* Required for university admissions and many
scholarships
* Recommended all 11th take in the spring of junior year. Go
ahead register now for different dates.
* SAT exams are held on Saturdays
* Redesigned SAT begins March 2016
* Study by using PSAT results
* Collegeboard should have sent email to you with
instructions for linking to Khan Academy with individualized
practice.
* SAT will be held at DHS on Saturday, May 7th
* More information will be given on February 22nd (Spring
Parent University)
* Read specific email I sent to you through Naviance for more
specifics on the SAT…..and ACT.
BE PREPARED WHEN I CALL FOR
YOU!
I will be calling each of you into
my office for a 5-10 minute
meeting to choose your courses
starting Monday, January 25th .
Alphabetical order- A-Z
What you need to do
before that meeting:
Review your transcript
Compare it to your graduation plan
Decide on a career path
Choose your core courses and
electives to reflect your career path
• Bring your course selection sheet to
the counselor when you are called
•
•
•
•
You are responsible for the choices
your make!
This is your Life!
•
You have choices:
•
Take advantage of the opportunities offered
1. Tutorials (SMART Lunch, Lighted
Windows/Open Doors, Before & After
School, etc.
2. Clubs and organizations – Get Involved!
•
EVERYTHING counts in high school- every
class, every absence, etc.
Helpful information
Blue Academic Handbook – also
available online (at site below)
www.dickinsonisd.org – Go to
Campus, click on Dickinson High
School, click on Counseling Center
To access your own info: Use your
Skyward login to find your GPA, rank,
and transcript
See Mr. Herbert during SMART lunch