Selecting Your 9Selecting Your 9thth Grade CoursesGrade Courses

Begin with the end in mind:

•Which college do you want to attend?

•What do you want to study?

•What are your career goals?

ScheduleSchedule

• 2 semesters2 semesters

• 7 classes—Choose classes with 7 classes—Choose classes with your future in mindyour future in mind

• Approximately 47 minutesApproximately 47 minutes

• Some classes change at the Some classes change at the semester (i.e., Health, semester (i.e., Health, Communication Applications, Communication Applications, etc.)etc.)

A Quick, Important Definition:

Credit:

A credit is what you receive when you pass a full year of one subject.

Passing one semester (or half a year) will earn you a ½ credit.

Example: English I = 1 credit

Comm Apps. = 0.5 credit

You need a total of 26 credits over 4 years.

6 credits = Sophomore

13 credits = Junior

19 credits = Senior

**You retake only the courses you fail.***It takes 26 credits to graduate and you can only earn 28 credits in your four years at BNHS!!

Every Class CountsEvery Class Counts

Graduation Requirements:

• 4 years of each core subject (4 x 4)-more core classes translates to fewer electives, so more thorough planningis important

Recommended Distinguished

English (I, II, III, IV)

4 Credits 4 Credits

Mathematics

4 Credits (Algebra I, Geometry,

Algebra II + 1 other)

4 Credits (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II + 1 other)

Science4 Credits

(Biology, Chemistry, Physics + 1 other)

4 Credits (Biology, Chemistry,

Physics + 1 other)

Social Studies

3 ½ Credits (W. Geography, W.

History, US History,

Government)

3 ½ Credits (W. Geography, W. History, US History,

Government))

Economics 1/2 Credit 1/2 Credit

Physical Education

1 Credit 1 Credit

Other Language2 Credits (same

language)

3 Credits (same language); Other

measures are necessary to graduate on this plan.

See following slide.

Fine Arts1 Credit (same

course)1 Credit (same course)

Communication Applications

1/2 Credit 1/2 Credit

Total Core Subjects

20 ½ Credits 21 ½ Credits

General Electives

5 ½ Credits 4 ½ Credits

Total Credits 26 Credits 26 Credits

Distinguished Plan:

Requires 3 years of the same foreign language (Spanish, French,

German, or Chinese) AND…Four Advanced Measures:A combination of four of the following:1.AP Classes with scores of three or

better on the AP exam or Dual Credit classes with a B or better.

2. National Merit Commendation (PSAT).

3. Tech Prep classes with a grade of B or better.

4. A research project done through an independent study class.

PreAP? What are PreAP? What are the Benefitsthe Benefits

• Better preparation for collegeBetter preparation for college• College entranceCollege entrance• Better preparation for SAT/ACTBetter preparation for SAT/ACT• Scholarship opportunitiesScholarship opportunities• Preparation for AP classes - Preparation for AP classes -

can help you earn college can help you earn college creditscredits

Discuss this option with your Discuss this option with your parents and teachers.parents and teachers.

GPAGPA

•Your grade point average, more Your grade point average, more commonly known as your GPA, commonly known as your GPA, is calculated on a weighted is calculated on a weighted scale. scale.

•Advanced Placement (AP) = up Advanced Placement (AP) = up to 7 pointsto 7 points

•Pre-AP = up to 6 pointsPre-AP = up to 6 points

•Regular courses = up to 5 pointsRegular courses = up to 5 points

English: PreAP, GT, or Regular English

Math: Algebra 1, Geometry, PreAP Algebra I, or PreAP Geometry

Social Studies: PreAP, GT, or Regular World Geography

Science: PreAP or Regular Biology

Freshman Core Freshman Core ClassesClasses

Recommended Plan = 2 credits Distinguished Plan = 3 years

Spanish

German French

Other LanguagesOther Languages

Chinese

PE: 1 credit

Fine Arts: 1 credit

Communication Applications: ½ credit

Required Credits Required Credits Needed Needed for All Graduation for All Graduation Plans:Plans:

AthleticsAthletics• FootballFootball• WrestlingWrestling• BasketballBasketball• VolleyballVolleyball• Swimming/DivingSwimming/Diving• SoccerSoccer• Cross Country/TrackCross Country/Track• Baseball/SoftballBaseball/Softball• GolfGolf• TennisTennis

If you play more than one sport, If you play more than one sport, select the sport that occurs first select the sport that occurs first in the school year.in the school year.

PRESS DOWN HARD WITH YOUR PEN SO WE

CAN READ YOUR FORM!

Step 1—Complete the demographic information. Check that you can read it on the yellow and pink copies!

9th Grade Course Request Form

Please fill out this information as neatly and correctly as possible.

Byron Nelson

Step 1—Write your demographic information

Step 2—Choose core classes

9th Grade Course Request Form

Pick one class in each core area.

Byron Nelson

•# = Pre-requisite (required criteria # = Pre-requisite (required criteria necessary for certain courses, i.e., necessary for certain courses, i.e., Art I is required for Art II)Art I is required for Art II)

•* = Teacher approval (i.e., band, * = Teacher approval (i.e., band, upper level courses, etc.)upper level courses, etc.)

•◊◊ = One semester course (i.e., = One semester course (i.e., Comm. Apps., Health, PE courses, Comm. Apps., Health, PE courses, etc.)etc.)

9th Grade Course Request Form

9th Grade Course Request Form

Step 1 - Write your demographic information

Step 2 - Choose core classes

Step 3 - Pick your electives

six

The 3 alternate classes are classes

you pick in case one is unavailable.

They are very important—choose them carefully, too.

Important Dates:

January 24th - Counselors meet with 8th grade students.

January 25th - Counselors meet with parents at BNHS PAC

January 28th - Pre-registration forms are due to your counselor and will be picked up by HS counselors.

June 3, 2011 - Last day to change your course requests.

9th Grade – Paige Smith psmith04@nisdtx.org

817-698-5741

10th Grade – Alicia Edwards

aedwards@nisdtx.org 817-698-5672

11th Grade – Mark Hard mhard@nisdtx.org

817-698-5673

2010-2011 2010-2011 CounselorsCounselors