8TH GRADE REGISTRATION AND CLASS SELECTION

Laura Pierce, Counselor Serving the Graduating Class of 2025laura.pierce@nisdtx.org

Registration Meeting Agenda

1. 8th Grade Course Offerings2. Next Steps3. 8th Grade: The Bridge to High

School

8TH GRADE SCHEDULECourses

0 Advisory (requirement for all students)1 Language Arts2 Math 3 Science 4 Social Studies5 Professional Communications or AVID

(requirement for all 8th graders) 6 Elective7 Elective8 Elective

Major Changes from 7th grade

• No double-blocked core classes• Professional Communications/AVID

requirement• P.E./Athletics is NOT required• An additional elective• More electives to choose from• Course options for high school

credit

CHOICES FOR 8TH GRADE CORE CLASSES

MATH:

• G/T Pre AP Algebra I (HS credit)

for identified GT students

• Pre-AP Algebra I (HS credit)

• Pre-Algebra (8th grade math)

SCIENCE:

• Pre-AP Science

• Science

LANGUAGE ARTS:

• G/T Pre-AP Language Arts

for identified GT students

• Pre-AP Language Arts

• Language Arts

SOCIAL STUDIES:

• Pre-AP U.S. History

• U.S. History

Mathematics Pathways

HOW MANY PRE-AP COURSES SHOULD YOU TAKE?

Consider…• Your academic strengths• Teacher, parent, and/or counselor input• Reviewing past grades and test performances• Personal goals• Extra-curricular activities

Most importantly…your motivation, effort, & attitude!

Pre-AP Exit Guidelines

excerpt from page 10 of the 2020-2021 NISD Middle School Course Selection Guide

https://www.nisdtx.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_232117/File/Students/High%20School%20Course%20Selections/MiddleSchoolCourseGuide2020-2021.pdf?pageaction=preview

Professional Communicationswithin College & Career Readiness (CCR)

• 2 semester course with 0.5 High School elective credit that satisfies Prof. Com (Speech) for graduation

• Prof. Com. blends written, oral, and graphic communication in a career based environment

• Students will be expected to develop and expand the ability to write, read, edit, speak, listen, apply software applications, manipulate computer graphics, and conduct Internet research.

• Students will have the opportunity to explore NISD Career Academies, Advanced Academics and prepare their Personal Graduation Plan.

AVIDAdvancement Via

Individual Determination• 2 semester course with 0.5 High School elective credit that

satisfies Speech for graduation• Prepares students for college eligibility and success • Provides instruction in reading, writing, inquiry and collaboration

strategies• Emphasizes strong organizational and personal skills necessary for

academic success• Prerequisites: (must meet BOTH)

1. Identified as an AVID student through an application and interview process

2. Enrolled in at least one (1) advanced academic course (for 2020-2021)

Application Deadline was January 31st

• Athletics• P.E.• Band• Choir• Orchestra• Theater/Advanced

Theatre• Art I (HS)• Pre-AP Spanish I (HS)• Discovering World

Languages and Cultures

• Skills for Living/Consumer Science

• Leadworthy

Additional Electives: • PLTW Gateway A -

Design and Modeling/Automation and Robotics

• PLTW Gateway B - Computer Science for Innovators/Medical Detectives

• Technology Applications

• Media• Journalism/Yearbook• Partners in PE• Partners in Music• Office/Library/

Counseling Aide

• High School Credit Electives: • Art 1 earns 1.0 Fine Arts credit

• Pre-AP Spanish 1 earns 1.0 Foreign Language credit

• Professional Communication (CCR) or AVID earns a 0.5 Speech Elective credit.

• Consider taking at least ONE HS credit class.

• Information available in 2020-2021 NISD High School Academic Planning Guidehttps://www.nisdtx.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_232117/File/Students/High%20School%20Course%20Selections/NISD%20Course%20Selection%20Guide%2020-21%201.4.pdf

High School Credit Electives

Weighted GPA (Grade Point Average)

Importance of “Seat Time” in Classes for High School Credit

• Attendance is vital!• Every class period counts• Students must be in their seat for 90% of

instructional days in order to awarded credit for the course.

• Students may have the opportunity to make up hours in ECO/Saturday School/Summer School

CBEs and Summer School for Acceleration

• CBE (Credit by Examination) testing is available through the NISD Advanced Academics office in order to earn high school credit for a course without prior instruction

• Students must score 80% or higher• Students can take CBE to move to advanced math track

• Summer School Courses are available after your 8th grade year to earn high school credit

• On-level courses only (GPA points = 4.0)• Online only (self-paced, no face to face with teacher)• All students must take math courses through their Senior year

Electives Requiring Director Approval

Athletics - Director Approval Required

• See Coach Sterna (Girls) or Coach Hastings (Boys)• Must try out for team sports

Band/Choir/Orchestra - Director Approval Required

• Auditions for leveled performance groups will occur later in the semester

Advanced Theatre - Director Approval Required

Electives Requiring Application/Interview

Application: All applications will be available in the CAP Center and are due to the instructor for that course by March 6, 2020.

• Media• Journalism/Yearbook• Partners in PE• Partners in Music• Office Aide (front office, CAP center, or library)

Application and Interview:

• AVID (deadline for applications was January 31st)

Prerequisites for Electives

(PLTW) Project Lead the Way - Gateway B: Computer Science for Innovators/Medical Detectives

• Prerequisite:

(PLTW) Project Lead the Way - Gateway A: Design and Modeling/Automation and Robotics

Electives that CANNOT be Repeated in Middle School

• PLTW - Gateway A• Skills for Living/Family Consumer

Science• Leadworthy• Technology Applications

Required Courses:

Reading LabFor students who did not meet minimum expectations on most recent STAAR reading test

Math LabFor students who did not meet minimum expectations on most recent STAAR math test

These are full year coursesthat will replace electives

Lion Link

• Advisory class for new students to Adams

• Welcome new students• Help them connect socially• Help them understand procedures and

resources at Adams• Applications are available in the CAP

Center

Schedule Changes

excerpt from page 9 of the 2020-2021 NISD Middle School Course Selection Guide

https://www.nisdtx.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_232117/File/Students/High%20School%20Course%20Selections/MiddleSchoolCourseGuide2020-2021.pdf?pageaction=preview

Schedule Change Guidelines Only schedules that meet the following criteria may be considered for changes:

• A change is needed to balance class sizes. • Students scheduled in a course for which they already has already passed. • Student is enrolled in a course for which the student does not have the prerequisite. • Student has an incomplete schedule. • Students enrolled/not enrolled in an application/audition course for which they were approved. • Student has failed a course and needs to repeat the course. • Change is needed as a result of a passed course earned in summer school.

Next Steps

Upcoming Deadlines:

Turn in PURPLE forms to your Language Arts Teacher by:

Wednesday, February 19thParent Signature Required!!!

Mrs. Pierce will meet with students to enter course requests (Feb. 19th - Mar. 4th)

Application Deadlines

• Applications will be available in the CAP Center

• All applications are due to the instructor for that course by:

Friday, March 6th

• Applying does NOT mean your will be selected

Lions Showcase

8th Grade: The Bridge to High School

A GLIMPSE OF WHAT’S TO COME

WHAT IS AN ENDORSEMENT?• All students will choose a high school endorsement in the

spring of 8th grade.

• An endorsement is a coherent sequence of electives in a specific area of interest.

• Specific courses may be taken through an Academy or through a specified Career Pathway.

FIVE ENDORSEMENT AREAS

STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Public Services- Health Sciences, Education

Business and Industry- Agriculture, Audio/Visual Technology, Culinary Arts, Business Management

Arts and Humanities- Fine Arts, Language

Multidisciplinary Studies- General

NISD ACADEMIES BYRON NELSON HIGH SCHOOL

ABS (Academy of Biomedical Sciences)Public Service Endorsement

Culinary Arts & Hospitality AcademyBusiness & Industry Endorsement

NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOLCMP (Creative Media Productions)

Business & Industry Endorsement

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Academy STEM Endorsement

NISD ACADEMIES

V.R. EATON HIGH SCHOOLBME (Academy of Business Management & Entrepreneurship)

Business & Industry EndorsementAviation Academy

Business & Industry Endorsement

JAMES M. STEELE ACCELERATED HIGH SCHOOLCollegiate Academy

Multidisciplinary Endorsement

Cosmetology Academy Public Service Endorsement

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

26 credits to graduateSome requirements to note:

• 4 Language Arts

• 4 Math

• 4 Science

• 3 Social Studies

• 0.5 Speech

• 1 Fine Art

• 1 PE

• 2 Yrs. Language Other Than English

• 6.5 Elective credits

HOME ACCESS CENTER HAC

HOME ACCESS CENTER HAC

Step-One: Complete the paper course requests form. (turn in to counselor after Step 2)

Step-Two: Log into Home Access Center and enter your request online. (turn in paper form from Step1 to counselor)

Home Access Center HAC