High School 4 Year Plans

High School Credits

● 26 Credits to Graduate High School

● You earn a ½ credit for each successfully completed

semester○ ½ credit Spanish IA + ½ credit Spanish IB = 1 credit Spanish I

● 70 or above to pass the class

High School Credits

Foundation Graduation Plan = 26

credits

● 4 Credits of English

● 4 Credits of Math (Alg 2

Required)

● 4 Credits of Science

● 4 Credits of Social Studies

● 1 Credit of Physical Education

● 1 Credit of a Fine Art

● ½ Credit of Speech

● ½ Credit of Health

● 2 Credits Language other than

English (LOTE) (includes

American Sign Language)

● 5 Electives

Credits before High School● HS Credits earned before

high school

○ Do not calculate into the

student’s high school

GPA.

○ This also includes summer

school before 9th grade.

○ Still have to make a 70 or

above for credit.

● Example HS courses in Middle School

○ Biology I

○ Algebra I

○ Algebra II

○ Geometry

○ Spanish I, II, III, IV

○ Latin I, German I, Chinese, French I

○ Principles of Human Services

○ Principles of Applied Engineering

○ Principles of Business, Marketing and

Finance

○ Fundamentals of Computer Science

and Coding

○ Principles of Arts, Audio/Video

Technology and Communications

Grade Point Average (3 ways that GPA is calculated)

Unweighted Cumulative GPA:

● All courses are on a 4.0 scale

This includes all high school courses EXCEPT:

1) Summer school courses taken between the 8th and 9th grade year

2) High school courses taken in middle school

3) Summer school courses taken for credit recovery

4) Credit by examination

5) Traditional correspondence courses

Grade Point Average (cont’d.)

Weighted Cumulative GPA:

● AP courses are on a 6.0 scale

● PAP courses are on a 5.0 scale

● On level courses are on a 4.0 scale

This includes all high school courses EXCEPT:

1) Summer school courses taken between the 8th and 9th grade year

2) High school courses taken in middle school

3) Summer school courses taken for credit recovery

4) Credit by examination

5) Traditional correspondence courses

Grade Point Average (cont’d.)

Ranking Weighted GPA:

•This is the GPA we report on transcripts and to universities unless students

request one of the other methods.

1) All English, math, science and social studies (core classes)

2) All foreign language (LOTE)

3) Any other AP courses

“The District shall not calculate or report class rank except for students in the top 10% of a given class as required by state law.”

GCISD GPA Scale

ASPIRE in High School● Current CTMS ASPIRE 8th graders will continue to GHS unless at CTMS as

a Transfer Student

○ Transfer Students may elect to attend CHHS

● Courses for ASPIRE Academy

○ 9th Grade- PAP English I and AP Human Geography

○ 10th Grade- PAP English II and AP World History

○ 11th Grade- AP English Language and AP US History

○ 12th Grade- AP Literature and AP Government (semester course) and AP

Microeconomics (semester course)

STEM Academy in High School● STEM Academy

○ Lottery into STEM Academy

■ Students go to their zoned campus

● Required courses for STEM Academy

○ 9th Grade- PAP English I, PAP Algebra II, PAP Chemistry I, AP Human

Geography

○ 10th Grade- PAP English II, PAP Geometry, AP Physics, AP World History

○ 11th Grade- AP US History and STEM Seminar

○ 12th Grade- AP Govt/Econ and STEM Seminar

● No GT classes offered

● No ASPIRE classes offered

Dual Language in High School● No designated Dual Language campus at the high school level

○ Classes could be at both campuses or only offered at one

campus

● Recommended Sequence○ 9th grade- Spanish Cultural And Linguistic Topics

○ 10th grade- AP Spanish V

○ 11th grade- AP Capstone (Seminar)

○ 12th grade- AP Seminar (Research)

Collegiate Academy 4 Year plan Information

● 4 year plan is created by Collegiate Academy○ This will be created by the CA counselor

● Endorsement○ Multi Disciplinary

○ STEM

● 4 year plans will be based off of CHHS and GHS course offerings. ○ 4 year plans will change once the decision has been made to go to

Collegiate Academy.

4 Year Plan4 year plans allow students to personalize their high school experience and

incorporate classes that will lead to their future college major and career.

Most importantly, 4 year plans ensure that your student graduates from high

school on time.

4 year plans will be recorded in Skyward.

● Review this plan each year to keep your student on track

Investigate the endorsements and pathways available.

● Students need to discuss how they can take full advantage of these classes with their

parents and counselor.

4 Year Plan

With so many choices in high school, it’s important for

you and your student to start planning ahead!

● Taking the right courses, striving to achieve, and

earning the correct number of credits each semester in

high school builds a strong foundation for your

student’s education after graduation

4 Year PlansEach student will meet individually with their counselor to plan for high

school.

During the meeting w/ counselor

1) Plan all 4 years of core classes

2) Plan 9th grade electives

3) Discuss and choose an Endorsement

Students will receive a copy to take home for parents to review and sign.

Endorsement

Definition: a series of courses that go together to help create an area

of study for students.

● Endorsements follow a pattern set by the state of Texas.

● This customizes the diploma to support the student’s college and

career pathway.

● Students study in areas where they are interested or have a talent.

● Think of it like a major in college.

Endorsements

5 Endorsements

● Multidisciplinary

● Business and Industry

● Arts and Humanities

● Public Services

● STEM

● Each student is required to take an

Advanced Math and Science class

and Electives related to

Endorsement.

● 5 Endorsements are offered for

GCISD students.

● You can change your endorsement!

● You will select one endorsement but

could graduate with more!

Endorsement PathwayDefinition: 4 credits of a coherent sequence of elective courses you take to

complete the endorsement

● Example of an Endorsement Pathway for Public Services

○ Principles of Health Science (1 credit)

○ Medical Terminology (1 credit)

○ Health Science Theory (1 credit)

○ Practicum in Health Science (2 credits) or EMT (2 credits)

Endorsement Pathway Multidisciplinary- You can earn this endorsement by completing the 4x4

graduation plan.

STEM- Math Pathway, Science Pathway or Engineering Pathway

Business and Industry- Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Business

Administration, Marketing and Finance; Information Technology/Media;

Transportation, Distribution and Logistics; Hospitality and Tourism

Public Services- Law, Public Safety and Corrections; Human Services; Health

Science

Arts and Humanities- Social Studies Pathway; English Pathway; LOTE Pathway;

ASL Pathway; Fine Arts Pathway

Counselor Google classroom and Counselor Website (HMS) or Colt Corner (CMS)● Powerpoint presentation

● 9th Grade course sheet

● CTE Course Sequence guide

● Endorsement descriptions

● Course Selection Guide

● And so much more!!

19-20 Timeline● 1st semester

○ Four Year Plans and Endorsements entered in Skyward for Parents and

Students to sign off

● January/February○ High School Counselors will visit middle schools for course selection

guidance and Q&A

○ Four Year Plans will be rolled over to Course Selection

○ Students will have an opportunity to make adjustments to Course

Selection in Skyward and add in Alternate Choices

○ High Schools will have Open Houses

Timeline Cont’d.● January/February

○ High School Counselors will revisit middle schools and individually meet

with all students to ensure Course Selection and Alternates have been

completed in Skyward

● May○ Student schedules will be created by each high school and then viewable to

students in Skyward

○ Adjustment Window

■ Students with schedule concerns may submit one change request form

online.

■ Counselors will make schedule adjustments based on course and

space availability. Order of class periods will likely change.

Helpful Links19-20 GCISD Course Selection Guide

19-20 Freshman Course Selection Sheet

19-20 Sophomore Course Selection Sheet

19-20 Junior Course Selection Sheet

19-20 Senior Course Selection Sheet

GHS Course Option Videos

CHHS Course Option Videos

19-20 CTE Sample Course Sequence

Questions?