Preparing Today for a Successful Tomorrow

HMS PARENT WORKSHOP

TN Graduation Requirements

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.

Academic Offerings

Houston High School

Standard Courses

*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.

• A- 4.0• B- 3.0• C- 2.0• D- 1.0• F- 0.0

Course Load

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.)

Honors Courses

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

Advanced Placement

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

Dual Enrollment

Dual Enrollment- (DE) involves students being enrolled in college courses while in high school.

*University Credit for each course:

• English 12• Biology II• College Algebra• Calculus III

College Credit

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. Credit Hrs. Potential Savings

Un. Of TN. Knox. 3 $440 X 3=$1320

Clemson 3 $1403 X 3=$4209

Un of SC 3 $1245 X 3=$3735

Un of Alabama 3 $1206 X 3=$3618

Math Progression

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

Science 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

Math and Science

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.

SPECIAL EDUCATION IEP

• 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.

Course Electives

• 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.

Elective Focus

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 MathEach 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 ArtsStudents 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 EducationStudents 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 ArtsFine 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 PlacementA 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

JournalismJournalism 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 Choices 9th Grade

• 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

HHS Leadership Academy

• 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=5GPA30&dasi=3G02

Honors Academy Goals

• 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 Application

• Complete Online Honors Academy Form in January of 8th grade

• Sign Student/Parent Intent Form• Submit a copy of student's report card and nationally-

normed 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 Benefits

• 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 Honors Diploma

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 Questions

• Visit: http://www.gmsdk12.org/HonorsAcademy.aspx• E-mail: houstonhonorsacademy@gmail.com

Clubs Available

• 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

• 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)

• 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.

Sports

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.

• Baseball• Basketball• Bowling• Cheerleading• Cross Country• Football• Golf• Soccer

•  Softball• Track• Volleyball• Wrestling• Tennis• Trap Shooting• Pom• Summer Camps• Swimming

Honors Art Application

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 observation- Observe

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

Music Auditions

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 william.rayburn@gmsdk12.org

• 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

Post Graduate Options

• 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.

Community College

• 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.

College Visits

• 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 Admissions

College Admission Officers examine the following: • 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.)

Top TN Colleges ACT Averages

Composite 25% 75%

• Belmont 24 29• Frisk 17 22• Lipscomb 22 28• Maryville 20 26• Milligan 21 27• Rhodes26 31

• Sewanee 26 30• TN Tech 21 26• Union 22 29• U of M19 25• U of TN 24 29• Vanderbilt 32 34

ACT or SAT

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.

PSAT

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.

ACT/ PSAT/ SAT

How do you prepare for these tests?• HHS offers an ACT prep class to Juniors.• Some students buy prep books as well as complete on-

line 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.

Applying to Colleges

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.

College Funding

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.

Elementary/Middle School Preparation

• 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 8 th 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

Counselor’s Assistance

• 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

Questions

As you have questions, please call or email:

Brandy Thompson

Houston Middle School Counselor

901-756-2366 ext. 259

brandy.thompson@gmsdk12.org