10th & 11th Grade Parent Meeting

Registration Overview

Process for RegistrationJanuary 24th-January 26th Counselors met with students in their Social Studies classrooms. Students were given: – Unofficial Transcript & Credit Check Sheet– Registration cards– Online registration instructions– Registration FAQ

Jan. 28th-February 4th Students will enter their course requests via the Home Access Center– HAC code is available from the counseling or House office

Open Lab February 1st and February 3rd – 11 AM to 7 PM at the MHS Library

February 4th Registration card returned to Social Studies teacher

Online Resources

District Website– Top Right Corner—”Parents” button– Academic Planning Guide– Student Transfer Information– Summer Reading Information

McKinney High School Website – Narrated Student Presentation (registration & graduation

requirements) – Online Registration Instructions & FAQ– Showcase Parent Meeting PowerPoints

High School Policies

High School Policies

Must attend 90% of class days for creditUIL Rules in Academic Planning Guide (APG)Work must be turned in on timeGrading– Progress reports at the end of each 3 weeks– Report cards issued every 9 weeks– Final course grade must be 70 or better to

earn credit

GPA & Class RankThe GPA = (all grade points / number of courses)Rank is based on GPAGrade pts are based on semester averagesMore grade points are awarded for Pre-AP, Dual Credit and AP coursesGrades below 70 earn 0 grade pts!

Semester Averaging

May restore credit for a failed 1st semester course if the average of 1st and 2nd semesters grades is equal to 70 or better

Cannot average summer school with regular school grades

GRADE CLASSIFICATIONS

Students are classified by grade level based on the number of credits earned

Junior 12 creditsSenior 18 credits

Academic Planning

Requirements for Graduation:see Academic Planning Guide

4 credits English

4 credits Math

4 credits Science

4 credits Social Studies

2 years of the same Language Other Than English

1 credit Fine Arts

.5 credit Professional Communications

.5 credit Health

1 credit P.E. or Athletics

5 credits of electives 26 Credits TOTAL

Recommended Vs. DAP

Both Plans Require: 26 credits total Passing scores on required state testing

Distinguished Achievement Plan ALSO requires:One of your electives must be a 3rd year of your current world language IPC and Math Models cannot be used as core credits on the DAPYou must complete any combination of 4 of the following advanced measures: Original Research Project Test Data (AP Exam with 3 or higher) College Courses (Eng, Gov or Econ) with grade of 80+

Additional Details in the Academic Planning Guide.

The AP Program College Level Curriculum AP exam is required at the end of the year Exams may earn college credit or placement (check with each prospective university for details on their specific policies) Successful AP students are confident in their critical reading, organizational, and time management skillsAP programs have “open” enrollment. See the APG for further information regarding course policies and expectations.

AP Potential

If your child has taken the PSAT, you may be receiving a letter recommending an AP course.

This recommendation is based on your child’s PSAT score

This letter is not required for enrollment in the class, but is meant to encourage and to challenge your child with advanced coursework!

Dual Credit Program Eligible students may earn both Collin College and high school graduation credit during the school yearClasses are taught by Collin College staff and may be taken at Collin College facilitiesSeparate admission and registration process must be completed at Collin CollegeSuccessful dual credit students are outstanding critical readers and writers, are comfortable with adhering to a college syllabus, and possess time management and organizational skills. Courses may transfer to other institutions (check with each prospective university for details on their specific policies)

Dual Credit at Collin College The following courses are available for dual credit from Collin College:

For 12th only: 1) English Composition and Rhetoric 2) Macroeconomics 3) American Government 4) Calculus for Business and Economics

For 11th and 12th: 1) College Algebra 2) Earth & Space Science 3) Advertising & Sales Promotion

For 11th only: 1) US History-

AP or Dual Credit? Students and parents should consider that:

AP courses follow a national curriculum and conclude with a nationally standardized examAP courses and Dual Credit courses are weighted at different levels. Dual Credit receives the same weight as PreAP coursesDual Credit courses begin your college transcript (and GPA). Consider past grades (whether PreAP or Core level), extracurricular commitment and maturityDual Credit courses require tuition, though financial assistance may be available. Purchasing books is also a student responsibility. Transportation is required for courses taken at the Collin campusBoth AP and Dual Credit courses are subject to the credit transfer guidelines of the specific university and the specific major you are pursuing

So, how many advanced courses should be taken?

Students and parents should carefully consider:

Student abilities and previous performanceStudent interest in a particular disciplineInvolvement in extracurricular activitiesTime requirement for each class

Ways to Get Ahead

Summer School1st sem: usually three weeks in June (dates TBD)

2nd sem: usually three weeks in July (dates TBD)

only one semester per session

$$$ TBD

Limited course selections. Check with counselors in May

Possible courses for acceleration:

Fine Arts

PE

Communications

Online Courses

Current Course Offerings:HealthPsychology

First available in the spring of junior year:GovernmentEconomics

If you are interested in taking a course online, stop by the counseling office in May to pick up an application!

Early Graduation The state currently offers a $2000

scholarship for students graduating in 36 months or less; There is a $500 scholarship for graduating in 41 months or less.

If you are interested, plan ahead and meet with your HS counselor ASAP!

College Planning

WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR

SAT or ACT scores

GPA

Rank

Difficulty of courses

Essays

Extracurricular Activities

Community service

Letters of recommendation

Interview• Remember, if you rank in the Top 10% (or 9% at UT) of your graduating class, you are guaranteed automatic admission to the Texas public school, not major, of your choice

• Research potential colleges thoroughly! Each one is different!

STANDARDIZED TESTINGCollege Preparation

PSAT 11th grade– during junior year this qualifies for NMSQT – must register with the counseling office

College AdmissionSAT www.collegeboard.comACT www.act.org

College EntranceTSI– Accuplacr– THEA– Compass– exemptions

Junior Year TimelineSeptember- College Night, Open House, Club & Organization Fair

October-PSAT exam (must register!!)

January/February– Review 1ST Semester credits – Review PSAT Results (My College Quickstart)– Senior Year Registration– FAFSA 4 Caster

March-June– Take ACT and/ or SAT– Complete Exit Level TAKS– Summer school registration opens– Narrow list of potential Colleges/Universities to 3-5 that you will

research in-depth (and possibly visit)

June- Schedule your Senior Portrait!

Senior Year TimelineAugust-Sign up for Senior Parking Space

September/October– College Night– Retake SAT and/or ACT

if desired– Order cap, gown and

announcements– Early Action / Early

Decision– Check on Housing

November/December– Regular Decision

January/February

– Review 1st semester credits

– Complete FAFSA– Apply for MEF & other

scholarships

March-June– Make college decisions– Sign up for College

Orientation– Watch grades!– Come to graduation!!

COLLEGE VISITS!

Visitation Days

Individual Visits

For attendance/exemption purposes: Be sure to bring official documentation of your visit. Check with the House Principal for details.

COLLEGE PAPERWORK

You must order your transcripts from Registrar- Give at least 3 days notice

Counselor Recommendations (if required) * 30 DAYS NOTICE to counselor * Require Parent Insights and Student

Information Sheet

Student Applications – * Texas Public Schools: Apply Texas

* Private/Out-of-State Schools: Common Application

FINANCIAL AID

EVERYONE CAN ATTEND COLLEGE –

see www.fafsa.ed.gov

90% of aid comes from the federal government.

Most financial aid “packages” include grants, loans, and work study

Take advantage of the opportunity to meet with your MEF representative

Questions?

Have a Great Year