Course Selections for 2019-2020

Karly YzaguirreInstructional Dean of Science

Chemistry Teacher

• Biology 1• Biology 1 pre-AP

• Biology is a STAAR tested course and ALL students must pass this End-of-Course exam for graduation.

• Pre-AP 8th grade science → final grade of A or B • Regular 8th grade science→ final grade of A+ AND

you are very organized, motivated, and have a strong interest in biology topics

• Masters Level score on 8th grade Science STAAR (including benchmark tests)

• Recommendation from your 8th grade science teacher

Pre-AP Biology:Covers the same topics as biology, but at a faster pace and more in-depth for the topicsEssay writing/lab reports to prepare for Advanced Placement science courses (11th & 12th grade)

Sarah WileyInstructional Dean of EnglishGT/Pre-AP English I teacher

English IPre-AP English I GT/Pre-AP English I

Composition Reading Strategies Research Skills Literary Analysis Effective Written and

Spoken Communication

Focus on same skills Faster pace More depth Literature at elevated level Preparation for AP testing at upper levels Pre-AP students can expect more homework Pre-AP requires a summer reading assignment Students who choose English I rather than Pre-

AP English I are also college ready

Success in 8th grade English (making A’s or high B’s)OrganizationMotivationAdvanced Academic Performance on STAARAsk your current ELA teacher if they think it is the appropriate class for you

Students must be tested and placed in the GT program

Instruction is tailored to the learning styles of GT students

Students currently in GT English in NEISD are not required to retest

8th grade students currently enrolled in GT English should take GT/Pre-AP English I

8th grade students who would like an advanced level English course and have not been placed in the GT program should take Pre-AP English I

Course requires a summer reading assignment

Stephen L. GibbsSocial Studies Instructional Dean

AP US Government and Military History

Depending on their graduation plan and choice of endorsement(s), students will need to take either 3 or 4 full-year credits of Social Studies.

Regardless of a student’s 4-year plan, I strongly recommend they take Geography as their first high school Social Studies course.

9th - World Geography10th – World History11th – US History (STAAR exam)12th - Government &

Economics

9th - World Geography10th – Government & Economics11th – US History (STAAR exam)

9th – Pre-AP World Geography or AP Human Geography10th – Pre-AP World History or AP

World History 11th – AP US History12th – AP Government

& AP Macro Economics

Regardless of level, these courses will follow the required NEISD and state curriculums.

Pre-AP Geography is designed to prepare students for later AP-level courses. It does NOT prepare students for the AP exam

AP Human Geography is a college-levelsemester course taught over a full year preparing students for the AP exam.

Candice GriffithInstructional Dean of Mathematics

Pre-Calculus Teacher

Endorsements:4 credits in math to include

Algebra I Geometry

two other math courses

(STEM must include Algebra II and two courses beyond)

Algebra I* Geometry** Algebra II** Upper level math course(s)

Upper Level courses include: Pre-Calculus, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics

*Algebra I must be successfully completed BEFORE all other math courses

**We offer a Pre-AP and GT version of both Geometry and Algebra II

There are courses to deviate from this standard track. If you believe that your student is not ready for the next course in the sequence they

may take one of the following: • Algebraic Reasoning – Introduces Algebra II skills at a slower pace

• Math Models – Helps build Algebra I skills needed for future classes

There is not a Pre-AP option for Algebra I at the high school level. Pre-AP Algebra I is only offered

at the middle school level in NEISD.

As with other content areas, the largest difference in Regular and Pre-AP classes is the

pace and depth of the class. Pre-AP classes move at a quicker pace so they are able to go more in

depth with the topics in any particular class.

Please contact your student’s current counselor or the Reagan counseling staff if you need further assistance.

Ronald Reagan HS Counselor's Corner