Welcome to Johnson High

School Class of 2021!

This is the first step in your

journey through High School!

Here is what your day at Johnson

will look like…

9th Grade Recommended Schedule

• Language Arts: English I

• Math: Algebra I or Geometry

• Science: Biology

• Social Studies: Geography (Regular, Pre-AP, or AP)

• LOTE: Foreign Language of student’s choice

• PE/Health: Semester of PE and/or Health

(PE Equivalents: Athletics, Pep, ROTC, Band)

(Health Equivalents: Principles of Health Science)

• Elective: Based upon endorsement

Should I take Pre-AP or

Regular Courses?

Pre-AP Courses require students to be:

● Self motivated with a strong work ethic

● Time management skills

● Willingness to seek help

● Strong STAAR/EOC scores

• Summer reading assignment

What are the Benefits of Taking

Pre-AP Courses?

● Better prepare students for Advanced

Placement and/or Dual Credit classes

● Promote college readiness

● Offer a weighted grade system

- grades are multiplied by 1.15 for Pre-AP and

1.29 for AP when they are calculated in your GPA

(i.e., a 75 in Pre-AP class would calculate as an 86 in your GPA)

● Enhance students’ resumes and applications- Colleges look for rigorous coursework

How Many Pre-AP Classes

Should I Take?

• Individual decision

• Consider extra-curricular commitments

• Impacts rank in class

• Better to make an A in regular class than a C

in a Pre-AP class

• Seek balance

Social Studies Options

Texas only requires 3 credits, but many colleges require 4 credits. So the recommended sequence is:

1- Geography (1 year)

2- World History (1 year)

3 - US History EOC (1 year)

4 - Government (1 sem) / Economics (1 sem)

The Benefits of following this recommended sequence:

• They will have opportunities to improve language skills

• They will be well prepared for STAAR US History EOC.

• They will be VERY well prepared for AP classes.

• They will qualify for multiple endorsements.

English I: Regular or Pre-AP?

Two Major DifferencesRigor● More Complex Questioning and

Discourse

● Higher Expectations for Skill Attainment to Prepare for AP Courses

Responsibility● CONSIDERABLE Outside Reading

● More Long-term Projects

● The Expectation that Struggling Students Will Attend Tutoring

This course is STAAR-assessed.

Biology I: Regular or Pre-AP?

Regular Pre-AP

Purpose prepare students for the

STAAR End-of-Course

assessment

primarily prepare students

academically and personally for the

rigors of AP Biology as well as the

STAAR End-of Course assessment

Homework 20 - 25 minutes per night 30 - 40 minutes per night

Content State TEKS State TEKS + enrichment based on

select introductory AP concepts

Concepts are covered in greater depth

Pace District pace Faster paced

Weighting

of Grades

Assessments may be weighted more heavily.

This course is STAAR-assessed.

Algebra I: for current students who took 8th grade

math

Pre-AP Algebra I is not offered

in high school

This course is STAAR-assessed.

Homework 15-20 minutes per night

Content State TEKS; District pace;

Review time in-class

Weighting of Grades Assessments weighted less

heavily in this course

Geometry: Regular or Pre-AP?

Regular Pre-AP

Homework 15-20 minutes per night 20-30 minutes per night

Projects 1-2 per year; time allocated

in class to work on project

2-4 per year; completed outside of

class

Content State TEKS; District pace;

Review time in-class

State TEKS + enrichment; faster

paced covering a wider variety of

concepts in more depth; little in-

class review

Weighting

of Grades

Assessments may be weighted

more heavily.

How Many Pre-AP Classes

Should I Take?

• Individual decision

• Consider extra-curricular commitments

• Impacts rank in class

• Better to make an A in regular class than a C

in a Pre-AP class

• Seek balance

Important things to know. . .

• Students can drop a Pre-AP/AP class to a regular level

equivalent course within the first 9 week grading period

of the 1st semester

• Students can only add a Pre-AP class within the first

two weeks of school, or they must wait till semester

• Extra-curricular activities can be very time consuming

and students will miss classes

• Course cards and NEISD Course Catalog posted on

Johnson website

• Elective changes will not be made after June 1, 2017

Course Card Directions

• Be sure to write your name & ID number

• Circle course number in bottom section

• Write course number & name in top section

• Select 7 courses & list 2 alternates

• Be sure to list Endorsement in bottom section

• Be sure to have required signatures

• Return to Middle School Counselors by Friday,

February 3rd

Begin With the End in Mind!!

4 Year Plan

The Graduation Plan

for your Class of 2021

Foundation with Distinguished Level of Achievement

Students must complete:• Curriculum requirements for an endorsement• Four credits in English• Four credits in Math (includes Algebra II)• Four credits in Science• Three credits in Social Studies• Two credits in languages other than English• One credit in Fine Arts• One credit in Physical Education• 0.5 Health credit• Six and 0.5 Electives (Endorsement)

Foundation with Distinguished Level of Achievement + Endorsements = 26 credits

Graduation Requirements

•26 credits•Endorsement

Foundation with Distinguished

Level of Achievement (DLOA)

STAAR Testing – 5 EOC

Exams

• English I

• English II

• Algebra I

• Biology

• US History

Endorsements

● Found on back of course card

● Must choose a Pathway within the five

Endorsement Options:

● STEM

● Multidisciplinary

● Arts/Humanities

● Public Service

● Business/Industry

Selecting Endorsements

● Students select their endorsement on their course card

● Students are required to select at least one endorsement,

but may have more than one

● Students can change endorsements based upon

interests and course selections

● All 9th grade students will complete an Interactive

Graduation Plan (IGP) online to plan their courses and

track the Endorsements they will qualify for

Johnson Course Fair will

be on January 23rd

• Course Fair will be 6:30pm-8:00pm

• Course Fair located in cafeteria area & gym- Electives arranged by Endorsements

• Electives available for 9th graders are on 9th

grade course card/ Endorsements listed on

back of course card

• Coaches will be available in the small gym for

required signatures for Athletics

Remember:

• Must have coach signature for Athletics• Middle School Coaches can sign for their sports

• High School Coaches need to sign for sports not offered

in Middle School (soccer, swimming, diving, softball,

wrestling)

• Must have alternate electives on course card

• Must have Endorsement Pathway listed on card

• Last day to make changes to courses with

your Johnson Counselor is June 1, 2017

Course Cards are

Due on

February 3rd

to all Middle School

Counselors

Final Date for Course Changes:

June 1, 2017

Ways to Change a Course:

• E-mail your assigned Johnson Counselor any

change request

o Include student name, ID number, course to drop,

course to add

• All students will receive a form in the mail in

mid-May. Only send the form to Johnson if you

are requesting a change.

JOHNSON COUNSELORS

Courtney Tarbox A - Bjctarbo@neisd.net

Rebecca Hudkins Bl - Drhudki@neisd.net

Patti Snider E - Herpsnide@neisd.net

Julie Metcalf Het – Mapjmetca@neisd.net

Richard Boeger Mar - Penrboege1@neisd.net

Taylor Ditto Per - Sntditto@neisd.net

Desiree Meza So - Zdmeza1@neisd.net

Lisa Williams STAN Counselor lwilli3@neisd.net

JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL

WELCOMES YOU!