Northside Independent School District - San Antonio, TX

Points to consider

There are limited opportunites for elective courses. Therefore, it's important to start thinking about a course plan in middle school, because:

• High school credits can be earned in middle school. Examples: Spanish, Algebra
• Students can take high school summer school courses for credit after the 7th and 8th grade years.
• Students who earn high school credit in middle school will have more flexibility to take elective courses in high school.

Be strategic: Physical Education Requirements

• Some electives will satisfy PE requirements and eliminate the need to take PE in high school.
• PE requirements can be satisfied by:
  • Any 2 or 3 credit Career & Technology courses
  • Athletics—4 years provides only 2 credits
  • Band, Cheerleading & Pep Squad—each year gives 1/2 year of fine arts credit and 1/2 year of PE credit
  • ROTC/Dance—4 years provides 4 elective credits and waives PE

Remember: Prepare for college

• Consider PreAP/AP, Honors, and Dual Credit courses because they will increase the rigor of the content and will reduce the likelihood that a student will need remedial courses in college. In addition, AP and Dual Credit courses offer opportunities to earn college credit while still in high school.
• NISD pays for students to take the PSAT in the 10th and 11th grades.
• NISD pays for a portion of each AP exam taken.

The Reality of the Recommended High School Program

For admission to public four-year colleges and universities, Texas now requires prospective students to graduate from high school on the Recommended Program. For example:

• UT Austin
• Texas A&M
• UTSA
• Texas State
• Texas Tech

"4x4": State-Mandated Graduation Requirements

Freshmen who entered high school in 2007-08 and thereafter will need 26 credits to graduate on the Recommended or Distinguished Program. Students will need 4 credits in each of the 4 core content areas:

• 4 English credits
• 4 Math credits
• 4 Science credits
• 4 Social Studies credits

What does a 4-year plan for the 4x4 look like?

• All 4-year plans must include courses required by the state. For example: English I, II, III and IV
• Other courses can be scheduled based on student interest and selection. For example: Athletics, Band, Career & Technology Coherent Sequences
• Students on the Recommended program will have a minimum of 3.5 credits remaining to schedule elective courses.