Course Catalog - Endorsement Information

Northside ISD - The Endorsements

(Subject to Change)

A student must complete the Foundation High School Program (22 credits), one additional math credit, one additional science credit, and two additional elective credits while completing the specific requirements of his/her selected endorsement. Distinguished Level of Achievement graduates must meet the Foundation Program and earn 4 Math credits including Algebra II, 4 Science credits, and at least 1 Endorsement.

STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math

Students may earn a STEM endorsement by selecting and completing the requirements from among these 4 options.

Note: Algebra II, Chemistry, and Physics are required for the STEM endorsement regardless of the option the student selects.

 

Option 1: Computer Science

Students take 4 computer science courses.

  • Principles of Computer Science AP
  • Advanced Computer Science 1
  • Computer Science 2 AP/DC
  • Computer Science 3 H/DC

Option 2: CTE

Students earn four (4) CTE credits by taking at least two (2) courses in the same cluster that lead to a final course in the STEM cluster. At least one (1) of the courses must be an advanced CTE course (3rd year or higher course in a sequence).

Clusters include:

  • Engineering
  • Computer Science-Programming & Software Development
  • Cybersecurity
  • Renewable Energy

Option 3: Math

Students take Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II AND two (2) of the following courses for which Algebra II is a prerequisite.

  • AQR
  • Pre-Calculus
  • AP Calculus AB or BC
  • AP Statistics
  • AP Computer Science A
  • Math ISM College Algebra

Option 4: Science

Students take Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, AND two (2) of the following courses. New courses may be added.

  • AP Biology
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Environmental Science
  • AP Physics 1
  • AP Physics 2
  • AP Physics C (Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism)
  • Advanced Animal Science
  • Advanced Plant & Soil Science
  • Advanced Biotechnology
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Aquatic Science
  • Astronomy
  • Earth & Space Science
  • Engineering Design & Problem Solving
  • Environmental Systems
  • Food Science
  • Forensic Science
  • Medical Microbiology
  • Pathophysiology
  • Scientific Research & Design

Option 5: Combination

In addition to Algebra II, Chemistry, and Physics, a student may take a coherent sequence of three (3) additional credits from no more than two (2) options above. (STEM Options 1-4)

Business & Industry

Students may earn a Business & Industry endorsement by selecting and completing the requirements from among these 2 options.

 

Option 1: CTE

Students earn four (4) credits in a coherent sequence by taking at least two (2) courses in the same cluster. At least one (1) of the courses must be an advanced CTE course. (3rd year or higher course in the sequence).

Clusters include:

  • Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
  • Architecture and Construction
  • Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communication
  • Business Management and Administration
  • Finance
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Information Technology
  • Manufacturing-Robotics and Welding
  • Marketing
  • Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Option 2: English

Students take four (4) English elective credits that include three levels in one of the following areas

  • Advanced Journalism: Newspaper, Yearbook or Broadcast
  • Debate or Public Speaking

Public Services

Students may earn a Public Services endorsement by selecting and completing the requirements from among these 2 options.

 

Option 1: CTE

Students earn four (4) credits in a coherent sequence by taking at least two (2) courses in the same cluster. At least one (1) of the courses must be an advanced CTE course. (3rd year or higher course in the sequence).

Clusters include:

  • Education and Training
  • Health Science
  • Human Services
  • Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
  • Government and Public Administration

Option 2: JROTC

Student takes four (4) JROTC courses for 4 credits.

Arts & Humanities

Students may earn an Arts & Humanities endorsement by selecting and completing the requirements from among these 4 options.

 

Option 1: Social Studies

Students take five (5) social studies credits.

Option 2: LOTE (Language other than English)

Students take four (4) levels of the same LOTE for 4 credits.

OR

Students take two (2) levels of one LOTE and two (2) levels of a different LOTE for 4 credits.

Option 3: Fine Arts

Students take four (4) courses in the same fine arts area for 4 credits (Ex. Band I, Band II, Band III, Band IV)

OR

Students take two (2) courses in one fine arts area and two (2) courses in a different fine arts area for 4 total credits. (Ex. Art I, Art II, Dance I, Dance II)

Option 4: English

Students take four (4) elective credits selected from the following courses.

  • English IV
  • Independent Study (ISM) in English
  • Literary Genres
  • Creative Writing
  • Research and Technical Writing
  • Humanities
  • AP English Literature & Comp
  • Communication Applications

Multidisciplinary Studies

Students may earn a Multidisciplinary Studies endorsement by selecting and completing the requirements from among these 3 options.

 

Option 1: Four by Four (4 X 4)

Students take four (4) courses in each of the four core content areas.

  • Four (4) English credits including English IV
  • Four (4) math credits
  • Four (4) science credits including biology and chemistry and/or physics
  • Four (4) social studies credits

Option 2: AP and Dual

Students take four (4) credits in Advanced Placement or dual credit selected from English, mathematics, science, social studies, economics, languages other than English, or fine arts.

Option 3: Combination

Students take four advanced courses that prepare them to enter the workforce or postsecondary education without remediation from within one endorsement area or among endorsement areas not in a coherent sequence.