Wylie High School

Course Guide

Class of 2019

Revised 03/15/2015

Wylie Independent School District

2014-15

Central Administration

Mr. Joey Light

Superintendent of Schools

Mr. Craig Bessent

Assistant Superintendent of Schools

Mr. Mitch Davis

Assistant Superintendent of Schools

Campus Administration

Wylie High School

4502 Antilley Rd

Abilene, Texas 79606

325-690-1181

Mr. Tommy Vaughn

Principal

Mr. Tim Smith

Assistant Principal

Mr. Aaron Amonett

Assistant Principal

Mrs. Shauni Vaughn

Assistant Principal

Mrs. Darla Swanner

Counselor (A-G)

Mrs. Melissa Steele

Counselor (H-O)

Mrs. Michelle Daniel

Counselor (P-Z)

Mrs. Brenda Sandifer

Counselor

Classification of Students

Classification is determined at the beginning of each school year based on the number of credits the student has earned at that time.

Grade 9Promoted from eighth grade

Grade 102nd year & Earned a minimum of 7 credits

Grade 113rd year & Earned a minimum of 14 credits

Grade 124th year & Earned a minimum of 20 credits

Choosing Courses

1. Courses to be considered are listed in thisenrollment booklet. Some courses listed in thisbooklet may not actually be offered because of a lack of student interest. The Career and Technology classes are rotated on a yearly schedule. Because of scheduling conflicts and closed classes, a student may not be able to take every course he or she had planned to take during a particular semester. For this reason, the student should choose alternate courses in case the 1st choice is not available.

Check the course description before selecting a course to be sure it fits your needs, interests, abilities and grade level. Also, check prerequisites before selecting a course to be sure that you are ready with necessary background preparation. A student may not be enrolled in a course that has a prerequisite unless the student has completed the prerequisite course.

After choosing courses for the next school year with school personnel, the student is encouraged to review the list with parents. Each high school student and his/her parents are responsible for the student’s course selections. Under no circumstances should a student depend on any school official to choose the “correct” course for admission to a college or for a particular program. Counselors and/or faculty will counsel and advise students in making selections; however, the student and his/her parents make the final course selections. Credit checks are available to students and parents.

These general considerations should be included in planning the student’s high school program:

1.Graduation requirements

2.College entrance requirements

3.Preparation for life goals

2.All 9th, 10th and 11th grade students will be enrolled in a minimum of eightclasses (4 credits) each semester. Career Prep will count as a three-hour block for juniors and seniors. ALL SENIOR STUDENTS MUST BE ENROLLED IN THE EQUIVALENT OF 2.5 CREDITS PER SEMESTER (FIVE CLASSES) or more.

3.Freshmen should enroll in English 1, a math course, a science course, World History,and a physical education class or equivalent.

4. There are many changes in curriculum and graduation requirements due to HB5. As TEA and SBOE adopt rules to follow the legislation, we will do our best to update our publications and website information.

5.No course may be taken for acceleration in summerschool. Only courses needed for remediation may be taken in summer school. English 1, 2, 3, 4, Government and Economics may not be taken for advancement through correspondence courses. These classes may be taken in summer school or through correspondence for remediation only. English 4, Government and Economics must be taken during the senior year.

6.No more than two credits may be earned through correspondence courses by mail for application to the graduation requirements.

7.Students must be enrolled full time in WylieHigh School to participate in school-sponsored activities such as, but not limited to, Junior-Senior Prom, Senior Trip or Senior Picnic.

8.December graduates may participate in Graduation exercises only. It is the responsibility of the graduate to acquire the appropriate standard graduation attire in order to participate in the ceremony.

Changing a Course

Arequest for a change should be in writing and signed by a parent. This deadline is necessary because course offerings, teacher assignments, and class schedules are based upon student requests. A request for a course change after April 18will be processed only on a space available basis. No course change requests will be accepted in the five working days before the school year begins or on the first day of each semester. Students may request to drop or add a class within the 2nd and 6th days of the semester. These requests will be considered on a space available and balanced class size basis.

Class Rank

1.Grade average is computed by averaging semester grades from all academic courses for each year. Courses not included in this average are band, choir, physical education, athletics, and local credits. Grades from correspondence courses, credit by exams, advanced placement exams and college courses will not be included in the average. Grades from high school courses taken in junior high will be counted in class rank. A limit of honors points allowed will be determined for each graduating class based on the number of available courses offered at Wylie High School during the 4 year enrollment of the class.

2.In order to be ranked with the current senior class, the student must be classified as a senior at WylieHigh School for the entire senior year. Class rank will be computed at the end of the 1st semester of the junior year. Rank will be calculated again at the completion of the junior year and the 1st semester of the senior year. Students are ranked for the final time at the end of the 5th six weeks grading period of their senior year for the purpose of naming valedictorian and salutatorian.

3.The valedictorian and salutatorianshall have attended Wylie High School as full-time students for their entire senior year. The valedictorian and salutatorian and honorgraduates must have completed all requirements of the Distinguished Diploma which includes the Foundation plus endorsement.

Counseling Services

The counseling staff at WylieHigh School is available to help students with information on college requirements, the testing program, vocational opportunities and problem areas that students might encounter. Students and parents may also obtain information regarding community resources to address concerns about substance abuse, emotional issues, family issues or social issues.

All students should keep in touch with the high school counselor during the high school career. The counselor will assist in scheduling college admission tests, in checking college admissions requirements, and in providing other helpful information. Each student should take courses that will prepare for postsecondary education or that will provide a work skill.

WylieHigh School Dual Credit Program

2015-16

*See Dual Credit Handout for more information

Wylie High School is offering students the opportunity to earn college credit in addition to high school credit. The dual credit program aligns Wylie High School course offerings with courses offered at Cisco College and Angelo State University thus allowing the student an opportunity to earn college credit while attending classes at Wylie High School.

The high school course will be listed on thehigh school transcript as a dual credit course.

The college credits will be posted on the student’s transcript at the providing college.

Students must meet state and school requirements before they will be allowed to enroll in dual credit courses.

These classes will follow the high school calendar and meet Monday-Friday.

Each Dual Credit Course will have a syllabus and an attendance policy unique to dual credit classesconcerning non school related absences.

Course Offerings:

WylieHigh School Course / Cisco College
English 3-ASU / English 1301 & 2324
English 4-ASU / English 1302 & 2323
US History-ASU / Hist 1302 & W Civil 2332
Economics -Cisco / Principles of Economics 2301
US Govt.-Cisco / Govt. 2305 & 2306
Psychology -Cisco / General Psychology 2301
Pre Calculus-ASU / College Algebra 1302 Pre Calculus 1360
Practicum in Agriculture
Cisco / Welding 1421 & 1430
Automotive Technology
Cisco / Intro to Auto Tech 1405&2417

*High School students shall not be enrolled in more than two dual credit courses per semester. The principal of the high school may approve exceptions to this requirement for students with demonstrated outstanding academic performance and capability (as evidenced by grade-point average, ACT or SAT scores, or other assessment indicators).

Dual Credit Courses and the Texas Success Initiative

High school juniors or seniors may be eligible to earn college credit while they are still in high school by enrolling in dual credit courses. Prior to enrolling in dual credit courses, students must satisfy Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements. Students wishing to enroll in dual credit courses are required by law to be assessed for basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills before they can enroll in college coursework. The TSI test is designed for TSI purposes. Students may take college-level courses related to the area(s) of the test they pass. Students must meet the TSI requirements on the approved placement test or be EXEMPT based on their EOC, ACT, SAT (PSAT) scores. Students who are not exempt and must take one of the placement tests will need to send the placement test scores to Wylie High School, Brenda Sandifer by June 19, 2015.

(Student must meet applicable eligibility requirements for at least ONE of the listed assessments)

To Qualify for Math Courses / To Qualify for English courses
Assessment / Math/
Algebra / Combined
Composite / ELA/Read
Skills / Obj.Write
Sentence / Essay / Combined
Composite
ACT / 19 / 23 / 19 / 23
SAT / 500 / 1070 / 500 / 1070
PSAT / 50 / 107 / 50 / 107
STAAR / 4000 / ** / ** / 4000
TSI / 350 / 351 / 363 / 5/4***

*Student must meet both subject and composite score standards where both are listed.

***A score of 5 or higher does not require the multiple choice score.

Wylie ISD feels compelled to let students and parents know about the benefits as well as cautions of this program. For additional information about specific classes, go to the school’s web page or

Advantages:

  • Students may take college classes during the day, while attending high school.
  • Students do not have to drive long distances at night to take classes.
  • Students in athletics and other extracurricular activities earn college credit and still have time for events, practices and games.
  • Students may save hundreds of dollars in student fees, housing, and transportation costsnormally incurred while attending college.
  • Course credits are transferable to most colleges.

Cautions:

  • A student must receive a letter grade of “A”, “B” or “C” or a numerical grade of 70 or above in order to receive high school credit for the college class.
  • If a graduating senior takes a dual credit class that is required for graduation, he or she is in danger of not graduating if they do not pass the class with an “A”, “B” or “C” (70 or above)
  • College courses are more difficult than the high school courses most students are accustomed to taking. Therefore, students must be self-motivated and exercise self-discipline when attempting the more challenging curriculum.
  • Once enrolled in the course, a student will not be refunded the tuition, even if he/she fails to complete the curriculum.
  • The grades earned in the course will be entered on your high school transcript as well as on your college transcript. These grades will not be used in the high school GPA calculation. *
  • Make sure the course you take will be required for the major you intend to pursue at the college you intend to attend. If not, you may spend money to take an unnecessary class.
  • The college teachers do not post progress or six weeks grades on Family Access. They do not send failure notes or call parents.
  • If a junior student fails to successfully complete a semester of English 3 DC, he/she will not be allowed to enroll in the English 4 DC. If a junior student fails to successfully complete a semester of History DC, he/she will not be allowed to enroll in Govt/Eco DC.

Honors/Pre-Advanced Placement/Advanced Placement

Students may choose to take Pre-AP or Advanced Placement classes based on the following criteria:

1. Teacher recommendation in the subject area for which the student is applying. Students may be recommended for a course by most recent teacher who considers him/her to be qualified based on the following: grades, citizenship, motivation to learn, interest, creativity, oral and written expression and reading ability.

2. To qualify:

English courses: Students must have previous two semesters’ grade average of 90 or above in a regular level class in Englishor a grade of 80 or above in an honors Englishcourse

Pre AP W Geography: previous two semesters of 97 or above in W History

Pre AP Biology: previous two semesters of 97 or above in 8thgrade science or 95 in advanced 8th grade science.

Pre AP Chemistry: previous two semesters of 90 in regular Biology or 80 in PreAP Biology. Credit or current enrollment in Alg. 2.

AP Biology or AP Chemistry: students must have 80 in PreAP Bio and PreAP Chem or score satisfactory on the advanced science Placement Exam given/proctored by Science Dept. Exam is administered in spring and August.

3. EOC and/or achievement test scores are also considered.

4. Grades from all Honors, Pre-Advanced Placement and Advanced Placement courses are weighted when calculating grade average. Students will earn 5 additional points per course per semester for Honors and Pre-Advanced Placement courses and 10 extra points for audit approved Advanced Placement courses. The original grade appears on the transcript. The additional points are added in when calculating GPA, class rank and academic awards. A limit of honors points allowed will be determined for each graduating class based on the number of available courses offered at Wylie High School during their 4 year enrollment.

5. These courses have specific criteria for entry of highly motivated students; a definite score and sequence that reflects the nature of the subject; a differentiated curriculum that includes a wider range and greater depth of subject matter thanthe regular course; an emphasis on higher level critical thinking skills; provision for creative, productive thinking; a stress on cognitive concepts and processes; and independent as well as guided research.

Special Education

The Special Education department offers identified students with disabilities opportunities to develop abilities in the Least Restrictive Environment. The course sequence for special education is determined by the ARD committee as the graduation plan for each student is developed under the provisions of his/her individualized education program(IEP).

NCAA Eligibility Clearinghouse

If you are planning to enroll in college as a freshman and you wish to participate in Division I or II intercollegiate athletics, your initial-eligibility status must normally be determined by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. It is the responsibility of the student and parent to make certain that all NCAA eligibility requirements have been met. The NCAA recommends that students register after completion of their junior year. An application must be competed, along with a release form, a fee, an official high school transcript, and an SAT and/or ACT score. NAIA now also has an eligibility center where as a student must register and be declared eligible.

Exam for Acceleration

Exams for credit in high school subjects are offered 4 times each year. A student can have noprior formal instruction in the course being tested and must score an 80 or better on the exam to receive credit. Students entering high school in 2011-2012 and thereafter must also meet state assessment requirements. Thetest grade and credit will be recorded on the transcript. The school pays the fees for these exams; however, arefundable deposit must be paid when the student registers for the exam. There is a registration deadline for each testing period.

Texas Virtual School Network

Stud Students attending Wylie ISD have the option to enroll in a course(s) offered through the state virtual school network

See your counselor for courses offered, the enrollment

process and associated course fees.

Testing

*STAAR First year 9th grade students in 2011-12 and thereafter will be administered STAAR assessments in order to meet graduation requirements. STAAR assessments will be administered in Algebra 1, Biology, English1, English2, and U.S. History

Students must earn a Level II on each of the 5 tests.

*PSAT Sophomore students may register for this test. It is a practice test for the SAT which is one of the college admissions exams. This is the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholars Program for juniors. Testing is on the3rd Tuesday in October.

Junior Students

*PSAT- See above

Junior- Senior Class

College entrance tests may be taken as many times as offered. Information brochures are available in the counseling office. It is suggested that college bound students begin to take the exam or exams in the spring of the junior year. There is a fee which varies for each test. It is recommended that students check possible college choices to determine which test is required and the deadline for submitting scores. Most colleges and universities assign a minimum ACT or SAT score based on class rank for admissions. The lower the class rank is-the higher the entrance test score must be.

*ACT-The American College Testing Program is administered six times during the year on Saturday mornings at a local college campus. The ACT has four sub-tests: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science Reasoning. There is an optional writing component. The composite score is 1-36.

*SAT- The Scholastic Aptitude Test is given seven times during the year on Saturday mornings at an Abilene high school. The SAT has three sections: verbal, math and writing. The scores are reported on a scale of 200-800 for each sub-test. There will be some change in this test beginning spring of 2016.