1. Welcome
Prosper High School
Class of 2017!
Incoming 9th Grade
Students
High School
Graduation
Requirements

2. PHS Counselors
• Mrs. Wiseman (A-E)
• Mrs. Roach (F-L)
• Ms. Moore (M-Sa)
• Mrs. Sullivan (Sc-Z)
• Coach Vinson – Testing Coordinator

3. Graduation Programs
• Recommended Graduation Program:
26 Credits
• Distinguished Achievement Program:
26 Credits to include three years of the same
world language and four advanced measures

4. What is a credit?
• When a student successfully completes a course with a
grade of 70 or higher, he receives .5 credit for each
semester
• Many middle school students enter high
school with credits from classes completed in 8th
grade, including Algebra I, World Languages, Health,
and/or Communication Applications
• Credits are recorded on a transcript at the end of each
semester

5. Recommended Graduation Program
26 Credits
• English – 4 credits
• Math – 4 credits
• Science – 4 credits
• Social Studies – 4 credits
• World Languages – 2 credits of the same language
• Fine Arts – 1 credit
• Physical Education – 1 credit
• Communication Applications - .5 credit
• Electives – 5.5 credits

6. Distinguished Achievement
Graduation Program-26 Credits
• English – 4 credits
• Math – 4 credits
• Science – 4 credits
• Social Studies – 4 credits
• World Languages – 3 credits of the same language
• Fine Arts – 1 credit
• Physical Education – 1 credit
• Communication Applications - .5 credit
• Electives – 4.5 credits
• Four Advanced Measures

7. PreAP or Advanced Placement
What is the PreAP/AP program?
Allows students to participate in college preparatory courses and
possibly receive college credit while still in high school
Who can enroll in a PreAP/AP course?
Any student can automatically enroll if you have a 90 or above in an on-
level prerequisite course or an 80 or above in a PreAP course.
If you do not have these prerequisites, you may fill out an online waiver
acknowledging expectations of the PreAP/AP course, and you will be
enrolled in the course by your Counselor.
Level changes will be allowed at the end of the third
week of school and at the end of the first semester.

8. Pre-AP and AP Courses
• More complex and faster pace
• Pre-AP courses prepare students for AP courses
• AP courses may earn college credit with a score
of 3 or higher on the AP exam at the of the year
• Current 8th grade teachers may be good resources
to help students determine if Pre-AP courses are
appropriate for 9th grade
• Level changes are only made at the end of
the first three weeks and semester

9. Course Catalog
• Soon, you will be able to find the complete
2013-2014 Course Catalog on-line at
www.prosper-isd.net
• All course offerings are subject to change.
Funding levels and student interest may affect
whether or not a course is available.

10. World Languages - 2 or 3 credits
World Languages Options:
• Spanish
• French

11. Fine Arts – 1 credit
Fine Arts Options (1 credit each):
• Band
• Choir
• Art
• Theater
• Technical Theater
• Theater Production
• Principles and Elements of Floral Design
• Digital Art & Animation
• Dance/Drill Team
• Color Guard/Winter Guard

12. Physical Education – 1 credit
Physical Education Options (.5 credit per semester):
• Physical Education
• Athletics
• Marching Band (fall semester only)
• Cheerleading (fall semester only)
• Dance Team (fall semester only)

13. Athletic Try-Outs
• All students are free to sign up for any athletic
class they wish, but they must make the team in
order to stay in the class.
• Cuts are typically made the first two weeks of
school, for some sports. Others may be later in
the year.
• Those not making the team will be moved to PE
or to an elective class that is STILL OPEN.

14. Communication Applications
.5 credit
Ways to get this credit:
• Professional Communications course for one
semester (.5)
• CTE courses with Professional Communications
credit embedded into the course. Examples:
Principles of Agriculture, Principles of AV Tech,
Principles of Business, Marketing and Finance

15. Course Pathways to Career & Technical
Education (CTE)
•Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
•Arts, AV Technology, & Communication
•Business Management & Administration
•Education & Training
•Health Science
•Hospitality and Tourism
•Marketing
•Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
•Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

16. GPA and Level 1, Level 2,
& Level 3 Courses
• Level 1 courses are grade-level classes worth a
maximum of 4.0 grade points
• Level 2 courses are Pre-AP/Honors courses
worth a maximum of 4.5 grade points
• Level 3 courses are Advanced Placement
(AP)/Advanced Honors & Dual Credit (DC)
courses worth a maximum of 5.0 grade points

17. G.P.A. = Grade Point Average
The following Chart will be used for the Class of
2013 and beyond.

18. How to Determine Credit and GPA Weighting
for Each Course Selected.
Match the levels on the course description and GPA Chart.

19. What Counts Most in College Admissions?
•Grades in challenging classes
•SAT/ACT scores
•GPA/Rank
•Grades in all subjects

20. Schedule Changes
• No course selection changes will be
made after the last school day of
the 2012-2013 school year.
• Please choose your classes
carefully!

21. STAAR Testing
Graduation Requirements
What is STAAR?
STAAR is a more rigorous standardized testing
program that will replace the Texas Assessment of
Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) for elementary, middle,
and high school students. The new STAAR program
will emphasize “readiness” standards, which are the
knowledge and skills that are considered most
important for success in the grade or subject that
follows and for college and career.

22. Standardized Assessment
• 4 Core areas- 3 EOC exams per core
– English I, II, III (writing exams, too)
– Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II
– Biology, Chemistry, Physics
– W Geography, W History, US History

23. Student Activities &
Electives EXPO
• Please make plans to attend this event on
Wednesday, February 20
6:00-7:00 p.m. – Incoming 9th grade parent
information meeting in the PHS auditorium
7:00-8:30 p.m.- EXPO in cafeteria
Get information about courses, clubs &
activities!

24. Important Dates:
• February 20 – PHS EXPO
• March 8 – Course Selection due Online through
Career Cruising
• May 23 – 8th grade Fish Camp at PHS
• May 31 – Last day to submit course selection
changes