Welcome to Ranchview Class of 2023

Today’s Purpose

• Understand the scheduling and course selection process
• Understand high school graduation requirements

School Leadership
Sherie Skruch – Principal
Chad Hunter – Associate Principal
Dr. LaDacher Jackson – Assistant Principal

Wynter Nash – Lead Counselor A-K
Tracey McLeod – Counselor L-Z
Tamara Johnson – Counselor, 9th Graduation Coach
Leslie Yager – IB Coordinator

RHS – Your School of Choice

• High academic standards (IB World School)
• Graduates attend prestigious universities
• There is a place for everyone to belong: academic, athletics, arts, and organizations
• Ranchview Graduates go places!

House Bill 5 & High School Graduation Requirements

Endorsements

• Science, Technology, Business & Industry, Public Service, Arts & Humanities, Multi-Disciplinary Studies = Foundation Graduation Plan

Foundation Graduation Plan
PLUS Endorsement(s): 26 credits

4 credits English

4 credits Mathematics

4 credits Science

4 credits in Social Studies

2 credits World Language or Computer Programming

1 credit Physical Education

1 credit Fine Arts

.5 credit Health

5.5 credits in Electives – may include CTE courses to satisfy Endorsement Requirement

*One locally required credit in Social Studies is included in the total of 4 Social Studies credits

Distinguished Level of Achievement
26 credits

4 credits English

4 credits Mathematics – Algebra II must be one of the math courses

4 credits Science

4 credits in Social Studies

2 credits World Language or Computer Programming

1 credit Physical Education

1 credit Fine Arts

.5 credit Health

5.5 credits in Electives – may include CTE courses to satisfy Endorsement Requirement

*One locally required credit in Social Studies is included in the total of 4 Social Studies credits

Key Components of HB 5
Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, a school district must ensure that each student, upon entering ninth grade, indicates an endorsement that the student intends to earn. The five endorsement areas are:

• STEM – Includes: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math
• Business and Industry – Includes: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Architecture, Arts-AV Tech and Communications, Business Management, Finance, Hospitality and Tourism , Information Technology, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales and Service, Transportation, Distributions, and Logistics
• Public Services – Includes:  Education and Training, Government and Public Administration, Human Services, Health Science, Law, Public Safety, and Corrections and Security
• Arts & Humanities – Includes: World Languages & Fine Arts
• Multidisciplinary Studies – Allows a student to select courses from the curriculum of each endorsement area and earn credits in a variety of advanced courses.

What to Expect
Counselors will meet with each student to develop their Personal Graduation Plan (PGP).

The four year plan or PGP will be sent to parents for review and their signature.

Four year plans will be reviewed each year by counselors and students.

Scheduling & Course Selection

• Eight periods on M, T, F each semester; 45 min each
• Four block periods on W & T each semester; 85 min each
• All students select:

–4 core classes (English, Math, Sci, SS)
–Foreign Language

Choose 1 of each of the following:
–Fine Art
–PE or Athletics
–Endorsement Elective

Important Points to Consider When Selecting Courses: 

• The graduation plan and the endorsement area you select
• Extracurricular activities
• Academic progress
• Competitiveness of the university or college you wish to attend

Options for Acceleration: 

• Course Acceleration
  • Traditional summer classes:
    »Business Information Management (Technology)
    »Art
    »PE
    »Speech
    »Health
  • Credit By Exam (CbE):=
    »PE
    »Spanish 1 & 2
  • Night School (Fall and Spring)
    »BIM
  • Dual Credit Courses (Junior and Senior Year)
  • Individualized options (See counselors)

Grade Advancement in High School

• At the high school level, grade advancement is based on credit attainment…meaning that a student does not advance to the next grade level unless a certain number of credits has been earned.

Grade classification is based on the following:

Educational Planning Guide

• Graduation Requirements
• Planning for College
• 4-year Graduation Plan
• Testing Information
• Courses
• Graduate Profile
• General Information
• Grading Procedures

AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination)

• Teaches skills and behaviors for academic success to students in the academic middle – B, C, and even D students – who have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard. These are students who are capable of completing rigorous curriculum but are falling short of their potential. Typically, they will be the first in their families to attend college.

Advanced Academics
International Baccalaureate – Ms. Leslie Yager – IB Programs Coordinator

Advanced Academic Options at RHS

• 9th-10th grades – Honors level coursework in core classes
• 11th-12th grades – IB Diploma level coursework
  • Two options:
    • Pursue the IB Diploma
    • Select individual IB courses

International Baccalaureate:
DP – Diploma Programme

• Admittance by application in 10th grade
• Junior & Senior program for college-bound students who are motivated to participate in a challenging and rewarding curriculum, extra-curriculars, & service

Key words: motivated, challenging, rewarding

• The IB Diploma is recognized as a superior education, preparing students to succeed in the university and post-secondary settings
• IB Diploma students can receive preferential college admittance status and college credits

Success in Honors Courses

8th grade Honors hopefuls should:

• Develop a high level of reading/vocabulary & writing skills
• Be inquisitive, creative, and display a high level of motivation for knowledge
• Have excellent attendance and very good behavior
• At a minimum, earn satisfactory scores on all STAAR/EOC tests
• Possess a strong work ethic and an ability to complete tasks independently

School Attendance

Attendance Requirements

• 90% attendance requirement in all classes to receive credit – No more than 8 absences a semester

High School Hours

• 8:20 a.m. to 3:35 p.m.
• Bus schedules available online by August
• After or before school practices for all athletics and UIL activities
• Athletic practices for fall sports (football, volleyball) traditionally start early August
• Required parent meeting for all athletes will held later in spring.