WACO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL INFORMATION GUIDE 2018-2019 Waco ISD 2018-2019 The Purpose of the Secondary School Information Guide The Secondary School Information Guide contains important information for students on how they can be successful in middle and high school. The guide highlights WISD policies, rules and regulations that apply to secondary school students, and it provides detailed information about the courses offered. Most importantly, the guide offers the information needed to plan the courses taken to graduate from high school and to be accepted and successful at the college chosen to pursue the desired career. The Guide has six sections that include the following ideas: General information for all secondary students and parents Waco ISD Mission Statement: Middle school information and course descriptions High school-specific information Waco ISD will ensure innovation and • Graduation program options excellence in education to prepare all • High school course descriptions learners for productive engagement in • Career and Technical Education academies a global society. This guide can be used in several ways. First, identify topics that of interest from the Table of Contents and go directly to them. Second, read the general information section completely as well as the sections regarding middle school or high school, as applicable. Third, refer to the descriptions of the selected courses to be scheduled for the next academic year. Look ahead at the classes that are necessary to meet graduation requirements. Many of those classes have prerequisite courses that must be taken during the freshman, sophomore or junior year. If the prerequisites have not been met by the senior year, the higher-level courses will not be available, which can cause a lack of credits and delayed graduation, so plan ahead! Counselors and teachers can help in selecting the right classes to preparation for college and a career of choice. Secondary School Information Guide 2018-2019 For information or complaints regarding compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title IX, contact Waco ISD Director of Athletics, at 254-745-2250. For information or complaints regarding compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Section 504 or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, contact Waco ISD Director of Special Education at 254-755-9473 or Waco ISD Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at 254-755-9473 at P.O. Box 27, Waco, TX, 76703. Page | 2 Table of Contents SECTION I: General Information for Secondary School Students and Parents ....................................................................... 6 Succeeding in Secondary School .............................................................................................................................................. 7 Planning for Academic and Career Success .......................................................................................................................... 7 Helping Students at Home ..................................................................................................................................................... 7 Understanding the High School Transcript ............................................................................................................................ 7 Participating in Co-curricular and Extracurricular University Interscholastic League (UIL) Activities ............................... 7 Losing Eligibility for Extracurricular Activities .................................................................................................................... 7 Exhibiting Personal Responsibility........................................................................................................................................... 7 Monitoring Success .................................................................................................................................................................. 7 Defining the Grading System ................................................................................................................................................ 7 Understanding Letter Grades ................................................................................................................................................. 8 Interpreting Report Cards and Progress Reports .................................................................................................................... 8 Achieving Honor Roll Status ................................................................................................................................................. 8 Completing Standardized Testing .......................................................................................................................................... 8 Meeting Student Success Initiative Requirements in Grades 5 & 8 ....................................................................................... 9 Determining Grade Level, Promotion, and Graduation Eligibility .......................................................................................... 9 Earning Middle School Grade Promotion .............................................................................................................................. 9 Establishing High School Grade-Level Classification ........................................................................................................... 9 Participating in Graduation Ceremonies ................................................................................................................................ 9 Requesting Early Graduation ................................................................................................................................................. 9 Transferring Courses and Grades in to and out of Waco ISD .................................................................................................. 9 Classifying Students Entering from Outside of the District (Grade Level Placement) .......................................................... 9 Transferring Courses and Grades ........................................................................................................................................... 9 Transferring Credit from Non-Accredited Institutions and Home School Programs ............................................................. 9 Using ESSA Options and Diversity Choice to Attend Other Schools ................................................................................... 9 Changing Courses .................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Requesting a Course Change ............................................................................................................................................... 10 Correcting Course Errors ..................................................................................................................................................... 10 Pursuing Advanced Courses and Programs ........................................................................................................................... 10 Choosing Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) Courses ........................................................................................................ 10 Selecting Advanced Placement (AP) Courses ..................................................................................................................... 10 Earning Weighted Grade Points for Advanced Courses ...................................................................................................... 10 Taking Career & Technical Education College Articulated Courses .................................................................................. 10 Participating in the ACCELERATE Early Degree Program ............................................................................................... 10 Enrolling in ATLAS Academy ............................................................................................................................................ 10 Choosing Special Schools and Programs ............................................................................................................................... 10 Attending A. J. Moore Academies at University High & Lake Air Montessori Magnet ..................................................... 10 Exploring the Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy (GWAMA) ................................................................... 11 Choosing the Greater Waco Advanced Health Care Academy (GWAHCA) ...................................................................... 11 Utilizing Brazos Credit Recovery Center ............................................................................................................................ 11 Requiring Homebound Program Services ........................................................................................................................... 11 Needing Pregnancy Related Services (PRS) ........................................................................................................................ 11 Utilizing Services for Students with Special Needs ................................................................................................................ 11 Serving English Language Learners (ELs)/Limited English