8th Grade Registration and

Class Selection

CHISHOLM TRAIL MIDDLE

SCHOOL
2017-2018
 Success in 8th grade

Success in middle school involves much more that just good

grades!
 Use a Planner or calendar
 Stay organized
 Turn in assignments and homework on time
 Attend tutorials when needed
 View online grades daily or weekly in Home Access Center (HAC)
 Talk to your teachers, ask questions, communicate your needs
 Maintain a well-rounded schedule which includes extra-curricular
activities
 Take High School Credit classes and PASS them!
 8th Grade Schedule

8 periods
1 LA, 1 Math, 1 Science, 1 Social
Studies
1 College & Career Readiness or
AVID
3 Electives (Free Choice)
High School Career Plans
 What is an ENDORSEMENT?

A coherent sequence of electives in a specific area

of interest.

It’s like declaring a major.

These electives may be taken through an

academy or through a specified Career Pathway.

All students will choose an endorsement.

 There are FIVE Endorsements

STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, and

Mathematics
Public Services- Health Sciences, Education
Business and Industry- Agriculture,
Audio/Visual Technology, Culinary Arts,
Business Management
Arts and Humanities- Fine Arts, Language
Multidisciplinary Studies- General
 NISD Academies

ABS (Academy of Biomedical Sciences) at Byron HS = Public Service

Endorsement
Culinary Arts & Hospitality Academy at Byron HS = Business &
Industry Endorsement
AMAT(Academy of Media and Technology) at NHS= Business &
Industry Endorsement
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Academy
at NHS = STEM Endorsement

BME (Academy of Business Management & Entrepreneurship) at

Eaton =Business & Industry Endorsement
Aviation Academy at Eaton HS = Business & Industry Endorsement
Collegiate Academy at Steele HS = Multidisciplinary Endorsement
Cosmetology Academy at Steele HS = Public Service Endorsement
Graduation
Requirements
for students entering
high school in 2014 and
thereafter.
•26 Credits to graduate

•Must include 1 Fine art,

1 PE, 2 yrs. Language, 1
Comm.Apps., 6.5 other
electives
 What does this mean for an 8th grader?

 Grades and Pre-Ap classes matter if you want

to get into an academy.
 Some students apply for an academy and only a
certain number of students are accepted.
 Everyone chooses an endorsement toward the
end of 8th grade.
 Consider all of your likes, dislikes, strengths and
weaknesses.
 Consider what elective classes you should take to
fit into your high school plan.
 Choices for 8th Grade Core Classes

Math – Pre-AP Algebra (High School Credit) or 8th

grade math
Language Arts – G/T (for identified GT students),
Pre-AP, or standard
Science – Pre-AP or standard
Social Studies – Pre-AP or standard
How many Pre-ap Course should you
take?

Consider…
•Your academic strengths
•Teacher, parent, and/or counselor input
•Reviewing past grades and test performances
•Personal goals
•Extra-curricular activities

Most importantly…your motivation,

effort, & attitude!
 Pre-AP Classes

Keep in mind:
 Pre-AP is not for everyone but we encourage most of you
to take at least 1 Pre-AP.
 It is college preparatory and helps prepare students
for Advanced Placement and Dual Credit classes in High
School.
 Standard and Pre-AP classes teach the same TEKS or
objectives (With the exception of 8th grade math/high
school algebra)
 Electives
PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Students are NOT required to take PE/Athletics in

8th grade.

You may choose to take PE, Athletics or Tennis as

one of your electives.

Must maintain a passing grade each 6 weeks in

order to participate and play.

A physical and athletics packet is required for

Athletics and Tennis.
High School Credit Electives:
Art 1
Pre-AP Spanish 1

Consider taking at least ONE HS credit class.

Students MUST maintain a 70 average for the

year and have 90 percent seat time in order to
obtain the credit.
These are offered but do NOT count as High
School Credit:
Choir
Band
Orchestra
Theater
Teen Leadership
Skills for Living/Consumer Science
Media
Journalism/Yearbook
Office/Library/Counseling Aide/Partner PE
AVID
 College & Career Readiness

 .5 credit High School Professional Communications meets

graduation requirement for Speech
 Beginning in 2017-2018, all students in grade 8 will
participate in College & Career Readiness or AVID.

 College and Career Readiness teaches the skills needed in order to

be better prepared for the demands of high school graduation
requirements, NISD Career academies, endorsements and to develop
their high school personal Graduation Plans (PGP).
 Before you decide,
consider this….
If you are taking fine arts in HS (band, choir,
orchestra), consider NOT taking Art 1 in 8th grade.
You will receive that credit in HS anyway.

Art
 Before you decide,
consider this….
Spanish is a 2 year commitment. You will only
have 3 electives in High School. If you take Spanish
1 in 8th grade, you MUST take Spanish 2 in 9th
grade, which will take up one of your electives.
If you are fluent in Spanish, consider NOT taking
Spanish in 8th grade. You will be able to test out of
Spanish 1 and take Spanish 1-2 in HS.
 AVID

 AVID supports students in advanced academics including Pre-

AP, future dual credit classes, and AP classes.
 Students will learn organizational techniques, note taking skills
using Cornell notes, and study skills to help guide them to be
successful in their advanced classes.
 Students must have a desire to go to college and a motivation to
do well in school.
 Must be enrolled in one Pre-AP class.
 Application Required.

AVID students who want to continue, make sure it is top 4. If

you applied for AVID, you will have an interview.
Registration Forms – Core
 Registration Forms - Electives

You get up to 3
electives!

Number
Entire Back
Side of
Registration
Form # 1-8