What can I do as a parent to help my 12th grader prepare for college?

Parent Action Plan: 12th Grade

Please view the information presented to senior parents at Open House below. 

Senior Parent Info - English

Información para padres mayores - Español

What does it take to graduate?

Classification of Students

Student classification is determined by the number of credits accumulated by the end of the preceding year.

• To be a 9th-grade student (freshman) - successful completion of 8th grade
• To be a 10th-grade student (sophomore) - 6 credits required
• To be an 11th-grade student (junior) - 12 credits required
• To be a 12th-grade student (senior) - 19 credits required

Students must have a total of 26 credits to graduate.

2022-2023 Graduation Plan

Foundation + Endorsement (26 Credits)

• 4 credits English
• 4 credits Math
• 4 credits Science
• 4 credits Social Studies
• 2 credits Language Other than English
• 1 credit Physical Education
• 1 credit Fine Arts
• .5 credit of Professional Communication
• .5 credit of Health
• 5 State credits in Electives

Foundation Only (26 Credits)

• 4 credits English
• 3 credits Math
• 3 credits Science
• 3 credits Social Studies
• 2 credits Language Other than English
• 1 credit Physical Education
• 1 credit Fine Arts
• .5 credit of Professional Communication
• .5 credit of Health
• 8 State credits in Electives
• (4 State credits & 4 additional State or Local Electives)

Additional Graduation Requirements

EOC Test Required

• English 1
• English 2
• Algebra 1
• US History
• Biology

Endorsements students can earn:

• STEM
• Business & Industry
• Public Service
• Arts & Humanities
• Multidisciplinary

Endorsements are similar to a college major. They detail a student’s course of study.

Texas Senate Bill 149

Any student who has failed to pass one or two EOC tests may be eligible for graduation through Texas Senate Bill 149.

Requirements:

1. Sign the High School STAAR (EOC) Non-Mastery Graduation Participation Contract
2. Attend 90% of all tutorials offered in the second semester
3. Complete an approved Edgenuity Course per each EOC that shows proficiency in the subject area; and
4. Continue to retest EOC’s throughout the second semester
5. An IGC (Individual Graduation committee) will convene to review the criteria requirements and make the decision whether the student may graduate. The decision of this committee is final and may not be appealed.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

• Accumulates throughout high school and includes courses taken for high school credit
• All high school courses are included in the GPA - core, elective AND courses students may have not passed
• GPA is unweighted
  • All courses have the same weight
  • Semester grade is used to determine the number of grade points awarded for each course
• Rank is based on a weighted GPA
  • dual credit/Pre-Ap/AP are weighted
  • please refer to the Curriculum Guide for further information
• Top 10% of graduates receive automatic admission to any Texas public 4-year college

College Entrance Exams

*Visit the Counselors' webpage for study material resources*

SAT: www.sat.org
ACT: www.act.org

School Code: 440180

Fee Waivers

• A test fee waiver allows you to register for the SAT/ACT free of charge
• A college application fee waiver allows you to apply to some colleges without paying the application fee
• Only students who qualify for free/reduced lunch are eligible for test and college application fee waivers
• Students must use the test fee waiver to be eligible for college application (up to 4 colleges)
• Request a test fee waiver from the Counselor’s Office

College Application

Apply Texas

• Used for Texas Public Universities and Colleges
• Create an Account or Login to
• www.goapplytexas.org

The Common Application

• Used for Private and Out-of-State Colleges
• Create Account at
• www.commonapp.org

What Colleges Look At

Main components of an application

• Grades
• Rigor of courses
• Test scores
• Extra-curricular activities
• Recommendation Letter(s)
• Essay

Recommendation Letters

• Ask teachers, coaches, club sponsors, youth pastors, family friends, and employers for letters of recommendation – someone who knows you well
• Supply them with a Senior Information Sheet (found in the counselor’s office or you may email your counselor for the form)
• Give at least three weeks notice
• Remember to thank them for their efforts

College Visits

Students are permitted two college visits their senior year. To have the absence(s) excused, please return proof of your visit with a letter from the college on their letterhead. 

With the coronavirus pandemic continuing, many colleges have opted out of in-person tours. Most colleges are now offering virtual tours for their prospective students. You may request an in-person or virtual tour for the college of your choice by going to the college's website.

Financial Aid & FAFSA

Types of Financial Aid

• Scholarships - Donated $ that doesn’t need to be repaid. (income-based, merit-based, athletics, etc)
• Grants - Money that doesn’t need to be paid back. (federal, state, military)
• Loans - Borrowed $ that accumulates interest and must be repaid.
• Work Study - $ earned through a job and doesn’t need to be repaid.

To be considered for various types of aid, students must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

AHS is using goingmerry.com to help our students complete the FAFSA.

All seniors may log in using their AHS Google account. 

Scholarship Search Engines

• GoingMerry
• Scholarship Monkey
• Scholarships.com
• Chegg Scholarships
• Niche
• Cappex
• College Board Scholarship Search
• Scholly
• Fastweb

Attendance

• Attendance still counts your senior year!
• Go to class and/or complete your attendance on google classroom
• If you miss school, be sure to turn in your notes from the doctor or your parent to the attendance office within 48 hours
• Loss of credit can/will occur due to  absences in excess of 10% of each semester’s total days (90% attendance rule)

Community Service/Volunteer Activities

Lions Club Packets are available explaining the opportunity to earn a cord for graduation

• Angleton School History Center
  
  • Linda Winder at lwinder4323@att.net
• Stephen F. Austin Park
  
  • Dorothy Wilbeck at 979-864-0005
• Angleton Food Pantry
• Brazoria County Dream Center
• SPCA
• Hospital
• Nursing Homes
• Church

Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination

• Applies to all students attending institutions of higher education
• Show evidence of an initial bacterial meningitis vaccine or a booster
• Must have received within the last 5 years or at least 10 days prior to the start of school
• Visit the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board at http://www.thecb.state.tx.us for more information

GRADUATION

May 27, 2022
7:30 p.m.
Wildcat Stadium