Course Selection Information for High School

Burleson High School: Endorsements & Pathways


Credits

Students will take 7 classes each year and are able to earn up to 7 credits.

Classification

Freshman = 0 - 6

Sophomore = 6 - 12

Junior = 12 - 19

Senior = 19 - 26 +

Total Required Credits to Graduate = 26 +


Graduation Requirements - Foundations + Endorsement

  • English = 4 years

  • Math = 4 years

  • Science = 4 years

  • Social Studies = 3 years

  • Fine Art = 1 year (Art, Choir, Dance, Theater, Technical Theater, Floral Design)

  • PE/Athletics/ROTC/Band/Color Guard/Drill Team = 1 year (the first two years of Band, Color Guard, Drill Team)

  • Foreign Language = the same course for 2 consecutive years

  • Electives = 5 + years

    1. Pathway Courses

    2. Principles/Introductory Course - 9th Grade

    3. Elective Course from Pathway (meeting pre-requisites)- 10th - 11th

    4. Practicum Course - two or more credits taken in 12th grade


BISD Course Description Guide/Classes Offered

2022-23 BISD High School Course Guide - Google Docs

Understanding Endorsements & Pathways

Endorsements - The state of Texas recognizes 5 Endorsements for students to choose: STEM, Business & Industry, Public Service, Arts & Humanities, & Multi-Disciplinary Studies. Each Endorsement has Pathways, or courses of study, that they can take that falls under one of the 5 listed.

  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math - Pathways offered in BISD for this Endorsement are listed below)

In addition to completion of Algebra II, chemistry, and physics. A coherent sequence or series of courses selected from one of the following:

• Computer science

• Mathematics

• Science

• Engineering

  • Business & Industry (Pathways offered in BISD for this Endorsement are listed below)

A coherent sequence or series of courses selected from one of the following:

• CTE courses with a final course from the Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources; Architecture & Construction; Arts, Audio/Video, Technology & Communications; Business Management & Administration; Finance; Hospitality & Tourism; Information Technology; Manufacturing, Marketing; Transportation, or Distribution & Logistics

• The following English electives: Public Speaking, Debate, Advanced Broadcast Journalism including Newspaper and Yearbook

• Technology applications

  • Public Service (Pathways offered in BISD for this Endorsement are listed below)

A coherent sequence or series of courses selected from one of the following:

• CTE courses with a final course from the Education & Training; Government & Public Administration; Health Science, Human Services; or Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security career cluster

• JROTC

  • Arts & Humanities (Pathways offered in BISD for this Endorsement are listed below)

A coherent sequence or series of courses selected from one of the following:

• Social studies

• The same language in Languages Other Than English

• Two levels in each of two languages in Languages Other Than English

• American Sign Language (ASL)

• Courses from one or two categories (art, dance, music, and theater) in fine arts

• English electives that are not part of Business and Industry

  • Multi-Disciplinary (Pathways offered in BISD for this Endorsement are listed below)

A coherent sequence or series of courses selected from one of the following (Note that AVID students will likely be Multi-Disciplinary: Advanced Studies due to advanced placement requirements):

• Four advanced courses that prepare a student to enter the workforce successfully or postsecondary education without remediation from within one endorsement area or among endorsement areas that are not in a coherent sequence

• Four credits in each of the four foundation subject areas to include English IV and Chemistry and/or Physics

• Four credits in AP, IB, or dual credit selected from English, mathematics, science, social Studies, Economics, Languages other than English, or Fine Arts


BISD - CTE Page

Career & Technical Education / Career & Technical Education (CTE) (burlesonisd.net)


How to Select & Sign Off on Endorsements & Pathways

  • Directions for Students:

    • Step 1: Log in to Student Access.

    • Step 2: Select the Endorsement tab on the left side of the screen.

    • Step 3: Select "Declare an Endorsement".

    • Step 4: A pop-up window will display where you will select an Endorsement. Students who are undecided should select "Multidisciplinary."

    • Step 5: Check the "I Agree" button.

    • Step 6: Click "Save".

    • Step 7: Notify your Parent/Guardian that you have completed Endorsement selection.

  • Directions for Parents/Guardians:

    • Step 1: Parent/Guardian will log into Family Access.

    • Step 2: Select student who will be entering 9th grade.

    • Step 3: Select the Endorsement tab on the left side of the screen.

    • Step 4: Select sign next to "Guardian Signature is Required".

    • Step 5: Read the information and check the "I Agree" button.

    • Step 6: Click "Submit Signature".


How to Select Courses in Xello

  1. Go to Course Planner.

  2. Focus on one grade level at a time, starting with 9th grade.

  3. Click on the arrow next to Foundation High School Plan with Endorsement and choose your Endorsement & Pathway. This will allow you to select the correct CTE course for each grade level as you select/click 1st (9th gr), 2nd (10th gr), 3rd (11th gr), and 4th (12th gr) Endorsement Electives. This will automatically add your CTE courses to your graduation plan by grade level.

  4. In the course planner section, you will notice that the core classes are loaded with a plus sign for all grade levels. Start at grade 9 and click "add English" to begin. You will select the class for each core subject and push "add". You will continue to do this for Math & Science. If you don't see an add button for Social Studies, select "Add Elective". Next, type in the class you are looking for (ex. World would pull up World History and World Geography). Make sure to add it to your course planner.

  5. Add your Foreign Language (LOTE) based on the level you would be beginning (Spanish 1, ASL 1, or Spanish 2 if you took Spanish 1 in 8th grade).

  6. Add your PE course or Fine Arts.

    1. Other courses that count as a PE credit: Athletics (A&B), Band, Color Guard, and ROTC can count as your PE credit.

    2. Fine Art Options: Art, Theater, Technical Theater, Choir, Band, Drill Team, Dance, Color Guard

  7. If you need to remove a course, click on it and push remove. If it's an elective course, you would need to click "Show Courses" and it will take you to the courses selected to remove.

  8. You can add any other elective courses by clicking on "Add Elective". This includes courses like AVID, Fine Arts (Theater, Choir, Dance, Art), Debate, etc.

  9. Make sure to add two "Alternate" courses for each grade level.


Videos/Examples

(3) Introduction to Course Planner - YouTube

How Students Plan Courses (xello.world)


Deadline to Sign Endorsement/Pathway & Accept 4-Year-Plan:

February 23, 2023


Helpful Information: Texas Education Agency (TEA)


Contact Information & Questions

Alpha House Counselor (Last Names A-E), Amy Neal: amy.neal@bisdmail.net

Kappa House Counselor (Last Names F-L), Tisha Harrison: tisha.harrison@bisdmail.net

Sigma House Counselor (Last Names M-R), Debbie McDonald.: deborah.mcdonald@bisdmail.net

Omega House Counselor (Last Names S-Z), Debbie McDonald.: charity.whatley@bisdmail.net


Website:

Burleson High School / Homepage (burlesonisd.net)

Burleson Collegiate High School


BCHS is an Early College High School

Burleson Collegiate High School offers students the opportunity to earn their Associate of Liberal Arts degree from Hill College (up to 60 college credit hours) while earning their high school diploma, at no cost to students.

Students complete 4 years of high school and 2 years of college simultaneously.

This program enables students to develop technical skills while earning college credentials and degrees to pursue in-demand career paths.


Average Cost of College

You can save over $20,000 by attending an Early College High School. According to the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of tuition and fees at in-state public universities is about ​​$8,600 per year. This isn't counting room & board (approx. $8,000) or textbooks (approx. $100 each).


How Much Does It Cost to Study and Live in Texas? | BestColleges

How Much Does College Cost? | CollegeData

Texas Colleges 2022 Tuition Comparison (collegetuitioncompare.com)

College For All Texans: College Costs


What Should We Expect If We Are Accepted into BCHS?

  • Path classes to help support the college workload and provide organizational strategies and support for students.

  • Rigorous instruction and accelerated courses.

  • Small school and family atmosphere

  • All grades 70% or higher

  • Daily structured working tutorial time

  • No cost for tuition or textbooks for Hill College classes.


What Should We Expect If We Are Accepted into BCHS?

  • Graduation (High School and College)

  • National Honor Society

  • Student Council

  • Homecoming

  • Prom

  • College Field Trips - Fall and Spring for each grade level (12th only goes in the fall)

  • Volunteer Opportunities


What Makes a Student a Good Candidate for BCHS?

A student who:

  • Wants to accelerate their learning

  • Has good attendance

  • Works well with others

  • Has the desire to attend

  • Independent, mature and is prepared for accelerated learning

  • Wants to work hard

  • Is willing to not participate in school-sponsored activities and fine arts (BCHS does not offer athletics or fine arts)


What is the Family Commitment to BCHS?

  • Organization of courses and assignments

  • Excellent Attendance

  • Monitoring Grades

    1. High school class grades can be seen in Skyward

    2. Parents will need to ask students to see college grades periodically since they are not viewed in Skyward.


BCHS Admission Process & Timeline

  • November 29, 2022, at 8:00 AM - BCHS Application Opens

  • Sign up to receive both email and text notification to be sure you get notifications. To apply, visit BURLESONISD.SCHOOLMINT.NET.

  • January 13, 2023, at 4:00 PM - BCHS Application Closes at 4:00 PM

  • January 17-31, 2023 - Student Interviews at their Middle School Campus

  • Parents will also get a virtual invite for the final part of the interview/parent portion of the interview.


Contact Information & Questions

Phone: (817) 245.1600

Counselor, Cindy Alley: CALLEY@BISDMAIL.NET

Assistant Principal, Michael Penigian: MPENIGIAN@BISDMAIL.NET

Principal, Dr. Samuek Bonsu Jr.: SAMUEL.BONSU@BISDMAIL.NET


Website:

Burleson Collegiate High School / Homepage (burlesonisd.net)

The Game Development & Design School


  • GDDS is a School of Choice that has a focus on Graphic Design & Multimedia Applications. Students will learn Coding, Photoshop, Python, Audio & Video Design, 3D Art & Animation, and Entrepreneurship.


  • GDDS incorporates a blended learning style. Students work in a self-paced manner, and teachers facilitate this process through careful planning, implementation, and monitoring of the blended learning model. It's great for the independent learner but can also work for students who need more guidance because teachers are always present to assist through the process.


  • Although GDDS doesn't offer Athletics, Band, Choir, Theatre, Color Guard, or Drill Team, they do offer Clubs such as Esports & Technology Student Association.


  • GDDS students will graduate with a Business & Industry Endorsement and Graphic Design & Multimedia Applications for their Pathway. Below are courses that students will take including their electives:

  • Math - grades 9-12

  • Science - grades 9-12

  • Social Studies - grades 9-12

  • English - grades 9-12

  • Fine Art - 1 year

  • PE - 1 year

  • Foreign Language - 2 years

  • Coding - elective (9th grade)

  • Video Game Design - elective (10th grade)

  • Graphic Design - elective (10th grade)

  • 3D Modeling & Animation (11th grade)

  • Practicum of Entrepreneurship (12th grade)


  • Students have the opportunity to earn certifications in Photoshop & Python, which will help them be competitive in the workforce upon graduating from high school. The average starting salary for an entry level work with a Python Cert. is $80,000 yearly.

Entry Level Python Developer Salary | Salary.com


  • Students have to apply to GDDS. The applications will open next month and you should receive an email from the district soon explaining the application process. There is an interview process and you will receive notification from GDDS next semester if your child is selected.


Contact Information & Questions

Phone: (817) 245.1700

Counselor, Jacob Funk: jacob.funk@bisdmail.net

Assistant Principal, Joshua White : joshua.white@bisdmail.net

Principal, Crystal Deaver: crystal.deaver@bisdmail.net


Website:

Game Development Design School / Homepage (burlesonisd.net)