General Information

LBJ High School is accredited by the Texas Education Agency.

The Advanced Placement Program, sponsored by the College Board, offers students an opportunity to take college- level courses in high school. If students take AP exams and score in an acceptable range, advanced placement credit may be awarded upon college entrance. Students should contact directors of admissions at colleges of their choice to ask about specific advanced placement and credit policies. Part or all of the costs of the exams must be paid for by the student. For further information on how much credit is offered at various schools, visit: http://www.collegeboard.com/ap/creditpolicy. AP courses get weighted as an advanced course for GPA calculation.

Students will receive high quality, rigorous instruction in all courses at LBJHS. Students may choose to take Honors classes appropriate to their interests and academic strengths. Honors courses are prerequisites and designed to prepare students to be successful in AP classes. The number of Honors courses varies with the students’ motivation, self- discipline, and available time outside of class. Students are not expected to enroll in Honors courses in all core subject areas. Honors courses get weighted as an advanced course for GPA calculation. Recommended Prerequisites include:

● A grade of 90 or higher in a related academic content area course

●     Scores at the Advanced level on the most recent corresponding STAAR EOC test Characteristics of a Successful Honors Student:

o     Excellent study and organization skills

o     Strong interpersonal skills

o     Persistence in pursuing goals

o     A strong sense of responsibility

o     The ability to become an independent learner

o     A desire to be academically successful

o     Proficient oral and written communication skills

It is important to note that poor attendance adversely affects grades. To receive credit or a final grade in a class, a student must attend the class at least 90 percent of the days it is offered. By failing to meet state minimum standards for days in class, students lose credit for the class even if a passing grade is earned. Please refer to the student handbook for additional information.

A student is eligible for automatic admission to a college or university as an undergraduate student if the applicant earned a grade point average in the top 10 percent of the student's high school graduating class (Texas Education Code, §51.803). If an eligible student is applying as an undergraduate to the University of Texas at Austin in the summer/fall 2022 or spring 2023, the applicant must earn a grade point average in the top 6 percent of the student’s high school graduating class. The applicant in either case must also:

(1)    earn the distinguished level of achievement under the Foundation High School Program; or

(2)   satisfy ACT's College Readiness Benchmarks on the ACT assessment or earn on the SAT assessment a score of at least 1,500 out of 2,400 or the equivalent.

In accordance with Title 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), §5.5(e), high school rank for students seeking automatic admission to a general academic teaching institution on the basis of class rank is determined and reported as follows.

(1)    Class rank shall be based on the end of the 11th grade, middle of the 12th grade, or at high school graduation, whichever is most recent at the application deadline.

(2)   The top 10 percent of a high school class shall not contain more than 10 percent of the total class size.

(3)   The student's rank shall be reported by the applicant's high school or school district as a specific number out of a specific total class size.

(4)   Class rank shall be determined by the school or school district from which the student graduated or is expected to graduate.

An applicant who does not satisfy the course requirements is considered to have satisfied those requirements if the student completed the distinguished level of achievement under the Foundation High School Program that was available to the student but was unable to complete the remainder of the coursework solely because courses were unavailable to the student at the appropriate times in the student's high school career as a result of circumstances not within the student's control.

To qualify for automatic admission an applicant must:

(1)    submit an application before the deadline established by the college or university to which the student seeks admission;

(2)   meet all curriculum requirements for admission established by the college or university to which the student seeks admission; and

(3)   provide a high school transcript or diploma that indicates whether the student has satisfied or is on schedule to satisfy the requirements of the distinguished level of achievement under the Foundation High School Program or the portion of the distinguished level of achievement under the Foundation High School Program that was available to the student.

Colleges and universities are required to admit an applicant for admission as an undergraduate student if the applicant is the child of a public servant who was killed or sustained a fatal injury in the line of duty and meets the minimum requirements, if any, established by the governing board of the college or university for high school or prior college-level grade point average and performance on standardized tests. 

The District shall include in the calculation of class rank semester grades earned in high school credit courses taken in grades 9–12 only, unless excluded below, and only in the following subject areas: English, mathematics, science, social studies, and languages other than English.

The calculation shall include failing grades.

The calculation of class rank shall exclude grades earned in any course substituted for physical education; any distance learning course; any dual credit course; any course for which the District awarded credit after the student took the course at a nonaccredited school; and grades earned through summer school or credit by examination, with or without prior instruction.

Due Covid-19 Home Learning, GPA calculations and class rank will not include the 2020 spring semester.

The District shall categorize and weight courses as Advanced and Regular.

Advanced Courses

Eligible Advanced Placement (AP) courses, On-Ramps dual enrollment courses, and other courses locally designated as Honors shall be categorized and weighted as Advanced courses.

Regular Courses

All eligible courses that are not categorized as Advanced or Modified Content shall be categorized and weighted as Regular courses.

When a student transfers grades for properly documented AP or Honors courses, the District shall assign weight to those grades based on the categories and grade weight system used by the District, if the same AP or Honors courses are offered to the same class of students in the District.

Due Covid-19 Home Learning, GPA calculations and class rank will not include the 2020 spring semester.

LBJHS students may request to complete distance learning courses, including correspondence courses, as a means of earning credit in a subject or course. In order to receive credit, a student shall obtain approval from the Principal prior to enrollment in the course. Grades earned in correspondence courses are not used to compute class rankings or GPA. Seniors must complete correspondence courses and submit grades by the end of the fall semester to be eligible for credit toward graduation. Any extension must be cleared through the Principal and requires a signed request form from the Counselor.

Senate Bill 1788 passed by the 80th Texas Legislature in 2007 established a state virtual network, TxVSN, to provide supplemental, online courses for Texas students. Courses are provided by Texas school districts, open enrollment charter schools, Education Service Centers, and institutions of higher education. All high school courses offered through the TxVSN are aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) as well as the iNACOL National Standards of Quality for Online Courses. All high school courses are led by a Texas certified teacher for that course subject area and grade level who have completed professional development on effective online instruction. Courses taken through TxVSN will be recorded as pass/fail and not counted in the student’s GPA.

The intent of HB 3646 is to expand a variety of course offerings and provide students with online learning opportunities that would not otherwise be provided at their local district. While LBJHS encourages all who wish to apply to do so, we also advise that electronic courses are quite different from the normal classroom experience of face-to-face interaction with students and teachers, so diligence is required on the part of the student. Surveys and assessments are required of the student who wished to become a part of the electronic courses. Students interested in learning more about the electronic/online courses should visit the Counselor and TxVSN Site Director. To view the available TxVSN electronic courses, visit the TxVSN website at http://txvsn.org/ and click the TxVSN Catalog.

Credit by Exam for acceleration allows students who have not had formal instruction but have already mastered content and skills in a particular course to advance by scoring 80% or higher for credit. These tests are developed by the University of Texas – K-16 Education Center. LBJHS administers the exams twice yearly. To be eligible, performance and test records must indicate a high probability for success. Students will have one opportunity to test when exams are administered and not be able to retest to improve their score. Students should contact the Counselor for additional information including test dates and registration. If students choose not to wait until the next district testing date, they may, after obtaining Counselor approval, contact the University of Texas- K-16 Center and pay the fees to have the test administered at their convenience directly through their Testing Center. Requires signed request form from the student’s high school Counselor.

Credit by Exam allows students who have had formal instruction and have failed a course to gain credit by passing a proficiency examination on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills of the course. A student may not use this exam to regain eligibility for participation in extracurricular activities. Students assume the cost for these examinations. Students need to score a 70% or higher in order to recover credit. Requires signed request form from Counselor.

LBJHS Juniors and Seniors may enroll in college courses to accumulate college hours and/or satisfy high school graduation requirements. If the college course does not satisfy high school graduation requirements, it is referred to as co-enrollment. If the course does satisfy high school graduation requirements, it is dual credit. Students must obtain Counselor, Principal and parent approval before enrolling in a college course. Students must be accepted for admission by Austin Community College and obtain a Dual Credit form from the Counselor for each semester they wish to enroll. JCISD currently pays tuition for students who successfully complete dual credit courses through ACC. Students must pay for books, fees and other related costs, as well as reimburse JCISD if no credit is received in any course. A passing grade in the college course is required to receive high school credit in a dual credit course; a grade of B or higher is required to earn an Advanced Measure on the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP) or a Performance Acknowledgement in any academic college course, dual credit or co-enrollment course.

Enrolling in an Austin Community College (ACC) Course

LBJHS students may enroll for two courses per semester, up to six total hours. To enroll in a course, students must have met the academic and assessment requirements required by ACC. Potential students must also satisfy college course skills prerequisites.

Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Testing Requirements for Dual Credit/Co-enrollment

College readiness and eligibility are determined through the TSI Assessment (TSIA2) . The TSIA2 is 100% web based and delivered through the ACCUPLACER platform (College Board). The TSIA2 is offered at ACC and on the LBJHS campus on designated dates. Information regarding TSI testing dates is available from the LBJHS Counselor. Students can be exempt from the TSIA2 if they meet the following standards.

         SAT         Minimum 480 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW);

                                 Minimum 530 Math – no combined scores

ACT    23 composite, with 19 or higher Math and English

STAAR   English 3 – Level 2 Algebra 2 Level 2

LBJHS competes in a number of academic and athletic extra-curricular activities to provide enrichment opportunities for students. A student who receives at the end of a grading period a grade below 70 in any academic class may not participate in extracurricular activities for at least three school weeks. However, if a student receives a grade below 70 at the end of a grading period in an Advanced Placement (AP) course, honors course, OnRamps course, or dual credit course in English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, economics, or languages other than English, the student remains eligible for participation in all extracurricular activities.

Identified GT students are served through group and individualized instruction in the classroom as well as through special programs. These special programs include extension of the regular classroom program, accelerated pacing, enrichment activities, Honors and AP classes, dual credit coursework, and exams for acceleration.

All students who have previously been identified as gifted in another district may request a review of admission standards in order to be considered for acceptance into the JCISD GT program. Teachers, parents, or students may nominate students for the program. Nominated students will have the option to participate in assessment to determine eligibility for the program according to district guidelines.

Freshman: Must have been promoted from the 8th grade.

Sophomore: Must have earned 5 credits and completed one year of high school.

Junior: Must have earned 10 credits and completed two years of high school.

Senior: Must have earned 15 credits and completed three years of high school.

This classification is based on the number of credits at the beginning of each year. Credit for correspondence, dual credit and credit by exam is not awarded until the final grade is recorded in the registrar’s office.

Grade Scale:   A: 90-100    B: 80-89      C: 70-79      F: Below 70

Semester Averaging: Students earn credits in 0.5 increments and need a 70% or higher to earn each 0.5 credit. A student who fails one semester of a two-semester course can earn credit for a full year if the overall average is 70% or higher.

LBJHS offers courses for high school credit in middle school. Students who take these courses must show satisfactory completion of the prerequisite and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills as well as state and district requirements. Credit will be reflected on the student’s high school transcript; grades for these courses will not be averaged in the high school GPA. Students who complete Algebra 1 in middle school should plan to continue with higher-level mathematics courses in grades 9-12. Courses taken for high school credit in middle school cannot be taken again in grades 9-12.

A student must meet the following requirements to receive a high school diploma from the district:

●      Achieve passing scores on certain end-of-course (EOC) assessments or approved substitute assessments, unless specifically waived as permitted by state law;

●      Complete the required number of credits established by the state and any additional credits required by the district;

●      Complete any locally required courses in addition to the courses mandated by the state;

●      Demonstrate proficiency, as determined by the district, in the specific communication skills required by the State Board of Education (SBOE);

●      Demonstrate College, Career, and/or Military Readiness (CCMR); and

●      Complete and submit a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) or a Texas application for state financial aid (TASFA).

JCISD Graduation Plan- 26 Credits

●      4 English Credits - English I, English II, English III, and English IV

●      4 Math Credits - Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Adv. Math

●      4 Science Credits - Biology, IPC or Chemistry, 2 Adv. Sciences

●      3 Social Studies Credits (or 4 if under Multidisciplinary Endorsement) - World Geography and/or World History, US History, Government (0.5), and Economics (0.5)

●      2 Credits of a Language Other Than English

●      1 Fine Art Credit

●      1 PE Credit

●      6 or 7 Elective Credits (Includes 4 Endorsement Courses)

 Students must choose and meet the requirements for at least one endorsement area:

     -Arts & Humanities,    -Business & Industry,       -STEM,          -Multidisciplinary

Students are required, with limited exceptions and regardless of graduation program, to perform satisfactorily on EOC assessments in: English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology, and U.S. History. A student who does not achieve a sufficient score will have opportunities to retake an assessment.

College Ready

●      TSIA 2.0

■      Reading: 945+ AND Essay 5+, Under 945 AND Diagnostic 5+ AND Essay 5+

■      Math: 950+, Under 950 AND Diagnostic 6+

●      SAT

■      EBRW 480+

■      Math 530+

●      ACT – Composite Score 23+

■      English 19+

■      Math 19+

●      Complete a college prep course, such as Texas College Bridge, in math and reading

●      Complete a course for dual credit

●      Complete an OnRamps course

Career Ready

●      Earn an industry certification, such as OSHA 30-Hour General Industry

●      Be admitted to post-secondary industry certification program

Military Ready

●      Enlist in the United States Armed Forces

Before graduating from high school, each student must complete and submit a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) or a Texas application for state financial aid (TASFA).

A student is not required to complete and submit a FAFSA or TASFA if:

• The student’s parent submits a form provided by the district indicating that the parent authorizes the student to opt out;

• A student who is 18 years of age or older or a legally independent minor submits a form provided by the district indicating that the student opts out; or

• A school counselor authorizes the student to opt out for a good cause.

Please contact the school counselor for more information.

LBJHS offers four Endorsements and thirteen programs of study to provide students a wide range of college and career preparatory offerings. Students may earn multiple Endorsements in multiple Programs of Study; the depth of each area of focus will provide students with a solid foundation for post-secondary success.

1.     Arts and Humanities Endorsement

a.    Music Program of Study

b.    Visual Arts Program of Study

2.    Business and Industry Endorsement

a.     Animal Science Program of Study

b.     Environmental and Natural Resources

c.     Applied Agricultural Engineering Program of Study

d.     Design & Multimedia Arts Program of Study

e.     Business Management

3.   Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Program of Study

a.     Math Program of Study

b.     Science Program of Study

c.     Engineering Program of Study

4.   Multidisciplinary Studies Program of Study

a.     Option A

b.     Option B

c.     Option C

(This is not the same as the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP))

A student may earn the Distinguished Level of Achievement by successfully completing:

1.     a total of four credits in mathematics, which must include Algebra II; and

2.     a total of four credits in science; and

3.     the remaining curriculum requirements; and

4.     the curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement

In the Foundation Plan a student must earn the Distinguished Level of Achievement to be eligible for top 10% automatic admission.

A student on the Foundation Plan may earn Performance Acknowledgments in the following areas:

1.     Outstanding performance in a dual credit course

A student may earn a performance acknowledgment for outstanding performance in a dual credit course by completing:

A. at least 12 hours of college academic courses, including those taken for dual credit as part of the Texas core curriculum, and advanced technical credit courses, including locally articulated courses, with a grade of the equivalent of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0; or

B. an associate degree while in high school.

2.  Bilingualism and Biliteracy

A student may earn a performance acknowledgment in bilingualism and biliteracy by demonstrating proficiency in accordance with local school district grading policy in two or more languages by:

   A. completing all English language arts requirements and maintaining a minimum grade point average (GPA) of the equivalent of 80 on a scale of 100; and B. satisfying one of the following:

(i)     completion of a minimum of three credits in the same language in a language other than English with a minimum GPA of the equivalent of 80 on a scale of 100; or

(ii)    demonstrated proficiency in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Level IV or higher in a language other than English with a minimum GPA of the equivalent of 80 on a scale of 100; or

(iii) completion of at least three credits in foundation subject area courses in a language other than English with a minimum GPA of 80 on a scale of 100; or (iv) demonstrated proficiency in one or more languages other than English through one of the following methods:

(I)     a score of 3 or higher on a College Board Advanced Placement examination for a language other than English; or

(II)    a score of 4 or higher on an International Baccalaureate examination     for a higher-level languages other than English course; or (III) performance on a national assessment of language proficiency in a language other than English of at least Intermediate High or its equivalent.

In addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection, to earn a performance acknowledgment in bilingualism and biliteracy, an English language learner must also have:

(A)   participated in and met the exit criteria for a bilingual or English as a second language (ESL) program; and

(B)   scored at the Advanced High level on the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS).

3.  AP Testing

A student may earn a performance acknowledgment on the student's transcript for outstanding performance on a College Board Advanced Placement test or International Baccalaureate examination by earning:

(1)    a score of 3 or above on a College Board Advanced Placement examination; or

(2)    a score of 4 or above on an International Baccalaureate examination.

4.  PSAT, the ACT-Plan, the SAT, or the ACT

A student may earn a performance acknowledgment on the student's transcript for outstanding performance on an established, valid, reliable, and nationally norm-referenced preliminary college preparation assessment instrument used to measure a student's progress toward readiness for college and the workplace or on an established valid, reliable, and nationally norm-referenced assessment instrument used by colleges and universities as part of their undergraduate admissions process by:

(1) earning a score on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) that qualifies the student for recognition as a commended scholar or higher by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, as part of the National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) of the College Board or as part of the National Achievement Scholarship Program of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation;

(2) achieving the ACT® readiness benchmark score on at least three of the five subject tests on the ACT AspireTM examination;

(3)    earning a total score of at least 1310 on the SAT®; or

(4)    earning a composite score on the ACT® examination of 28 (excluding the writing subscore).

5.  Nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license

A student may earn a performance acknowledgment on the student's transcript for earning a state-recognized or nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license as follows.

(1)    A student may earn a performance acknowledgment with:

(A)   performance on an examination or series of examinations sufficient to obtain a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification; or (B) performance on an examination sufficient to obtain a government-required credential to practice a profession.

(2)    Nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification shall be defined as an industry-validated credential that complies with knowledge and skills standards promulgated by a nationally or internationally recognized business, industry, professional, or government entity representing a particular profession or occupation that is issued by or endorsed by:

(A)   a national or international business, industry, or professional organization; (B) a state agency or other government entity; or (C) a state-based industry association.

(3)    Certifications or licensures for performance acknowledgements shall:

(A)   be age appropriate for high school students;

(B)   represent a student's substantial course of study and/or end-of-program knowledge and skills;

(C)   include an industry-recognized examination or series of examinations, an industry-validated skill test, or demonstrated proficiency through documented, supervised field experience; and

(D)   represent substantial knowledge and multiple skills needed for successful entry into a high-skill occupation.

Requests for a schedule change must be in writing (forms available in the counselors’ office) and must be signed by the parent/guardian. The following policies will be adhered to:

A. All requests for schedule corrections must be turned in by the end of the fifth day of school. Priority will be given to errors and incomplete schedules. “Change of mind” requests will not be honored.

B. Students may change from an Advanced class to an Regular Academic class only after the first 6 weeks of the 9 weeks grading period. Level change request forms will be available in the counseling office and must be submitted by the date specified on the form. All requests will be reviewed. Students with an 80% or higher will not be considered. Space must be available in the regular academic class. If a change request is approved, the current grade (not weighted) will transfer to the regular academic class.

The Johnson City Independent School District provides a continuum of specially designed instructional supports and services for students with disabilities eligible for Special Education services. A full range of academic supports for grades 9-12 are available at LBJHS and can be accessed through either the general program of instruction or through special education instruction and related services, as determined by the admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee. The school district curriculum enables each student with disabilities to acquire knowledge and skills commensurate to the student’s needs and abilities.

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) assesses students the following subject areas: English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology and U.S. History. Students taking the End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments must achieve a score in each subject area that meets the standard set by TEA. Students must take the EOC for the courses in which they enroll and earn credit, including correspondence, dual credit, credit by exam, etc.

The required performance on academic assessments under TEC, §28.025(c) and §39.025(a) is being waived for spring 2020 only.

This means:

•       If a student was enrolled in an EOC course during the spring 2020, the EOC passing requirement will be waived if the student received credit for that course.

•       If the student has an outstanding EOC assessment that they did not pass from a year prior to spring 2020, the student will still need to retake and pass that EOC assessment prior to graduation.