What is a career plan?

It is a plan of the classes you will take each year of high school.

What is an endorsement?

Students will be able to earn one or more endorsements as part of their graduation requirements. Endorsements consist of a related series of courses that are grouped together by interest or skill set. The 5 endorsement categories are Arts & Humanities, Business & Industry, Public Service, Multidisciplinary Studies, and STEM. The Texas Education Agency requires all incoming 9th graders to declare an endorsement. Students will be required to declare an endorsement during their 8th grade year. An endorsement is required for graduation. Students may change their endorsement.

What is a pathway?

A pathway, is a more specialized path within an endorsement category. Each pathway consists of similar elective classes that a students will take in high school. For example, under the Business and Industry Endorsement, there are several specialized pathways such as Accounting & Professional Services, Business Management, Entrepreneurship, etc.

Why do 8th graders need to complete a career plan?

The Texas Education Agency requires all incoming 9th graders to complete a 4 year plan of the classes they will take in high school. They also require students to declare an endorsement and pathway. Certain pathways must begin in 9th grade. Therefore, students must plan to begin certain pathways in the 9th grade in order to complete the pathway by graduation.

What if I don't know what pathway to choose?

That is perfectly ok! If you are undecided, you should choose Multidisciplinary Studies. This endorsement allows students to choose electives from a variety of different categories.

Can I change my career plan and endorsement?

Absolutely. Students may change their career plan, endorsement, and pathway at any time. The career plan is a planning tool. It will be reviewed and revised every year. Each spring, students will select their courses for the following year.

How many classes do I need each year?

Each year you will take 7 credits. You should plan to take 4 core class credits and 3 elective credits each year.

What electives should I take my freshman year?

Students need to take 1.0 fine arts credit, 1.0 P.E. credit, and 2.0 foreign language credits to graduate high school. It is strongly recommended that students take these classes in the 9th grade. Some pathways must begin in the 9th grade. You may also opt to take the first class in your pathway course sequence. Students will get to take 3.0 elective credits each year.