General information
Message to Parents and Students
Medina Valley ISD’s high school serves students in grades 9-12, and the District provides high school students a well-balanced, rigorous curriculum that meets and exceeds the requirements set forth by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
A key focus of the Medina Valley ISD academic program is to prepare all students for the high school curriculum by concentrating on the attainment of essential skills in English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
In addition to certain required courses, students may choose optional courses (electives) in fine arts, languages other than English, technology education, career exploration, and physical education. Elective course offerings may vary from school to school based on student requests, staff availability, and/or funding for instructional resources.
COLLEGE, CAREER, AND MILITARY READINESS
The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and the College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) serve as the official state curriculum. The TEKS learning standards represent a full range of knowledge and skills that students need to succeed in entry-level college courses, as well as in a wide range of majors and careers. By implementing these required standards, our schools will advance the mission of Texas to develop college, career, and military ready students.
It is the district's mission to provide our students with a superior and diverse education that inspires excellence, promotes accountability and values, and encourages all students to achieve their highest potential.
As students plan for their futures, they should begin to consider which career pathway or cluster they wish to explore while in high school. The Texas Education Agency, through the Achieve Texas program, provides career clusters for students to select from as preparation for a career path that informs post-secondary decisions.
Course Offering Availability Subject to Student Enrollment and Staffing Levels.
How to Use the Course Guide
Course Selection and Scheduling
The information provided in this publication is designed to help students and parents in planning and making appropriate choices. Medina Valley ISD graduation requirements, as well as post-secondary plans, should be considered as you select your courses. Occasionally, changes occur in course requirements due to action by the Texas Legislature and/or the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE). Your counselor will communicate any changes that are required; otherwise you will graduate with the course requirements in place when you enter your freshman (9th grade) year. The development of the course catalog is a collaborative process. Final course offerings are based on staffing, student interest, and facilities. When a student selects a course, he or she is required to complete it. Students must be able to prove an academic need to an appropriate committee (i.e. RTI, IEP, 504, etc.) in order to receive a schedule change after the semester begins. The deadline for any schedule change corresponds with the final “Preparatory Day” which marks the start of a school year. Any request for schedule changes after the final Preparatory Day will not be accepted. Please contact the MVHS counseling center for information regarding Preparatory Day dates and times. Please refer to the MVISD High School Student Handbook (Spanish) for any topics not addressed in this catalog.
Review the Course Catalog
The purpose of this catalog is to assist students and parents in planning a high school course of study tailored to individual student needs, interests and aspirations. After an introductory section on graduation requirements, grades, academic placement and student classification, the program of studies provides a brief description of the prerequisites and content of the high school courses offered by Medina Valley High School. These descriptions should be referenced when selecting courses for next year. Questions regarding course options and the implications of selecting them can be addressed with a member of the counseling staff.
Grade Point Values and High School Courses Taken at Middle School
Please refer to MVISD Board Policy EIC (Local) for more information regarding Academic Achievement Class Ranking. This information is also published in the Student Handbook (Spanish). Medina Valley faculty/staff WILL NOT counsel/advise strategies to compete in GPA/class rank.
Things to Keep in Mind
Courses are listed as either ½, 1, 2, or 3 credits
Grade reports are monitored on a three week basis through progress reports, but report cards are posted through Skyward Family Access at the end of each six weeks (cycle).
Credit for courses may be received through Credit by Exam. For courses without prior instruction, a mastery level of 80% is required for credit. For a course with prior certified instruction, a mastery level of 70% is required for credit to be awarded. The deadline for Credit by Exam will be May 1st of the current school year. Testing dates can be obtained via the Student Handbook (Spanish).
State law/board policy supersedes information in this catalog.
All students must pass end-of-course assessments in order to graduate and participate in the graduation ceremony.
If there is insufficient enrollment for a course, the course may not be offered and one of the three alternates listed on the student’s course selection sheet will be used.
Electives may be replaced with accelerated instruction courses in Reading and Math if a student demonstrates a need for targeted intervention.
Information in this catalog is subject to changes by action of the Board of Trustees of the Medina Valley Independent School District or the Texas Education Agency. Campuses reserve the right to add courses not described herein and to delete courses if minimum enrollment criteria are not met.
Promotion Standards
Freshman: 0-5.5 Credits; Promotion from 8th Grade
Sophomore: 6-12.5 Credits
Juniors: 13-17.5 Credits
Seniors: 18 Credits and Student is able to enroll in all courses needed to graduate
Course Designations
Advanced Courses
Pre-AP and Honors
Students who have a strong curiosity about the subject and a willingness to work hard should register for advanced courses. Pre-AP and Honor level courses are taught using advanced materials and strategies. Because of the intensity of these courses, students should expect the pace and academic rigor to be above grade level to prepare students for advanced level coursework, such as Advanced Placement and Dual Credit courses (see below). In order to be successful in advanced courses, students should be task-oriented, proficient readers who are able to organize their time and who have parental/guardian support. Students who are already overextended with academics or extracurricular activities should carefully consider whether they have the time to devote to advanced classes. Outside study time is at least one to two times the amount of time spent in class per week.
Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Credit (DC)
Students, while still in high school, may sign up for advanced academic courses which may lead to college credit. Students are advised to meet with teachers and counselors to obtain more information about these courses.
Students may earn college credit through the College Board AP examinations which are offered in May of each year. There is a fee for each AP exam. By taking an AP course and scoring successfully on the related AP exam, you can save on college expenses; most college and universities nation-wide offer college credit, advanced placement, or both, for qualifying AP exam scores. These credits can allow students to save college tuition, study abroad, or secure a second major.
Students may also consider registering for Dual Credit courses. The Dual Credit Program offered through Southwest Texas Junior College (SWTJC) allows eligible high school students to earn college credit for certain high school courses in which they are currently enrolled while completing their high school requirements. These courses are offered on the high school campus and are tuition free (textbooks and materials are required to be purchased by the student). Participation generates a college transcript in addition to a high school transcript. SWTJC determines the deadlines for this program. It is the student’s responsibility to know these deadlines. Students enrolled in Dual Credit classes are responsible for MVHS (Spanish) and SWTJC Handbook rules and regulations.
Core Area Advanced Level Prerequisites
Prerequisite (Grades 9 & 10): Approaches Grade Level on the previous year’s state assessment. An alternative assessment may be considered due to extenuating circumstances. See your counselor for additional information.
Prerequisite (Grades 11 & 12): College Readiness percentage score or Meets Grade Level score on the previous year’s state assessment. An alternative assessment may be considered due to extenuating circumstances. See your counselor for additional information.
Articulated Classes
Local articulated courses are for high school students pursuing a college education after high school. The goal of this program is to target and strengthen specific skills for highly competitive jobs. By enrolling in designated local articulated high school courses, students can benefit by receiving college credit hours towards a 2-year Associate in Applied Science degree (AAS).
Beginning their freshman year of high school, students may sign up for locally articulated high school courses. A student must follow a specific articulated plan (a coherent sequence of courses) 3 or more to become eligible for advance placement. College credit will be held in escrow at SWTJC for no more than 24 months after the date of the student’s high school graduation. This credit will be posted once the student has completed 6 semester hours at SWTJC, taken the TSI test, and provided the Outreach office with an official high school transcript. Local articulated courses listed on the high school transcript with grades of 80 or above will be eligible for college credit. Local articulated college course credits are guaranteed at SWTJC and may be eligible at other community colleges participating in an articulation program. Locally articulated courses are not intended for transfer to four year universities.
The Advanced Technical Credit (ATC) Program gives high school students a chance to receive credit at participating community colleges across Texas for taking certain enhanced technical courses during high school. To obtain additional information, please see your counselor. ATC courses are only offered in technical or workforce areas - courses in academic areas such as English or history are not offered as ATC courses.