Academic Advisement and Course Planning

Hutto ISD High School Course Catalog

In Hutto ISD, all students pursue the Foundation + Endorsement Plan, which requires 26 credits for graduation. Every student graduates as a Distinguished Graduate, ready for college, career, or military service. Additionally, the Distinguished Level of Achievement graduation plan is required to qualify for Automatic (Top 10%) Admission to Texas public colleges and universities.

Graduation Requirements and Endorsements

The process of creating a personal graduation plan (PGP) involves understanding future goals and selecting courses that prepare students to achieve them. While students' interests are expected to change throughout their schooling, the goal is that their personal graduation plan will evolve so they feel prepared for their post-high school plans. When selecting courses within their PGP, students should consider those that offer multiple college, career, or military-related options after high school. It is important for students to create a rigorous plan while maintaining a healthy balance of extracurricular and/or part-time work. Choosing courses that meet their educational needs or interests is the best way to prepare for their future.

STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) End-of-Course (EOC) Requirements for Graduation:

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

Each EOC exam will have a designated satisfactory performance score. If the student does not meet the score requirement, they must retake the test. Students who do not pass the EOC may retest during scheduled testing sessions.

In addition to meeting graduation credit requirements, students must also satisfy the following requirements to receive a high school diploma:

1. Financial Aid Application Requirement: All 12th-grade students must do one of the following in order to graduate:

• Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Complete and submit a Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA)
• Submit a signed opt-out form

2. Speech Requirement: Chapter §74.11. of Texas Education Code requires students to demonstrate proficiency in communication skills needed for professional and social success. This state requirement will be met through the completion of English IV or approved substitutions.

3. Instruction on Proper Interaction with Peace Officers: Chapter §74.39. of Texas Education Code requires students receive instruction in proper interaction with police officers at least once before graduation from high school. Hutto ISD students have opportunities throughout high school to complete this requirement.

4. Instruction in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED): Chapter §74.38. of Texas Education Code requires students to receive instruction in CPR and AED at least once in grades 7-12 before graduation. CPR and AED Instruction is provided to Hutto ISD students.

Students who want to get a head start on their college careers should consult their high school counselor to learn about available options. Early college experience is available through Dual Credit, Early College High School, or the Texas Bioscience Institute program. These programs offer students credit toward their high school diplomas and college credit toward certificates or degrees.

AP courses are designed to challenge motivated students and prepare them for success in college-level coursework in high school and beyond. These courses move at a faster pace, are more academically challenging, require additional outside reading, including summer reading, and require more independent learning than on-level courses.

The College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Program offers high school students an opportunity to take college-level courses in a wide variety of subjects while still in high school. The benefits of taking an AP course include:

• AP courses offer the opportunity to study a subject in-depth at the college level. This better prepares students for college success.
• If a student receives a high enough score on an AP Exam, the student may be eligible for credit, advanced placement or both at most colleges in the United States. The AP Credit Search tool is a helpful resource for determining how much and what kind of credit a college could apply.
• The AP Program offers a number of AP Scholar Awards to students for outstanding performance on AP Exams. If a student qualifies, colleges will recognize this achievement.

AP courses are open-enrollment; any student may enroll in any AP course, provided prerequisite courses have been successfully completed. Careful consideration of the time demands of a student’s extracurricular activities, employment, community service, homework, and other activities should be considered.

Please be aware that each college or university has its own guidelines for the awarding of college credit for AP exams, so be sure to research the specific colleges/universities of interest for more information. To learn more about the AP Program, go to: Advanced Placement® (AP) – The College Board
 

In Hutto ISD, students can earn high school and college credit through dual credit courses. Students may enroll in dual credit courses offered through GISD during the school day/year. 

Hutto ISD CTE Department offers multiple programs and course sequences that provide students with coherent and rigorous content leading to a graduation endorsement.

The curricula for all CTE courses and programs integrate high-level academic concepts and industry standards to reinforce academic concepts of the State academic achievement tests and help students learn workplace competencies and certifications.   For more information about Hutto CTE courses, please visit the CTE Department site.  

January  16 - 10th and 11th Grade Level Assemblies with Counselors

January 20 - February 20 - Individual Student Meetings with Counselors

February 20 - Course Plans Due in SchoolLinks

February 27 - Parent Signatures Due in SchoolLinks