High School

PSAT/SAT/TSIA2

Testing will occur October 9, 2024 during the school day at the high school campuses

• Seniors: SAT
• Juniors: PSAT/NMSQT (fall) SAT (spring)
• Sophomores: PSAT 
• View more information on PSAT/SAT/TSIA2 on the Assessment website.

Send my Scores

Send  Scores
SAT	ACT	TSIA2

Minimum Met Scores

***If you are working in TCB and then meet the TSI Indicator(s) for SAT, ACT, or TSIA2, you do not have to complete TCB. Texas Success Initiative (TSI) - Uses Met Scores from SAT, ACT, TSIA2, and/or TCB
	Reading	Mathematics
SAT	480 EBRW	530 Mathematics
ACT	40 English & Reading	22 Mathematics
TSIA2	945 ELAR CRC or 5+ Diagnostic and 5+ Essay	950 Mathematics CRC or 6 Diagnostic
TCB:  COLLEGE PREP COURSE	Complete course and earn credit	Complete course and earn credit

 

High School Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs of Study

• Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses are described in the High School Educational Planning Guide, and an overview of programs and the campuses that offer each can be found on CFBISD’s CTE Guides page.
• Goal of these courses:
  • Earn an Industry Based Certification and
    • earn at least 2 credits within your Program of Study (Class of 2025)
    • earn at least 4+ credits in 3+ courses within your Program of Study (Class of 2026 and beyond)
• CTE Showcase of Programs - November 6, 2024, from 5:30pm - 7:00pm at the ESDC 1820 Pearl Street.

  • Audience: middle school students and families

CCMR Hiring Hustle

• Event for Seniors held in late spring.
• The Hiring Hustle aims to provide invaluable opportunities for students to explore potential career paths, gain employment, and network with professionals in the community.
• Hiring Hustle website link

 

SchooLinks is a modern, college and career readiness platform to prepare students for what comes after graduation. For middle school students, SchooLinks helps them begin to discover their interests and strengths, and begin to explore colleges and careers that match those interests and strengths. SchooLinks at Carrollton-Farmers Branch is accessible in 6th-12th grades by students and their parents.

High School Planning

• PGP and Course Planner combined guide for students (step-by-step)
• PGP and Course planner combined guide for guardians (step-by-step)
• Course Planner basics guide for students (step-by-step)

All of the SchooLinks features are designed with students in mind to help them become career, college, and life ready. SchooLinks features are incredibly user-friendly and content can be easily comprehended by middle school students.

Students in grades 9th-12th grades will access SchooLinks through Advisory lessons.

Using SchooLinks, middle school students and their parents can:

• Access career interest, strength and mindset surveys

• Explore 2-year and 4-year colleges

• Take virtual reality college campus tours

• Explore traditional, fast-growing, and military career fields

• Start creating digital resumes

• Communicate with counselors

Using SchooLinks, 8th grade students will be able to really dive into post-secondary education and exploration by:

• Creating course plans based on career pathways

• Creating digital resumes

• Learning about financial aid

• Searching for colleges and careers of interest

 Student Login: Students will login to SchooLinks via ClassLink.

Then select SchooLinks logo

CCMR Deans will be assisting seniors with the college application process during the fall. Additionally, college related topics are covered during Advisory and posted in SchooLinks. Students are encouraged to use SchooLinks to explore college fit, match, costs, and more.

Key Dates:

• September 1 - Dallas County Promise Path form opens
• October 7 - Dallas College App Opens
• December 1 - FAFSA opens

Admissions Requirements: Complete the Forms

• Follow directions carefully.
• Application fees vary by college.
•  If a question does not apply, write “does not apply” or “N/A”.
• Spend considerable time on essays and statements. Consult with English teachers for proofing suggestions. This is a chance to stand out and to show creativity and uniqueness.
• Always be truthful on an application of any kind. 
• Parts of the application that must be completed by counselors and or teachers should be distributed at least two weeks prior to the deadline.
• Write and store all login information.
• Request and pay for transcripts for each school.
• Transcript requests go through counselors.

Apply to Colleges

Before Applying:
You'll need high school and any college attendance dates, employment history, transcript details, and a profile with your demographic info. Create a username and password to access your account.

• ApplyTexas: Texas public universities and participating community and private colleges
• Common App: Use for Texas and out of state institutions

Write your Essay for Scholarships and/or CollegesCollege Essays
The college application essay or personal statement is an opportunity for applicants to introduce themselves to colleges and showcase their passions, opinions and personal insights. While not every college requires an essay as part of the application process, many offer the opportunity as an option or requirement of the scholarship application. Writing the essay should be planned with plenty of time to thoroughly reflect and proofread before submitting.

Helpful Tips:

• Be honest and transparent. Highlight passions, goals, and ambitions for the future. Be creative. 
• Answer the question being asked and follow the prompt directions thoroughly. Some colleges will specify a particular essay question as required (ex. UT and TAMU require essay “A” on ApplyTexas). Other schools might provide choices for their essay questions. 
• Express ideas clearly with a unique voice. The essay should not be a resume or list of high school accomplishments. These will be highlighted elsewhere in the application. The essay should present ideas in a way to help the application stand out above others. Include details and personal anecdotes, as well as reflections.  If writing about an experience, include personal influences and effects.  Stay focused and avoid incoherence.
• Proofread.  Allow plenty of time for having the essay proofread, preferably by a teacher. Correct all grammar and spelling errors before submitting. The essay is a reflection of the student’s effort and personality. 

Request Letters of Recommendation for Scholarships and/or Colleges

Colleges often require letters of recommendation as part of the application process. To ensure a smooth experience, follow these steps:

1. Research Requirements: Determine which colleges require letters before requesting one. Only ask for a letter if it's required or would strengthen your application.

2. Choose the Right Recommender: Select someone who knows you well and can speak to your strengths, such as a teacher, coach, counselor, or advisor. Preferably, choose a teacher from your junior or senior year for a more current perspective.

3. Request Early: Ask for the letter at least 2–4 weeks in advance. Whenever possible, make the request in person to explain and express gratitude. If you can’t ask in person, send a professional email with all necessary information.

4. Provide Details: Give your recommender all the necessary materials, including deadlines, links, and a resume or senior profile. Include information about your intended major, career goals, achievements, and other relevant details.

5. Be Polite and Grateful: Understand that the person may need to decline, especially if asked on short notice. Always send a hand-written thank you note to show your appreciation.

Decision Vocabulary

Admissions: Priority Deadline 
A priority deadline for college admissions means applications submitted before this date receive first consideration. For most colleges, this deadline is November 1. Students can still apply after November 1, but their applications will only be reviewed after those submitted on time. If the school fills all its spots with priority applications, late submissions won’t be considered, regardless of their strength.

Early Action (EA):
Early Action allows students to apply to college early and receive a decision quickly without committing to attend. EA I usually requires a November submission, with decisions by mid-December, while EA II often has a January deadline, with varying decision dates. Students can apply EA to multiple schools and still have until May 1 (the same as Regular Decision) to decide whether to attend.

Early Decision (ED):
Early Decision is binding, meaning students must attend the school if accepted and withdraw other applications. Some schools allow EA or REA applications alongside ED, but many require ED to be the sole early application. The ED deadline is typically in November, with decisions by mid-December.

Restrictive Early Action (REA):
Restrictive Early Action is non-binding but limits students to applying early to only one school. This type of application shows the school it's the student's top choice and may improve acceptance chances. Like EA, students have until May 1 to decide.

Note:
Policies vary by institution, so students should check each college’s website or contact the admissions office before applying

Decide on a College/University

• RSVP by May 1st:
  Let the college know your decision to attend by May 1st.

• Choose One College:
  Wait for all acceptance and rejection letters before making your final choice. Don’t RSVP to more than one college.

• Politely Decline Other Offers:
  Notify other colleges that you’re declining their offers, and always express gratitude.

Send High School Transcripts

A high school transcript is a student's official academic record, showing courses taken, grades, credits, GPA, test scores, endorsements, performance acknowledgments, and class rank. Colleges require official transcripts for applications, and a final transcript must be sent to the chosen college after graduation.

Students should follow their campus policy for requesting and sending transcripts, including any fees or required services like Parchment.

Texas Education Agency (TEA) and THECB policies dictate that students who graduate with a GPA that places them within designated top percentages of their high school graduating class might be eligible for automatic admission when applying to certain colleges and universities.

The following information from TEA outlines the specific requirements:

In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), §51.803, a student is eligible for automatic admission to a Texas public college or university as an undergraduate student if the student earned a grade point average in the top 10 percent of the student's high school graduating class or in the percentage of qualified applicants that are anticipated to be offered admission to the University of Texas at Austin*, and the applicant

1. Successfully completed the requirements for the Recommended High School Program (RHSP) or the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP);
2. Earned the distinguished level of achievement under the Foundation High School Program; or
3. Satisfied ACT's College Readiness Benchmarks on the ACT assessment or earned on the SAT assessment a score of at least 1,500 out of 2,400 or the equivalent.

To qualify for automatic admission an applicant must:

1. Submit an application before the deadline established by the Texas college or university to which the student seeks admission; and
2. Provide a high school transcript or diploma that indicates whether the student has satisfied or is on schedule to satisfy the requirements of the RHSP, DAP, or the distinguished level of achievement under the Foundation High School Program or the portion of the requirements of those programs that was available to the student.

* Automatic Admission to The University of Texas at Austin
Senate Bill 175, passed by the 81st Texas Legislature, allows The University of Texas at Austin to limit automatic admission to 75 percent of the university’s enrollment capacity designated for first-time resident undergraduate students. The University has determined that it will automatically admit all eligible summer/fall 2023 and spring 2024 freshman applicants who rank within the top 6% of their high school graduating classes, with remaining spaces to be filled through holistic review.

CCMR Summer Launch Event

• Event for Class of 2025 graduates held on: Wednesday, June 10, 2025
• The Summer Launch Event aims to help college-bound students stay on track by providing both logistical and emotional support during the summer before they start college.
• Registration required. Check your school email in May for registration link.
  • Free/Low Cost Vaccinations: Get your meningitis vaccination
    • If you are under 18, a parent must be present.
    • Bring current vaccination records.
    • Available from 9:00 AM -12:00 PM Only
  • Register with Dallas College:
    • Meet with Success Coaches & Register for classes
    • Setup E-Connect Account
    • Provide any missing items such as TCB Certificate
  • Understand the orientation and registration process for Universities such as:
    • UT Arlington
    • UNT
    • UNT Dallas
    • UT Dallas

Timing

• Plan to be here most of the day. It is a process!
• 9:00 AM -12:00 PM (Vaccinations available)
• 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Location

• 1820 Pearl Street, Carrollton, TX 75006

Vaccinations for CollegeStudents planning to attend an institute of higher education* are required to provide documentation that they received a meningococcal vaccination (initial or booster dose) within five years prior to enrollment.  The vaccination must also occur at least 10 days before the enrolled semester begins.

* An "institution of higher education," for purposes of this requirement is defined by Texas Education Code Sec. 51.9192.  Students not required to receive the meningococcal vaccine are defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Rules, Chapter 21, Subchapter T, §21.612, §21.613, and §21.614.

Attendance procedures in CFB allow a student to take up to two days during junior year and two days during senior year for college visits.

Students should notify their attendance clerk prior to being absent and submit a verification from the university visited upon their return. 

Fee Waivers

To qualify for any fee waivers, the Free & Reduced Lunch App MUST be complete.

• It takes 3 days to verify. Plan ahead.
• Fee waivers for:
  • SAT & ACT testing
    Sending score reports to colleges
  • College applications
  •  Reduced costs on AP exams
  • NCAA

First Complete: Free & Reduced Lunch ► click here

Next Steps: College Board Fee Waiver 

1. Sign-in to Collegeboard.org
2. Download fee waiver.
3. Complete form and save to Google drive to reuse.
   • Signature must be real, not typed.
4. Submit applications to each college/university & request fee waiver as payment method.
5. Once application is sent, then submit fee waiver to each college.

Financial Aid in Texas

• This is a State GRADUATION requirement.
• Federal and State financial aid awarded based on family need and FAFSA/TASFA completion.
• Merit scholarships awarded based on FASFA/TASFA completion.

Timelines:

• FAFSA opens December 1.
  • The student FSAID can be created at anytime.
    • Students can DO NOW: Create your FSAID
      • Your information must be your legal name.
      • You get 1 FSAID in your lifetime!
      • Write down your username and password.
    • Parents who have an FSAID will need to use it in December.
      • If you cannot remember your username and password, recover it through the FSAID website,
• Priority Deadline is January 15, 2025; Money allotted first come, first served

FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid

• For US Citizens or Green card holders
  • Gather these items before starting: UAspire Handout
    • Your Social Security Number
    • An FSA ID to sign electronically.
    • Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
    • Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
      • Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
    • Your parent's federal income tax returns from 2023, W-2s, and other records of money earned.
    • Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

TASFA - Texas Application for State Financial Aid

• For Undocumented students:
• State Aid; For students that are undocumented or here on a visa
• For the Class of 2025, complete the application for the 2025-2026 school year with Parent’s taxes from 2023.  

Credit By Exam (CBE)View details on the Credit By Exam website.Campus-Based Credit Recovery LabsStudents may repeat a course for credit recovery using CFB approved software on the high school campus. Administrative approval is needed for a student to recover a credit through online coursework. Grades earned for completing courses with district-approved software shall not be computed for determining class rank. Courses taken in recovery lab are typically not accepted for NCAA eligibility.

Each high school campus offers a credit recovery lab monitored by school staff where students may work on their online credit recovery courses. 

Students who are not attending school in person and therefore are not scheduled into an in-person credit recovery class period may still participate in credit recovery courses from home upon the recommendation of their school counselors.

School counselors and recovery lab staff will work with students to determine how many recovery courses on which each student should focus at a time, and counselors will determine with the student whether the courses should be taken in addition to a full school day course load, or whether the recovery lab courses will be scheduled into the student’s current school day schedule.  Some students find that it is helpful for them to focus on one or two credit recovery courses at a time.

Credit recovery online courses are based on mastery, and once the student has reached 100% course completion with a passing grade, the student will have finished the course and will no longer be required to communicate with the recovery lab staff for that particular course.  The grade will be reported by the recovery lab staff member to the school registrar for transcript documentation.  While the grade will be reported, it will not be calculated into the student’s grade point average. 

Students taking credit recovery courses remotely through their high school campuses will be asked to complete the courses for which they register within the semester they are assigned.  If a student finishes a credit recovery course before the end of the semester (for example near the end of November or December) and his or her counselor recommends that the student start additional credit recovery courses, the student will be encouraged to complete the course by the end of the current semester; however, if quality learning and course completion in a short amount of time is not possible, the student may be permitted to finish the course by the end of the following semester.  Students will not be awarded credit for partial course completion.

Parent-student-teacher or parent-student-counselor conferences are recommended if a student finds himself or herself struggling with online credit recovery courses.  We encourage parents and students to communicate early and regularly with school staff when a student is enrolled in credit recovery courses and feels additional help is needed.

Online courses currently available through the Edmentum credit recovery platform are:

• Algebra 1A,B
• Algebra 2A,B
• Art History and Appreciation .5
• Astronomy A,B
• Business Information Management 1A,B
• Biology A,B
• Chemistry A,B
• Child Development A, B
• Creative Writing .5
• Dollars and Sense .5
• Economics .5
• English 1A,B
• English 2A,B
• English 3A,B
• English 4A,B
• Environmental Systems A,B
• Forensic Science (full year 1.0 credit course only)
• Geometry A,B
• German IA,B
• German IIA,B
• Government .5
• Health .5
• IPC (Integrated Physics and Chemistry) A,B
• Math Models A,B
• Music Appreciation .5
• Physical Education .5
• Physics A,B
• Pre-Calculus A,B
• Psychology .5
• Sociology .5
• Spanish 1A,B
• Spanish 2A,B
• Spanish 2B
• Statistics (full year 1.0 credit course only)
• US History A,B
• World Geography A,B
• World History A,B

New course options may become available as CFBISD searches for ways to provide additional quality options.

AccelerationUnder special circumstances, school counselors may recommend that students who are behind grade level in credits but who have never received prior instruction in specific courses consider acceleration through online courses.  The first line recommendation for acceleration of this kind is enrollment in the night school program. The online course should be completed within the semester it is assigned.

Online courses currently available through the Edgenuity acceleration platform are:

• Advanced Quantitative Reasoning A,B
• Algebra I A,B
• Algebra II A,B
• Art I A,B (Reserved for seniors who need a fine arts credit in order to graduate on time)
• Biology A,B
• Chemistry A,B
• Economics .5
• English I A,B
• English II A,B
• English III A,B (English 3A includes a speech/debate assignment that requires interaction with the teacher)
• English IV A,B
• Environmental Systems A,B
• Foundations of Personal Fitness .5
• Foundations of Team Sports .5
• Geometry A,B
• Health .5
• IPC (Integrated Physics and Chemistry) A,B
• Mathematical Models with Applications A,B
• Physics A,B
• Pre-Calculus A,B
• Psychology .5
• Sociology .5
• Spanish I A,B
• Spanish II A,B
• US Government .5
• US History A,B
• World Geography A,B
• World History A,B

New course options may become available as CFBISD searches for ways to provide additional, quality options.

Night School

• View details on the Night School website.

Summer School

• View details on the Summer School website.

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

Program: Free, voluntary career exploration and planning tool offered at all high school campuses.
Audience: Students in 10th-12th grades and postsecondary schools.
ASVAB Benefits:

• Helps evaluate skills, performance, and career options.
• High schools won't send scores to military recruiters without parent permission.
• Scores are valid for up to 2 years for recruitment purposes.
• Mostly used for future career planning, not necessarily military enlistment.
• Suitable for students considering college, technical school, or other career paths.

Military Branches

• Army: The Army is the largest and oldest branch of the service and provides ground forces that protect the U.S. 
• Marine Corps: The Marine Corps is a component of the U.S. Navy and provides amphibious and ground units for security and combat operations. 
• Navy: The Navy is deployed globally, providing the U.S. peacetime protection and wartime force on, above, and below the water. 
• Air Force: The Air Force provides rapid, lethal air service and protection for the U.S. around the globe. 
• Coast Guard: The Coast Guard provides maritime safety enforcement, marine and environmental protection and military naval support. In peacetime the Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security and in wartime is under the Department of the Navy. 
• Space Force: The Space Force was established within the Department of the Air Force and organizes, trains, and equips space forces in order to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint force.
• National Guard: Comprised of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard, the National Guard supports combat missions, domestic emergencies, humanitarian efforts, homeland security, and more.

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a college program offered at more than 1,700 colleges and universities across the United States that prepares students to become officers in the US Military. Students (cadets) who participate in the ROTC commit to serve in the Military after graduation and receive a paid college education. Program requirements and eligibility vary by branch of service. 

Military Service AcademiesHighly eligible students who want to experience military life while getting their college education can apply to one of the five service academies.  All academies offer high caliber educational experiences and full four-year scholarships. Admission acceptance is highly competitive.

Criteria includes: 

• Top high school academic performance
• High SAT or ACT scores
• Athletics and extracurricular activities
• Leadership experience and community involvement
• A congressional letter of recommendation (not required by the Coast Guard Academy)

US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
US Army West Point, West Point, NY
US Air Force Academy, Air Force Academy, CO
US Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT
US Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY

Selective Service All US males between the ages of 18-26 are required by law to register with the Selective Service. The Selective Service Act of 1917 was passed to allow Congress to rapidly assemble a military force in times of national crisis. The “draft” has not been used since 1973. Registration is the law, but does not mean a male is being inducted into the military.

Student Athletes and NCAA EligibilityStudents who wish to enroll in a Division I or Division II college are required to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.  The purpose of the Eligibility Center is to verify both amateur and academic status, as each division has its own requirements. 

Division I schools typically manage the largest athletic budgets and therefore provide the most athletic scholarships, along with a wide choice of academic programming.  Division II schools also provide opportunity for student growth through academic achievement and athletic competition. In total, Division I and II schools provide more than $2.9 billion via athletic scholarships each year to approximately 2 percent of high school athletes.  Division III schools may also provide a competitive athletic environment, but do not provide athletic scholarships or require registration with the Center.

Sports Recruiting Support

Our district is committed to helping student-athletes succeed both academically and athletically. Our CCMR department provides guidance and resources for students pursuing college athletic opportunities through sports recruiting support. Below are key areas where we offer support:

• Recruiting Support
• NCAA and NAIA Eligibility Information
• College Search
• Communication with Colleges
• Scholarship and Financial Aid Support
• Workshops

The following are requirements for Division I:

• 9^th grade:  
  • Advise school counselor about intent to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
  • Begin core courses (see requirements below)
• 10^th grade: Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
• 11^th grade
  • Verify status of core courses and required GPA
  • Take the ACT or SAT 
  • Submit scores to NCAA using code 9999
  • Ask counselor to upload official transcript to the Center at the end of the year
• 12^th grade: 
  • Complete course work
  •  Retake SAT/ACT if needed for higher score
  • Submit scores to NCAA using code 9999
  • Complete all academic and amateurism questions on the NCAA Eligibility Center site
• At graduation:  Ask counselor to submit final transcript along with graduation proof to the Eligibility Center

Academic Requirements for Division I/II/III:

• Four years English
• Three years of math (include Algebra 1 or higher)
• Two years of natural/physical science (including one year of lab science)
• One additional year of English, math or natural/physical science
• Two years of social science
• Complete 10 of the 16 core courses before seventh high school semester
• Earn a core course GPA of at least 2.30
• Earn the ACT/SAT score matching the core course GPA sliding scale

Division II Requirements:

• Same course requirements as Division I
• GPA 2.20 for core classes
• Earn the ACT/SAT  score matching the core course GPA sliding scale

Note:  Classes of rigor are required for eligibility and credit recovery is not accepted except during summer school.  Students who wish to attend a Division I or Division II college should begin serious preparation their freshman year to be considered for the highly competitive athletic scholarships.