Middle School

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.

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 6th - 8th 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

Career exploration in secondary grades (6-8) shifts from career awareness to more in-depth career exploration and preparation. This phase helps students identify and develop their skills, abilities, and interests, aligning them with potential career goals and pathways.

Middle School Career Exploration Options:

• Career Investigations - Students explore college and careers.
• Introductory CTE courses to explore specific fields.
  • Examples of middle school CTE courses are Introduction to STEM, Technology Applications, Gateway Technology, Investigating Careers, Entrepreneurship, and Cybersecurity.
• Middle School Educational Planning Guide

Every 8th grader will complete the Personal Graduation Plan (PGP) with a counselor.

• The PGP is a plan for high school coursework.
• Mark your calendars for the CTE Preview Night on November 6th, 2024
  • CTE Preview Night will showcase CFBISD offerings across:
    • 13 Industry sectors
    • Over 50 Industry Based Certifications (IBCs) offered

High School Career Exploration Options:

• View high school Career and Technology Programs of Study
• High School Educational Planning Guide

 

Honors Courses

Taking rigorous courses in middle school prepares students for success in high school Advanced Placement courses in English, mathematics, social studies, and science.  They are intended to ensure that middle and high school students develop the skills, concepts, and habits of mind needed for college. Honors courses may be offered at each grade (6-8) in the core subjects. Check with the campus for availability.

AP CoursesThe Advanced Placement Program (AP) allows students to take rigorous college level courses while still in high school.   If students have taken the SAT or PSAT/NMSQT online score reports will indicate AP courses for which the student has potential for success.

• Offered in English, math, social studies, science, fine arts, and world languages.
• Significant academic demands, including required reading and assignments outside of class.
• Emphasis on analytical skills and writing abilities similar to first-year college students.
   

• AP Exams:

  • Students must take an AP exam for each AP course to demonstrate mastery.
  • Goal: score of 3 or better.
  • AP courses themselves are free; however, there is a fee for the exams.
    • Exam fees are reduced for students qualifying for the free/reduced meal program.
       

• AP Scores and College Credit:

  • Earning college credit through AP can save time and money.
  • Most U.S. and many international colleges honor AP scores.
  • Each institution has its own policies on credit and course equivalents.
  • Students must send their official College Board score report to their chosen college to receive credit.
     

• AP Courses - Registration and Resources:

  • Students should consult their school counselors to register for AP courses, and a list of AP courses may be found in the High School Educational Planning Guide.

Dual CreditDual credit courses are defined as courses in which students may receive both high school and college course credit provided the courses meet both district and college guidelines. Concurrent enrollment means that the student is taking a college course for college credit while the student is still in high school. Dallas College welcomes students who meet the criteria for dual and concurrent enrollment. Students should consult their high school counselor to discuss whether the dual credit courses they would like to take fit with their high school and college plans. A list of available dual credit courses can be found in the High School Educational Planning Guide.

In order to receive the high school credit for a dual credit course, the course must be on the school district and college’s mutual agreement.  Students who take courses outside this list may not earn high school credit because the courses are not approved for high school credit. 

Students should be aware that dual credit courses are recorded on their college transcripts and that failing or earning low grades in the college course can affect the student’s college GPA.  Dual credit students who do not make adequate progress may run the risk of starting college on academic probation due to the grades in their college courses. College credits earned through dual credit are transferable based on institutional policy, and students should check with the colleges to which they are applying regarding dual credit transfer requirements.

UT OnRamps Dual EnrollmentOnRamps is an innovative dual enrollment program, different from dual credit, led by The University of Texas at Austin. OnRamps gives students the opportunity to earn core high school and college credit hours from The University of Texas at Austin that transfer to any public institution in Texas. After receiving notification of their college grade, students who wish to reject the college credit/grade may do so if they do not wish to accept the college credit. A list of available OnRamps courses can be found in the High School Educational Planning Guide.