High School

High school is a critical time in a student's academic and personal development, providing opportunities for growth, exploration, and preparation for the future. High schools provide a more advanced level of education than middle or junior high schools, with a focus on preparing students for college or the workforce. It is a time where  students begin to navigate their interests and contemplate their futures. Our goal is to ensure that our students are well-prepared and confident as they transition into the next phase of their lives.

 

High School Checklist

High school is a period where students get to explore interests and build their academic record for college. This is a very crucial time period and waiting until a few months before graduation to figure things out can be quite stressful and demotivating.

Not sure where to start? The checklist below is a guide of what should be done throughout each phase of high school. The plan laid out should help you succeed as you begin to prepare for college. Talk to the school counselor as they great resource to help in the process of preparing for college.

College admissions officers are looking for a well-rounded student. These officers are not only looking at hard factors such as GPA, but also soft factors such as things that show who you are as a person, e.g. recommendation letters and outside school engagements. Make sure to get involved in extracurricular activities, as well as volunteerism to help give a better holistic idea of who you are.

 

9th Grade

      • Maintain a high GPA. The transcript for 9th-11th grade is what students submit with university applications.
      • Consider joining Student Council or the Yearbook Club. Getting involved in extracurricular activities (inside or outside of school) helps you find your interests and learn life-long skills. It also looks great on your college application.
      • Take PSAT 8/9 in October.
      • Once PSAT results are out, register on Khan Academy for personalized practice plan based on your PSAT results.
      • PSAT high school scores can exempt students from TSIA2 (test needed to begin dual credit).
      • Explore possible careers based on interests.
      • Minimum 25 hours of volunteer services (both school or outside organizations).
      • Consider enrolling in a summer enrichment programs or camp.
      • Complete any 9th grade deficit credits before 10th grade.

10th Grade

      • Take PSAT in October. PSAT/NMSQT scores can exempt you from TSIA2 (test needed to begin dual credit).
      • Continue working on Khan Academy or other SAT prep institutes for SAT practice. The upcoming year will be the year students are eligible for the National Merit Scholarship upon taking PSAT/NMSQT.
      • Minimum of another 25 hours of volunteer services (both school or outside organizations).
      • Complete any 10th grade deficit credits before 11th grade.
      • Students may begin dual credit courses in the summer after 10th grade.
      • Begin exploring career options by exploring and researching careers.
      • Start seacrching for colleges that have programs with your intended career.

11th Grade

      • Take PSAT/NMSQT in October to enter for a chance at the National Merit Scholarship.
      • Continue working on Khan Academy or other SAT prep institutes for SAT practice.
      • SAT will be taken in the spring.
      • Once SAT scores have been released, determine if you need another attempt at the test. If so, register to take it again in the summer. Try to have this complete before senior year.
      • Begin exploring scholarship opportunities. Scholarships have different deadlines; some beginning in the summer before senior year and others as late as spring senior year.
      • Begin looking into the colleges you consider attending. Research their deadlines for application submission as well as any scholarships they may have to offer and how to apply for them.
      • Minimum of another 25 hours of volunteer services (both school or outside organizations).
      • Take SAT in the Spring.
      • Minimum of another 25 hours of volunteer services (both school or outside organizations).
      • Complete any 11th grade deficit credits before 12th grade.

12th Grade

      • Apply to Colleges. Remember to verify each college's submission deadline.
      • Complete the FAFSA. Application release date is October 1st.
      • Apply for scholarships.
      • Minimum of another 25 hours of volunteer services (both school or outside organizations).Your hundred hours should be completed by this time.
      • Make a decision about which college you'd like to attend. When making a choice consider things like tuition costs, scholarship offers, your out of pocket cost, lodging, to name a few.
 

Graduation Tracks

IQA offers its students 2 high school tracks: Core Curriculum - Students satisfy High School requirements through all IQA and Dual-Credit courses Associate Degree – Students satisfy High School requirements through all IQA and Dual-Credit courses and must satisfy additional Associate Degree requirements through DCCCD (60 credits).

In either of these tracks students can graduate under 3 different programs:

 
Foundational Achievement Advanced Achievement Distinguished Achievement with Honors
4 English Credits 4 English Credits 4 English Credits
3 Math Credits 4 Math Credits 4 Math Credits
3 Science Credits 4 Science Credits 4 Science Credits
3 Social Studies Credits 4 Social Studies Credits 4 Social Studies Credits
1 Physical Education 1 Physical Education 1 Physical Education
2 Foreign Language Credits 2 Foreign Language Credits 2 Foreign Language Credits
1 Fine Arts Credit 1 Fine Arts Credit 1 Fine Arts Credit
2 Islamic Studies Credit 2 Islamic Studies Credit 2 Islamic Studies Credit
70-84 Cumulative Average 85-89 Cumulative Average 90+ Cumulative Average
24+ college credits 24+ college credits 42+ college credits

 

Dual Credit

IQA has a partnership with Dallas College to provide our students college-level courses. Dallas College offers both dual credit and concurrent enrollment programs to high school students who are interested in taking college-level courses. Dual credit courses allow students to earn both high school and college credit for the same course. Concurrent enrollment courses allow students to earn only college credit for the courses they take.

Both dual credit and concurrent enrollment programs offer benefits to high school students who participate in them. By taking college-level courses, students can get a head start on their college education, potentially save money on tuition and fees, and explore different academic subjects before they graduate from high school.

To participate students must meet certain eligibility requirements and receive approval from both their high school and Dallas College. It's important for students to work with their high school counselors to determine which courses are best for their individual academic goals and needs.

Students graduating from IQA may not necessarily graduate with an Associate's Degree. Students who have attended IQA since 9th grade will need the following courses for dual credit:

      • English 1301
      • English 1302
      • Math 1314
      • History 1302
      • Government 2305
      • Economics 2301
      • An advanced science
      • Physics 1401 (for science majors) or Physics 1405 (for non science majors)

      All other courses taken at Dallas College will be considered concurrent courses.

 

College Prep

Our college prep program includes several important components to help students prepare for success in college. We offer PSAT and SAT exams, which are important standardized tests used for college admissions and course placement.

PSAT scores above a 460 in Reading and Writing and 510 in Math exempt students from the TSIA2 exam which is a requirement to be eligible to take college level courses.

In addition, we provide opportunities for students to take college-level courses beginning their junior year, giving them a head start on their college education and preparing them for the rigors of higher education. Our goal is to equip our students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in college and beyond.

The following is the schedule for the PSAT and SAT that are given annually.

Fall (October) Spring (March/April)
PSAT 8/9 8th Grade
9th Grade
PSAT/NMSQT 10th Grade
11th Grade
PSAT 11th Grade

* Seniors will not be taking the SAT through the SAT School Day. If students are not satisfied with their score in the spring of their junior year, they should register through the College Board for the summer administration of SAT.