High School Information for Military Students and Families

New students are invited to online orientation (9^th and 10^th with Mr. Johnson, 11^th and 12^th with Mrs. Crow) where they are familiarized with TOPS culture, as well as the systems we use for attending classes, checking grades, completing assignments, etc. After they complete this initial orientation, they will attend orientation for their individual classes (those joining later in the year watch an orientation video for individual courses). Students will be given a brief overview of the resources they will have as well as expectations for participation in live Class Connects. 

-Once the school year had gotten going, information about clubs is sent out to families. This information can change year-to-year based on demand/teacher availability, because the clubs have to be sponsored by teachers. There are also places in the K12 Zone for students who share certain interests to meet up. For example, there is a section where students can go to look at the artwork of fellow students. 

-There is a social time for military-connected students specifically that they will be invited to as well as whatever other club they choose.  This is hosted by the campus Military-Family Liaison.

-Extracurricular activities also include being invited to an in-person outing once a month.  There are also virtual outings, generally also once a month.  Students can participate however they feel comfortable from month to month.   

Tutoring may be offered by teachers as needed.  In addition, peer tutoring is available on Fridays, and if a student is recommended by their teacher, interventionists can provide extra support for struggling students.

TOPS Contact Guide

High School Staff Directory

School counselors send out an email asking students to select their courses for the year a few weeks before school begins. For those that miss the email, there is a week at the beginning of the school year where students may change their courses without the course showing on their transcript.

Students must attend all Class Connects (CCs) that are marked “Required”. Students will also be invited to helpful or social sessions that are marked “Optional.” If a student misses a CC, or just wants to review what was covered, CCs are recorded and can be accessed at any time. Course work is posted in a student’s individual classes. It may include discussions, writing assignments, quizzes, tests, etc.

It is important to complete course work on the day that it is due. That being said, zeroes do not go in for missed assignments until the following Monday, and students can redo failed or skipped assignments up until the lock date (lock dates occur twice a semester: once midway through, and once at the end). Students may, to some extent, work ahead, but this is not recommended. Students are automatically allowed to redo a failed or missed assignment 1 time (for a total of two attempts), and they can request a third attempt from their teacher.

Students who did not pass their STAAR test the year before are required by TX State law to receive additional accelerated instruction. At TOPS, all students receive additional accelerated instruction in response to ongoing quizzes and tests. As assessment data throughout the school year shows that students need support to master the content that will be tested on the current year’s STAAR test, teachers hold additional required CCs for those students. If parents are okay with accepting these additional required CCs as the required tutoring, they may sign a waiver to indicate that choice. If the parent would prefer the student receive the required accelerated instruction in a group of 4 or less students, TOPS will provide the student with access to additional educational technology, such as IXL or tutoring though a provider such as K12 Tutoring.  

Students who have maintained an excellent academic record at TOPS may be invited to participate in the Flex program. Parents can request that their student be placed in Flex, but the student will have to have demonstrated some responsibility with deadlines. Students in this program are not required to attend live CC sessions. This is an excellent program for responsible students who are taking courses at a local community college, or who have gotten a job. It is not for everyone. Teachers are still available to support the student as needed, but there will not be the kind of support most students receive.

Graduation Requirements

TOPS Program of Studies

TOPS Catalog of Courses

ASVAB