High School Information for Military Students and Families

You can find information about the documents required to enroll in TOPS and the steps for providing or obtaining academic records—whether you’re enrolling your child in TOPS or transferring them to another school—in the Enrollment and Registration section of our Military Family Support page. This is also where you can find information regarding free public school pre-kindergarten in Texas.

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 Military Liaisons
• TOPS Contact Guide
• High School Staff Directory

Review the Family Handbook/Student Code of Conduct

Our counselors review each student’s transcript and weigh it against the TX state graduation requirements to make sure students are on track to graduate on time. Students make their course selection choices before their first day of school at TOPS, and have 10 days after their start date to request course changes. Students meet with their counselor quarterly to ensure they are remaining on track for graduation.

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 options.  

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.

To remain in the Flex program, students must:

• Maintain passing grades with no failing courses
• Respond to school outreach within 48 hours
• Attend all required IEP sessions
• Attend all required MTSS sessions
• Maintain 100% attendance per school guidelines

Graduation Requirements – To view the requirements for earning your diploma at TOPS, please click here.

TOPS Program of Studies – Explore our comprehensive course offerings, including core subjects, electives, and specialized pathways designed to support every high school student’s academic goals. View the Program of Studies.

TOPS Course Catalog – Browse detailed descriptions of all available courses, including prerequisites, credit information, and learning objectives. View the Course Catalog.

ASVAB – Students who are interested in pursuing military as a career option can take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) while at TOPS. This assessment assesses a student’s qualifications for enlistment and to help determine which military jobs they are best suited for. We offer the test once per year in the spring to any interested students. For more information on ASVAB you can visit: www.officialasvab.com.

Advanced – Advanced courses are offered to all students, but an 80% in the pre-requisite course is recommended in order to best set students up for success. Please see our course catalog for a full list of our honors and AP courses.

Dual Credit / Dual Enrollment – Dual Credit requirements are mandated by each partner college or university. TOPS offers dual credit courses online through Kilgore College. See our course catalog for Kilgore entrance requirements. For a list of all available in-person dual credit options and each university’s entrance requirements, visit the Participating Colleges section of our Dual Credit Info site. If a student fails a dual credit course, they will no longer be eligible for the TOPS dual credit program.

CTE – For a full list of our Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses and pathways, please see HS Courses & Pathways: TXC&CP Student Hub. For more information about our Career and College Preparation (C&CP) program, please see TXC&CP Student Hub.

Review the Interstate Compact Parent Guide