Texas high school endorsements: the five choices and how to pick one

The five endorsements

Every endorsement adds a fourth math credit, a fourth science credit and two more electives.

When your teen picks one

Students choose an endorsement when they enter grade 9, usually during course selection in grade 8. They can change it later, as long as the courses still fit in the years left. With a parent’s permission, a student can graduate without one after grade 10, but the Distinguished Level of Achievement needs an endorsement.

How to choose

• Start from what your teen likes now, not a career. Endorsements overlap a lot; the core courses are the same.
• STEM asks the most math and science. It needs Algebra II, Chemistry and Physics, so it shapes grades 10 and 11.
• Multidisciplinary Studies is the flexible one. Four credits in each core subject, or four AP or dual credit courses across subjects, count.
• An endorsement doesn’t lock a college major. Colleges look at the courses and grades, not the endorsement’s name.

In Pennantist, the endorsement drives which courses are required on the course plan; your teen’s interests drive suggestions. Change either one any time. All Texas graduation rules