Course Selection
The course selection process typically begins in January or February. In this process, the Course of Study book is presented in Freshman Seminar or English classes. Each student is given a copy of the Course of Study book at that time and is encouraged to share this book with his/her parent. Within the next several weeks, each student meets individually with the school counselor to choose courses for the following school year. During these individual meetings, the student's career goals are discussed as well as the courses he/she has already taken as a way of guiding the courses that are selected for the following school year. At the end of the individual meeting, students are asked to sign the course selection sheet and are given a photocopy to take home to get a parent/guardian's signature and then the principal's signature. There is also a 'comment' section at the bottom of the course selection sheet in case the family choose to change some of the courses selected at the time of the individual meeting with the school counselor. Students are asked to return the signed course selection sheet to the guidance office with their parent/guardian's and principal's signature.
For students in 8th grade, the high school principal, school counselor, and teachers from the English and Social Studies departments meet with all of the 8th graders as a group to discuss the course selection process and the difference between the honors courses and non-honors courses. They are each given a copy of the Course of Study book at that time. Usually within the next few days, the high school counselor will go into Social Studies 8 classes and guide the students through selecting their courses for the following year. Once courses have been selected, all students are asked to sign the course selection sheet and then are given a copy to take home to get signed by a parent/guardian. There is also a place for parents/guardians to leave comments. Students are asked to return their signed course selection sheet to their social studies teacher who will then be forward it to the high school guidance office.