Planning Your High School Coursework

What to expect in grades 8-12

 

EIGHTH GRADE

Students begin planning their high school course of study at the end of middle school. High school counselors meet with students in small groups in January or February to provide an orientation to high school and explain what choices they have in courses. Students make preliminary course requests and these are mailed home for parents to sign off on. Parents are invited -- along with their son or daughter -- to an evening high school orientation session, usually held in January or February. Students are also invited to a freshman orientation session at the high school, usually scheduled the day before school starts. Final schedules are mailed to incoming ninth-graders shortly before labor Day or handed out on the first day of school.

NINTH GRADE

This is a key year for developing a game plan for the rest of high school. During January and February, counselors meet with ninth-graders to discuss and pre-select courses for the following school year. Counselors also invite every ninth-grader and his or her parents to a personal conference sometime in March or April. In addition to selecting courses for tenth-grade, the discussion focuses on a review of current academic performance, long- and short-term goals and methods of career exploration available to students. The freshman conference is also a good opportunity for parents to meet with their child's counselor, give input into course selection and set the stage for a productive working relationship that will last straight through high school. A preliminary list of course requests is mailed home for parent approval in May. Final schedules are mailed to incoming tenth-graders shortly before Labor Day or handed-out on the first day of school.

TENTH AND ELEVENTH GRADES

During January and February counselors meet with tenth- and eleventh-graders in their English or social studies classes to discuss and pre-select courses for the following school year. After this counselors meet with each student for academic advisement, career planning and to review their course selections and options for the following year. Sophomore conferences are generally scheduled for December and January; junior conferences take place in February and March. Parents are not specifically called in at this time -- but they are always welcome to attend these conferences. The preliminary list of course requests is mailed home for parent approval at the end of May. Final schedules are mailed to students shortly before Labor Day or handed out on the first day of school.

TWELFTH GRADE

Most, if not all, course selection for the final year of high school is completed in the 11th grade. Students will still have ample interaction with their counselors as seniors, but the emphasis switches to graduation completion and making a successful transition to college and/or the workplace.