Middle/High Transition

Families and students should understand that expectations are different at the high school level than they are at the middle school.

Attendance is very important, and can impact a student's marks as well as their promotion from one grade to another. 

Marks/grades are very important. Students must maintain a certain grade in each course to be eligible to receive credit for that course. Students also need to receive credit in pre-requesite courses to continue on to the next level or school year course. 

Students and families should review the Program of Study (linked to left) and note the areas of interest and any questions that arise. This will help students and families understand the different course offerings, course levels, and the online process. 

School counselors meet with students throughout the week of March 16th and 23rd to enter course requests. Once students meet with a school counselor, course requests will be printed out for parents to sign. These must be returned to the school counselor. 

The course request window will close April 1. 

Course requests are not guaranteed. Requests are analyzed to determine the number of sections of a course that will run. Then, students' core courses are put into their schedule first, followed by their electives (formerly Encore). 

Schedules are filled from upperclassmen down to underclassmen, starting with Seniors (Grade 12 students). This mostly impacts electives because freshman will not be competing for upper-level core courses that are grade-level dependent. 

This is a big change for you all and Counselors and Teachers alike want it to be as smooth and positive as possible.  

Students all have different strengths and interests, so please keep that in mind when choosing your courses.  Speak to your current teacher about what level you should take, they know your abilities best! 

Students should not feel pressured to take all honors courses, or to take what their friends are taking. Students should take what best fits their needs and interests!

Some students may feel driven to have a competitive schedule their freshman year, but this is generally not suggested.

Teachers and counselors will make recommendations to the students and their families, setting the student up for success.

Students will feel a considerable shift in rigor from the middle school years, regardless of whether they take college prep-level courses or honors. 

A careful balance is needed between students pushing themselves and understanding that a more challenging schedule in their freshman year might not set them up for success. A challenging schedule can cause stress in passing courses they may not be ready for. 

Challenges at the beginning of a student's high school career can compound if students don't do well. Credit recovery may be needed for courses not passed and can change the timeframe students are able to complete prerequesite courses. Counselors strongly advise that it far better (and more attractive to colleges) to develop a base and understanding and move onto more challenging courses after freshman year.

At the end of the day, it is the student and family's discretion over what level of courses to take. We do sincerely hope those teacher recommendations into strong consideration.

Trying hard and getting good grades does not give the whole picture of student success.

Colleges prefer to see an upward trajectory and patterns of growth over time in their preferred applicants. 

Students should also get involved in community service opportunities and extracurriculars that interest them!