What is Scheduling?

Scheduling is the process of building the master schedule--which class runs in which period, how many times each class is offered, and who teaches it. When we build the master schedule each spring, we base it on you and the courses you want to take next year.

Your Course Requests Drive the Schedule

At Mountain View, the schedule starts with you. Our goal is always to build a schedule that puts you first and allows you to take as many of your first-choice classes--the courses you need to graduate and the ones that interest you the most--as possible.

To do this, we need to know which classes you want to take next year. That's where forecasting comes in. Through forecasting each spring, we find out what every MVHS student wants to take. Once we know that, we can plan everything from how many teachers we need to when each class will take place.

We use your course requests, and those of every other MVHS student, to puzzle out the schedule. If we place a class in period 1, will that prevent you from taking the class we already placed there? Every class is scheduled for the period or periods where you have the best chance of taking it and all the other classes you want. We can't get it perfect for all 1,300 students, but we work hard to make sure most can take all of the classes they requested.

That's why it's so important that you forecast in the spring and that you do so thoughtfully. If you don't forecast, or if you don't choose the classes you actually need, we can't guarantee you'll be able to take the classes you want when school starts in the fall.

Forecasting Explained

Forecasting is the term we use for the process that begins with you choosing your classes. During forecasting, you will have the opportunity to explore MVHS course offerings at the course fair. You will then be able to choose next year's classes in StudentVUE and meet with your counselor to make sure your course requests keep you on track to graduate.

It is crucial that you request a full schedule of classes and at least four alternate courses. Alternates are the classes you wouldn't mind taking if you can't get into your first-choice courses. Alternates should be different classes than your primary, or first-choice, requests, because if the scheduling system cannot schedule you into your primary requests, it will need to try to build your schedule using different classes. Without alternates, you could end up without the classes and credits you need next year.

If you do not fully forecast, including at least four alternate choices, the counseling team will select classes for you which meet your graduation requirements. You will not be able to change these classes in the fall, so make sure to forecast in the spring so you can get the classes you want!

Forecasting Timeline

Visit the Forecasting page to get all the information you'll need to choose your courses for next year!