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Current 8th Grade Families: FAQ
Current 8th Grade Families: FAQ
Due to the sheer volume of requests for meetings or calls about rising 9th grade (current 8th grade students) questions, we are not able to provide one-on-one conferences in person or over the phone. Please reference this document. If you have a question that is not covered on this document or on the website, please email your question to one of the 9th grade counselors and your questions will be answered through email and added to this document.
When do students begin making course selections for 9th grade?
Students will recieve the registration form when they visit the high schools in Febraury, families will also have the opportunity to hear directly from the high school counselors about the process at Taste of West Ashley. Families will be instructed on how to fill out the registration form and expected to submit their form electronically.
How many classes do 9th graders typically take in a year?
All students at WAHS are enrolled in 8 year long classes per year.
What do you mean by alternate course?
An alternate course is another elective course. In case something is full or does not fit into the schedule, we recommend students selecting at least three (3) alternate course choices.
Can we request to change the level of a course a teacher recommended?
The deadline to submit the course override form is March 1st. When schedules come out in August, you can request a change in level at that time, however there is no guarantee that we can accommodate course request changes.
My student is taking high school level courses this year (English 1, Algebra 1, Geometry, etc.), what will they take next year?
The typical math progression for math is Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and a 4th math of their choice, your child will automatically be enrolled in the next level of math.
The typical English progression is English 1, 2, 3, 4 (or 1, 2, and then AP or DE). There is also the opportunity to retake CP courses taken as an 8th grader in 9th grade per the SC Uniform Grading Policy.
My student has taken Spanish for two years. Will those carry over as credits for 9th grade?
Only students enrolled in a CP course on their schedule (ex: Spanish 1 CP) will earn high school credit upon successful completion. This will count as a credit toward graduation requirements.
Which languages are available?
French, German, Spanish.
Are the PE courses geared for one sport?
No, they are not. General PE courses include multiple sports. Weightlifting can be geared towards one specific sport but will contain student athletes from multiple sports.
Do dual credit classes give students college credit?
Yes, students will receive college credit from the approved college that the student takes the course along with high school credit. Other colleges may accept credit for these courses as well. We recommend verifying with any college you are interested in attending to see which courses may transfer. These courses are only offered to Juniors and Seniors.
Can a student take dual enrollment courses even if not in the "honors" class of English 2?
Students are able to take dual enrollment courses in a variety of subjects starting their junior year if they meet the requirements of Trident Technical College (TTC). This can be discussed at your 9th grade IGP.
Where can my student sign-up for career classes such as auto tech or sports medicine?
Students who wish to take courses at the West Ashley Center for Advanced Studies will request those courses with their WAHS counselor during their IGP meeting. There are a limited number of courses available to freshmen at the WACAS.
What if my child has an IEP or 504?
If your child has an IEP, you will primarily meet with the IEP team lead. Your child will still have an IGP meeting and get to choose elective courses with your counselor. If your child has a 504 plan, your counselor will reach out when the plan is due for review to set up a meeting. The IGP may also be scheduled before or after the 504 meeting.
Can we set up a meeting with a counselor at the high school?
If you have questions that you cannot find an answer to on the website, especially under the school counseling tab, please email one of the counselors for further assistance. Individual conferences for 8th graders are not an option at this time in order to prioritize our current students.
Is there a course catalog online that lists the electives?
Yes. On the WAHS website, under the school counseling tab, you can find the program of studies that goes into great detail about the courses we offer and the prerequisites for each course.
Is Fundamentals of Computing the same as Discovering Computer Science in the 8th grade?
The courses cover the same curriculum, if your student successfully completed both Discovering Computer Science 1 and 2, they should not take Fundamentals of Computing in high school.
Will information be sent out about courses that can be done virtually during the summer?
You will need to speak directly with your student’s current counselor at the middle school concerning which courses are available to middle school students over the summer. 8th grade students cannot take summer school with WAHS.
When will I get my schedule?
Freshman will get their schedules during registration in August.
How do I read my schedule?
Freshman will review how to read it and take tours of the school at freshman orientation over the summer.
How do I schedule a tour of WAHS for myself and my rising 9th grader?
Parents can request a tour of WAHS through the school website, however it is not guaranteed.
What is Flexmod?
This is the new schedule that WAHS will follow. You will receive informational handouts at registration in August which will help clarify some questions.
How do I enroll my child in the Scholar’s Academy?
Scholar’s Academy is a school choice option through CCSD, if you did not apply for the program during the school choice window, your child will not be considered for the program. Only rising 9th grade students zoned for West Ashley are eligible to apply.
Our child applied to the Scholars academy Program through the school choice system, when will we find out if they were accepted?
The decision process is completed in May of each school year for the following school year. Information is sent to the email address that was provided on the school choice application. You should have received communication from the system if you are offered a seat in the program, waitlisted, or denied a seat.
How To: High School Registration Form
How To: High School Registration Form
Please watch this video to learn more about how to fill out the high school registration form and choose the correct classes for your 9th grade year.
The presentation above was delivered on Thursday, February 15 at our "Taste of West Ashley" event. This information is meant for all rising 9th graders and families planning to attend West Ashley High School. It briefly covers graduation requirements, our FlexMod schedule, and what a typical schedule for a freshman looks like. We hope this information will help students complete their course registration form.
24-25 Rising 9th Grade Course Registration Form
24-25 Rising 9th Grade Course Registration Form
WAHS Scheduling Team has set the deadline for all course requests to be entered by Friday, March 17. Any forms submitted after that date will be accepted but it should be noted that we may not be able to guarantee elective course requests once the master schedule is built.
Parent Override Form
Parent Override Form
The following form can be filled out by the parent and submitted to the school counseling department to override a middle school teacher's course level recommendation. Please print and complete the form as instructed and submit via email to the appropriate school counselor. These forms are due by March 8th.
Rising 9th Grade Elective Options
Rising 9th Grade Elective Options
WAHS CTE Coures Options:
Fundamentals of Computing- Similar to Discovering Computer Science 1&2
Intro to Computer Programming- Software, program design and development, and practical programming experience.
Fundamentals of Web Page Design (prereq: any computer class) - Students will develop skills in designing, implementing, and maintaining a website
Image Editing- Students learn the use of technologies related to digital imaging such as basic computer operations, file sharing across networks, digital scanning, digital photography, and preparing documents for output to various types of media.
Accounting 1- Learn the technical interaction between accounting, finance, and business.
Child Development 1- Focuses on physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth and development of children. Successfully completing this course prepares students to take the American Red Cross Babysitter Safe Sitter Certification Exam.
Nail Tech 1- Prepares students to shape fingernails and toenails, remove unwanted skin and blemishes, appy polish and cosmetics to nails, and function as licensed manicurists or nail technicians.
Fundamentals of Business, Marketing, and Finance- Introduction to the 3 sectors of business classes at WAHS, Business Management, Marketing, and Business Finance. Students learn the basics of each sector to get a better understanding of which Business pathway they would like to pursue in their time at WAHS.
WAHS Fine Arts Electives:
Piano 1- beginner level course designed for students who simply have an interest in learning piano- no experience required but those who have experience can also take this class.
Art 1- This introductory course provides students with problem-solving experiences in two and three-dimensional media. Development of basic skills in creating and analyzing art.
Art 1 Honors (Prereq: Middle School Teacher Rec)- advanced study of art that integrates a study of art history and art criticism while building on a student’s art knowledge and skills. Each assignment relates to movements or artists from art history and is a problem-solving exercise that explores various mediums and ideas.
Theater 1- A general survey of theatrical arts; performance, design, history, and technical.
Music Composition- Theory and practice of writing music, no instruments in this class.
Chorus (beginner and experienced options)
Strings (beginner and experienced options)
Band (beginner and experienced options)
WAHS General Electives:
PACK (Required to take every year)- Builds a culture of respect, responsibility, courage and kindness, where students and adults are committed to quality work and citizenship. The four main purposes of PACK are: relationships, service, college/career preparation, and academic advisement and monitoring. PACK leaders also will support students in their understanding and ownership of the habits of success, as well as supporting students to define themselves as effective learners, ethical people and contributors to a better world. (See more in the program of studies below)
PE 1 General- PE for all students
PE 1 Weightlifting- weight training and conditioning for student athletes
Personal Health- The course content includes communication, stress management, problem solving, environment awareness, personal fitness, nutrition, human sexuality (including family life, pregnancy prevention and sexually transmitted diseases), substance abuse, disease prevention, and career exploration.
**Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, Personal Health will be embedded into all PE 1 courses. Students opting to take Navy ROTC or Marching Band PE will still be required to take the stand alone Personal Health course. **
Personal Finance- provides students with the knowledge and skills to manage financial resources effectively for a lifetime of financial well-being.
NROTC- This is an elective course for students with an interest in naval and military subjects. Additional training in military drill stresses self- discipline, respect for authority, and personal appearance. Participation in NJROTC requires compliance with Navy standards of grooming, to include regulation haircuts, being clean shaven and no earrings for males, wearing the uniform weekly, and acceptance of stringent standards of discipline. This class will take the place of the SC required PE credit. **Required Orientation for 1st year cadets during the summer**
Spanish 1
Spanish 2
French 1
German 1
CAS Course Options:
Networking Fundamentals- Students manage hardware and software network components including IP configuration, setting up wireless and wired networks, managing networks, basic network security, software updates, hardware upgrades, and network protocols.
Medical Terminology- Develop a working knowledge of the language of the health professions. Learn, prefixes, suffixes, roots, combining forms, and abbreviations.
Health Science 1 (concurrent with: Biology 1)- Students are introduced to healthcare history, careers, law and ethics, cultural diversity, health care language and math, infection control, professionalism, communication, basics of the organization of healthcare facilities, and types of insurance. Successfully completing this course prepares students to take the CPR/First Aid Certification Test.
PLTW Engineering Essentials (prereq: Algebra 1) - Develop problem solving skills with emphasis placed on development of three-dimensional computer models and learn problem-solving design processes used in industry to manufacture a product. This is an honors level course and requires students to be self-motivated.
Mechatronics 1 (prereq: Algebra 1) - Industrial Technology Field involving mechanical, instrumentation electronics, robotics/automation, computer components, and control systems. This is a project based course requiring students to be self-motivated.
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