February 26-March 1, 2024

These are the dates for rising 6th grade registration! On February 26, the registration window in our software will open, and students will be able to view the registration platform (PowerSchool) via their Backpack account. During that week, I will be meeting individually with each student to register them in PowerSchool. Please scan the questions below to find more information.

What courses are offered at my child’s middle school? Click on https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/Parents/main.asp?titleid=catalogs to find your child’s middle school. (Middle schools follow the high schools, at the bottom half of the page.) Click on “MS Rising 6th” for your child’s middle school. Course catalogs are identical whether in HTML or PDF format.

These course catalogs list every course offered at your child’s middle school for 6th graders, along with descriptions of those courses. If you have any questions about a course, please contact the middle school.

What courses will my child be taking in middle school? Middle school courses are divided into required and elective courses.

Required Courses

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

P.E.

Elective Courses

Course offerings vary depending on the middle school

All 6th graders in GCS take the same science, social studies, and PE courses, regardless of which middle school they go to. Their teachers recommend them for one of two English courses (English Studies 6 or English GT 6) and one of two math courses (Math 6 or Math 6/7). Information for these courses can be found in the course catalogs described above. The courses your child have been recommended for can be seen in PowerSchool.

Students choose which elective courses (also known as Related Arts) to take. They may choose either 1 year-long course and 1 semester course or 3 semester courses. (Some schools, such as Fisher Middle School, offer quarter-long courses.) The registrations forms sent home with your child specify which courses are semester courses and which are year-long. The elective offerings at your child’s middle school can be found in the course catalogs described above.

What if my child has an IEP? If your child is currently pulled from class to receive special education services during the school day, Mrs. Smith will be assessing whether he/she qualifies for specific special education courses (which are also listed in the course catalogs). These courses will be recommended for your student in PowerSchool in the same way math and English are recommended.

Does my child have to pick alternates? Yes. Many electives are in high demand, and there is not enough room in each course to include all the students who want to take a certain elective. You and your child should choose alternate (backup) courses that he/she would like to take in the event that one or more first-choice electives are not available. Alternates MUST be different courses than your child’s first-choice elective courses.

Can I get specific information for my child’s middle school about registering? Yes. Middle schools have posted virtual curriculum night information on their webpages. You can access the webpage at https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/Schools/middle.asp by finding the middle school and clicking “Visit”.

My child is not going to the middle school listed on the form he/she received. How can I register for the right middle school? At this time, all 5th graders have been assigned to a middle school based on factors such as attendance zone, the school choice lottery, and acceptance into a magnet program. Your child received the registration form for the school that he/she is assigned to in PowerSchool. Students must register for the school they are currently assigned to. If the school assignment changes (for example, if your child is on a waiting list for a school and a space opens up at that school), the middle school will contact you directly to register your student for that school.

Should we turn in the registration form? Yes. Registration forms must be turned in by Monday, February 26. After your student’s registration has been finalized (around Spring Break), you will receive a letter confirming your student’s course requests.

If my child takes a music class, do we have to buy an instrument? For band and strings, families are expected to provide an instrument for the student. These instruments can be rented or purchased. The band and strings teachers at your child’s middle school will give information on how to buy or rent an instrument; some schools may offer a rental evening at the school to make it convenient for parents. There are also music stores in Greenville that can supply instruments. Please contact the middle school music teachers for more information.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 864-452-0504 or ccooker@greenville.k12.sc.us.