Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do? Where do I begin?

1) Complete Course Selection WS at home. This is only a resource to help you prepare for Course Selection. You do not need to turn it in.

2) Make Course Requests in PowerSchool (see below for more details). Print the confirmation sheet from PowerSchool and bring it with you to your appointment with your Counselor. If you do not have a printer at home, you can print out your confirmation sheet in the Topper Library before your appointment.

3) Update your Next Step Plan. A brand-new Next Step Plan (fillable pdf) will be in your MaiaLearning account as an assignment. You will complete this (type all names and date) and upload back into the assignment. This must be completed every year.

4) Meet with your Counselor at scheduled time. Appointment date and time will be set-up through your Counselor.

NOTE: Students have access to the apps Kami or Lumin on their Chromebooks. Both apps will allow students to modify and fill in the pdf documents.

I need help!

Contact your Counselor to set-up an appointment with them to get assistance.

There will also be in-person help sessions on:

- January 22nd & 23rd in the Topper Library Classroom during student lunch
- January 25th 9:00 am - 11:00 am - Course Selection Workshop in the Topper Library.

Incoming 9th grade Parents Q&A Sessions

LAHS Counselors will host Question and Answer sessions for the LAHS Class of 2029 Parents. Parents are invited to attend these open forums that will allow specific questions to be answered about their students' upcoming schedules.

Monday, February 3rd @ 5:30pm in the Speech Theater
Wednesday, February 5th @ 12:30pm via Zoom

There will also be a Course Selection Workshop on Saturday, February 8th from 9a-11am in the Topper Library for Future Toppers (incoming Freshmen) and their parents.

I cannot find what I am looking for in the Course Catalog.

Use the search feature. In the upper right is a magnifying glass that will allow you to search the Course Catalog.

I really have no idea what classes to request during course selection.

There is a Progress to Graduation worksheet that outlines the credits needed to graduate. Below is a GUIDELINE only

9th grade: Class of 2029: Math, English 9, New Mexico History and Personal Financial Literacy, PE, Conceptual Physics, elective, elective

10th grade: Class of 2026-2028: Math, English 10, New Mexico History or US History, Chemistry, elective, elective, elective

Class of 2029: Math, English 10, World History, Chemistry, elective, elective, elective

11th grade: Class of 2026-2028: Math, English 11, New Mexico History or US History, Biology, Health, elective, elective, elective

Class of 2029: Math, English 11, US History, Biology, Health, elective, elective, elective

12th grade: Class of 2026-2028: Math, English 12, Government and Economics, elective, elective

Class of 2029: Math, English 12, Government and Economics, elective, elective

What electives am I required to take?

See the matrix below for help. You need a Fine Arts, Technology and Practical Art half credit. These three fulfill 1.5 of the credits needed. You will need additional electives of your choosing to fulfill the 5.5 elective credits needed.

Elective Credit Matrix provides descriptions on

Tech vs. Fine Arts vs. Practical Art

Elective Credit Matrix

How do I prioritize my alternate electives?

ALTERNATES MATTER! The order you choose your alternates will help build the schedule you want.

Your first choice alternate elective should be selected in Alternate Elective 1, the second choice alternate elective should be selected in Alternate Elective 2, and so on.

Do I need a World Language credit?

That depends on your future goals. A world language is not required for a LAHS diploma. On the other hand, many 4 year colleges require 2-4 years of the same world language so do your research.

Class of 2026-2028: The second year of a world language counts as a Career Cluster Credit, which is required to graduate. If you do not take a world language, you will need a career cluster. To satisfy this requirement you will need a full year of career type courses (Baking 1-2, Culinary 1-2, Auto 1-2, Metalworking 1-2, etc.).

Class of 20229: The second year of world language completes the 2-credit pathway graduation requirement.

What is a career cluster? Career Cluster Credit Guide For Class of 2026-2028

A career cluster credit is required to graduate. This can be fulfilled by the 2nd year of a world language. If you do not take a world language, to satisfy this requirement you will need a full year of career type courses (Baking 1-2, Culinary 1-2, Auto 1-2, Sports Med 1-2 etc.). Click the link above to see our Career Clusters Guide. Don't forget to scroll down.

Class of 2029: A "Career Cluster" is no longer required to graduate from Los Alamos High School. However, NMPED now requires students to complete a 2-credit pathway in one of the following concentrations: Language other than English, Fine Arts, Health, Military Occupation Preparation, Career Technical Education (CTE), Community or Service learning, a capstone course, or Work Based Learning

I cannot login to PowerSchool.

Students no longer need a separate username and password to access PowerSchool. Follow these directions to access PowerSchool.

If you still encounter issues, please email Stephanie Fabry, LAHS Data Specialist, at s.fabry@laschools.net

When does course selection open and close?

For current 9th-11th graders, Los Alamos High School course selection opens January 17th, 2025 and closes February 10th, 2025.

For current 8th graders (aka incoming freshmen) course selection will open in PowerSchool on February 3rd, 2025 (after Future Topper Day events) and close on February 10th, 2025.

Why can't I register for a course I want? (i.e. UNMLA/Northern New Mexico, Unsupervised Period, Academic Skills Lab, etc.)

Please check the eligibility and prerequisites for the course (grade, pre-requisite, etc.).

For Example:

Driver's Education - must be 15 on the first day of class
To schedule a UNMLA/New Mexico College course, Junior or Senior students are eligible with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5, with no failed classes the semester prior.
An Unsupervised Period is only open to Juniors and Seniors with a 2.5 cumulative GPA and no F's the previous semester.
Academic Skills Lab is a course that may only be selected when recommended by counselors and/or case managers.
This list is not exhaustive, so other courses may have similar considerations.

I cannot choose Baking or Culinary as alternate electives.

Baking and Culinary are only allowed to be chosen as PRIMARY elective requests. You may NOT add them as alternates.

What is the Next Step Plan?

The Next Step Plan (NSP) is a required document for all students for graduation. This form allows students to "put in writing" what their future plans are, including goals beyond high school.

All students will have access to a brand new Next Step Plan in their MaiaLearning account. Students, once logged in, will view their NSP as an assignment. Students, parents/guardians, and advisor will sign (type) their names and date the document before saving. Student will then upload the completed NSP back into their MaiaLearning assignment.

Do I have to take Foundations of Physical Education?

Yes, you do need PE or equivalent courses.

Two consecutive years of PE/Athletics or ROTC (Naval Science) can count for Foundations of PE. You cannot mix/match/combine, etc. It must be 2 full years of either PE/Athletics or ROTC to substitute for PE.

Four full years of band may also substitute for PE.

Please note that students may take PE anytime during their 4 years of high school. Students are not required to take it during their freshmen year, although the majority of students do choose to do so.

Do I need a Dual Credit or Honors or AP course?

All students are required to take 1 full credit of the following: an honors course, a dual credit course (UNM-LA or Northern New Mexico College) or an online course (with principal approval) or an AP level course (if qualified). To see the full LAHS AP Brochure, click here.

I am in Topper Virtual Academy (TVA), how do I complete Course Selection?

TVA students will complete Course Selection in the same manner as LAHS students. You will choose classes you need/want in PowerSchool.

Screencasts on how to use Kami, Lumin and TextHelp for completing fillable documents.

How to Lumin: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DRyIrc-ovnlcM35iSKwL_AqbC3-T-EWAZvPZ_uHLbQs/view?usp=sharing

How to Kami: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15TTNcpzCBfv5jA2ZE-Xk7IV4FJ4oOMFAOA_tD_aCiVg/view?usp=sharing

How to TextHelp: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HeV144HFkUD7uxBlsHpo_BnsUBj9oe851eZL0zDRxRc/view?usp=sharing