Prerequisite grades are needed for certain classes. Below please find the waiver and acceleration procedures as well as timelines.
Methacton encourages our students to choose academically challenging courses that will inspire them to work to their fullest potential. It is also important to recognize the relevance of established prerequisites that have been identified as important to the successful completion of a variety of our courses. In seeking to balance the desire for academic challenge with the importance of meeting prerequisites, the waiver policy has been established. This policy allows students to schedule academic courses if the grades they have earned are within three (3) percentage points of the established prerequisite criteria.
During the time of course selection, students must meet all established prerequisite requirements from past coursework when choosing a specific course. The overall course average that the student has earned in the current course of study at the midpoint of the academic year will determine the teacher recommendation for the next course in the progression. Students who wish to schedule an Honors or AP level course but whose midyear grade is below the established prerequisite will be informed that they have the third marking period to earn an overall course grade that is within the three percentage points associated with the waiver. If at the end of the third marking period the student has earned a grade that is at or above the prerequisite, he or she may contact the Counselor and have the course selection changed. If the student is within the three-percentage point waiver range, he or she may submit a waiver request to the Department Coordinator for the subject in which the course is assigned. Students are responsible for making this request directly to the Coordinator (see list below). This request must be made by no later than one week after the issuance of third marking period report cards (specific date established annually by the school calendar).
Additionally, any student who did not meet the prerequisite requirement at the end of the third marking period but who earns an overall final course grade that meets or exceeds this prerequisite must contact his or her assigned school counselor and the appropriate academic area Department Coordinator by June 20 to schedule the more challenging course. A waiver form must be submitted as a component of this email communication to the Counselor and Department Coordinator.
Prerequisites and waivers are designed to provide students with the best possible guidance toward academic success while still encouraging students to undertake challenging academic studies. Adherence to this policy will not be subject to administrative override.
Department Coordinators:
o Art: Ms. Caitlin Ferenchak
o Business/FCS/Technology: Mr. Chris Lloyd
o English: Ms. Liza Kernan
o Health/Physical Education Mr. Jeffrey Derstine
o Mathematics: Ms. Megan Emery
o Music Ms. Susan Basalik
o Science: Mr. Steven Savitz
o Social Studies: Mr. Adam Sussman
o Special Education: Ms. Niki Brislin
o World Language: Ms. Christine Hamill
Methacton High School Course Request Waiver Form
Students and parents must complete this form when requesting a waiver to schedule a course for which the student has not met the prerequisite requirements but whose earned grades fall within three (3) percentage points of the established requirements. The form will be open at the start of the third marking period and should be completed electronically (link below). This form is due to the Department Coordinator no later than one week after the issuance of third marking period report cards (specific date established annually by the school calendar). Waivers are approved on a first-come, first-served basis.
For Level Advancement: Students whose final grade meets the required grade criteria for a higher level course must complete this form to schedule the more academically challenging course.
For a Waiver Request: Students must complete this form when seeking a waiver to request a course for which the student has not met the prerequisite requirements but whose earned grades fall within three (3) percentage points of the established requirements. This form is due no later than June 20, 2024. Click here to complete the
Level Advancement/Course Request Waiver Form online.
All requests for changes NOT related to level changes in student schedules must be received in writing no later than March 21, 2025. (Ex. Taking a different elective or dropping a course that is not a graduation requirement.)
All change requests will be honored, if possible. However, certain requests may be impossible to honor because of enrollment mandates, number of sections, conflicts with other courses selected, etc. To make a change, the student must provide to his/her current school counselor:
A signed parental note/email indicating the course to be deleted, added, etc.
Include the student’s name, grade, and ID number
This must accompany all requests. All change requests must meet any associated prerequisite guidelines.
Changes on a student’s schedule program after the deadline of March 21, 2025, are limited to:
A) Successful completion of summer school, private tutoring.
B) Computer/mechanical/clerical errors.
C) Failure to pass a sequential course.
D) Change in post-secondary planning.
Schedule changes are not routinely permitted during the school year, although extreme and/or unusual circumstances may dictate change. Once the year begins, students are expected to continue in and complete the courses selected for the official schedule.
Should a request be made for a course to be changed or dropped within the first two complete letter days cycles (A-F Days) of the school year, the student will carry the grade achieved in the course to the course they pick up in its place. (e.g. If enrolled in Honors English and switching to Academic English, the grade earned in Honors will be transferred and calculated into the marking period for the Academic class.)
After the first two complete letter day cycles (A-F Days) of the school year, dropped courses will result in a Withdrawal Fail (WF/59%). This will appear on the transcripts for the student and will be calculated as a failed credit for the remainder of the year. NOTE: Students who are failing 2 or more credits are ineligible to participate in athletics or clubs until the failure(s) is(are) rectified.
Methacton features a comprehensive, sequential curriculum designed to meet the academic needs of all students within their high school career. In accordance with Methacton School Board Policy 124.1, “Acceleration through advanced or accelerated courses, pre-graduation college courses, summer work and other enrichment opportunities are encouraged by the Board. The Board will follow all applicable state laws when enforcing this policy.”
Be advised that at the time of this publication and due to state graduation requirements, Algebra I, and English 10 are not eligible for acceleration because students must pass a Keystone Exam to be awarded a diploma. Honors Biology is available for acceleration only for students attaining a > 95% in Environmental 9 Honors. Any Honors Biology acceleration student must be available to take the Biology Keystone Exam during the established Keystone testing window on the summer offered date with no exception. Failure to score proficient will result in the student having to drop Chemistry to take Biology.
Information about how to accelerate is available online on the MHS website. Acceleration Request Forms are available in the School Counseling Office and must be completed before April 15, 2025. If the request is approved, acceleration grading/credit guidelines will be given to the student. Methacton will not recognize any course for credit unless this procedure is followed and completed in advance of the course(s) being taken.
Additionally, students are not permitted to accelerate classes from 8th to 9th grade. Given students have not yet experienced the academic rigor of pace of high school classes, accelerating from 8th to 9th is not permitted.