Embedded Files
Principal's Message To Parents
and Students
Please read the information in this Program of Studies carefully before selecting next year’s courses. This should ensure a smooth start to the school year next September. We also ask students and parents to work together in outlining a four-year course of study. Our course offerings are extensive, balanced, challenging and designed to meet the educational needs of all students. We strongly suggest that parents/guardians and students consult with guidance counselors and teachers when planning either a one-year or four-year program of study.
Browse through the various sections of this booklet. In early March, students will access Plus Portals and view all recommendations made by their current teachers. Students and parents should consider these recommendations, request their choice of courses, add elective courses and then submit their requests. Questions concerning level recommendations should be directed to the teacher who made the recommendation. Parental/Guardian approval of the choices is important. Delays in submitting the course requests may result in reduced options and the closing of some courses.
In late March students/parents will receive via email Course Verifications. Parents/guardians and students should confirm that the courses and levels are correct. It is important that the verification sheet be returned to students’ guidance counselors promptly if changes are desired.
Choosing high school courses is a major decision for all students. A good rule to follow is that students should take the most challenging and encompassing program appropriate to graduation requirements, their abilities and interests. Abilities can be assessed from prior performance, teacher evaluations, report card grades, various evaluative instruments and the ongoing discussion with their counselor and faculty advisor.
Choosing appropriate courses should be a very reflective process. It requires students to think about their strengths and challenges, what has worked and hasn’t worked, and what goals they wish to achieve in the next year. We have found it to be helpful for students to go through this exercise with their parents/guardians before the conversation of “Which course should I take?” occurs. The amount of work a student is ready to commit to should be a healthy complement to any extracurricular activities they want to maintain.
Taking a core academic program which includes English, mathematics, science, social studies, world language, fine and practical arts, and other offerings each year provides both rigor and balance to a good learning program. Graduation requirements address some of these issues. Earning good grades and adhering to these guidelines are likely to provide all students with quality options when they graduate. Students should consider their course selections very carefully since it may be difficult to change courses after choices have been made and verified during the spring.
What courses students take, how students use their time, and how well students do in high school will have a great effect on the kinds of choices available to them after graduation. Thus, we remind you again that before finalizing choices for classes next year, students should consider graduation requirements and consult with parents/guardians, current teachers and guidance counselors.
Karen Cahill, Milton High School Principal
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