Registration & Scheduling

Role of the Guidance Counselor

Guidance Counselors assist students in registering for academic programs and scheduling their classes.  The counselor’s role varies depending upon a student’s year in school, type of program, and post-high school plans.  However, the guidance counselors usually act as facilitators in the decision-making process: explaining curriculum, interpreting course content, accounting for school policies and procedures, and assessing student interests and needs.  A guidance counselor’s knowledge of students, the high school curriculum, and college and technical school requirements are used with individuals or groups of students to plan appropriate programs each semester.  Scheduling for the next school year occurs in February.  When academic or scheduling problems arise, guidance counselors are available to help students and parents develop solutions.

Student Class Load

In Grades 9, 10, and 11, the minimum program expected at Ridgewood High School consists of 7 subjects each semester.  In Grade 12, the minimum requirement is 6 subjects each semester. Exceptions to this policy may be granted with the approval of the Assistant Principal of Guidance, Curriculum & Instruction.

Enrollment in Courses

Any course listed in this book that does not receive the necessary minimum enrollment may be dropped.  Students who registered for any dropped course will be given the opportunity to select an alternate course.

Course Change Deadlines

Students may drop or change courses only after the parent or guardian, teacher, and counselor have completed the Course Drop form.  The Department Supervisor must be consulted and must sign the form.  Semester and full year courses dropped after ten (10) full class sessions, regardless of when a student enrolls in Ridgewood High School, will carry a grade of W/E (withdrawal failing) or W/P (withdrawal passing) on the student’s permanent record, unless extenuating circumstances require a review by the Principal.  Two important points need to be remembered when dropping or changing courses:

• Students must continue attending the classes they are enrolled in until a drop or change is approved. 

• Seats may not be available in the replacement course selected in which case the student would have the choice of remaining in the original course.  If the dropping of the course places the student below minimum course load, the student will be assigned a study hall. 

Course change requests may be initiated by a teacher, student, guidance counselor or parent.  A student’s performance in present and past courses, plus any relevant test scores and current progress, can be used in deciding on a course change.  The student must pick up a Schedule Change form in the Guidance Department and obtain teacher, department chair, parent and guidance counselor signatures.  It is expected that a conversation will happen at each level to make certain that the change is appropriate.  Student and parent must be aware that the student’s schedule may change. The grade will follow the student to the next course. 

Course Drop/Add Policy

Changing or Adding Courses: Students are permitted to change or add courses with appropriate recommendation during the first 10 class sessions of the course. This applies to both semester and year-long courses.

Dropping Courses: Students can drop a class through the midpoint of any year-long or semester course without consequence to the transcript or overall GPA. After the midpoint of the class, the class will carry a grade of W/E (withdrawal failing) or W/P (withdrawal passing) on the student’s permanent record, unless extenuating circumstances require a review by the Principal. Parents and teachers must be notified of all course drops. In the case of a senior dropping a course after the transcript has been sent to colleges, the student must also notify the college.

Course Transfer Policy (Level Changes)

• Course level changes before the add date (10 class sessions): Grade Does Not Follow.

  • Students should be aware that when switching courses, they may be required to complete all assigned work they missed in their new course.

• Level changes made after the add date (10 class sessions), but before the end of the first quarter, grade transfers with a 5% adjustment for changing levels (AP to Honors, Honors to Advanced, Advanced to CP, CP to GN).

• Any level changes after the first quarter the grade follows as is; there will be no grade adjustments made.

• For quarters two and three students have 10 days after the start of the quarter to request a level change; beyond this 10-day window, students will be required to remain in the course for the duration of the quarter.