Scheduling

Course Selection and Schedule Changes

 Students and parents should give careful consideration to course selection. One of the main purposes of this booklet is to provide an overview of course offerings and requirements necessary to select the various classes. Students and parents should review the course descriptions and direct any questions they may have to the teacher of that subject and/or the school counselor. Before schedule changes will be made, priority will be given to students who are not fully scheduled. Request for schedule changes will be considered within six school days of the beginning of each semester. No schedule changes will be made after the sixth school day of the semester. In accordance with the practice at all secondary Shenandoah County Public Schools, students are only allowed to change their schedules once during the six day add/drop period. 

Course Load

 There are four (4) block periods in a school day per semester. All students are required to take a minimum of four (4) blocks per semester. 

Early College Scholars 

The Early College Scholars program allows eligible public high school students to earn a minimum of 15 transferable college credits while fulfilling the requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma. The result? A more productive senior year in high school and significant savings on college tuition costs.

To participate, you must:

• • Be working toward an Advanced Studies Diploma.

  • Keep at least a “B” average in your high school classes.

  • Earn the Governor’s Seal on your diploma by completing at least 9 college credits through Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge, or dual enrollment courses.

  • Earn a total of 15 transferable college credits before you graduate high school. These credits can come from:

    • • Dual enrollment or dual credit courses (grade of C or better)  AP, IB, or Cambridge courses with qualifying exam scores 

      • Passing CLEP exams

      • Other approved college-level courses that award transferable credit

      • Apply to and be accepted by a college or university after high school. 

How to Apply:

Talk to your school counselor about your eligibility.

Review your academic and career plan to make sure you’re on track for an Advanced Studies Diploma.

Complete the Early College Scholars Agreement (signed by the student, parent/guardian, principal, and counselor).

Work with your school counselor to enroll in the right combination of AP, IB, Cambridge, and/or dual enrollment courses to meet the requirements. 

Preparation for College Entrance Examinations

Students are more successful on college entrance examinations if they have prepared themselves adequately by taking academically rigorous course work. All students who plan to take the SAT, ACT, or other college entrance examinations are encouraged to enroll in college preparatory courses and participate in an exam preparation program.

Students should consult with school counselor to determine the most appropriate college examination.

College entrance examinations are not required for admission to Virginia community colleges. Students planning to attend a Virginia community college are required to take English and math placement tests prior to registering for community college courses in these subject areas. However, students who plan to transfer to four-year colleges and universities from a community college may be required to take the SAT, ACT, or other college entrance examinations.

Athletic/Activity Participation

 The Virginia High School League rules specify that in order to participate in varsity or junior varsity athletics, drama, forensics, debate, scholastic bowl, cheerleading, and any academic or athletic activities involved in competition between/among schools, a student must have passed three out of four classes for credit in the previous semester AND to be taking at least three classes for credit in the current semester. Grades earned during the second semester of the previous school year will determine eligibility for the first semester of the current school year. Students who do not meet the grade point average requirement in a given semester and who wish to participate have the option to use a waiver available to them one semester during the high school years. 

NCAA Eligibility 

Students planning to participate in intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA Division I or II institution must have their academic and amateurism status certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center.

 The NCAA rules are complex, so students should ask coaches, student activities coordinators, and school counselors for help. It is important to let the counselor know if a student plans to seek an athletic scholarship. More detailed information is available on the NCAA website at http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/CBSA20.pdf. 

Division III does not use the NCAA Eligibility Center. Contact your Division III college regarding policies on amateurism and eligibility requirements for sports.