Course Selection Process

Teachers will make recommendations for appropriate placement and course prerequisites will be followed. After viewing the teachers’ recommendations, students and parents will electronically submit course requests. Parental input and approval of the choices are important. Following the submission, students will meet individually with their counselors to review and finalize their course requests. Late in the spring, we will send home a tentative schedule. Parents should check that sheet to see that the courses and levels are correct. If a change is requested, it is important to contact your student’s counselor promptly. These changes are due to the counseling office no later than July 1st.

The administration reserves the right to withdraw a course offering if a reasonable number of students do not elect the course or if staffing is not available. When a course is oversubscribed, priority for enrollment will be given to seniors, then juniors, then sophomores, etc. Students who are unable to be enrolled in a course will be offered alternative courses. While we hope to offer as many of the courses in this Program of Studies as possible, the actual course offerings will depend on budget and staffing. We build the entire schedule and assign faculty based on information we receive from students and parents in the winter and spring about course choices. Usually we can accommodate changes that are submitted during the spring. However, requests for changes after that time will only be honored after school personnel have carefully considered the reasons for the proposed changes and only if space and resources are available. Requests for change such as disliking a course, underestimating the course expectations, selecting or deselecting a specific teacher, wishing to take an easier course, not realizing what the course would be like, or wanting to be in a class with friends are inappropriate reasons for a schedule change and will not be honored. This policy has been developed to prevent staffing, scheduling, and teaching and learning problems that result from late schedule changes. Once the school year has begun, schedule conflicts, oversubscription, and other factors may make certain courses unavailable. We cannot stress enough the importance of carefully considering and selecting courses in the spring. Avoid schedule problems in the summer and fall by making wise, thoughtful choices now.

Remember, building a balanced schedule is one of the most important things you can do as a high school student. Challenge yourself to try new things and expand your horizons. After all, this is what high school should be all about. We hope you have a successful school year and we are here to help guide you in any way we can.

Sincerely, SLHS Administration

Course Selection Process Timeline:

• Late January: Counselors will provide an overview of course selection information to students in grade level meetings during Spartan Period.

• Late January: Teachers will discuss course options with students in class and will enter course recommendations in Sapphire for each student.

• Early February: Students will have a one week window of time to input course requests into Sapphire for next school year. During this time, students should speak with their parents/guardians regarding course requests and should carefully consider teacher recommendations & course prerequisites.

• February-May: Students will have the opportunity to discuss course requests with their counselor.

• June: Students will be provided with a tentative schedule.

• June 15: Deadline for students to make changes to schedules.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Please note that Math & Science teacher recommendations are based on performance in current classes only. Grade prerequisites for courses taken in previous years will be verified by the guidance office.

• Core subject teachers will be recommending courses directly in Sapphire.

• You will need to enter your courses directly into Sapphire

• You must schedule a MINIMUM OF 7 CREDITS and may select a maximum of 8 credits.

• Please read the course descriptions in the Program of Studies and be aware of course prerequisites.

• Courses marked with “DE” indicates a dual enrollment course and those marked with an “*” indicates a weighted course.

• ALL SCHEDULE CHANGES MUST BE MADE BY JULY 1st

GUIDELINES FOR PROGRAM PLANNING

Planning a program of study each academic year is one of the most important tasks a student will complete throughout their four years at Southern Lehigh High School. Students will be guided through this process by faculty, counselors and administrators, as they closely follow graduation requirements. Counselors will present an overview of the program of studies book, highlighting prerequisites and course sequences. In addition, all teachers will review the content for next year’s courses and provide guidelines to assist with selection in their specific areas. Listed below are some basic guidelines to follow when selecting courses for the next academic school year:

1. Motivation, interest, and aptitude are important factors to consider when selecting courses. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves with the most demanding course of study they can successfully complete in a given academic year.

2. Previous levels of achievement should be reviewed to determine possible course selection. When selecting a sequential course, students must meet course prerequisites.

3. Graduation requirements will be reviewed each year to determine appropriate progress in all required subject areas.

4. Students are required to schedule a minimum of 7 credits per year.

Teacher recommendations are valued in helping to guide the student through the correct course sequence and appropriate level. As a team, the student, parent, teacher and counselor will work together to select a challenging, appropriate academic program of studies.

Note: Required course equipment and fees can be provided for individual students based on demonstrated need.