Frequently Asked Questions

Core Class Q/A  

• My son is in regular math but we would like for him to test to see if he can move on to prealgebra next year. When is this test scheduled for? And do we go ahead and sign him up for pre algebra?

  • Credit By Exams are scheduled through the district. You can find a link on our CMS Website under the Counseling Tab and then Tests.  For now, he will be placed in the math class that follows his current math level. Once we receive scores from CBE’s, we will update any student schedule that needs to be changed. 

• If I choose all advanced core classes (Language Arts, Science, and social studies), after a few weeks if I find it overwhelming, can I switch to on level classes?

  • Great question! Yes, you can switch to another level. Keep in mind that more than just that class may change. 

• If a student is placed in Algebra 1 in 7th grade, are they required to take it, or can they take Pre-Algebra?

  • Parents can request their student be placed in Pre- Algebra

Elective Class Q/A

• How can my son rank application electives vs. non-application electives? 

  • HS Courses take precedence.  If a student is selected for multiple application courses and there is a conflict, we contact the student/parents to ask preference. 

• Do elective courses fill up based on first come first serve or will classes be scheduled once all students elections are in.

  • It is not first come first served. All selections submitted during the open window for submissions will have the same opportunity for being placed in their top choices. 

Career Investigations and Explorations

• Is Career Investigations & Explorations required?

  • Starting next year (2025/26) Career Investigations & Explorations is no longer required but an elective choice for the students.

Spanish

If you take Spanish as an elective in 8th grade does it lock you into taking Spanish as your language for the rest of high school or can you take another language starting in 9th grade ?

• No, it does not lock you into taking Spanish in HS. However, if you change to another Language, the Spanish will not count as a Language credit, but rather an elective. It will still be in your GPA. 

Theatre

• Can I take both Theatre 1 and 2 in 7th grade?

  • Yes, Each is a semester elective, and both can be taken within the same year.  

Yearbook/Photography

• Do I need a camera to apply for yearbook?

  • It’s recommended, but not required! 

• For the Photography class, what type of digital camera is required?

  • Any digital camera will work. 

Nutrition

• I am a vegetarian and cannot use gelatin, eggs, or meat products in my cooking. I would like to take this elective. Is there a way we can work around this?

  • Yes

• In the Nutrition and Wellness class will there be meat, fish, or eggs used?

  • Yes

Band

• When are the tryouts for the band? Will they complete this at DIS, as 6th graders?

  • Band auditions are generally held at the end of April or beginning of May. The Band Directors will determine the timeline and communicate it to all band members. The auditions will be at DIS.

Athletics PE Q/A

• When and where do you select the actual sport team for the Athletic option? It is not included in either the Google Form nor the Skyward Access schedule site.

  • We do not need to know the sport the student is interested in - only that they want to participate in athletics. We have included this information in the Athletic Slides on our Course Selections Website. 

OCPA OCPA Application 

Does select club sports count for OCPE if you play on multiple teams including CISD teams? As long as it’s the same sport and meets the requirements?

• OCPA must be with the same provider, so multiple teams will not meet the requirements. 

• If we submit the OCPA form next week, will it be in time for the student to select an elective instead of Athletics/PE during Course Selection?

  • It generally takes a little time for the application to be approved. If approval is granted after the deadline for course selection (which will be most applications), we remove athletics/pe from the student schedule and add their next choice of electives. This is one reason why the google form is so important. It is best if we have OCPA applications by the end of May. 

• When will the OCPE application be accessible?

  • The district is in the process of updating the application, but last years can be used until it is updated. 

• I heard that students can try out for both Football and Basketball at the same time. 

  • Football and Basketball have 2 separate seasons. Students will not try out at the same time, but rather, can participate in both sports. Football is a non-cut sport. Anyone may participate. Basketball has tryouts after football season. We would suggest you go to the CMS Athletics Webpage. There is a lot of information regarding each sport.

• If I want to try out for volleyball but don't want to do athletics, can I still do volleyball? If I'm doing volleyball do I need to be in athletics?

  • No. Students must be enrolled in athletics to try out, as well as to participate. 

• Are students required to have all equipment ready to go on day 1 of school for their selected sport option?

  • Our coaches will be communicating with students/parents prior to August with information pertaining to the athletic program, including any requirements for the first day of school. Some sports utilize school issued equipment.