During the summer, students may add and drop classes based on their interest in a prospective course. Students may never request a schedule change based on preference for a teacher, preference for a study hall at a specific time, desire to have class with a friend, etc. Students must also meet prerequisite requirements and have the proper teacher recommendations to enroll in a course. 

During the school year, schedule changes are more selective and may only occur if a student is in the wrong course, missing a required course, attended summer school and passed a scheduled course, already took and passed a scheduled course or request the change during the add/drop period. Sparta High School understands that the addition of students to an existing course can be a disruption to the course that is already in progress. Therefore, Sparta High School generally does not permit students to enroll in a new course that is already in progress outside the add/drop period. During the school year, outside the add/drop period, students may only drop a course to add a study hall if they do not already have one. If a student already has a study hall and a course is in progress, it will not be possible to drop a course. Students must have a minimum of 7 classes or 35 credits. Seniors are permitted to carry 6 classes or a minimum of 30 credits.

Provided a student meets the above criteria, it may be possible to drop and add a course during the school year. Changing scheduled classes is a serious decision; therefore, the request to change a schedule is not to be taken lightly. A conference involving the student, teacher, counselor and parent may be necessary before a student is permitted to change their schedule. 

Adding a Course

A student may request to enter a course provided it has an available seat during the add/drop period. Students will be responsible for making up all missed work in the new course.

Withdrawing from Course

The dropping of a course is a serious matter and is usually discouraged. Only after much thought and consultation should a change take place. Students seeking to drop a course from their schedule must request an appointment with their counselor. The counselor will review the request and consult with all relevant parties involved before rendering a decision.

Students may be permitted to withdraw from any class during the add/drop period without penalty provided that they will still be carrying a minimum of 7 classes each semester and 35 credits. Seniors are permitted to carry 6 classes or a minimum of 30 credits. Students must remain in their scheduled classes for the first three days of each course before initiating a schedule change. 

Students who withdraw after the tenth day will receive a “WF” (Withdrawal Failing). This grade will be entered for the marking period in which the withdrawal occurs and the final grade for the course. A student wishing to appeal the “WF” must do so in writing to the Director of Student Support Services within ten school days of the withdrawal. If the appeal is approved by the administration, the “WF” will become a “W” on the transcript. A "WF" will result in a final grade of "F" being calculated into their GPA. A "W" will result in the final grade of "C" being calculated into their GPA.

Level Changes

Level changes during the school year are discouraged. A tremendous amount of time is spent placing students at the appropriate level based on grades, teacher recommendations, and testing.  In the event that you disagree with your level recommendation, you have the option to waive into a higher level course via the parent portal. Please request the preferred course, and complete the acknowledgment to be scheduled for your courses. 

During the school year, a student may find the pace of a course to be too demanding and may initiate a move to a lower-level course. For example, a student in Algebra 2 Honors may find themselves struggling and initiating a move to Algebra 2 CP-Advanced. Course level changes may only be considered if a student has demonstrated adequate effort to be successful in the current course, the teacher supports the student's request, the requested course has available seats and does not cause a major disruption to the student's schedule. Conflicts in the master schedule and lack of an open seat may prevent a level change from being considered. Level changes may only occur with the support and/or recommendation of the current teacher. A conference involving the student, teacher, counselor and parent may be necessary before a student is permitted to level drop in a subject. Marking period grades from the sending course will carry to the receiving course. It is the discretion of the teacher as to how to integrate the grades from a marking period in progress. Level changes must be initiated before a course has progressed beyone one-fourth of the class meetings. For example, a level change in a full year course must be initiated by the end of the first marking period. A level change in a semester course must be initiated by the middle of the first marking period.

If a course level is changed during the year, the grade(s) received in the original course will follow the student and count toward the student’s final average. In the event that you are opting to move up two levels, ex: from CP to AP, student and parent must attend a waiver meeting with the student's school counselor and department supervisor. The request to waive into a course must be made before June 3, 2024.