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I am a rising senior or junior. How do I request an excused block?
You must be a rising senior or junior, have a 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA, and you must have completed all of your testing requirements for graduation. When you meet with your counselor, let your counselor know you would like an off block. They will get you a form that you and a parent/guardian will have to complete and it is also linked HERE. Please understand that excused blocks are a request and are not guaranteed. We will do our very best to meet your requests; however, your course selection comes first and we must work within the limits of the master schedule which is not built until the summer.
How do I know which courses satisfy each requirement?
We made a chart to see which courses will satisfy each graduation requirement that you can access HERE. This should help in planning your courses!
I plan to take a class in summer school. How should I be scheduled?
Information for summer school will be posted on the Virginia Beach Public Schools website in the spring (typically after spring break). Registration and payment will be done online. Once you have signed up for and paid for summer school, you should contact your school counselor to tell them what class you signed up for and what changes you would like to make to your course request for next school year as a result of registering for summer school. Counselors will schedule you as if you are NOT taking the summer school course. Once the course is passed, the counselor will make necessary adjustments.
How does online Health and PE work?
CLICK HERE to find out the details about online PE. It is a great option for the summer if you are looking to free up some space in your schedule. However, if you have the space in your schedule, we recommend taking the course in person at school.
How many courses should I register for?
Students must register for a minimum of six credited courses and a maximum of eight credited courses. Study blocks are only recommended for students who are enrolling in an AP or Dual Enrollment course.
How many AP courses should I take?
That is dependent upon the individual student and their postsecondary goals. Keep in mind that AP courses are courses that require college level coursework. This means, more time will be dedicated to completing assignments, homework, studying, etc. If you are someone who is very busy outside of school, it would be wise to assess how much time you have to dedicate to each class, which will then determine how many APs you can, and should, take. Keep in mind that although AP courses offer more weight to your GPA, it will be counteractive if you do not do as well in the course. We want you to take a rigorous course load, but also be successful while doing so.
To determine which AP courses to take, the descriptions can be found under the 'Course Descriptions' tab on this page as well as on the College Board website which is linked HERE.
Can you recommend sample pathways for me as I progress through high school?
Absolutely! We have put together these sample pathways for students and parents to view which courses are available throughout high school. Each student's path will be different and these pathways are not set in stone, but these can provide some samples for what to take based on student interests.
Sample Pathways Document Linked Here
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