Course Selection and Schedule Changes

COURSE SELECTION AND SCHEDULE CHANGES

Curriculum choices will be determined by a student’s previous record, natural ability, aptitudes, special talents, inclinations, and ambitions. Students are urged to give careful consideration to their selection of courses in the spring for the following year, making full use of input from school counselors and teachers. Every effort will be made to provide a program which meets the needs and interests of the individual student. Schedule changes during the school year will be made only for the following reasons: scheduling errors, teacher recommendations, and extenuating circumstances such as significant illness.

It is important to remember that not every course listed in the Program of Studies is offered every year. Certain courses may not be offered due to insufficient enrollment, scheduling conflicts or limited staff availability. Students should consider their interests, possible career paths and post-secondary planning when making their choices. Course selection should be made with these considerations and a serious commitment to the chosen course work.

Students meet with their school counselors in individual and small group settings to complete course selection and review their four year plans.

CREDIT ENROLLMENT

A minimum of 7.0 Waterford High School credits must be maintained by freshmen and sophomores during an academic year. Juniors must be enrolled in a minimum of 6.5 credits and seniors must be enrolled in a minimum of 6.0 credits for the academic year.

* * GRADING POLICY FOR COURSE CHANGES* *

1. Dropping a Course:

A. Withdrawing completely from a full-year course:

• • • Prior to the beginning of 2nd quarter – course will be dropped from the schedule/transcript without penalty

    • After 1st quarter/prior to the start of 2nd semester and carrying a passing grade – Student will receive a “WP” on the transcript

    • After 1st quarter/prior to the start of 2nd semester and carrying a failing grade – Student will receive a “WF” on the transcript

    • After the start of second semester – Student will receive an “F” on the transcript

B. Withdrawing completely from a semester course:

• • • Prior to the mid-point of first quarter enrollment – course will be dropped from the schedule/transcript without penalty

    • After the mid-point of first quarter enrollment prior to the start of 2nd quarter of a semester class and carrying a passing grade – Student will receive a “WP” on the transcript

    • After the mid-point of first quarter enrollment/prior to the start of 2nd quarter of a semester class and carrying a failing grade – Student will receive a “WF” on the transcript

    • After the start of 2nd quarter of a semester class – Student will receive an “F” on the transcript

*WF and WP are not calculated into Class Rank or GPA*

2. Changing to a different academic level of the same course:

• WHS encourages all students to take the most rigorous courses they reasonably can. However we sometimes determine that a student is not placed at the appropriate academic level and recommend a level change during a course.

• If that occurs, the following procedure will be applied:

  • Students moving up to a more challenging academic level during the first half of a course will have their current grades transfer to the new course without penalty. Students will not be moved to a higher academic level more than halfway through a course except with principal’s approval.

  • Students moving to a lower academic level at the school’s recommendation will have 10 points added to their transferred grade. Students will not be moved to a lower academic level more than halfway through a course except with principal’s approval.

**All scheduling changes should be made in consultation with a school counselor