Introduction

Plan your Course Schedule

Students are encouraged to carefully select courses for the entire year. We hope students will take advantage of our broad selection of offerings from all departments. It is strongly recommended that students make an overall plan for their freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years, in partnership with our counselors.

The scheduling office uses Skyward’s online registration to record a student’s course selections. In the event there are conflicts, closed classes, or classes not offered due to inadequate enrollments, we use alternate selections to adjust student schedules. It is in each student’s best interest to make sure alternate selections are listed in the online registration in priority order. We build the master schedule and hire/assign teachers based on student course requests; choose wisely and carefully. Students are expected to honor course selections except under unusual circumstances. (i.e., failing a prerequisite, failing a sequential class). There will be limited opportunities for students to make adjustments in their schedule and based on availability of seats.

We recommend students:

• Complete a graduation requirement credit check. Review your current transcript, course plan in MCIS, and current class schedule, then compare to the Wayzata High School Graduation Requirements (next page) and what you may need for your desired post-secondary plans.

• Read through this course catalog. Highlight courses you need for graduation, along with possible elective course options.

• Make choices regarding courses: start with requirements, then move on to the electives. There is a registration sheet to map out your schedule on this WHS Registration website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your counselor.

• Finalize course registration in Skyward.

Final Course Schedules. In August, schedules will be made available to all students in Skyward.

When the final run of the master schedule is completed, any open blocks in student schedules are filled with chosen electives and alternates. An open block may appear in a student schedule due to:

• Fewer than 16 credits requested.

• Two requested courses are offered the same term/block and only one has been scheduled.

• All sections of a course are scheduled to capacity – the number of course requests exceeds the number of seats available in all sections.

Students and parents/guardians should verify the student’s schedule for accuracy and to ensure all required courses are present in the student’s schedule.

Schedule Changes. Prior to the beginning of the school year, schedule change requests will only be processed during Back to Business Days in August. Requests for schedule changes will not be processed by email, phone or appointment. Schedule changes should only be requested based on the following parameters:

1. Seniors who need a course to meet a graduation requirement.

2. Schedule is unbalanced. (4 core classes in one semester)

3. There is an obvious error (two classes scheduled at the same time, two PE classes in one term, etc.).

4. An inappropriate level or sequence placement.

5. Prerequisites that have not been taken or passed.

6. Scheduled into a course that they have already taken and passed.

7. Failed a course and needs to retake the course.

Wayzata High School offers some courses that require personal transportation, as well as a significant amount of time away from the high school campus. These courses include, but are not limited to, Advanced Home Construction, Compass, HMC, Introduction to Education Field Experience, Internship, Lifelong Activities, Y.E.S., and some alternative courses. Due to the need for a high level of maturity and responsibility for off-campus learning, student records will be considered for enrollment in these courses in the areas of attendance, discipline/behavior, and chemical/weapon violations. Students must agree to abide by all traffic laws and rules governing the use of alcohol, tobacco and substances/drugs. WHS Administration reserves the right to change student schedules to remain in compliance with school practice and in the best interest of the safety of students.

College and other post-secondary institutions have entrance requirements that vary from schools requiring only high school graduation to those that are extremely selective. The following information may be helpful to you as you plan your high school courses. In general, admissions are based on a student’s preparation, and the following factors are those most commonly considered:

• Balance in academic workload

• Grade Point Average

• High school courses completed

• Test scores

• Extra-curricular and community activities, including evidence of leadership

The more selective a school is, the more emphasis is placed on rigorous academic work in English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, and World Language, as well as a higher GPA and test scores. It is wise for college-bound students to maintain a rigorous course load that they can comfortably handle while maintaining balance. Students should select courses that reflect their interests, talents, and goals.

Below is a listing of examples of college entrance requirements:

• Community College System - require high school graduation or the equivalent; do not require a specific GPA or test scores. Solid academic preparation is required to avoid significant remedial coursework.

• Technical Colleges - A well-rounded high school background is ideal. Math, at least through Algebra 2, is particularly important. Business, technology, family and consumer science, and arts courses are appropriate. A student wishing to obtain exposure to technical education may also consider attending the Hennepin Technical College Pathways Program as a junior and/or senior.

• Four Year Colleges and Universities - The following courses are minimum requirements for admission to most 4 year Colleges and Universities (credits listed below correlate with WHS credits):

  • 4 years / 8 credits of English (including composition and literature, A and B or Composition for College)

  • 3 years / 6 credits of Math (through Algebra 2)

  • 3 years / 6 credits of Science (including one year of Biology and one year of physical science)

  • 3 years / 6 credits of Social Studies

  • 2 years / 4 credits of a single World Language

  • 1 year / 2 credits of either World Culture or Fine Arts

• Private Colleges - Entrance requirements vary greatly among private colleges. Emphasis is placed on strong college preparatory course work, GPA, test scores, extra-curricular activities, leadership, and service.

Counselors – through seminars and individual sessions, our counselors help students and parents/guardians work through the post high school planning process. All 9th grade families are expected to meet with their counselor.

College and Career Center (CCC) – offers a wide range of resources. It is open to students and parents/guardians five days a week, with times before and after school as well as during the school day.

MCIS – Minnesota Career Information System – an online resource purchased to provide additional access to planning support. Students and families can use this resource anytime. The modules can help students navigate through the process of career exploration, and specific course planning, college search, testing preparation, and financial aid. Login information is available from your counselor or by stopping by the CCC.

Naviance – a comprehensive website that students can use to help in making decisions about post high school plans. Students log in with Family Access username and password at http://student.naviance.com/wayzata

• Research colleges – Compare GPA, standardized test scores and other statistics to actual historical data from our school for students who have applied and been admitted in the past.

• Transcripts – See when/where your transcripts have been sent.

• College Visits – See which college representatives are visiting WHS and when.

• Scholarships – Search scholarship listings.

Some of our courses have fees to assist with purchasing the consumable materials that students will utilize throughout class. Fees should be paid on E-Pay. Financial Assistance may be available.

Art

• Digital Photography 1

• Digital Photography 2

• Digital Photography 3

• Graphic Design 1

• Graphic Design 2

• Graphic Design 3

• Advanced Graphic Design

• AP Graphic Design (AP 2D Art & Design—Graphic Design)

• Painting 1

• Painting 2

• Painting 3

• Ceramics 1

• Ceramics 2

• Ceramics 3

• Advanced Ceramics

• AP 3D Art & Design—Ceramics

• Drawing 1

• Drawing 2

• Drawing 3

• Advanced Drawing

• AP 2D Drawing

• Sculpture 1

• Sculpture 2

• Sculpture 3

• Comic Arts

Business

• Digital Information and Computer Application

Family Consumer Science

• Introduction to Culinary

• Baking and Pastry

• Advanced Culinary

• Unified Arts

COMPASS

• Business Management and Economics

• Cybersecurity and Applied Mathematics

• Ecology of Foods

• Graphic Communications

Technology Ed

• Engineering Concepts

• Intro to Engineering Design (IED)

• Information Technology 1 - Hardware

• Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Design (CED)

• Principles of Engineering (POE)

• Applied Graphics

• Applied Graphics 2

• Architectural Design 2

• Introduction to Wood Manufacturing

• Advanced Wood Manufacturing

• Home Construction and Maintenance

• Advanced Home Construction

• Metal Manufacturing

Physical Education

• Lifelong Activities

• Outdoor Pursuits

• Team Sports

• Lifeguarding