COURSE SELECTION PROCESS
The course selection process begins in early February each academic year. High school administration and counselors meet with current 8th through 11th grade students to review the course selection process, distribute materials, and explain new courses and educational opportunities that are available to students. The Program of Studies and grade level course offering sheets will be posted on the high school website for students and parents/guardians to access full course descriptions and other related information.
Students should discuss their career and course interests with their parents/guardians. In addition, students will have an opportunity to meet with their current core-subject (Math, Science, English, Social Studies, and World Language) teachers to discuss course offerings and obtain recommendations for next grade level courses. At times a teacher's recommendation will not match your or your student's selection, you are encouraged to contact the teacher(s) if you have questions regarding your student's course recommendations for that subject area or your student's school counselor for general questions regarding course registration.
Students may use grade level course offering sheets as a reference guide for entering course requests for the upcoming school year. Students will enter in PowerSchool course requests totaling a maximum of 8 credits. Students are encouraged to select courses with the following objectives in mind:
Complete all graduation requirements.
Select courses which will prepare the student for entrance into post-secondary education, the military, technical schools or the workforce. College bound students should familiarize themselves with admission requirements for individual colleges and choose courses accordingly.
Select courses that are taught at the highest academic level possible for student success.
Once courses are selected electronically, counselors will meet with each student individually to review the course requests that have been selected by the student and the parent/guardian. During this meeting, students will participate in the scheduling process by discussing their course requests and how the requests are aligned with the student’s graduation and career plan.
Every effort is made to meet with students on an individual basis. Students who do not meet the deadline for registration or who do not meet with their counselors will have their courses selected by the counselor.
Counselors will review the student’s courses and ensure that alternative elective courses are selected in the event that the student’s first choice electives cannot be scheduled. Although every effort is made, electives cannot be guaranteed. Every attempt will be made to give students the courses they select, or if necessary, an alternate. The schedule will be developed over a period of several months with the objective of meeting every student’s course requests. Although adjustments are made, not all requests can be honored for a variety of reasons. Students should choose their course selections carefully.
ENROLLMENT IN ADVANCED PLACEMENT/HONORS/DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES
Enrollment in Advanced Placement, honors, or college dual enrollment courses requires a teacher recommendation. Students must achieve success in all prerequisite requirements. These courses will be rigorous in nature with high expectations in achievement. Some dual enrollment courses may require a prerequisite placement exam.
COURSE REQUEST CHANGES
Prior to the end of the school year, students will receive a Course Verification Letter listing courses chosen during the course selection process. Students and parents/guardians should closely review the selections to ensure that they still align with students interests/abilities and to ensure all necessary courses are included. If course selections are made carefully, there should be minimal changes to any requests made. If an unusual situation occurs, the schedule change must be made by June 30th. Any schedule change requests must be submitted in writing to the High School Counseling Office. Some schedule changes may require parent/guardian approval.
SCHEDULE TIMELINE:
February
Course selection begins in early February. Students will receive an overview of the WHS Course Selection Process. The WHS Program of Studies and other course selection resources will be made available on the Program of Studies section of the high school website.
Course Recommendation Student/Teacher Meetings
PowerSchool opens up for students to input Course Requests February 5 - 9, 2024
Students considering LCTI must submit an application electronically using the following LINK. - Priority deadline is March 1st.
Course Selection Resources
WHS Course Selection 2024-2025 Track Time Presentation for students in grades 9-11 - LINK
WHS Program of Studies Website - Available from the "For Students" Tab on the WHS Website or via the following LINK
WHS PowerSchool Student Course Registration Instructions - LINK
Course Selection 2024-2025 8th-9th Grade Presentation for students in grade 8 - LINK
Middle School to High School Transition Program will be held at WHS and made available on the Whitehall High School website for students and their parents/guardians to access after the program. - LINK to Presentation Slides
February - March
Counselors will meet individually with students to review the course selections.
Any student who does not enter courses requests or chooses not to meet with their counselor will be given a schedule by their counselor.
March - June
Course selection process is complete; notification from district to LCTI with final numbers for full-time Academic Center.
Administration processes course selections to develop the Whitehall High School master schedule.
May - June
Course verification letters mailed home. Corrections must be sent to the student’s counselor by June 30, 2024 using the Change of Request Form.
Last day to make course request changes for valid reasons is June 30th.
Any requests to change a course after June 30th must be made in writing and are made at the sole discretion of the building administration.
July - August
Finalization of the Whitehall High School master schedule.
Students receive their schedules for the new school year in August.
GRADE LEVEL COURSE OFFERING SHEETS
LINK to Grade 9 Course Offering Sheet 2024-2025
LINK to Grade 10 Course Offering Sheet 2024-2025
LINK to Grade 11 Course Offering Sheet 2024-2025
LINK to Grade 12 Course Offering Sheet 2024-2025
LINK to WHS Academic Planning Guide