Course Registration

COURSE REGISTRATION PHILOSOPHY

When planning a student's course of study, several factors should be taken into account: the student's academic history, abilities, interests, co-curricular activities, college aspirations, and graduation requirements. The goal is to create a well-rounded educational experience with a strong academic core and opportunities for advanced study in areas of strength and interest. Students should also aim to:

Fulfill all graduation requirements.
Build upon their strengths and seek appropriate academic challenges.
Pursue opportunities for personal and intellectual growth.
Maintain a balance between academic coursework and co-curricular activities.

2025-26 AP INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS

Before attending an informational meeting, students should review the AP eligibility requirements and discuss potential courses with their families, teachers, and advisors. Enrollment is contingent upon meeting all prerequisites. Please note that departments perform a final review of year-end grades; students are expected to maintain or improve their first-semester average to remain eligible for AP enrollment.

AP Informational Meetings will be held on the following dates:

February 5: Social Studies
February 9: Fine Arts
February 10: Mathematics
February 17: Science
February 19: World Languages
February 24: English

Please check the upper school calendar for the exact times and locations of these meetings.

RECOMMENDATIONS, ENROLLMENT, AND SCHEDULING

Several elements influence course enrollment: student performance on placement tests, completion of required prerequisite courses, past academic grades, and, in certain cases, approval from department heads or school administrators. Although we aim to provide a broad selection of courses, practical limitations like staffing, minimum class sizes, and available classrooms can affect the final schedule. As a result, not all listed courses may be offered. Because we cannot guarantee enrollment in specific elective courses, students must select alternate choices for each elective you request.

The school creates its master schedule based on the course recommendations and requests submitted by students during open registration. While we make every effort to honor student preferences, the courses ultimately offered, the number of sections, and these requests directly shape the final class schedule. Therefore, changing course requests after the end of April can be very challenging or impossible. We strongly urge you to choose your courses promptly, carefully, and thoughtfully, as your selections directly determine the academic offerings for the following school year.

COURSE REGISTRATION PROCESS

The course registration process is vital in planning your academic journey for the upcoming school year. It allows you to consider your preferences for the courses you wish to take, ensuring that the school can build a schedule that best meets the needs of all students.

Here's how it generally works:

Review Curriculum Guide and Course Options: Begin by carefully examining the digital curriculum guide. This guide describes all available courses, including prerequisites, learning objectives, and potential career pathways. Pay close attention to graduation requirements and any specific program requirements you may be pursuing.
Attend Information Sessions (if applicable): Some departments or programs may host information sessions to provide further insights into specific courses or pathways. These sessions can be invaluable for making informed decisions.
Consult with Advisors and Teachers: Discuss your academic goals, interests, and potential course selections with your academic advisor and relevant teachers. They can offer personalized guidance and recommendations based on your strengths and areas for growth.
Complete the Advanced Course Application Form: Students who wish to enroll in courses designated as AP (Advanced Placement), Advanced Open Study, or Independent Study must complete the Advanced Course Application form. Adhere to any specified deadlines and guidelines.
Select Alternate Electives: Because enrollment in specific electives cannot be guaranteed, you must select alternate choices for each elective course you request. This ensures a full schedule even if your first choices are unavailable.
Submit Course Requests: Double-check your selections for accuracy and completeness before submitting your course requests by the deadline.
Review and Confirmation: After the school builds the master schedule, you will typically have an opportunity to review your assigned courses. If you have any concerns or require adjustments, you may be able to meet with your advisor to discuss potential options, keeping in mind that changes may be limited due to scheduling constraints.
Understand the Importance of Timeliness: Course requests are crucial in determining the courses offered, the number of sections, and the overall schedule. Therefore, submitting your requests promptly and thoughtfully is essential.

Remember, your course selections will significantly impact your academic experience. Take the time to explore your options, seek guidance, and make informed decisions that align with your academic and personal goals.

ADDING, DROPPING, AND CHANGING COURSES

Any changes to a student's course load must be made through the registrar or Head of Upper School.

Students may ADD a class through the 3rd meeting of the class; they are responsible for making up any missed work.
Students may DROP a class up until the mid-semester without it appearing on their transcript; if they drop after that date, a "W" appears on the transcript.
Students may move from a 15-level course to a 10-level course or from an AP-level course to a non-AP level course at any point during the year.
- To move down a level, the student may request the move (or the teacher may recommend it). In either case, the only course name on the transcript is the one the student ended the year in; there's no indication that a level change occurred.
- Here are our grading policies around moving down a level:
- If they change levels by the mid-semester, no grades carry over from the previous class, and they start with a "clean slate" in the new class.
- If they change levels after the mid-semester, all grades earned in the first class will carry to the second class and be averaged with any grades earned in the new class, proportional to the time spent in the class.
- Students may only move from a 10-level course to a 15-level course or from a non-AP-level course to an AP-level course until the mid-semester
  - Grades from the previous course will not carry over when a student moves up a level

To change levels, students must talk with their current teacher before a move is made. The current teacher will talk with the Department Chair, who must also approve this change. 11th or 12th Grades must also consult the college counselors. After doing so, the student must email the registrar, cc’ing their current teacher, advisor, college counselors and parents on the email requesting the change.

To drop a course, the student must talk with the teacher of the course they will be dropping before a move is made. 11th or 12th-graders must also talk with the college counselors. After doing so, the student must email the registrar, cc’ing their current teacher, advisor, college counselors and parents on the email requesting the change.

To add a course, the student must email the registrar, cc’ing their advisor and parents. 11th or 12th graders must also meet with the college counselors before adding a course, and should include the college counselors on the email with this request.