Online Course Selection Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers)

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Amanda Knight
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1 Online Course Selection Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) General: 1) Why is Clayton Valley Charter High School utilizing online course selection? Online course selection is an efficient way for students to select courses. Students will have the opportunity to review, select, and change selections for a few weeks utilizing the online program. This allows them the opportunity to solicit teacher, counselor, parent, and peer input dependent on their goals for continued education and career choices after high school. By utilizing the various resources available on the school s websites, students apply important skill sets to research their options and make appropriate selections in alignment with their four-year plans and postsecondary goals. 2) I m a parent, and I don t know my PowerSchool login. A letter was mailed home and sent electronically to all parents providing them PowerSchool login information and instructions. If you are still struggling with logging in, please contact Student Services. Establishing a PowerSchool login will allow you to review your student s course selections, as well as monitor their grades and attendance. 3) I m a student, and I don t know my PowerSchool login. Student login information was included in the parent letter mailed home and sent electronically. If you have misplaced this information, please contact Student Services. 4) When I log in to PowerSchool, where do I go next to choose my courses? You will go to the Class Registration section. It s also advised to open a second window for Grades and Attendance, so that you can review your current and historical grades to make sure you meet any prerequisite requirements. 5) What is the MC, PSA, CAA, Engr by the course name mean? These are designations for the Academies: MCA-Medical; PSA-Public Service; CAA-Clayton Arts, and Engr-Engineering. If you are in an Academy, you should choose these courses for the various subject areas. Do not select these if you are not currently in an Academy. 6) I m not in an Academy, but I m thinking about it. What do I do if I want to get in? Academies have an interview and selection process; information on this process has been announced. Please see the chairs of the respective academy you wish to apply to for further information: Medical Academy: Elizabeth Hawkes Engineering: John Ouimet Public Service: Maureen Allan Clayton Arts: Elizabeth Abbott 7) When is the Parent and Student AP/Honors meeting? What will be covered? Meetings for the various AP classes are held at lunchtime for students in the first two weeks of December. During these meetings, teachers impart critical information to assist students in

2 choosing their courses. Announcements will be made in the bulletin for the Parent/Student AP/Honors meeting. It is very important for students and their parents to attend this meeting to understand expectations for the course(s). Teachers will review the classes, answer questions regarding the AP exams, and inform students of any required summer work. Students must meet the prerequisites for any AP/Honors courses. Once the window for online course selection is closed, they are locked into the AP/Honors class for the entire year. 8) How many times can I make changes to my schedule? You can make changes as many times as you want during the open window. Once the window closes, you are locked into your selections and there are no more changes. You will have sufficient time during this window to discuss your selections and make your choices. Once closed for all grade levels, we develop the master schedule which determines the number of classes offered, the times, specific teacher assignments, etc. Changes will not be allowed once the window closes. Courses are selected for the year, so choose your selections carefully. 9) When is the final day for course selection? Can I make changes after that? Can my parent call and make the change for me? The final day is noted in the letter that is sent home to all families. You will not be able to make changes once the selection window closes. We develop the master schedule from all students selections and staff accordingly. Your parent may call or with questions, but your selections are final. 10) Can I have a seven period day? Clayton Valley has a six period day. There are eight classes that qualify a student for a 7 th period, and that class becomes the 7 th period: Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Link Crew, ASB Leadership, Vocal Music 1 Show Choir, Vocal Music 3 Treble Choir, Technical Design. These courses have additional requirements, including an audition, interview, or election. Requirements must be met before you can enroll in these classes. These classes are not listed in the course selection system, as once you have met these requirements, then teachers send the lists to counselors who then enroll you. Marching Band requires you to also be enrolled in a band class, such as Wind, Jazz, Orchestra, or Symphonic. While Wind and Jazz allow you to have a 7 th period, Orchestra and Symphonic Band do not. Those two courses are listed under Electives and can be chosen as part of your schedule. Refer to the electives section for more information on these classes. 11) What happens if I take a class at DVC over the summer? Can I advance myself based on those plans to take a class a DVC? Taking a class in community college is an excellent option for high school students. You are considered concurrently enrolled in high school and community college, so the classes are free while you are in high school! Once you have taken a community college class, you will need to provide your official transcript to Clayton Valley Charter High School so that we can put the class and the credits/grade on your high school transcript. However, until you have provided us with the college transcript, you need to make your course selection as if you have not taken that class. Once you have provided the transcript and proof of completion of that class, then we

3 may be able to move you on to the next course with Clayton Valley. This depends on the course you took at the community college. You will definitely want to see your counselor if you are planning on taking community college classes, and they will guide you through the process. 12) I want to make sure that I m eligible for UC or CSU admissions going directly to these schools (not going first to community college and then transferring). How can I check this? One of our goals at Clayton Valley Charter is to have all students be four-year college eligible after high school. We realize that you may choose community college as your next step, but we do want you to have the option to go directly to a four-year college so that you have that choice. A-G requirements and all Clayton Valley courses that meet those respective requirements are posted on the web under the Online Course Selection and Academics tabs, and you can compare those courses to your historical grades. 13) What are the graduation requirements for Clayton Valley? Excellent question! These are posted on our website under the Online Course Selection tab. 14) I have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), and I m not sure what courses to pick. Students with IEPs will meet with their Case Managers to select their courses for next year. The Case Managers will review with the counselors and then guide the students on how to complete online enrollment. 15) I would like to request a zero period how do I do this? Zero period is reserved as an option for 11 th and 12 th graders. For those grade levels, students will complete a digital survey during their course selection time with counselors indicating their requests. Counselors will review the request and determine if it can be accommodated given the student s course choices. English: 1) Clayton Valley used to offer English Honors 3 for Juniors. I don t see it in the dropdown box to select. We are moving in the direction of offering AP courses in place of honors courses. AP courses not only provide rigor, but prepare the student to take the AP exams. If a student scores a 3 or better out of 5 on the AP exam, they may earn college credits in that subject area. To allow students the opportunities afforded by AP courses, we will be offering AP English Language for juniors in place of Honors English 3. AP English Literature is the related class for seniors. 2) I m in the PSA or CAA Academy, and my teacher has told us that we will be able to take Honors English in the academy, but I don t see PSA or CAA Honors English as a choice. These two academies will offer the Honors version of English, and it is handled within the academy. The academies will provide the counselors a list of those taking the Honors version in their respective academies, and the changes will be made to reflect it as an Honors course on the transcript.

4 Math: 1) How do I know which math class to take? Please refer to the math flowchart (posted on the web under the Online Course Selection tab) to determine your next level math course. Prerequisites are listed on this chart, as well as in the course catalog, and must be followed as these prerequisites facilitate understanding and application of the next level of mathematics. Additionally, review your current grades in math to help you with your choice: Currently have an F in the course repeat the course Currently have a D or better move on to the next math level dependent on the math flowchart. 2) I received an F in first semester math. Can I move on to the next level of math? What if I do better in the second semester? If you have an F in first semester, you must repeat your current math course. Schedules for next year are finalized in spring, so you should make your selection based on first semester grades. If you earn a C or better in second semester, you can revisit your math placement with your counselor during fall walk-through to decide if you are able to advance to the next level of math. 3) I need to repeat Algebra 1. Do I choose Algebra 1 or Algebra 1U? You should pick Algebra 1U. This is for upperclassmen, or 10 th, 11 th, and 12 th graders. 4) I m in Algebra 1, but want to accelerate my math by taking Geometry over summer. Can I do that, and how does it work? This is an excellent option for students who want to accelerate their math. Eligibility for summer advancement Geometry offered at CVCHS is by teacher recommendation and grades: an A first semester in Algebra 1 and a 95% A for second semester at the time the recommendation is made. This program is optional if you are recommended you do not have to do it, but you certainly have the option to enroll. Summer Geometry typically runs 6-7 weeks and consists of an online program with teacher support available on campus. Midterms and finals must be taken on campus. You should plan to be present and available during this timeframe. At the end of the program, the teacher provides lists of who passed to the counselors, and schedules are changed accordingly before you pick them up at walk-through registration in the fall. Another option is to take Geometry at DVC please refer to the General Section, Question 13. 5) I am currently passing Algebra 1. Why can t I move directly to Algebra 2, and skip Geometry? The next math class after Algebra 1 per the math flowchart is Geometry. All students must attempt Geometry to be A-G UC/CSU college eligible.

5 6) How much math do I need? Refer to the math flowchart, the high school graduation requirements, and the A-G requirements for four-year college eligibility. You need three years to graduate from Clayton Valley, and also three years for A-G college eligibility. Social Studies: 1) Do I have to take World History? Yes, this is a requirement for 10 th grade students per the California Department of Education. 2) Can I choose AP European History instead of World History? This is an alternative for World History if you feel ready for the level of AP coursework and can commit to the extra preparation required of an AP level course. 3) I m a senior: how do I make sure that I get into AP Microeconomics if I choose AP Government first semester? Government and Economics courses are linked in the system. Whichever version (AP or non-ap) you choose for first semester will be automatically linked to that version for second semester. Science: 1) How do I choose the next level of science? Refer to the science flowchart, posted under the Online Course Selection tab. Many sciences have a mathematics requirement, and you must have met those requirements to enroll. More advanced level sciences have heavy math components, and therefore having a solid math foundation will facilitate success in the class. 2) I am in Earth Science this year. Can I skip Biology and go to Chemistry next year? No. The next science after Earth Science is Biology. 3) The science flowchart says I need to be enrolled concurrently in Algebra 2 to take Honors or AP Chemistry. What if I plan on taking Geometry over the summer? Can I pick the Honors or AP version now? No, not at this time. Select the science that corresponds to your current math level per the science flowchart. If you do complete Geometry over summer with required grades, then you can move on to the corresponding science per the flowchart if there are seats available for that class. You will need to see the counselor at walk-through registration with proof that you have completed Geometry to move onto the next level of science. 4) How much science do I need? Refer to the science flowchart, the high school graduation requirements, and the A-G requirements for four-year college eligibility. You need three years to graduate from Clayton Valley, and minimally two years for A-G college eligibility (three is recommended). For high school, you need one physical science, one life science, and one of choice. For A-G, you should have Biology and Chemistry or Physics if possible. Variations of these are acceptable see your counselor if you have further questions.

6 Electives (includes questions on PE, the Arts, and language other than English): 1) How many electives do I pick? Clayton Valley is a six period day. Once you have picked your core academic classes, then the remainder of courses are considered electives. For most grade levels, this is two electives. Upperclassmen may have more choices for electives if they have completed graduation requirements. 2) How do I decide? There are so many! We are happy to provide so many dynamic electives choices. If you are in ninth or tenth grade, your priority should be to complete subject areas for your high school graduation requirements. Here are some general guidelines to assist you: You need two years of PE. Think about completing the second year if you have not already done so. You need one year of visual and performing arts. Courses that fulfill this requirement are noted as VAPA in the course selections. You need one year of foreign language for high school graduation, and minimally two years (or level two) to go directly to a four year college. If you have not started your foreign language, you may want to choose this as a priority elective. If you are currently in a level of foreign language, you may want to continue to the next level. Please note: You must have a C or better to advance to the next level. If you do not, you should repeat the current level to facilitate success in the next level. If a class is designated as ROP, you must be 16 by the time the class starts. This is an ROP requirement. Once you have met your graduation requirements, you will have more electives to choose from. 3) How many years of foreign language do I need? I currently have a D or F in my foreign language class. Can I continue on to the next level? You need one year of foreign language for high school graduation, and minimally two years (or level two) to go directly to a four year college. If you have not started your foreign language, you may want to choose this as a priority elective. If you are currently in a level of foreign language, you may want to continue to the next level. You must have a C or better to advance to the next level. If you do not (D/F current grade), you must repeat the current level to facilitate success in the next level. 4) How do I know if the arts class I choose meets A-G requirements for UC/CSU? A-G requirements and all Clayton Valley courses that meet those respective requirements are posted on the web under both the Online Course Selection and the Academics tabs. Classes in the electives section of the online course selection tool will note if it s VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts), but you should check it against the A-G list to ensure that course meets A-G requirements.

7 5) What happens if I don t get one or both choices for my electives? We work very hard to enroll you in your first choice electives. However, sometimes due to your specific choices for classes, overall scheduling constraints and course demands, we may not be able to fit you into your choices. We have a section called Alternatives in the Course Selection system. These will be used as your next choice in the event we cannot enroll you in your first choice electives. 6) If I m playing a school sport, do I need to select the PE class that corresponds to that sport? Please talk to your coach about specific related PE requirements for your sport. Typically students enroll in a PE course that corresponds to the school sport, as follows: Weights 9, 10, 11, 12 (not PE Weight Training) football by grade level Strength & Conditioning SC soccer Strength & Conditioning BK--basketball Strength & Conditioning BB baseball 11 th and 12 th graders Strength & Conditioning BB 9-10 baseball 9 th and 10 th graders 7) I m not on the school team yet, but I plan on trying out. What PE should I select? You should select a PE that you would want to be enrolled in if you do not make the team. Once tryouts take place, coaches will provide lists of who made the team to the counselor, and counselors will make the appropriate schedule changes. 8) I plan on trying out for a band class and maybe Marching Band, too. Do I pick those courses now? No, you will audition first. Once you have met these requirements, then teachers send the lists to counselors who then enroll you. 9) I plan on running for election or interviewing for Leadership. If I win my election or pass my interview and become a class officer, when am I scheduled into Leadership? Congratulations on choosing to pursue Leadership! Lists will be provided to counselors for those students who have been elected to or passed the interview for leadership positions, and then counselors will enroll those students in Leadership. Alternatives: 1) What are these courses? Will I take these in addition to my other classes? These are alternatives or backups to your electives choices. We will only enroll you in these classes if we cannot fit you into your electives choices. These are not in addition to your course selections. Be sure to pick alternatives that you would want to be enrolled in, in the event we cannot fit you into your electives. Example: Elective choice is PE Yoga. Alternative choice is PE Team Sports in the event you can t get into Yoga. Do NOT select as alternative choices the same electives as your primary choices. This will not assist you in getting those classes. If your primary and alternative choices are the same, and classes are full, then we will pick your electives for you as you have not listed any backup choices.

Welcome upcoming juniors! Course selection instructions for 11 th grade

Welcome upcoming juniors! Course selection instructions for 11 th grade by the Albany High School Counseling Department Overview Course selection timeline and dates Reviewing transcripts Time and schedule