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Course Selection Guidance
Last week Superintendent Stein spoke with the Class of 2027 about what to expect in their transition to the high school and on Tuesday HS Counseling Department Chair Michael Porter and HS students met with the 8th grade students to discuss course selection and answer questions about what student life is like at the high school. These sessions will make your student more comfortable about their high school transition and more knowledgeable about selecting their 9th grade courses.
For course selection guidance, refer to your student's 9th grade course selection card, graduation requirements and the high school curriculum guide that describes, by subject, the course offerings at the high school. We also offer a very helpful HS curriculum video in which HS Department Chairs explain their subject's course curriculum, give a brief description of the classes and offer suggestions for helping students make their course selections. If you still need guidance after reviewing all the course selection resources, please reach out to your student's counselor, Ms. Jennifer Hayes, at jhayes@lncharter.org.
Here is the course framework for freshmen:
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English I – Students may select English or honors English with eligibility to select honors level based on their 8th grade English grade through the 3rd quarter (must be 80% or higher)
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Math I, Math II, Math II honors, Math III or Math III honors – Students select a mathematics course based on their 8th grade math course and honors level (Math II and III only) based on their 8th grade math grade through the 3rd quarter (must be 80% or higher)
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Economics & Personal Finance – Students select either Economics & Personal Finance or honors Economics & Personal Finance with eligibility to select honors level based on their 8th grade social studies grade through the 3rd quarter (must be 80% or higher)
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Earth and Environmental Science – Students select either science or honors science with eligibility to select honors level based on their 8th grade science grade through the 3rd quarter (must be 80% or higher)
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PE & Health – North Carolina requires that all 9th grade students take physical education and health; there is no honors option for this course
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Spanish I, Spanish II, French I, French II – Students must take a minimum of 2 years of world language and many begin this two year world language requirement in their 9th grade year; however it is acceptable to wait until sophomore year. If your student took and passed French I or Spanish I in 8th grade, they have one of the two year requirement satisfied and they can choose to advance to Spanish II or French II or elect to repeat the class based on teacher guidance and parent/student preference
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Fine or Performing Art (art, chorus, band) – Students must have at least one year of art credit to graduate and it is encouraged, while not required, to complete this requirement in 9th grade
- Additional electives if the above does not equal seven courses
Students and parents should also consider the student’s overall schedule, including extracurricular activities, hobbies, service time (each high school student is required to perform at least 10 hours of service each year), etc. when deciding on courses. Students’ 8th grade teachers are a great resource to lean into for help and advice. Keep in mind that students are not allowed to “drop” an honors course that becomes too challenging once the school year begins.
Finally, if any of your contact information has changed, please use the Student Information Update form to tell us. It is especially important that we have accurate email addresses, mobile phone numbers and mailing addresses for both of your student’s parents or guardians. If your student will not be returning to LNC next school year, please email HS Registrar Valerie Norris at vnorris@lncharter.org to let her know.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for being your best as we prepare for '23-24!
Sincerely,
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