YSHS Course Scheduling

Course scheduling is always an exciting time for students as they consider their future, their interests, and make decisions regarding their future high school experience. To assist students, the high school has prepared a number of resources that can assist students in making purposeful selections. The purpose of this newsletter is to briefly highlight some of the key information that is available to students through the process.

The high school counselors will be visiting classes during the first two weeks of February to talk about course scheduling with students. The counselors are also available for individual appointments with any student that has questions about the course scheduling process. The middle school will have similar meetings in the middle of February for our current 8th grade students.

Current 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students will be expected to enter their selections online (information about how to do this is provided on the course selection sheet) and submit their course selection sheet to the guidance office (paper copy) by February 11. Current 8th grade students will do the same by February 27.

The key document, that includes all information about course scheduling, is the 2026-27 Course Catalog / Academic Planning Guide. This guide includes general information, policies, resources to support making scheduling decisions, and course descriptions for each of the courses. Students are encouraged to read all the information at the beginning of the guide so they can see all the resources and opportunities that are available to them.

The high school will be hosting our annual Family Course Selection fair on Tuesday, February 3 from 6:00-8:00 PM. During this evening, our high school teachers and counselors will be available to talk about course options and in some cases conduct demonstrations of the types of activities that students will engage in during the courses. It is a great opportunity for students and parents to immerse themselves in thoughts of course scheduling options for next year and to consider options for the rest of their high school career. In addition to individual teacher and departmental access, we will also be hosting a handful of presentations that may apply:

• 6:15-6:30: Music Ensembles in the High School - Meeting for Band, Chorus, and Orchestra Students and Parents (Room 160)
• 6:30-7:00: High School Orientation - Meeting for 8th Grade Parents and Students (Room 160)
• 6:30-7:00: Introduction to Teaching - Meeting for 11th Grade Parents and Students interested in the Student Teaching program (Room 102)
• 7:00-7:30: Understanding the new CCW Requirement - Meeting for Parents and Students interested in learning more about the CCW portfolio plan (HS Guidance Office)
• 7:30-8:00: Senior Year Orientation - Meeting for 11th Grade Parents and Students to learn more about the wealth of options available to, and in some cases required, of seniors (HS Guidance Office)

To align with the career interest inventories students have engaged in over the last number of years, the CCW program has developed a series of guides to support students in selecting courses while at the high school. Each guide represents one of six different career areas and provides suggestions on courses students should consider taking if they are interested in that particular career area. Students should review the guides for their area of interest and make core and elective choices accordingly:

Building and Moving Pathway Guide

• Construction Cluster

• Advanced Manufacturing Cluster

Caring for Communities Pathway Guide

• Education Cluster

• Health & Human Services Cluster

• Public Services & Safety Cluster

Creating & Experiencing Pathway Guide

• Hospitality, Events, & Tourism Cluster

• Arts, Entertainment, & Design Cluster

Cross-Cutting Clusters Pathway Guide

• Digital Technology Cluster

• Management & Entrepreneurship Cluster

• Marketing & Sales Cluster

Cultivating Resources Pathway Guide

• Agriculture Cluster

• Energy & Natural Resources Cluster

Investing in the Future Pathway Guide

• Financial Services Cluster

During the ninth grade year, students set the foundation for their high school career. To assist with scheduling, their 8th grade teachers will generally select the students' 4 core classes. The following outlines a typical freshman schedule.

• 1 Credit each of English, Mathematics, Biology, and American Cultures. (Identified by 8th Grade Teachers)
• 1 Credit of World Language or Support & Intervention (Learning Support)
• 0.5 Credits of Wellness (Physical Education)
• 0.5 – 1.5 Credits of Electives (Non-Core)
• Minimum Number of Credits is 6.0, Maximum Number of Credits is 7.0

As students select their electives, they should consider not only their ninth grade selections, but also courses they would like to take in the future so they can be sure to satisfy prerequisite requirements. The Career Pathways/Cluster guides will be helpful in identifying various options that align with the students' interests. Students can also use the ninth grade year as an opportunity to explore electives in a number of different areas to help identify the area they are most interested in for future study.

2026-27 Course Catalog / Academic Planning Guide | Grade 9 Course Selection Sheet

During the tenth grade year, students will solidify their traditional academic preparation while beginning to focus on electives in their identified areas of interest. In the 4 core areas, most students traditionally stay on the same level (General, CP, Honors) that they took in 9th grade; however, there are always some that change levels. Students wishing to change levels should engage their current teacher in a discussion of how such a change will impact them. The following outlines a typical sophomore schedule.

• 1 Credit each of English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science.

• 1 Credit of World Language or two additional 0.5 credits of Electives

• 0.5 Credits of Elective Physical Education (listed under Wellness) + 0.5 credits of Health

• 0.0 -1.0 Additional Credits of Electives (Non-Core)

• Minimum Number of Credits is 6.0, Recommended Number is 6.5, Maximum Number of Credits is 7.0

As students select their electives, they should consider not only their tenth grade selections, but also courses they would like to take in the future so they can be sure to satisfy prerequisite requirements. The Career Pathways/Cluster guides will be helpful in identifying various options that align with the students' interests.

2026-27 Course Catalog / Academic Planning Guide | Grade 10 Course Selection Sheet

• 1 Credit each of English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science.

• 1 Credit of World Language or two additional 0.5 credits of Electives

• 0.5 Credits of Elective Physical Education

• 0.5 Credits of Financial Literacy

• 0.0 - 1.0 Credits of Electives (Core or Non-Core)

• Minimum Number of Credits is 6.0, Recommended Number is 6.5, Maximum Number of Credits is 7.0

2026-27 Course Catalog / Academic Planning Guide | Grade 11 Course Selection Sheet

The senior year is designed to provide students the maximum amount of flexibility. Many students have satisfied the vast majority of their core requirements, and now have the flexibility to engage in more electives, as well as other career exploration and college opportunities. Students intending to attend a 4-year college or university should still schedule 4 or 5 core courses, including those that may be done as part of a dual enrollment program. All students are encouraged to take advantage of the many post-secondary transition options that are available to students. There is not a "typical" senior schedule; however, the following outlines what is required of most students.

• 1 Credit of English (year-long, 2 semester options including World Lit, or Dual Enrollment)

• 4.0 - 6.0 Credits of Electives (Core or Non-Core) [Note: most college bound students will elect additional credit in most, if not all, of mathematics, social science, science, and world language. 7 STEM credits are required to graduate. Most students will still need 1.0 credit during their senior year which includes an additional credit in math, science, computer science and/or applied engineering.

• Students may earn more than 1 credit from dual enrollment and more than 0.5 credits from internship/work experience. Enter the course one time in IC but note the repeat on this selection sheet.

• Minimum Number of Credits is 6.0 (students may take 5.0 only if approved by their school counselor).

2026-27 Course Catalog / Academic Planning Guide | Grade 12 Course Selection Sheet

Options Available to Seniors within Required Core and Elective Courses

• Dual Enrollment - college-bound seniors can take college courses at a significant tuition discount. More information about dual enrollment is available in the Dual Enrollment Information document.
• College in the High School - students can take courses taught at YSHS that are endorsed by colleges and universities as collegiate level courses, and students can earn college credits.
• Certification & Career Courses - the high school offers a number of programs where students engage in authentic career preparation including EMT Certification, Student Teaching, Drone Pilot Certification, Artificial Intelligence Certification, and Cybersecurity programming.
• Internships & Pre-Apprenticeships - seniors also have the opportunity to engage in an internship with local business and professionals, as well as participating in a number of pre-apprenticeship programs organized by local trade organizations.

As a general rule, students are only able to take 7.0 credits a year, as such a schedule utilizes each instructional period available. Often students wish to free-up space in their schedule for a study hall, to pick up an additional class, or enable them to move further along in a program. To help students in these situations, the high school offers enrichment programming during the summer through online providers. Students can take their required Health class the summer prior to their sophomore year and the required Financial Literacy class the summer prior to their junior year. In addition to those required options, students can also take elective courses during the summer. Students are generally not permitted to complete any other required core offerings through summer enrichment.

Rising seniors also have the option to take college courses in the summer through the dual enrollment programs offered through many colleges and universities. More information about dual enrollment is available in the Dual Enrollment Information document.

Eighth Grade

• Counselor: Michael McGuiness - mmcguinness@yssd.org

Ninth Grade

• Counselor: Tina Howe - thowe@yssd.org

Tenth - Twelfth Grade

• Counselor (last names starting A-G) - Jamie Britton - jbritton@yssd.org
• Counselor (H-O) - Angie Adams - aadams@yssd.org
• Counselor (P-Z) - Taylor Glowaski - tglowaski@yssd.org