2026-2027 Course Selection Process

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While August may seem far away, planning for next school year is already underway. We’re excited to support you during the 2026-2027 course selection process. Course requests are a key part of this process, and our team is here to help your student connect their choices to their passions, interests and post-secondary goals. Please follow the 4 steps outlined below to complete the course selection process.

How to access your student's eligibility letter and teacher guidance:

1. Log into the District 128 parent/guardian PowerSchool Portal
2. Select STUDENT REPORTS (see image on right)
3. Click on the report named 26-27 APA ELIG & Teacher Guidance
4. Read through the information in the letter including test scores, benchmarks and teacher guidance.

What is Accelerated Placement Eligibility?

District 128 is an open enrollment district, allowing students to choose course levels that align with their educational goals. We encourage families to choose courses that best fit their student's goals and interests. By law, families must be notified if a student’s test scores (e.g., PreACT, ACT or ACCESS for multilingual learners) qualify them for accelerated placement. Enrollment in an accelerated course is optional, and selecting the most suitable course serves as the act of opting in or out.

What if my student does not have a PreACT/ACT score?

The nationally normed STAR Reading and Math Assessment is used when PreACT/ACT data is unavailable. This assessment is taken in all 9th–11th grade English and math classes.

What if my student didn’t meet the PreACT/ACT eligibility benchmark?

Students develop academically every year, and it’s common for students to not meet benchmarks in 9th and 10th grade, but meet benchmarks by the April ACT in 11th grade. Significant growth is expected annually from all students.

What is teacher guidance?

Your student’s current English, Math, Science, and Social Studies teachers have provided guidance for possible courses or levels for next year based on various factors including: semester 1 grades, work completion, assessment progress, and interest in the curriculum. This guidance provides an additional data point to help students and caregivers make informed decisions.

• Click here to access District 128 SchooLinks & Course Planning

⚠️ Be sure to select VHHS in the All Schools drop down menu.

• Documents include:

• Course Selection Resources & Counselor Support

• D128 Curriculum Guide & Course Descriptions

• Career Pathways & Additional Post-Secondary Resources

Before your student’s counselor appointment, discuss their academic plan together. Review this year’s courses and performance, explore their interests, strengths, and goals, and consider next year’s courses in relation to their post-secondary and career aspirations.

1. Complete the course planner in SchooLinks together (see Step 4 below). Students will confirm they discussed with their guardian and share their completed course planner for the next consecutive grade level during their counselor appointment.

2. What should students consider when selecting courses & developing an academic plan?

   We highly encourage each family to review our school counselor's advice prior to selecting courses for next school year. Important considerations include:

• Balance: How can your student create an academic plan and an extracurricular plan (athletics, clubs, fine arts activities and work) while maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle?
• Choices: Which elective courses (Applied Tech, Business, Family/ Consumer Sciences, Art, Music & World Languages) is your student planning to take? Which course should they focus on because it is an area of interest or connects to their post high school goals?
• Advanced Classes & Level: What level of academic rigor is the student prepared for? Are they ready for advanced classes? What combination of elective, college prep and advanced courses feels right for my student?

On Wednesday, January 7th during 2nd hour, all students will attend a brief class meeting about course selection. Students and guardians should select courses in the SchooLinks Course Planner for the next consecutive grade year before the student’s counselor appointment. Students must share the completed course plan in SchooLinks at this appointment.

When will my student meet with their counselor?

• 11th Grade: January 9th - February 9th (students book individual appointment times)
• 9th Grade: January 13th & 14th (during Health or PE classes)

• 10th Grade: January 21st & 22nd (during English classes)

Students access their Course Planner by logging into SchooLinks on their Classlinks. Once in, they navigate to their "Plan" and "Course Planner." More resources to support your student can be found at this resource:

Student Overview: Course Planner

JANUARY

January 9th - February 9th: 11th graders meet with counselors for course selection

January 13th & 14th: 9th graders meet with counselors for course selection (during Health/PE)

January 21st & 22nd: 10th graders meet with counselors for course selection (during English classes)

FEBRUARY & MARCH

District staffing meetings and course sections assigned

APRIL

2026-2027 master schedule built by building administration

MAY

Counselors contact students with course conflicts & students can submit course change requests through mid-July.