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, bench marks and teacher guidance.

Note: Guidance for all courses, including electives and additional support & intervention courses can be found by clicking on TEACHER GUIDANCE from the PowerSchool menu. (see image to right)

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 LHS in the All Schools drop down menu.

• D128 Curriculum Guide & Course Descriptions
• LHS Counselor Support Resources
• D128 Graduation Requirements
• Post-High School Planning
• Tech Campus information
• Summer School information

• 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 request form together (see Step 4 below) and sign the form. Students will bring the completed form to their counselor appointment.
2. Submit your course requests in PowerSchool. Follow the steps outlined in this document to enter your student's course requests into PowerSchool. Please have this step completed the Sunday before your student meets with their counselor.

What Should Students Consider When Selecting Courses and Developing an Academic Plan?

We encourage families to review the LHS Counselor Advice resource before selecting courses for next year. Key considerations include:

Balance

• How will your student balance academics, extracurriculars (sports, clubs, arts, work), and a healthy lifestyle?

• Which electives (Applied Tech, Business, Family/Consumer Sciences, Art, Music, World Languages) interest them?
• What combination of elective, college prep, and accelerated courses feels right for my student?
• Are there courses that align with their interests or post-high school goals that need to be a focus or priority?

Advanced Classes and Level

• What level of rigor is your student ready for?
• Which accelerated courses (honors, AP, capstone, dual credit) would challenge them appropriately?
• How many advanced courses can they handle without becoming overwhelmed?
• Is it acceptable for them to struggle, and to what extent?

On Monday, January 5th, during 2nd hour, all students will watch a brief video about course selection and receive a course request worksheet. Caregivers and students should complete the worksheet together and submit their course requests in PowerSchool before the student’s counselor appointment. Please have this step completed the Sunday before your student meets with their counselor. Students must bring the completed and signed worksheet to their appointment.

When will my student meet with their counselor?

• 11th Grade: January 6th-16th

• 10th Grade: January 20th-26th (during English classes)

• 9th Grade: January 27th-February 2th (during Health & PE classes)

That was a LOT of information! Click below for a quick review of the steps in the course selection process.

JANUARY

January 6th - 16th: 11th graders meet with counselors for course selection

January 20th - 26th: 10th graders meet with counselors for course selection (during English classes)

January 27th - February 2nd: 9th graders meet with counselors for course selection (during Health & PE 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.