This year, ETHS has moved up the course registration deadline for all students. Previously, students registered and selected classes toward the end of January; now the process is taking place in early November.
The administration moved the course registration deadline to November to give staff more time to make adjustments and create the most accurate class schedules possible.
“In recent years, we have had issues with making sure our schedules are clean and have been short staffed across our scheduling team,” said Dr. Kiwana Brown, Associate Principal for Instruction & Literacy.
The administration recognized that it needs more time to ensure students’ schedules both meet graduation requirements and accommodate their preferences.
“We want to make sure that counselors have enough time to check in with students to review their schedules and set them on track for graduation,” said Brown.
Opening up these months allows for thoughtful planning without the pressure of stress, fostering excitement about the classes students will take in future years.
“We want to have enough time so students don’t feel overwhelmed,” said Brown. “They should have some autonomy in their course choices.”
Like Brown, Principal Dr. Quiana McNeal expects that moving up the course request deadline will have a positive impact on students’ academic planning.
“We’re refining our course request process to ensure that students experience the best possible scheduling situation as they enter the new school year,” said McNeal.
In addition, the change could be intended to bring ETHS more in line with other districts.
“The previous districts I’ve come from hold course registration around [November], so the change might be, in part, an effort to align with other districts,” she said.
Not only was the course request date moved up for currently enrolled students, but the course request night for incoming freshmen has also been moved from late January to early December.
Student Ambassadors are currently preparing to welcome incoming freshmen and assist them with course selection. Director of Course Request Night Brendan Mallers, along with his partners Guthrie Olko, Jacob Maxwell and Meera Field, have been working to help freshmen choose their courses for the upcoming school year.
“The new course registration dates are designed to create a smoother, less rushed process for students and counselors,” said Mallers. “By moving the deadline earlier, schedulers have more time to plan each student’s schedule.”
Mallers encourages incoming freshmen to explore a wide range of electives and not worry about one course defining their high school trajectory.
“The courses you choose your freshman year don’t determine the rest of your high school career,” said Mallers. “This is the time to explore different subjects and discover what interests you.”
Students are already meeting with counselors to explore course options and plan their schedules. They will submit their course requests earlier this year.
