As a parent-choice school, we allow 7th and 8th graders to take high school courses, but it is important to consider how taking courses in middle school will affect high school and college before choosing this option for your student. Please contact your Homeschool Teacher to discuss starting high school courses early prior to enrolling in high school level courses.
Starting for the 2024-25 school year, students may take High School courses. The course names will go on the high school transcript, but students will not earn high school elective credits for the courses.
- High school math courses can be taken in 7th and 8th-grade students
- High school Spanish courses can only be taken in 8th grade
What curriculum can students use?
Please see the approved curriculum list below (outlines are not allowed)
Consider the following:
- All High School courses will be added to their The Cottonwood School transcript with an associated grade, but WILL NOT be awarded credit towards graduation, but will count towards 1 year of math for A-G.
- If math is completed in middle school that would mean the student would continue to take high level math courses to finish their graduation requirement.
- Students who take high school courses while in middle school will have the courses placed on their transcript at the start of 9th grade.
- High school courses completed in middle school will not be included in the high school GPA.
- Students who take high school courses while in middle school must “opt-in” to a report card so the grades can be reported.
- Students who take high school courses while in middle school must complete the entire high school course. In the Fall the A portion must be completed and in the Spring the B portion must be completed, there is no doubling up in one semester. This means they will need to take a course that is A-G as is. Your HST will monitor the high school course(s) with the same practices as any other high school course.
- If your student is interested in playing sports in college they may want to take NCAA-approved courses so that the courses can count towards NCAA requirements. Let your HST know if your student is interested in playing sports in college.
Is my student ready?
- For Spanish, students do not need to demonstrate subject-matter readiness but should be ready for a high school-level course in general. If you believe your student may be ready for Spanish II, please reach out to our HQT in Spanish to discuss if your student is ready.
- For Algebra I, HSTs must verify readiness with one or more of the following:
For the entire math placement policy, please review the math placement policy.- Star 360 results indicating Algebra I readiness or higher
- A body of work demonstrating a high level of quality for Pre-Algebra/Math 8
- An Algebra I Readiness Test. If your family chooses this option, please administer the exam in Zoom and grade the exam yourself. Remember, students should show ALL work on their placement exam. Feel free to use the Algebra I Readiness Test Answer Key when evaluating the placement exam, DO NOT give the answer key to the parent or student. If you are not sure whether your student is ready for Algebra I and would like a second opinion, please upload a copy of the placement test to global notes in Pathways.
When your middle school student takes a high school course…
- We will create an Individualized Graduation Plan (IGP) so you can see how this will impact high school.
- We will add the high school course to your student’s ISA (and remove Math 7 or 8 if needed).
- We will collect one work sample for the subject per semester for any high school courses your middle school students take.
- We will complete a report card each semester.
- If your student starts to struggle in the high school course and doesn’t want it reflected on their transcript, please contact your HST right away so we can adjust your student’s schedule.
Next Steps
- First, send the family-friendly information sheet to your family, and get confirmation they understand the policy.
- Complete the 7th-8th Graders Taking HS Classes form. Without the form, we cannot add course(s) to your student’s transcript once they start 9th grade. The form must be completed by October 14th of every year. If not completed by October 14th, students will not receive credit.
- After the course is added, an addendum will be needed.
- Please note that you will need to review the body of work for each LP and upload one work sample per semester for any high school courses your middle school students take. Work samples must be specific to the class listed on the class schedule.
- If your student starts to struggle in the high school course and doesn’t want it reflected on their transcript, please contact your counselor or IA right away so we can adjust your student’s schedule.
- Teachers need to give a grade for the Fall and Spring semesters.