Course selection process

Critical Timeline for Course Selections

1. Nov - Dec: Tentative course selection; meet with Guidance

2. Dec - Feb: Research and discuss plans with parents

3. February: Final course selection

4. March - May: School timetable is built; no changes permitted

5. May - June: Course conflicts resolved

6. June: Students receive their fall timetables

7. End of August - first two weeks of September: Timetable changes

In November, Guidance will be meeting with your student to discuss how to choose their courses for next year. We like to meet with students in the fall, prior to semester 2 to show them the tool that we use for course selection in February and we explain how they can begin their research into what they want to do in the future.

There is a multi-step process to course selection.

1. Guidance meets with all students in November/December to get students thinking about their choices for the following year and we give them a refresher on using myBlueprint.

2. Students do tentative course selection at this time.

3. Students are then encouraged to speak with their parents, friends and teachers about the courses they have selected and make any changes, if needed.

*** Students can make as many changes to their course selection on myBlueprint as they want, until step 4. ****

4. Guidance meets with students again in February to input their final course selection.

It is important that students make well planned, thought out, researched course selections in order for us to build the best timetable we can build. Once our timetable is set, students have more difficulty in making changes because they are limited in the choices (by period) that are available.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

- College and University programs have certain requirements for admission. When researching, students are encouraged to investigate programs of interest and determine what courses are required for admission. Please pay special attention to this.

Students sometimes do not realize that they are missing a requirement for their desired program until it is too late.
- If your student is struggling in English, Math or Science, please be aware that some or all of these core subjects are typically requirements for admission to many post-secondary programs. We encourage you and/or your student to make an

appointment with Guidance to discuss pathway/program options.
- With so many diverse programs, it is important to talk to your student about their future early on and to research as much as possible. The more you know, the easier and less stressful the decision making process is in Grade 12.
- We encourage you to help your student as they plan their future. Please follow the instructions in the attachment to visit www.myblueprint.ca/halton and start your research using High School Planner, Post-Secondary Planner, and Explore Occupations.

- Confused by course codes or pathway decisions? This video may help you to understand the choices better: