2025-2026 Course Selection
The High School Course Selection, Middle School Course Description, and Middle School Cyber Guides serve as resources for information that will help guide students in planning and preparing for their educational experience within the West Chester Area School District.
These guides were designed to help students and parents – with help from guidance counselors, teachers, and administration – to select a program of study that best suits the student’s interests, aptitudes, abilities, needs, and educational and career goals. Questions concerning courses and placement should be directed to the student's guidance counselor.
Courses Listed by Subjects with Decription
Course Selection Resources
- 25-26 Timelines for all Levels of Course Selection
- 5th Grade Students Transitioning to 6th Grade
- Grades 6 - 8 Rigor Level Descriptors
- 6th Grade Music Selection
- Middle School Unified Arts Sample Schedules
- AP Capstone - 2 year Course of Study
- Class Rank and Grading Scale
- Concurrent Enrollment (previously Dual Enrollment)
- High School Course Rigor Levels
- High School Elective GPA Inclusion Form
- Neutral Weighting Information
25-26 Timelines for all Levels of Course Selection
Timeline for Current 5th Grade
These students will be in 6th Grade in the 2025-26 school year.
Date |
Event |
February 12 |
Middle School 101 Parent Information Night |
February 21 |
6th Grade Music Recommendations Form submitted |
March 2025 |
Parent-teacher conferences |
May 7 |
5th Grade Course Selection Night |
Mid to Late Summer |
Transition Camps for Students and 6th Grade Parent Orientation Nights - principals will send information in the summer. |
Timeline for Current 6th & 7th Grades
These students will be in 7th & 8th Grade in the 2025-2026 school year.
January 13 - 31 |
Teacher recommendation window |
Tuesday, January 28 |
Peirce MS 101 Virtual Parent Information Night |
Thursday, January 30 |
Fugett & Stetson MS 101 Virtual Parent Information Night |
February 5 through February 23 |
Student and parent course selection week |
March 14 |
Recommendations may be viewed on the Parent Portal. All requests to change course selections and/or recommendations must be submitted to the student’s counselor. |
March 21 |
Course change deadline - Course level waiver recommendations require administrative approval beyond this date. |
Timeline for Current 8th - 11th Grades
These students will be in 9th - 12th Grade in the 2025-2026 school year.
Date |
Event |
Week of January 13 |
Digital Course Selection Guides released online |
Middle to Late January |
Administrator/counselor meeting with students |
January 13 - 31 |
Teacher Recommendation Window |
January 22 at 6:30 pm |
Parent Course Selection Meeting at home high school |
February 12 at 6:30 pm |
Parent Course Selection Meeting for Spanish Speaking Families at HHS |
February 3 through February 23 |
On-line Course Selection window – current eighth through eleventh grade students and parents (View teacher recommendations and select electives) |
by March 14 |
Recommendations may be viewed on the Parent Portal. All requests to change course selections and/or recommendations must be submitted to the student’s counselor |
March 21 |
Student Initiated elective change and course level waiver deadline |
May 21 |
Elective Course GPA Inclusion Form deadline |
May – June |
Master schedule developed |
May – June |
Course conflicts resolved |
Late August |
Schedules available through Parent Portal |
5th Grade Students Transitioning to 6th Grade
Families of Current 5th Grade Students
Planning for middle school will soon begin, and we look forward to working with you and your child during this important transition process.
Each student will be assigned to leveled sixth-grade courses in English, reading, and mathematics. The levels are Accelerated Honors, Honors, and Grade Level.
The district will use a combination of data points, including teacher recommendations, sixth-grade report card grades, and test scores, to place each student. Our goal is to ensure that coursework appropriately challenges each student. You will receive preliminary placement information in early May through the Parent Portal.
You will have an opportunity to discuss the middle school transition process, including preliminary sixth-grade coursework, during parent-teacher conferences scheduled for March 5-7, 2025. You are also invited to attend a middle school information night on May 7, 2025, to learn more about the transition process from your soon to be middle school principal.
Please visit the middle school rigor levels webpage
Sincerely,
Dr. Sara Missett, Director of Elementary Education
Dr. James Conley, Assistant Superintendent and Director of Secondary Education
Grades 6 - 8 Rigor Level Descriptors
Middle School Rigor Level Descriptors
In middle school, core courses in English, reading, and mathematics are offered at three different levels designed to challenge students based on their learning ability and needs. In eighth-grade, Science and Social Studies are offered at Grade Level or Honors Level. We have updated the rigor level descriptors to better align them with our high school rigor levels and improve communication with parents & guardians.
Accelerated Honors:
Accelerated Honors courses are designed for students who can learn advanced content at an accelerated pace. These courses provide students with a rigorous curriculum that extends beyond grade-level standards. These courses promote collaborative and self-directed learning through a variety of instructional activities and assessments.
Honors:
Honors courses are designed for students who can learn enriched content at a challenging pace. These courses provide students with a rigorous, grade-level curriculum. These courses promote collaborative, guided, and self-directed learning through a variety of instructional activities and assessments.
Grade Level:
Grade level courses are designed for students who can learn at a continuous pace. These courses provide students with essential skills and content knowledge aligned to grade-level standards. These courses promote collaborative and guided learning through a variety of instructional activities and assessments.
Our teachers are committed to recommending the best instructional level for each student that challenges them intellectually and leads to success in the classroom. Recommendations are based on prior academic performance, ability, potential, and test information.
6th Grade Music Selection
Sixth Grade Music Education Selection
We ask parents/guardians to discuss the music options (chorus, band, orchestra, or classroom music) with their students for next year and complete the Sixth-grade Music Selection Form.
The process of transitioning your fifth-grade student to middle school is an important process in his or her education. Part of this process includes the selection of a sixth-grade music course.
The Middle School Music Program is divided into two areas of study: Classroom Music and Performance Areas. There are three concentrations within Performance Areas: band, chorus, and string orchestra.
Classroom Music
Students will study different styles of music, musical eras, and perform music with a variety of instruments (keyboards, drums, etc.)
Performance Areas
Band/String Orchestra: Requirement: Current participation in elementary band or string orchestra programs.
Chorus: No requirement.
Concert attendance is required and is part of the student’s grade for the course. In addition, some performing groups may require specific concert attire.
The Fugett MS Music Department created an informational video to help you with the selection process.
Middle School Unified Arts Sample Schedules
Unified Arts Schedule
All WCASD Middle Schools operate on a 6-day cycle, with students rotating throughout a variety of robust learning experiences. Below, you will see how the unified arts pair with each other to offer our students a robust and exciting exploration of the unified arts.
Unified Arts courses allow students the opportunity to explore a variety of areas, such as Computer Science, Family & Consumer Sciences, and Technology Education. Students will have two periods of unified arts each day, rotating through the variety of courses offered.
6th Grade Unified Arts Sample Schedule
7th Grade Unified Arts Sample Schedule
8th Grade Unified Arts Sample Schedule - Performing Students
8th Grade Unified Arts Sample Schedule for Non-Performing Students
AP Capstone - 2 year Course of Study
AP Capstone
AP Capstone™ is a College Board program that equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges. It cultivates curious, independent, and collaborative scholars and prepares them to make evidence-based decisions. Students who enroll in this program must commit to the two years and will earn 2 high school credits, weighted at the AP level.
Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing receive the AP Capstone Diploma™. This signifies their outstanding academic achievement and attainment of college-level academic and research skills.
Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research but not on four additional AP Exams receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™.
View Frequently Asked Questions. The student presentation can be viewed here.
Class Rank and Grading Scale
Class Rank Policy and the Class Rank Administrative Guidelines Policy
Class Rank and Grading Scale
Class Rank and Grading Scale is computed as recommended by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Students have the option to include or not include elective courses at the academic level into the GPA. Grades are weighted in honors, accelerated honors, and AP courses. * Class rank will not be recorded on a student’s transcript for the class of 2021 and beyond. Any institution may request in writing from the School Counseling Department the class rank of any student if class rank is required for admission to that school or needed for any scholarship program. Students may elect to waive the quality points from certain non-academic elective courses in the calculation of their grade point averages.
Grade | Career & College Prep | Honors | AP & Accel. Honors | |
A+ | = 97-100 | 4.3 | 4.73 | 5.16 |
A | = 93-96 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.8 |
A- | = 90-92 | 3.7 | 4.07 | 4.44 |
B+ | = 87-89 | 3.3 | 3.63 | 3.96 |
B | = 83-86 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 3.6 |
B- | = 80-82 | 2.7 | 2.97 | 3.24 |
C+ | = 77-79 | 2.3 | 2.53 | 2.76 |
C | = 73-76 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 2.4 |
C- | = 70-72 | 1.7 | 1.87 | 2.04 |
F | = 60-69 (Non-passing; eligible for summer school) | |||
F | = below 60 (Not eligible for summer school) |
Grade Point Average
At the end of each school year, final grades shall be reported on the report card and student transcript on a 100 point scale. Grade point average (GPA) for each student is computed using a 4.0 weighted scale. The sum of the point values is divided by the credit total attempted to yield the GPA.
Quality points for Honors level courses are valued according to a 1.1 multiplier of Career and College Prep. Accelerated Honors and Advanced Placement courses are valued according to a 1.2 multiplier of Career and College Prep. All courses are included in the GPA with the exception of neutrally weighted elective courses as designated in the course selection guide.
Concurrent Enrollment (previously Dual Enrollment)
The West Chester Area School District Concurrent Enrollment (previously Dual Enrollment) program offers juniors and seniors the opportunity to concurrently enroll in a college-level course that would be considered a high school elective credit. Students participating in concurrent enrollment coursework would receive High school advanced placement credit, as well as college credit.
WCASD high schools will offer 2 courses in Geosciences that will be held at students' home school during the regular school day. These concurrent enrollment courses will be taught on-site by WCASD teaching staff in cooperation with West Chester University. Students successfully completing this full-year college-level course will receive six college credits from West Chester University and 2 credits from WCASD.
Full-School Year
Advanced Geoscience: Astronomy and Geology
Advanced Geoscience: Oceanography and Meteorology
The partnering concurrent enrollment college establishes admittance and other criteria for participation. Students will be responsible for tuition, fees, and course materials. Administrative approval will ensure that concurrent enrollment courses are commensurate with the rigor of advanced placement requirements and do not significantly overlap with the content of a WCASD course. More information and concurrent enrollment pre-approval forms are available from the school counseling department.
West Chester University Concurrent Enrollment Partnership
For the school year, the West Chester Area School District and West Chester University have partnered again to offer a menu of pre-approved concurrent enrollment courses for juniors and seniors. For student convenience, these classes will be located at the West Chester University Graduate Center and be scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1:05 pm -1:55 pm. Students will be scheduled to depart from their high school at the conclusion of the 6th period and travel by way of their own transportation to the Graduate Center located off of Greenhill Road. Tuition will be determined in the spring. Students successfully completing a semester college-level course will receive three college credits from West Chester University and 1 credit from WCASD. West Chester University Dual Enrollment Courses offered:
Fall Semester (2025)
Introduction to Anthropology: Cultural
Spring Semester (2026)
Nutrition and Culture
University of Pittsburgh, College in High School
Through a partnership with the University of Pittsburgh, WCASD high school students may earn both high school and college credit concurrently for select approved courses. WCASD teachers teach these courses during the regular school day and are tightly aligned with our curriculum in that the collegiate-level coursework mirrors the WCASD coursework. The College in the High School (CHS) offerings represent an opportunity for significant financial savings for our families. Information regarding the CHS program is below. However, guidance counselors will be able to provide specifics.
For the 2025-2026 school year, the proposed college in the high school courses are:
AP Art History
AP Calculus BC
AP Computer Science A
AP United States Government and Politics
Honors Broadcast Journalism & Social Media Production
Honors Italian 3
Honors Latin 3
How to Register for Courses Taught at the WCU Graduate Center
How to Register for Courses Taught at all WCASD High Schools
Concurrent Enrollment Approval Protocol
Six weeks prior to the registration deadline for the desired course, the student must:
1. Initiate a consultation with his/her guidance counselor. The student must bring the course description from the institution’s course catalogue with him/her to the consultation. The counselor will review the request against the student’s course of study and his/her progress toward completion of graduation requirements and determine whether or not the course is already offered by the district. The counselor will then forward the request for dual enrollment to the student’s grade level administrator and the course content area supervisor.
2. The team then analyzes the request by examining the following criteria: the quality and educational relevance of the college course requested, educational appropriateness to the student’s course of study, and compatibility with the student’s progress toward graduation and ensure the course is not already offered by the district.
3. If the request meets the benchmarks of the above criteria, the student will provide documentation to the team to verify the accreditation of the college or university where the desired course is offered. The documentation will include but is not limited to a syllabus, course requirements, text, and other resources related to the course.
4. Based on the above steps and documentation, the team will approve or disapprove the student’s request for the desired course before the registration deadline for the course.
5. If the request is approved, the following individuals will sign a Dual Enrollment Form—see attached.
6. The decision of the team is final. There is no appeal.
In addition:
- A 3-credit college course translates into a 1-credit high school course.
- The district will not provide transportation.
- The district will not fund any costs associated with the approved course such as but not limited to tuition, fees, books and materials.
- The student is fully responsible for his/her academic success in the course and understands the district will not provide progress reports.
- There is no guarantee the college credits will transfer to the student’s college of choice
- All online tests must be taken at the home school and arranged through students’ guidance counselor.
Click here to download the Concurrent Enrollment Approval Form
High School Course Rigor Levels
Career & College Prep:Career & College Prep level courses develop students’ essential skills and acquisition of content knowledge within the subject area. This level emphasizes the development of increased rigor through classroom interactions and progressing demands for independent work in preparation for college and career readiness.
Honors: Honors courses follow a rigorous curriculum prescribed by each department and develop higher-order thinking skills using a challenging pace and enriched content. Both in-class instruction and outside assignments focus on self-directed learning through activities and assessments that emphasize written and oral communication.
Accelerated Honors: Accelerated Honors courses prepare students for Advanced Placement studies. Courses at this level are designed to provide students with access to the most rigorous curriculum that extends well beyond grade level standards. These courses promote both collaborative and self-directed learning through activities and assessments that emphasize written and oral communication.
Advanced Placement: Advanced Placement, or AP, refers to college-level courses taught according to the syllabi approved by the College Board Advanced Placement Program and/or to courses designed to prepare students for College Board AP tests. Successful performance on AP tests may lead to college credit and/or advanced placement in college courses. While course descriptions provide information about the course content on which the AP exam will be based, WCASD teachers have the flexibility to determine how the content is presented.
High School Elective GPA Inclusion Form
Solicitud de inclusión de cursos electivos de preparatoria en el GPA (promedia general)
Students and their parent/guardian must and return to the student’s counselor the neutrally weighted courses form to receive academic quality points.
Para recibir puntos de calidad académica para los cursos de ponderación neutral, este formulario deberá ser llenado y firmado por los padres o tutores y devuelto al consejero del estudiante.
- Neutral Weighting Information
- Request for Level/Class Change
- TCHS Brandywine Course Information
- WC Cyber Program
Neutral Weighting Information
Request for High School Elective Course GPA Inclusion
Elective courses that are weighted at the Career & College Prep level will be neutrally weighted. However, students may choose to include Career & College Prep level weighting for these specific elective courses in the calculation of their grade point average (GPA). Neutrally weighted elective courses can be found in the following subject areas:
- Career & College Prep level Art and Music courses
- Career & College Prep level Family & Consumer Science, Video Production, and Tech Ed. courses
- Career & College Prep level Business and Marketing courses academic level English, Science, and Social Studies elective courses
- Career & College Prep level 1 and 2 World Language courses
Notes to emphasize during course selection on "Request for Elective GPA Inclusion"
- All grades in courses (Neutrally Weighted or GPA Included) will be used to determine eligibility for honor roll, athletics and club participation.
- The term "Neutrally Weighted" will appear beneath the course title of all eligible courses.
- Credits and grades earned in neutrally weighted courses will appear on transcripts and be counted towards fulfilling any WCASD High School arts and humanities and/or elective graduation requirements.
Academic Quality Points Per Grade:
Grade | Quality Points |
A+ = 97-100 | 4.3 |
A =93-96 | 4.0 |
A- =90-92 | 3.7 |
B+ =87-89 | 3.3 |
B =83-86 | 3.0 |
B- =80-82 | 2.7 |
C+ =77-79 | 2.3 |
C =73-76 | 2.0 |
C- =70-72 | 1.7 |
Request for Level/Class Change
Course Placement Waiver Form
During the course selection process, teachers make recommendations for individual students carefully after considering a variety of data. If you have questions about the course and/or level that you feel would be most appropriate for your child, or would like more information on your child’s current recommendation, it is strongly encouraged that you contact your child’s recommending teacher or counselor. If, after consideration, you still wish to override the teacher's recommendation, please complete the waiver form.
TCHS Brandywine Course Information
Chester County Technical College High School - Brandywine Campus
The Chester County Technical College High School Brandywine Campus is a public high school specializing in Career and Technical Education (CTE) and is available for students in grades 9 through 12. CTE programs prepare students for success in college, the workplace, and life. All CTE programs at the Brandywine Campus are designated as High Priority Occupations (HPO) by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards and national industry certifications.
There's a reason we're called Technical College High School - students can earn college credit in high school with college partnerships at TCHS. Click here to see how TCHS is your link to the college experience.
CTE programs at the Brandywine Campus lead seamlessly to postsecondary education through the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) SOAR Programs of Study. The mission of SOAR is to prepare students (who are) Occupationally and Academically Ready for college and careers in an increasingly diverse, high-performing workforce. Graduates of approved SOAR programs who meet challenging academic and technical criteria qualify for several FREE technical credits at over twenty-five participating colleges across Pennsylvania. These include the Pennsylvania College of Technology, Delaware County Community College, Clarion University, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, and Harcum College. For more information about SOAR and the complete list of participating colleges and postsecondary programs, please go to http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/programs_of_study/7686/srticulations/679190
WC Cyber Program
Cyber Courses for Grades 9 - 12
Our Cyber Program's courses are driven by student interest and demand. This means we determine which classes run each year based on the enrollment numbers we gather through our rigorous course selection process. We understand each student is unique in their learning journey and goals, and our aim is to provide individualized pathways that cater to these distinctive needs.
However, it's important to note that our offerings may vary from year to year due to fluctuations in enrollment. While we strive to offer as wide a variety of courses as possible, we can only run classes with sufficient enrollment. As such, the courses available in the Cyber Program are subject to change each academic year.
This approach allows us to ensure that we're meeting the most pressing needs and interests of our students, while also maintaining the high educational standards that our district is known for and inspiring students to achieve their personal best.
We encourage students and families to carefully consider their course choices each year, as your selections play a vital role in shaping our Cyber Program. Thank you for your understanding and collaboration in creating a dynamic, responsive, and enriching cyber learning environment for all our students.For any questions or further information, please reach out to the supervisor of the cyber program: Ms. Kara Bailey kbailey@wcasd.net 484-266-1023