Course Planning in SchooLinks

8th Grade Course Planner Activity

In the spring, 8th-grade students will complete a Course Planner activity in SchooLinks as part of their preparation for high school forecasting.

What is the Course Planner?

Students will:

• Map out a rough four-year high school plan
• Review graduation requirements
• Explore electives and programs of interest
• Begin thinking about long-term goals

Important to Know

• The Course Planner is a preparation tool only.
• It is not the official forecasting form.
• Choices entered do not lock students into courses.

The purpose is simply to help students feel informed and confident before meeting with high school counselors.

What Comes Next?

Before official forecasting:

• Students will attend 8th Grade Fly-Up Day
• Families are invited to 8th Grade Family Night
• Students will learn about high school programs, graduation requirements, and expectations
• High school forecasting will take place in March, when high school counselors meet with students to complete official course selection.

The purpose is simply to help students feel informed and confident before meeting with high school counselors.

The Course Planner helps students arrive prepared for those conversations.

Four-year planning continues throughout high school.

Each year, students:

• Review graduation requirements
• Update their Academic & Career Plan in SchooLinks
• Connect course selections to post-high school goals
• Meet with counselors during forecasting

Planning is ongoing and flexible. Interests change - and that's okay. SchooLinks allows students to revise and refine their plans annually.

Why Four-Year Planning Matters

Four-year planning helps students:

• Stay on track for graduation
• Explore academic and career interests early
• Make informed course choices
• Prepare for college, career, military, apprenticeships, or other post-high school options

Most importantly, it builds confidence and ownership over their educational journey.

Partnering With Families

Families play an important role in helping students think about goals and possibilities.

You can support your student by:

• Asking about their interests and strengths
• Reviewing graduation requirements together
• Attending forecasting information nights
• Encouraging exploration - not perfection

If you have questions about SchooLinks, forecasting, or graduation requirements, please contact your school counselor. We appreciate your partnership as students begin planning their high school pathway and future goals.