Course requests have been submitted for the 25-26 school year. With changes made to the scheduling system, some confusion has been voiced about prioritization. However, seniors will continue to be prioritized when schedules are created.
State High Counselor Shawn Barbrow explained how the scheduling system works. “All students put in requests and then we have a code that we enter in PowerSchool and all seniors are given the highest priority code, juniors are given the second highest priority code, sophomores third highest priority code, and freshmen fourth highest priority code. So when the system schedules it, it gets the senior’s requests done, then juniors, then sophomores, then freshmen,” Barbrow said.
Initially, it was believed that this year the change to Powerschool for scheduling would give freshmen and sophomores priority. With this change, the underclassmen would receive more of the classes they wanted on their schedules.
Despite conflicting ideas, there is no change taking effect this year regarding prioritization and upperclassmen have and will continue to be prioritized when schedules are being made.
As students move up the grades from freshmen to seniors, they are placed in more of the courses they request each new year.
“[The scheduling process is] very equitable in that way in that like even though incoming freshmen will have the lowest priority, as they ascend the ranks, as it should be, they have a greater chance of getting in their courses,” Barbrow said. “It’s pretty standard, the oldest kids get the top choice and the youngest kids get the last choice.”
Opinions still vary on whether or not this system is truly fair. Sophomore Sarah Mellott explained her perspective. “Seniors only have one year left, so they need to enjoy their last year and get the classes they want,” Mellott said. “Freshmen have four years to try all different electives and they have a ton of choices left so I feel like they can wait their turn.”
Sophomore Sofia Tellez shared her viewpoint on the scheduling priorities, believing that underclassmen should require more support. “I thought freshmen would be more prioritized because they’re coming into the school so they need more guidance. Seniors already have that help that they need so they are already in a stable place.”
For the 25-26 school year, the scheduling priorities remain unchanged and will favor seniors and their requests.
