Minimum number of classes required (senior year)

[Anonymous]

Hello All,

DC did not want to take a full load and requires only one credit to graduate. Based on the graduation requirements that I can find, it looks like he requires only two classes (because math is required every year.) The counselor says DC has to take atleast four classes.

DC insists on doing things by himself and does not want to pursue this any further (worried about counselor's recommendation), and is planning to take four.

I was looking up the regulations at https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/ but can not seem to find anything related to this. Well, atleast in whatever I thought might have something to do with this, like under I (Instruction) and J (Students) - like IED, ISB-RA, etc. Also, let us say there is a student struggling to graduate and required say only one more credit to graduate; I cannot imagine MCPS insisting that such a student has to take four classes even though three are not required. So, just wondering if the counselor is blowing smoke. If anyone can give me a pointer to where the regulations talk about minimum number of classes, I would appreciate it!

[Anonymous]

A kid who is struggling would likely have taken the class in summer school. That was also an option for your son as well. But don’t know the rule - only that we were told the same last year. Mine just took electives to fill the time.

And your son is right about needing a recommendation from the school counselor - and one that’s timely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A kid who is struggling would likely have taken the class in summer school. That was also an option for your son as well. But don’t know the rule - only that we were told the same last year. Mine just took electives to fill the time.

And your son is right about needing a recommendation from the school counselor - and one that’s timely.

I don’t understand people like this. If your child is college bound, this is a terrible idea and if your child is struggling academically, then you should want them to have as much learning as possible.

[Anonymous]

I heard four too. Mine will only need math and English.

[Anonymous]

Does he want to go to college, OP?
If so, admissions officers will look extremely poorly at such a reduced course load.

Unless he has an extremely meaningful activity outside of school, such as Olympic training. It would have to be something really important.

[Anonymous]

If he a junior, would he like to graduate early? He could just take English 12 (add to this year or take at night or in summer). He should speak to counselor right away. If senior, could he take English 12 and AP Kit this semester and graduate a semester early?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A kid who is struggling would likely have taken the class in summer school. That was also an option for your son as well. But don’t know the rule - only that we were told the same last year. Mine just took electives to fill the time.

And your son is right about needing a recommendation from the school counselor - and one that’s timely.

Thank you!

Anyways, just found what I was looking for: https://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/Home/Introduction says to be a full time student one needs to be registered in atleast four high school credit courses, and
IHC-RA: https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/ihcra.pdf and https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/pdf/280.98.pdf talk about how to go about getting permission to be a part time student.

I guess the counselor may still refuse to sign off on 280-98 depending on the reason for changing to part time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does he want to go to college, OP?
If so, admissions officers will look extremely poorly at such a reduced course load.

Unless he has an extremely meaningful activity outside of school, such as Olympic training. It would have to be something really important.

That's also what I'm gonna worry about too. College might likely rescind the offer seeing such a light course load. Does your senior plan to work for a meaningful full-time job instead of taking courses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does he want to go to college, OP?
If so, admissions officers will look extremely poorly at such a reduced course load.

Unless he has an extremely meaningful activity outside of school, such as Olympic training. It would have to be something really important.

Me again. I was thinking about selective 4-year colleges. If your child wants to go to community college, then transfer to a state college, or apply to institutions that are not very competitive, then I think your plan is viable. I'm assuming he works full or part-time.

[Anonymous]

Thanks to all those who took the time to respond! Unfortunately I can not give the reason for exploring this because this is a unique situation (and I would like to keep the anonymity but the reason is not because DC is struggling; DC happens to be at the other end of the spectrum. DC is driven, and we are concerned that he is taking some extra work just to fulfill some regulation.

It looks like the counselor may have just informed him that he needs to have four courses, and may not have explained that if he needed to take less, he needs to fill 280-98.

I will post separately to see if anyone has filled out this form, and what is the downside...

(Oh, someone had mentioned how this will look in college apps; thankfully, that is not a concern, because DC has a valid reason that requires him to take a lesser load in school.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A kid who is struggling would likely have taken the class in summer school. That was also an option for your son as well. But don’t know the rule - only that we were told the same last year. Mine just took electives to fill the time.

And your son is right about needing a recommendation from the school counselor - and one that’s timely.

Thank you!

Anyways, just found what I was looking for: https://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/Home/Introduction says to be a full time student one needs to be registered in atleast four high school credit courses, and
IHC-RA: https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/ihcra.pdf and https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/pdf/280.98.pdf talk about how to go about getting permission to be a part time student.

I guess the counselor may still refuse to sign off on 280-98 depending on the reason for changing to part time.

You indeed found the requirement. Minimum 4 courses at HS is the standard across all HS for seniors. Usually this is paired with students working or attending MC also. As others have said, this can be a concern if your DC is intending on going to a 4 year college after HS. It’s not just about admissions. If DC essentially took a year off when most college bound students are taking their most rigorous year, they are missing the opportunity to improve their study and time management skills and are likely to struggle their first semester at college.

There are two other options your DC can pursue. Take the English course through Online Pathway to Graduation (OPTG) this fall (still has to stay enrolled in HS English 12 until the credit is earned.) Then either graduate early (Dec) and drop remaining fall semester classes.

Or stay with the 4 HS classes for fall and then enroll full time at MC for the spring semester which would have to include English 101 and graduate with the HS peers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Thanks to all those who took the time to respond! Unfortunately I can not give the reason for exploring this because this is a unique situation (and I would like to keep the anonymity but the reason is not because DC is struggling; DC happens to be at the other end of the spectrum. DC is driven, and we are concerned that he is taking some extra work just to fulfill some regulation.

It looks like the counselor may have just informed him that he needs to have four courses, and may not have explained that if he needed to take less, he needs to fill 280-98.

I will post separately to see if anyone has filled out this form, and what is the downside...

(Oh, someone had mentioned how this will look in college apps; thankfully, that is not a concern, because DC has a valid reason that requires him to take a lesser load in school.)

They can also do an internship or work or other options, including going to MC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Thanks to all those who took the time to respond! Unfortunately I can not give the reason for exploring this because this is a unique situation (and I would like to keep the anonymity but the reason is not because DC is struggling; DC happens to be at the other end of the spectrum. DC is driven, and we are concerned that he is taking some extra work just to fulfill some regulation.

It looks like the counselor may have just informed him that he needs to have four courses, and may not have explained that if he needed to take less, he needs to fill 280-98.

I will post separately to see if anyone has filled out this form, and what is the downside...

(Oh, someone had mentioned how this will look in college apps; thankfully, that is not a concern, because DC has a valid reason that requires him to take a lesser load in school.)

Then you should have mentioned this in your OP. It's a crucial part of the conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello All,

DC did not want to take a full load and requires only one credit to graduate. Based on the graduation requirements that I can find, it looks like he requires only two classes (because math is required every year.) The counselor says DC has to take atleast four classes.

DC insists on doing things by himself and does not want to pursue this any further (worried about counselor's recommendation), and is planning to take four.

I was looking up the regulations at https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/ but can not seem to find anything related to this. Well, atleast in whatever I thought might have something to do with this, like under I (Instruction) and J (Students) - like IED, ISB-RA, etc. Also, let us say there is a student struggling to graduate and required say only one more credit to graduate; I cannot imagine MCPS insisting that such a student has to take four classes even though three are not required. So, just wondering if the counselor is blowing smoke. If anyone can give me a pointer to where the regulations talk about minimum number of classes, I would appreciate it!

At RM they are required to take all 7 unless they have a job, internship or are doing dual enrollment at MC. Just have your kid do one of the above and they should be able to leave after the 2 required classes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Thanks to all those who took the time to respond! Unfortunately I can not give the reason for exploring this because this is a unique situation (and I would like to keep the anonymity but the reason is not because DC is struggling; DC happens to be at the other end of the spectrum. DC is driven, and we are concerned that he is taking some extra work just to fulfill some regulation.

It looks like the counselor may have just informed him that he needs to have four courses, and may not have explained that if he needed to take less, he needs to fill 280-98.

I will post separately to see if anyone has filled out this form, and what is the downside...

(Oh, someone had mentioned how this will look in college apps; thankfully, that is not a concern, because DC has a valid reason that requires him to take a lesser load in school.)

He could be a teacher aid or do a fun elective like ceramics or weight lifting (or whatever he is interested in). Not understanding concern about courseload when there are so many non rigorous/elective options.