8th Grade to HS Information
Important Information for 8th Grade Parents – High School Choice and Course Selection
Dear 8th Grade Parents,
If you submitted a Choice application in FOCUS during the designated window from December to January, you should soon receive an official letter from the district confirming the acceptance and approval of your selection—if you have not already received it.
Please do not discard this letter. On February 28, when high school counselors visit our campus, I will need to place students in the appropriate session based on the high school listed in FOCUS. In some cases, families receive acceptance letters before the district updates FOCUS, which may cause discrepancies.
To prevent any confusion or undue stress for students, please ensure your child brings their acceptance letter to me so that I can make a copy of that letter and place them in the appropriate high school grouping and HIS representatives. Ideally, this should be done before or on the day of the high school visit. I want to ensure that every student is placed correctly and does not complete the wrong 9th-grade course selection form due to the district records not being updated in time.
Additionally, on the day of the high school visit, representatives from each school will be available to answer students' questions and assist them in completing their 9th grade course selection forms. Once the forms are completed, they will be returned to RMS, where I will enter the core class recommendations (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies) based on teacher input. Please do not expect to see the course selection form on the same day. Once I am done filling out the core classes, I will make a copy for my records then I will return the forms back to students to share with their families for review and signature.
It is your student’s responsibility to return the signed course selection form to me (Mrs. Wyar). They may do so by:
- Asking their teacher to place it in my mailbox
- Bringing it to me in the cafeteria
- Handing it to me in the 8th-grade section before school starts
- Dropping it off in my office.
If the form is not returned to me, it will be the parent’s responsibility to submit it to the high school late. Students will have one week to share the form with their families, which allows flexibility for split households.
Important Note: Each year, I receive requests regarding approval for HOPE or a foreign language course through FLVS. As a charter school, RMS does not approve FLVS courses. Once your student officially becomes a high school student in July and is transferred by the district, you may request approval from their high school counselor. Many high school counselors are unaware of this policy and may direct you back to me; however, please inform them that RMS, as a charter school, has a policy in place that does not permit such approvals.
If you have any questions regarding the 9th-grade course selection process, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Dear Parents/Guardians of 8th Grade Students,
We are beginning preparations for 9th-grade course selection for the 2025-2026 school year. While the high schools have not yet finalized their updated course selection forms, I have made copies of last year’s Curriculum Guides and course selection forms for your reference. Please take time to review these materials with your student. The Curriculum Guides provide detailed descriptions of courses and outline the high school requirements for each class.
The course selection process will proceed as follows:
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High School Visits
Toward the end of February, after the school choice process is complete, we will coordinate a day for high schools to visit our campus. Each high school will be assigned a classroom, and students will go to the classroom associated with the high school they are slated to attend based on the information in FOCUS. By this time, you should have received notification if your student has been accepted through School Choice or into specialized programs such as AICE or IB. -
Elective Course Selection
On the day of the visit, high school counselors will assist students with selecting elective courses and addressing any questions they may have about classes or the school. In preparation for this, I am sharing the course selection forms now so you and your student can review elective options in advance.
Please note: -
You need not worry about core class placement at this time. Your student’s current core teachers will recommend the appropriate level of high school courses based on their academic progress, High School course requirements stated in the curriculum guide and the spring FAST/EOC scores that students will be taking in May. (We will not have this by Feb. so I will use last year's PM3 scores. Once the scores come in, the HS will take over in July and make any changes based on the updated scores if needed).
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Students will complete the elective selection process with the high school counselors during their visit.
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Form Submission and Follow-Up
After students complete the course selection forms, I will collect them for review. The forms will not be returned to students on this day. Once teacher recommendations are finalized, I will sign off on the core classes for each student and retain a copy of the completed registration forms for our records.
You will receive the original form to review and sign. Please ensure your student returns the signed form to me promptly. I recommend taking a picture of the signed form for your records. Once your student turns in the form by my deadline (TBA) I will send it to their high school.
NOTE: Right after 9th grade course selections, we have to do 5th, 6th and 7th grade course selection and FAST and EOC testing. If your student does not turn in the form by the designated deadline (TBA), you will be responsible for getting it to the High School.
If you disagree with any recommendation, please feel free to contact me directly, or send a note with your student, and I will review the matter and get right back to you
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. I can be reached at extension 1119 or via email at wyarj@rowlettmiddleacademy.
Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring a smooth transition to high school for your student.
Bellow are the links for the course selection form and the curriculum guides: THEY ARE LAST YEARS forms. THIS IS JUST FOR YOU TO START LOOKING AT AND REVIEWING WITH YOUR CHILD. Next years forms will come when the HS come over to meet with the kids.
HIGH SCHOOL |
COURSE SELECTION FORM |
CURRICULUM GUIDE |
Bayshore High School |
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Braden River High School |
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Lakewood Ranch High School |
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Manatee High School |
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Palmetto High School |
AA2024-2025_PHS_Curriculum_ |
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Parrish Community High School |
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Southeast High School |