Course Selection for 2012-2013
	It is that time of the year for our students to begin the pre-registration process for selecting classes for the upcoming school year. Listed on this page is information that will assist students and parents with the course selection process for the upcoming 2012-2013 Academic Year.

	Course Information
	For questions regarding course offerings and descriptions, course progressions, and/or prerequisite requirements, parents and students are encouraged to reference the  2012-2013 Curriculum Guide.   For further questions, please contact your son’s counselor and/or the department chairperson for the respective discipline. Go to Faculty and Staff Directory.

	Pre-registration Process - Current 8th & New Incoming 9th Grade Students
	This year we will be asking students to complete and submit a “Pre-registration Worksheet,” indicating their course selections for the upcoming school year. It is important to note that this is different than years past where an online module was used to select classes. March 27th - Academic Planning Night at 7:00 PM in the Duffy Center Auditorium.  The Heads of the Upper and Middle School, and the Freshman Counselor will be present to explain the pre-registration process, provide pertinent information regarding the planning of coursework in the Upper School, and will answer any questions that you might have.   On March 27, parents will be issued their son’s official “Pre-registration Worksheet;” this worksheet contains information specific to your son’s placement in Math, English, and Science courses for the upcoming school year and will be used to pre-register them for the rest of their coursework.   March 27th through April 10th - Window for students to mail in their "Pre-registration Worksheet" and "Math & Foreign Language Placement Test" form.

	Pre-registration Process - Current 9th & 10th Grade Students
	This year, counselors will be working directly with students and parents to select next year’s classes. It is important to note that this is different than years past where an online module was used to select classes. Pre-registration will be an ongoing process that will be concluded on April 20th, 2012. Here is a general timeline of events: February 9th - February 14th - Department Chairs and teachers will make course recommendations for core classes. Department chairs and teachers in the core subject areas (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language) will discuss course offerings and pre-requisite requirements with students and will then submit official recommendations by Feb. 14th.  Every student will be given at least 1 recommendation for the core course(s) they should select in the pre-registration process. These recommendations will be based on: course requirements for his respective grade level; courses he has expressed an interest in taking; and/or, for Honors and AP, courses that he qualifies for, based on the prerequisite requirements. Final approval for Honors and AP courses are made by the respective Department Chair.   Parents and students will receive a "Pre-registration Record Form" via US mail at the end of February. This form will provide a record for the courses a student has completed, 1st and 2nd quarter grades for the current year, and a list of the core courses that he has been recommended for, for the upcoming school year. February 15th - April 20th - Counselors will pre-register students for courses Counselors will meet with students and/or parents to select classes for the upcoming school year. Parents are encouraged to schedule a meeting with their counselor between Feb. 15th and April 20th. Appointments can be made by contacting Susan Sarafinas at ssarafinas@malvernprep.org. Please note the following: The timing of a student and/or parent's meeting with a counselor has no bearing on the ability of a student to select a course for next year.  Students do not need the "Pre-registration Record Form" prior to meeting with their counselor; the form is simply a record. Counselors will have access to all of the information that is needed to successfully complete the pre-registration process.

	Planning Your Coursework in the Upper School
	When planning your coursework, keep the following points in mind:  Challenge yourself and look for opportunities for growth Strive for a balanced combination of courses and extracurricular involvement Meet all of your graduation requirements Know that a major factor in the college admissions process is the rigor of coursework that a student completes Graduation Requirements To graduate from Malvern Preparatory School, a student must successfully complete the required amount of credits in the outlined course areas:     REQUIRED RECOMMENDED COMPUTER SCIENCE ½ CREDIT ½ CREDIT ENGLISH 4 CREDITS 4 CREDITS FINE ARTS (VISUAL ART OR MUSIC) 1 CREDIT 1 OR 2 CREDITS HEALTH ½ CREDIT ½ CREDIT MATHEMATICS 3 CREDITS 4 CREDITS MODERN LANGUAGE 2 CREDITS 3 OR 4 CREDITS PHYSICAL EDUCATION 1 CREDIT 1 CREDIT SCIENCE 2 CREDITS 3 OR 4 CREDITS SOCIAL STUDIES 2 CREDITS 3 OR 4 CREDITS THEOLOGY 3 ½ CREDITS 3 ½ CREDITS TOTAL NUMBER OF CREDITS NEEDED TO GRADUATE 24 ½ CREDITS

	Frequently Asked Questions
	How many classes can fit into my schedule in the Upper School? There are eight periods in a regular school day. One of those periods is reserved for a lunch. In addition to the required courses, elective courses are offered. Students are required to take six courses each year, with the possible exception of those students taking two or more A.P. courses. No student may take less than 5 courses, unless approved by the Head of the Upper School.  No student is permitted to take more than 5 AP courses. What are the requirements for taking Honors and/or AP Courses? In order to be considered for Honors, a student must have completed the prerequisites with an “A” average and be recommended by the teacher.  In order to remain in Honors, a student must have a “B” or better average and be recommended by the teacher. In order to be considered for A.P. level courses, a student must have a score of 1100 in the critical reading and the mathematics sections of the PSAT/SAT, a G.P.A. of 3.0, a 3.4 in subject field, and the recommendations of the teacher and Department Chair.  All students enrolled in A.P. courses are required to take the A.P. exam. How do new students get placed in math, language, and honors courses? Placement for students new to the school will be determined by the placement committee in the spring of each year. This committee is comprised of the Head of the Upper or Middle School, the Dean of Admissions, department chairs, and counselors. Placement into honors courses will be based on the students’ grades, entrance exam scores, and the recommendation of the committee. All new ninth grade students that desire to advance their coursework in the areas of Math and Foreign Language will be required to take a placement test for that respective discipline prior to the start of the school year. When do students receive their official schedule for the upcoming school year? Student scheduling is an ongoing process that is completed over the course of the summer. Official student schedules will be distributed on the designated registration day for the new school year. This day typically falls on the last Friday in the month of August. Can I drop or add a course after I complete pre-registration in the spring? The add and drop period takes place at the start of the school year. To drop or add a course, a student must first receive approval of the teacher(s), a parent or guardian, the Department Chair(s), the Counselor and the Head of Upper School. After the Drop and Add Form has been completed, the Head of the Upper School will take action on a course change request. No course changes will be made after two weeks into the Academic year. Can I take courses in the summer that will satisfy my graduation requirements? Malvern Prep offers a wide range of summer classes in most disciplines, both for credit and non-credit. Taking classes for credit over the summer provides students the opportunity to advance their coursework heading into the next academic year. Students wishing to take classes for credit over the summer should notify their counselor during the pre-registration process in the spring so that the respective coursework can be taken into consideration when selecting courses for the upcoming school year. For more information regarding Malvern Summer programs, please visit the summer programs section of the Malvern Prep website.