Schedule Change

Schedule Change Policy

Howard Middle School creates student schedules with careful consideration to each student’s academic level, abilities, and areas of interest. In order to provide consistency for parents, students, and teachers, schedule changes will be kept to a minimum.   Schedule changes are only considered if the change is due to an error with placement in a core class, or with an error in leveling for an arts class.  Schedule changes will not be made based on preference of specific teachers, desire to be with a classmate, or other non-academic rationale.  Before making a request, please review the information below to assure that you fully understand the schedule change policy.

Requesting a schedule change:

In the rare event that a schedule change is needed, a schedule change request must be submitted to the Guidance Department. No request may be made through personal meetings, phone calls, or emails. Once the proper forms and documentation are provide to Guidance, the student’s records will be reviewed and a decision will be made regarding the request.

Reason for changes:

  • Student is missing a core class.
  • Student was inappropriately placed based on grade level.
  • Student was inappropriately placed based on skill level.
  • Student has documented evidence supporting a course change.

1 Week Rule for Electives:

Parents and students are responsible for carefully reviewing the elective courses and selecting the most appropriate courses based on their student’s interests and skill level.  Auditions and teacher recommendation are also used as a primary means of course placement.  The Guidance Department will do their best to place students in their top elective choices; however, space is limited in each elective. If a parent or student feels they were placed in the wrong elective based on their skill level , they have the first week of the school year to request a change. Parents will complete a schedule change form and submit it to the Guidance Department. Once the form is submitted, the Guidance Department will review it and decide if a schedule change is possible. Not all schedule change requests will be approved. Following the first week of school, no changes will be made to the student’s elective schedule.

Math Placement Concerns:

The OCPS math progression has changed for the 2022-23 school year. If you have a concern regarding your child's math placement, please review the new math progress prior to submitting a schedule concern form. We are unable to make math course placements that do not align with the district progression.


Other Request:

Howard Middle School will not change student schedules for any of the following reasons:

  • Friends are in another class
  • Teacher preference
  • Lunch period preference
  • Elective preference (counselors try to ensure electives are chosen from ranking of top 5 choices)