Process for the ’26-’27 School Year
-Each January, students at Cottonwood High School begin selecting their classes for the following academic year. This is a critical step to ensure students are on track for graduation and prepared for their future, whether that involves college, careers, or other aspirations.
- CHS Counselors play an essential role in guiding students through this process. Counselors visit students in their English or Social Studies classes to provide key information about choosing the right courses. It is highly recommended that students review their options with a parent or guardian to make thoughtful decisions about their academic path.
-Below is the timeline and detailed process for selecting courses for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Timeline for Course Selection
-Step 1: Initial Course Selection (January 26th and 27th)
- Who: All 9th-11th grade students
- Where: Social Studies classes
- What to Expect:
- Counselors will visit Social Studies classes to distribute the following:
- Course Selection Cards
- Review Focus Grad Requirement tabs
- Grade-specific instructions
- Students will receive guidance on:
- How to fill out the Course Selection Card
- Identifying required courses for graduation using the Grad Req tab on Focus
- Choosing core and elective classes that align with their goals
- During the last 10 minutes of class, counselors will meet individually with students to address questions about PTGs and graduation requirements.
- Students will enter their course selections into Focus at home or during Homeroom on February 2nd & 3rd (if not already done).
- Counselors will visit Social Studies classes to distribute the following:
- Absent Students:
- For students who miss class, Course Selection Cards will be returned to the counselor’s office and provided to Homeroom teachers the following week.
- Absent students must complete the selection process in their Homeroom.
-Step 2: Review and Lock-In (February 4th and 5th)
- Who: 9th and 10th grade students
- Where: Social Studies classes
- What to Expect:
- Students will review their course selections with counselors.
- Final course requests will be locked in Focus (the school’s course management system).
-Step 3: Finalization for Juniors (February 11th and 12th)
- Who: 11th grade students
- Where: Social Studies classes
- What to Expect:
- Counselors will meet with juniors to finalize their course schedules for their senior year.
-Additional Notes
- Selecting the right classes is a collaborative effort between students, counselors, and families. This structured process ensures every student is prepared for success in the upcoming school year and beyond.
- Consider your academic goals, graduation requirements, and future plans when making decisions.
- If you have questions at any point during the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to your assigned counselor for support.
Course Selection Resources
-View the CHS Catalog (Google Site) for all our course offerings as well as the Granite Technical Institute (GTI) course offerings (available for 9-12th grade and transportation provided).
-Watch this video for instructions for entering your class requests into Focus.
Schedule an appointment with your counselor if you need help or have any additional questions about course selection.
