Rising 8th Grade Course Selection Info (Current 7th Graders)
Course Selection Timeline and Information
This year students will be making course selections via Course Planner in SchooLinks, this is different than in past years. School Counselors will be working closely with students to assist them in this process. Course Planner instructions for parents/students is coming soon!
There will be a virtual Course Planner Information Session for families on January 15, 2025 at 7:00pm: Webex Link this is hosted by folks at the district level, not Harper Park Staff.
Additional Course Planner Resources
How to Review Your Child's Course Plan English
How to Review Your Child's Course Plan Spanish
How to Make Course Changes and Resubmit Course Plan Until February 28
Important Dates:
January 13, 2025-There will be a parent/guardian coffee at 9am in the HPMS Library where we will share information about course options and selection timeline. Once this event has occurred, the video and slides from the presentation will be posted here.
January 28, 2025- Students and parents will be able to view teacher recommendations for core classes (Math, Science, English, Civics) in Parent/StudentVUE. If a student is currently taking a World Language course, a recommendation will also be made to advance or repeat the class. English, Science, and Civics will continue at the Honors (H designation) level. Instruction is designed for mastery of content and materials are differentiated as needed through personalized learning. Math recommendations follow the math progression options.
January 30, 2025- Mrs. Tringali and Mrs. Harper will be working with all Resource/Spectrum/Fine Arts classes to walk students through Course Planner and assist them in making initial selections.
All of February and some of March-School Counselors will be meeting individually with each student to finalize their Course Planners.
February 28, 2025-Deadline for all students to 'submit' their Course Planners. There will still be plenty of time to make adjustments after submission.
***IMPORTANT-May 2nd is the FINAL day to request a course change for any 25/26 school year course***
Elective Options
STUDENTS WILL SELECT TWO ELECTIVES. A world language counts as one of the two electives. If you click on the underlined links, you will see a video description of that course.
***All students must select one alternate choice in the event their first choice is not available due to space or staffing***
You can view one long video of all the choices put together or click on each individual elective you wish to view.
Band 8 - Prerequisites: Must have taken Band 6 and 7 or have had two years of relevant instrument experience.
Strings 8 - Prerequisites: Must have taken Strings 6 and 7 or have had two years of relevant instrument experience.
Guitar 8 - Any 8th grader can select this course. Typically both Level 1 and Level 2 Guitar 8 students are in the same class.
Art 8 - Open to all 8th grade students. Projects/units will be different from in Art 6 and Art 7.
Chorus 8 - Open to all 8th grade students. Chorus 8 is a performance-oriented class. Sight singing skills are stressed, as well as an emphasis on proper vocal techniques. Students will develop choral literacy by singing literature that is sacred and secular. Students are required to participate in concerts, festivals, and rehearsals held outside school hours.
Tech Ed 8 - Open to all 8th graders. Tech Ed 8 is a comprehensive class using a multimedia and modular technology education approach. Students will experiment, design, invent, create, build, test and analyze while exploring different technological areas. This course helps students understand how knowledge, tools and resources work in technological systems and benefit society.
FACS 8 - Open to all 8th graders. Through problem-solving, students learn to critically examine concerns, seek solutions and solve problems in caring ways while improving self-identity, sharpening communication and social skills, increasing academic achievement, managing resources, and becoming oriented to the world of work. Students will have the opportunity to explore concepts and practice skills related to personal and interpersonal development, nutrition, sewing tools and clothing construction, entrepreneurship, and child care.
Intro to Computer Science - This course is the first standalone computer science course in the LCPS Program of Studies. Students will primarily utilize block-based programming to develop projects in order to think creatively, communicate clearly, use technologies fluently, and collaborate effectively. Students will study the history of computers and computer science, with a focus on the impact of Virginians, in addition to building additional programming skills within the framework of computer science principles. Students will explore and create computer programs, facilitate reasoning and problem-solving, and verify solutions with computer science tools that facilitate design, analysis, and implementation of computer programs. Check out this Information Sheet.
Computer Science Foundations - Provides students with an introduction to text-based programming with the goal of familiarizing students with developing and executing computer programs. Students will be introduced to several text-based programming languages with an emphasis on computer programming within the context of broader concepts of computer science. Languages include but are not limited to HTML, Python, JavaScript, and Java. Check out this Information Sheet.
This VIDEO shows current Computer Science students talking about what they enjoy about the Computer Science classes.
This VIDEO explains the difference between Intro to Computer Science and Computer Science Foundations, which should help you decide which one is right for you.
Here is a FLYER about middle school Computer Science classes.
*Technology of Robotic Design - High school level/credit course. Students engage in the study of computers and microprocessors and their applications to manufacturing, transportation, and communication systems. Topics include computer equipment and operation systems, robotics, programming, control systems and the social/cultural impact of these technologies. Limited space. Will select through a lottery. Alternate selection will be required.
Exploratory Dramatics - Introduction to the study of performance, theater history, dramatic literature, and theatrical production. There is limited space and we may have to select students by a lottery. Alternate selection will be required. Any 8th grader can request to take this course.
World Languages:
*Spanish for Fluent Speakers 1 This course requires an assessment by our Spanish teachers. Please contact Mrs. Tringali or Mrs. Harper if your student is a native Spanish speaker who is interested in any Spanish course.
*Latin 1 or 2-During the 24/25 school year we were unable to offer Latin at Harper Park due to low interest. Should there be enough interest for next year, we will do our best to offer it
*High School Credit-Bearing Courses:
Technology of Robotic Design, French, German, Latin and Spanish are all high school credit-bearing courses, meaning the grades and credits earned in these courses will remain on the student's high school transcript and are factored into their high school GPA (Grade Point Average). Any 8th grader may sign up for Level 1 of any of the four languages, and those who have already completed Level 1 may sign up for Level 2 in that language. Teacher recommendations will be posted for students currently taking level 1 courses.
View details about all courses offered in LCPS in the 2025-2026 Program of Studies