Resources

Students are enrolled in courses based on standardized test scores, prior achievement and teacher recommendation. If the parent/guardian and student are not sure which course designation is most appropriate, they should contact the appropriate department chair.

Advanced Placement and Honors:
Highly challenging courses with expectations that students will work independently and demonstrate high levels of critical and analytical thinking, reading and writing. The textbooks and materials used are above grade level or at college level.

Standard (College Preparatory):
Courses that demand high levels of cognitive and problem-solving processes. A rigorous instructional pace allows for both curricular depth and enrichment.

District 113 Course Level Change Procedure

Purpose 
We understand that circumstances may arise when a student feels they have selected an inappropriate level of a course, and that a level change is an appropriate step. The primary goal of the level change application is to provide students with the support needed to stay at their current course level, avoid disruptions to their schedule that result from a level change, and ultimately find greater academic success. The level change application provides a structured approach for students requesting a change in their course level.  Only when eligibility criteria is met will there be an opportunity for a student to apply for a support plan which may result in a level change. This procedure ensures that academic support is first offered to students experiencing academic struggle before a level change is considered, maintaining a fair and consistent process for all involved parties.

Course Level Change Eligibility 
Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, the district will implement a level change procedure.  This procedure will be followed by both Deerfield and Highland Park High School.  In order for a family to request a level change, a student must meet eligibility criteria.  No exceptions will be made.

• Students will not be eligible to apply for a course level change unless all assignments are currently submitted to their teacher.  There cannot be any missing work from the student.

• The student has earned a “D” or lower in their current course offering, with no     fewer than four grades or data points being entered for the first half of the semester.

• These grades/data points must be considered “significant”, and that determination will be made by the department chairs.  

• At least one of these grades/data points must be an assessment or quiz grade that demonstrates student mastery.

Once eligibility is determined, the following process will be followed for consideration of a course level change: 

1. The family will submit an application to the school’s instructional leadership team (ILT) for consideration of a level change.  

2. Applications will open September 15th, 2025.  Families will have 1 week to submit their application.  The application is a Google form link that can be obtained from your student’s teacher.

3. Applications will only be considered if students meet the eligibility requirements.  Applications will not be accepted after 3:00 pm on that Friday.

4. After applications are received, the ILTs in both buildings will review applications and department chairs will communicate with teachers in their departments if the team approves a support plan for a particular student.

5. Teachers will develop a support plan for any of their students who are approved.  They will enter this plan into a Google spreadsheet, and share this plan with the student and family.

6. The support plan will begin no later than the 6th week of school, and will conclude at the end of the 9th week of school.

7. A Google spreadsheet will be used for the teacher to document progress monitoring notes for all students entering into a support plan.  

8. During the 10th week of school, ILTs in both buildings will convene again to review the progress monitoring data and current class data for each student who has been approved for a support plan.  

9. Approvals for level changes will only be honored if eligibility requirements are met, the ILT approves, an intervention plan has been followed with fidelity, and if space exists within the course to which the student requests the change.

10. Families will be notified no later than the 10th week of school as to whether or not the level change will be honored for the second half of the semester.  The classroom teacher will initiate the schedule change with Service Now that will route to the student’s respective counselor.

Important notes for support plans:

• Students who do not complete the requirements outlined in their support plan will not be permitted to engage in a level change.

• Course level changes will only be honored if students successfully complete their support plan and continue to earn a grade of “D” or lower in the course.  Once a level change is completed, it cannot be reversed.

• Level changes for one semester courses that run in the 2nd semester will be reviewed following the procedures in this document at the start of the 2nd semester.  Full year courses are not eligible for level change in the 2nd semester.

Tier I Support Plan Components 
The tier I support plan may include a variety of supports.  Plans can have a combination of measures through classroom teachers, interventionists and support centers within the buildings.  Details are below:

• Weekly personalized instruction tailored to the gaps in student learning - these gaps will be identified by standard and learning targets for each content area of instruction.

• The student and teacher will meet at a time determined by the teacher.

• We are asking teachers to provide updates to their department chairs if a student has a support plan.

• Extra time with a school interventionist may also be a component of the plan.

• Optional practice or activities will be given to complete at home to support student learning.

Other Notes
Class numbers and Scheduling

• A course level change can only be honored based on schedule availability and capacity within a teacher’s room.

• Please note that if the course level change is honored, there is a possibility that your student’s schedule may be altered in other classes to accommodate the course level change request.

If a course level change is approved, what happens to my student’s grade?

• If a level change is approved, the student schedule will change approximately half way through the semester.  

• This means that your student will have approximately ten weeks of instruction prior to grades being entered for the semester.  

• A level change means that your student will be “starting fresh” with their new teacher, course and grade entry.  Grades from your student’s previous course will not be reflected in any way for the new course change.

Appropriate Level of Balance

• During registration time, counselors will discuss the appropriate level of balance with students and families so that everyone has an understanding of student wellbeing as a complete picture of the student experience.  This includes, but is not limited to, course work, activities, after school clubs and sports, and work.

Through the Advisory Program, freshmen work with their counselors on a Graduation Tracking lesson. Freshmen students will learn about graduation requirements, the resources available to learn about course offerings, and how to keep track of their requirements. Each student will create an individualized graduation tracker that will be used throughout their high school career for registration and postsecondary planning. Students will want to think about special interests, talents and potential career choices as they consider courses to fulfill their requirements.

Graduation Tracker

Students may propose independent study projects in order to pursue advanced study not offered in the curriculum or study that involves a dimension different from that offered in a regularly-scheduled class. Independent study courses may earn up to one credit per semester or two credits for a yearlong course.

Generally, independent study projects are designed for students with particular academic interests and/or talents. While independent study work can be important in a student’s academic trajectory, both DHS and HPHS offer a wealth of course options that in most cases provide a more well-rounded and enriching experience for students. 

• Development. Interested students must develop a project proposal in conjunction with a faculty sponsor. Departments may have special prerequisites for Independent Study; applicants are encouraged to meet with the Department Chair prior to developing a proposal. Students should expect that the timeframe for proposing a successful independent study project will take weeks and are encouraged to begin the process the semester before the semester that the project begins. 
• Grades, Credit. An Independent Study project may be taken on a pass/fail basis or for a grade. Projects of unusual difficulty may qualify for Honors credit on a pass-fail basis only. However, in the event that a student has exhausted the Honors curriculum but has not exceeded the total number of Honors credits available within the department, they will have the option of pursuing Honors Independent Study and receive a weighted grade. For example, a student who has completed all the honors courses in the mathematics sequence would be eligible to propose an independent study project for honors credit.
• Forms. Independent study forms are available online on the website of the counseling department and appear as an exhibit to this Policy. Proposals include these elements: rationale for request, objectives of the plan, mechanics of meeting times, the nature of the final product, and evaluation procedures.
• Review, Approval. Independent Study proposals that have been reviewed and approved by the faculty sponsor, department chair, and assistant principal must be submitted to the student's Counselor by the end of the third week of each semester to allow the student time to complete the project in the school year or in the semester, whichever timeframe the project requires.

Independent studies will appear on transcripts in the hosting department with the abbreviation “IS” (for “independent study”) followed by the independent study project name.

Independent Study Form

The Learning Assistance Program (LAP) is a general education course that targets organizational strategies, homework completion, self-advocacy and study skills. Data is collected to track organization of materials, homework completion, missing assignments, Academic Resource Center (ARC) visits and communication with teachers. When students are in LAP, they will build a relationship with the LAP Coordinator as well as LAP mentors. DHS classroom teachers serve as LAP mentors. The LAP mentors are additional adults in the building that your student will build a relationship with to help them learn skills and navigate high school. Furthermore, grades and overall progress are tracked weekly in LAP to help students improve and monitor their skills. Once students have demonstrated strong, consistent growth in overall academic performance, self-regulation and self-advocacy, LAP services may be reduced or concluded. Eligibility for LAP may be considered by the Intervention Team when students earn multiple D and/or F grades.

Room:  I111