FAQs About Course Registration

What does "rank your choices" mean?

Our scheduling software needs to know your choice ranking in order to place you in the classes you prefer. You may rank up to the maximum number listed under each department.

Can I take both Mandarin and Spanish?

Unfortunately, there is not enough room in the Upper School schedule to add an additional core class.

What if I’m the only one to select a certain class?

Class offerings are dependent on interest. Under-enrolled classes may be canceled.

I only see semester-long Visual and Performing Arts classes.

Performing and Visual Arts classes will all be a semester in length, meeting for four 100-minute periods over the course of the ten-day rotation. Read the course description carefully, as some arts courses, like Advanced Portfolio Development and Theater, may require more time than is assigned in the academic day. Students are expected to complete one semester of arts during the year. Students may elect to take arts both semesters. Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Technology Courses are graded and contribute to a student’s GPA.

If my course of choice is full, do I get first pick next term?

We will do our best to place you in your first choice classes. If course are full, we begin a formal waitlist in case a spot becomes available. Some classes may be canceled due to low class numbers.

Which courses have expectations/assignments over the summer?

All AP classes will have a summer assignment. All Upper School English courses assign summer reading as well. Students are expected to complete their summer assignments in full before Orientation in August.

Is there a minimum or maximum number of free periods I can have in any given term?

The number of free periods varies by grade and by arts choices. Typically, 9th grade students will have proctored study halls, and all Upper School students may have one extra free period during the semester if they do not take an Arts course.

Where can I find another copy of the Curriculum Guide if I lose it?

This year’s Curriculum Guide can be found on the Veracross Student Portal.

I'm going into 12th grade, do I have to sign up for a Senior Project?

All seniors will take part in a capstone senior project during the second semester of their last year at VMS. Seniors’ class schedule will be altered to allow for independent research and real-world opportunities. They will meet as a cohort to work on project ideation, research, writing, identifying outside advisories, creating products, planning for oral defense and preparing for their final celebratory presentation etc. Seniors will also be assigned to a Humanities Capstone course in the second semester of their senior year.

What if I feel it is important to take more than three AP courses a year?

Please make an appointment with the Upper School Division Director and the College Counselors to discuss taking more than three AP courses in a year

I'm going to be a 9th grade student, do I have to sign up for arts?

If you are a 9th grade student, you are required to take two of three art offerings. Each course is one semester in length, thus you can only choose two. You may not choose the same two classes. Your choices are Foundation Studio (Visual Arts), Instrumental Music, Music Appreciation, or Theater Appreciation.

The curriculum options look interesting. What will be the considerations for granting 1st or 2nd choices to students? Will seniors be given priority?

Our goal is to give everyone their first choice and we will work very hard to do so. The rankings provide alternatives so that if courses conflict or do not have enough sign-ups, we have some options for students. It is less about priority and more about providing flexibility in creating the schedule.