HCPSS Course Registration 2025-2026

Overview

The Course Registration process for next school year opens on December 16th. Courses will be selected online through HCPSS Connect. ALL students must choose SEVEN credits and THREE alternate courses. Students interested in pursuing JumpStart or Seniors interested in Work Release MUST still register for SEVEN credits. Schedule modifications for these programs will be made in the spring. Course Registration must be submitted by January 14th.

Course Registration Slide Show

Course Registration Screencast

Scheduling Courses

Requesting Courses in HCPSS Connect

QR Guide on Adding Courses

Screencast on Adding Courses

Students wishing to adjust a teacher course recommendation, may use the drop down to select the preferred course level. Before making any adjustments, consider speaking with your teacher. This conversation can help clarify the expectations and demands of the course, ensuring that your choice aligns with your academic goals and abilities.

Students and parents must understand that it may not be possible to transfer out of the course once they are scheduled for the course due to scheduling limitations. In addition, note that level changes will only be permitted in accordance with Policy 8020. For further information please refer to Policy 8020.

Grade Level Course Offerings

Grade 9

Grade 10

Grade 11

Grade 12

THE ABC'S OF COURSE SELECTION

Ask your teacher about the course placement.

Balance: Be sure your schedule is balanced with rigor and enjoyment.

Challenge: Identify where you want to add challenge to your schedule.

Don't forget to factor in your outside activities and how much time you have to complete homework.

Every student needs to schedule a course load that allows them to get at least 8 hours of sleep.

Opportunities

Opportunities in HCPSS

Career and Technical Education

Career and Technical Education (CTE) offers courses to students in both middle and high school and provides students with the academic and technical skills as well as knowledge and training that is necessary to succeed in future careers and become lifelong learners.

Career and Technical Education Information Webinar

CTE Home School Academies Course Sequence

Career and Technical Education- Industry Recognized Credentials

Apprenticeship Maryland

Apprenticeship Maryland is a graduation pathway for seniors, who are interested in employment and further education in a career pathway. Students participating in the Apprenticeship Maryland Academy will earn a salary while learning valuable and marketable industry skills. The program includes a combination of on-the-job training and one year of industry related classroom instruction.

Current Available Positions

Applications are open from December 1 to March 1

Jump Start/Dual Enrollment

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is pleased to provide several options for students to take advantage of dual enrollment with Howard Community College (HCC). JumpStart is designed to ensure students are intentionally moving through an authentic college experience with a focus on earning an Associate’s degree and / or industry-recognized certifications.

Jump Start Sample Course Progression

2025 and Beyond Information Page

General Info Session Slideshow

JROTC

November 13- January 3rd: JROTC student interviews to be scheduled with JROTC officials. Parents must contact JROTC instructors to schedule interviews.

Only students who are interviewed during this period will be considered for enrollment.

Visit HCPSS JROTC for more information.

Howard High School Application/Interest Form

Atholton Application/Interest Form

Oakland Mills Application/Interest Form

Advanced Research

TheAdvanced Researchcourses provide opportunities for students to develop critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills as they engage in college-level coursework. All of these courses provided weighted elective credit.

Courses Offered:

G/T Independent Research

Students interested in applying for the G/T Intern/Mentor course should contact their school’s G/T Resource Teacher to obtain an application packet. Applications are available in December and must be returned to the G/T Resource Teacher in January (please contact the school’s G/T Resource Teacher for the application deadline for this school year). See theG/T Research Class Essential Curriculum for more details on the research class.

GT Intern/Mentor

Mentors provide students with expert professional guidance in a particular field of study. The mentor helps the student identify an authentic problem and guides the student with the development of discipline-specific skills needed to conduct the research.

Students are expected to develop an advanced product for presentation to an appropriate audience. Mentors offer guidance in specific disciplines, such as: Applied Arts, Behavioral Sciences, Business, Clinical Medicine, Computer Science, Education, Engineering, Humanities, Languages, Law, Mass Communication, Performing Arts, Science Research, and Veterinary Medicine.

AP Seminar

AP Seminar engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Students learn to investigate a problem or issue, analyze arguments, compare different perspectives, synthesize information from multiple sources, and work alone and in a group to communicate their ideas. This course serves as a prerequisite for AP Research, which is expected to be available starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

Graduation Requirements

Timeline

Course Registration Timeline

December 16th– January 14th

HCPSS Connect Opens for Requests for 25/26 School Year:Parents/guardians and students can view course recommendations beginning on December 16th in HCPSS Connect. Students must enter the remainder of their course requests for the 25/26 SY into HCPSS Connect, including entering alternate courses. Students need to register for a total ofsevencredits and addthreealternate courses by January 14th.

January 22 at 7pm

March2Future Dual Enrollment Process and Impact on Course Registration. Join us for our March2Future event highlighting the benefits of dual enrollment. Current HCPSS students AND the HCPSS Coordinator and Resource Teacher of Dual Enrollment will provide an overview of the experience. This event is virtual and begins at 7pm. Registerhere.

Mid January-Mid February

Counselors will meet with all current 9th– 11thto review individual requests and progress towards graduation requirements. Course selections CAN BE modified during these appointments. We strongly encourage students to keep a list of questions and bring that list to these individual meetings.

February 1st - 15th

Summer school registration opens for limited classes

February 10th

ARL requests must be added to student course requests. A lottery system is used to select students for programs.

March 1st -15th, Apri 1st-15th, May 1st-15th

Summer school registration window: All classes

April 1st (approximately)

Students interested in Jumpstart can begin the process for registration

June 5th-June 11th

Students scheduled courses will be viewable for students/families in HCPSS Connect. Class periods and teachers are not viewable until late August and changes will not be made to accommodate preferences in teachers or class periods.