Students are given course registration information during the second semester and will meet with teachers to determine recommended core courses for the following year. Students are required to meet with their counselor. Subjects are then scheduled according to the spaces available and the times the courses are offered.
Schedules will be made available over the summer. To make schedule changes before school starts, an appointment can be made by calling the Counseling Office at (860)739-6946 x 5580 or by emailing your school counselor.
During the school year, changes are made after the completion of the quarter and are pending based on space availability and parent-teacher collaboration. A class drop will not be allowed if it causes the student to drop below the minimum credits required by the school or impacts graduation status. A student can withdraw from a course without penalty until the end of Quarter 1 for both full year and Semester 1 courses, and Quarter 3 for second semester courses. When there is a change in level, the grade will be calculated at the quarter completion and adjusted with the appropriate weight before being entered into the new class placement.
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Schedule changes will be allowed throughout the summer. New classes will not be added after this time. ![]()
Level changes require the permission of the teacher. ![]()
Changes based on instructor or time preference are not permitted. ![]()
Withdrawals or level changes requested after the schedule change period will require the completion of a Course Change Form which requires teacher, parent, and student signatures. ![]()
Students who drop a class after Quarter 1/Quarter 3 (for second semester classes) will receive a WF (Withdraw Failing) on their record. Waiving the WF requires teacher and administrative approval. - Transcripts will be re-sent to colleges whenever a change is made to a senior’s schedule.
- All students in grades 9-11 must maintain 6.5 credits and students in grade 12 must maintain 6.0 credits as scheduling allows. A class drop will not be allowed if it causes the student to go below the minimum required credits.
- Override requests for the following school year are considered until the last day of the preceding school year.
*A W/F (Withdraw Failing) carries the same consequence as a failing grade for academic GPA and athletic eligibility.
Independent Studies, Aides, Classroom Assistants
Students who wish to enroll in an Independent Study course or receive credit for any class not listed in the Program of Studies must complete an Independent Study Request Form signed by the student, the student’s parent/guardian, the overseeing teacher, the department CIL, and the student’s counselor. The form must be submitted to the principal for approval and will not be added to a student’s schedule until that is completed. Independent study classes, aides, and assistants will be graded P/F unless otherwise approved by the principal.
Home Schooling
Students who have been homeschooled and wish to enroll at East Lyme High School must present their previous plan of study (approved by the local area superintendent) and portfolios of all student work to receive credit and for future class placement. The appropriate subject area Curriculum Instructional Leader will review portfolios and assessment tests (ELHS Mid-Term and Final Exams) will be administered when appropriate. Credit will be granted based on work accomplished and mastery demonstrated. Appropriate placement will be made based on these assessments and other relevant factors such as a student’s age and prior educational history. Grades will not be assigned for any home- schooling experiences.
Homebound Tutoring
Homebound Tutoring students who are absent from school for an extended period (more than ten school days) may be eligible for homebound tutoring with appropriate medical documentation. Long-term homebound tutoring is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This service is available at no cost to the parents or students provided they meet the following specific requirements:
- Authorized medical note
- Student Study Team (SST) Review
- Principal’s approval
Parental Overrides
If a parent and student choose to appeal the recommendation of a teacher for level placement in a course, they must follow the outlined procedure:
- Turn in a Course Change Form with all necessary signatures by the last day of school of the preceding year.
- If a student/parent overrides a class against a faculty recommendation, parents and students understand that a future level change may not be possible.
*No student can have more than TWO parent overrides per academic year. *
Transfer Students
Transfer students from other school systems will receive full credit for required courses only if the completed work is comparable to East Lyme High School requirements. Credits for elective courses will be reviewed on an individual basis. No credit will be given for religion/theology courses. Students who transfer into the school receive a weighted GPA after completing four semesters.
