Registration and Enrollment FAQs

  • Enrollment vs Registration?

    Enrollment is the process of entering a student into a school and/or district.  The enrollment process needs to be completed only by those students not currently attending a Shoreline School District school.  If you are interested in enrolling a student or finding out more about the process, contact the Shorecrest counseling secretary, Jocelyn Hudson, at (206) 393-4296.

    Registration is signing up for classes for the current year or for next year.  A student must complete enrollment paperwork (if not already attending a Shoreline district school) before being allowed to register.  For registration questions, contact the Shorecrest registrar, Stephanie Mondragon Flores, at (206) 393-4293.  See below for more specific questions about registration.

    Enrollment

    Current Kellogg 8th graders:  Will automatically be transferred to Shorecrest over the summer unless the family notifies Kellogg or Shorecrest of other plans. Those Kellogg students living out-of-district who have current boundary exception forms in place will also be “rolled up” to Shorecrest unless we are told otherwise. Shorecrest counselors visit Kellogg in February/March to hand out and collect registration materials through the students’ English classes.

    Current Cascade K-8 8th graders:  Since some students in the Cascade K-8 program may live in the Shorewood attendance area, students/families won’t be automatically “rolled up” to Shorecrest.  Shorecrest counselors visit Cascade K-8 in February/March to hand out registration materials, but only those students who fill out and submit Shorecrest registration materials will have their records transferred to Shorecrest over the summer.

    Currently live within the Shorecrest attendance area, but attend a private school or are home-schooled:  Will need to enroll at Shorecrest; call the Shorecrest counseling secretary.  Depending on the student’s grade level and situation, the student may need an enrollment appointment.  At this appointment, the student/family will meet with a counselor who will help the student register and will answer questions.  A reading test may be given.  For students enrolling mid-year, a student-led tour will be given just before classes begin.

    Currently live within the Shorewood attendance area, but wish to attend Shorecrest:  Will not need to enroll, but may need to fill out paperwork to request an interdistrict transfer.  Call Jocelyn Hudson, at (206) 393-4296 for additional information.  An appointment with a counselor may or may not be necessary.

    Currently live outside the Shoreline School District (not in the cities of Shoreline or Lake Forest Park) and not attending a Shoreline public school:  Will first need to complete a Non-Resident Transfer Form, available from the Shoreline School District, the district website, or the Shorecrest counseling secretary.  Students’ “boundary exception” applications are evaluated based on behavior (discipline) and attendance records at the previous school(s).  The final determiner is space availability in the appropriate academic program.  If approved, the family will be contacted and the student will be eligible to enroll at Shorecrest.

    Shoreline School District policy is that once an out-of-district boundary exception is approved, it will continue throughout the student’s academic career in Shoreline, barring lack of space in the school/program or behavior or attendance on the part of the student that would cause the exception to be revoked. However, an Inter-District Release Form must be obtained ANNUALLY from the district in which the student resides.

    Is it too late to enroll and register?  Can my student still get into Honors classes if we just moved here?  Since Shorecrest is a public school, we are obligated to accept new enrollees at any time, provided they live in our attendance area.  No matter when you join us, we will strive to place you in the classes you request/need (or, if coming from another school mid-term, into classes which most closely approximate those you were taking at your former school).   However, if you enter Shorecrest after the majority of students have been scheduled for the semester, it may be that some of the classes you want/need will have no more room. This is true for Honors/AP classes, too – but we will make every attempt to place you in an appropriate academic program.

    Registration

    General information:  Shorecrest uses a two-semester schedule.  In each semester there are six periods, meaning a student can take six classes per semester and twelve classes per year.  Each semester class passed earns .5 credit; therefore a typical student who passes all classes will earn 6 credits per year.  A student must have a minimum of 5 credits to become a sophomore, 10 credits to become a junior, and 16 credits to become a senior.  To graduate from Shorecrest, a student must have a minimum of 22.5 credits.  The graduating classes of 2016 and beyond must earn 18 credits in specified areas/specific courses, and the remaining 4.5 (or more) credits are earned in electives of the student’s choice.  Members of the  graduating classes of 2015 and earlier must earn sixteen credits in specified areas/specific courses, and the remaining 6.5 (or more) credits are earned in electives of the student’s choice.   (“Graduating class” is the year the student would be expected to graduate - four years from the year the student begins grade 9.)

    Students register for an entire year at a time.  They are given the opportunity to make changes to their schedules shortly before the beginning of each semester.   Before registering for the coming year, students are assisted in determining which graduation requirements they have met and which remain to be met.  They can then devise a plan to take the remaining needed classes in an orderly fashion.

    What classes should an incoming 9th grader register for?  All 9th graders (with few exceptions) will take a full year of English 9 (or Honors English 9), a full year of Math at a level appropriate to the student’s ability, a full year of Integrated Physical Science (or Honors Integrated Physical Science), and one semester of World History 1. Most will also take one semester of Health.  These courses will consume eight of the twelve slots in a school year’s schedule. The remaining four slots will be filled with a combination of other courses that are required for graduation (for instance, a Fine Arts, PE, or Occupational course), or courses that can count as “elective.”  Some of these courses are year-long; others are semester-long.  A freshman could take Spanish I and Freshman Band, both year-long courses that take up two slots each, and the schedule would be full. Another freshman might elect to take Team Sports, Ceramics I, Beginning Piano, and Computer Animation, each of which is a one-semester class, thereby completing his/her schedule. A third freshman could request one year-long course and two semester-long courses (for instance, Japanese I and Foods/Nutrition and Robotics 1) to fill up the four remaining slots.

    Since college entrance requirements are often more extensive than Shorecrest graduation requirements, it is worthwhile to think ahead when selecting classes during registration. The Registration Guide (available online) gives information about general college entrance requirements.

    How can a student fit in all the Shorecrest graduation requirements if he/she wishes to take a heavy academic course load (for college entrance) AND four years of music and/or World Language?  Incoming freshmen should sign up for a full schedule for their first year at Shorecrest, and make plans to meet with their Shorecrest guidance counselor during the freshman year to discuss alternatives for meeting graduation requirements.  Note that a recent change will allow for four years of band/orchestra/choir to be counted as the graduation-required Occupational credit.

    How do I know if Honors/AP courses are right for me/for my student?  Who should take these courses?  Read the individual class descriptions in the Registration Guide to help you determine the best placement in your particular circumstance.  But in general: Honors/AP classes are more rigorous and challenging, usually requiring more independent work than regular sections.  Most require more reading, writing, research, and/or speaking.  The classes are run at a ‘higher level’ than the regular sections; they have a different atmosphere.  Most require preparatory reading and/or work to be done the summer before.  (There is a link on the same page as you found this FAQ document, “Summer course work and information for classes that require it” – you can check there to see what types of summer assignments are typically given for a particular Honors/AP course.)  Honors/AP students must be self-motivated and able to manage time effectively.  The student’s GPA and/or grades in previous classes in that subject area are good predictors of success.

    Colleges like to see that a student took an Honors/AP class (when available) even if the student didn’t earn as high a grade as he/she might have in a regular section.  They know the student will have benefited from the challenge offered by such a course, and is accustomed to a more college-like level of work.

    Are Honors/AP courses appropriate for everyone?  NO!  Some students feel up to Honors/AP-level work in only one particular area; others will want to take all the Honors/AP courses available.  Many know they don’t have the discipline to do the required extra work.  Students who are worried that they won’t be able to take Honors/AP courses and still have time for music lessons or sports (or friends or sleeping!) should be reassured that many Honors/AP students are very active in clubs, leadership, music and/or sports.  The Honors/AP teachers and students in Honors/AP classes both say:  If you’re not sure if an Honors/AP class is right for you, take a risk and give it a try!  Your freshman year is a great time to try new things!

    My 8th grade student is coming from a school that uses a different math curriculum…which is the appropriate math level? The student’s current math teacher may be willing to help with proper placement, possibly using the math class flow chart in the Registration Guide to help. The current math teacher may correspond with the Shorecrest Math department chairman or a guidance counselor at Shorecrest. In the end, if it turns out the student was improperly placed, the math teacher will suggest a change in level shortly after the beginning of the school year. As a general rule, if the 8th grader is a strong math student, Geometry will likely be the correct class; an average math student will be more comfortable in Algebra 1.

    World Language:  Concerning the district graduation requirement – My student took a year of World Language at middle school; will that fulfill the district’s World Language graduation requirement? …or, my student knows another language via some other means (outside of middle-school classes); how can he/she apply that towards the graduation requirement?  World language courses taken in Shoreline School District middle schools will show on the high-school transcript as having been taken but with a grade of “S” (if satisfactorily completed) and no credit.  To have the class count towards the district-required World Language graduation requirement for students in the graduating classes of 2016 and beyond, the grade and credit must be “brought up.”  This is done via a form obtained through the student’s high-school guidance counselor, which is signed by the student and parent.  If the middle-school class is the only World Language course the student takes, the class must be brought up in order to count towards graduation. If the student will be taking additional years of a World Language in high school, the middle-school class may be brought up; it is often best to wait until the junior year to investigate this as the grades from middle school will affect the established high-school GPA.

    Students who have knowledge of another language through an alternate source, be it native tongue or “Saturday School” etc., are able to take a test which can grant credit.  These tests, given several times each year in the Seattle area, are available in many languages.  See the OSPI website concerning this at  http://www.k12.wa.us/WorldLanguages/StudentsEarnCredits.aspx .

    World Language:  Concerning college entrance  - English is not the mother tongue for my student…or, my student has studied another language outside of school…or, my student took one or two years of a language in middle school - will he/she still have to take World Language courses in high school to fulfill the requirements for college entrance?  It’s always best to check with particular colleges your student may be interested in attending. In general, colleges want to see two years of successful high school study in the same language. If a student has taken a language in middle school, colleges want the student to continue study in the same language for at least a year in high school. Some colleges won’t accept a year of language studied in 7th grade towards their entrance requirements.

    In general, students who lived in a country where English was not the mother tongue, and who moved to the United States after 7th grade, may be considered to have completed the World Language requirement for most colleges. In the case of students who have taken language studies outside of the regular weekday school, the college may allow strong results from an SAT II test to satisfy the language requirement. Again, consultation with colleges of interest is advised.

    For students prior to 2024

    I understand that students who took HS Credit classes in middle school can receive high school credit for these courses.  How does that happen?  Students who passed these classes at a Shoreline School District middle school will show them on their Shorecrest transcripts as having been satisfactorily completed, but with no credit.  As the student continues in high school, the grades and credit may need to be “brought up” to meet state graduation requirements in math.  (Or, a student who continues on in math may wish to include his/her good grades in those classes in the high-school GPA.)  In consultation with his/her counselor, the student and his/her parent apply to have the middle-school grade and credit brought to the high school transcript.  Then the grade received in the middle-school class will figure into the high school GPA.  Once on the transcript, the middle-school grade/credit will not be removed.

    For students 2024 and moving forward

    WAC 180-51-030 applies - approved through the SSD School Board:  

    At the end of the eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh grades, a student and the student’s parent or guardian can request that credit for the course or courses taken before attending high school: be transcribed with a non-numerical grade, be removed from their transcript or remain on the transcript with the assigned grade. A student and parent or guardian who has requested a prior change to credit for the course or courses taken before attending high school may make changes to that request at the end of the tenth and/or eleventh grades.
    A non-numerical grade will not be included in the student’s high school grade point average calculations. High school credit earned prior to high school and transcribed with a non-numerical grade will apply to fulfilling high school graduation requirements.

    Note - A non-numerical grade of “P” is applied to the class.

    Why do you ask incoming freshmen, on the registration form, to mark what they plan to do after high school?  My student has no clue!  It’s true, many students won’t know this yet.  The main reason for asking is to make students and families aware that choices they make now may affect their future plans…it’s to get them thinking. Also, counselors like to be aware of future goals for those students who have them in mind already, so they may help these students select appropriate courses.

    Does attendance really matter in high school?  You bet!  Only nine absences per class per semester are allowed.  After that, the student will not earn credit for that class, or may have his/her grade lowered.  Detailed information about the attendance policy is available at the Shorecrest website; see Administration/Attendance from the Shorecrest home page.

    Is there a supply list for Shorecrest students? Since each student takes a different set of classes, it is impossible to provide a comprehensive supplies list that would be appropriate for all. However, all students will benefit from having these several items:

    • a package of #2 pencils with erasers, for standardized testing (not mechanical; not #2.5).
    • a 1GB (minimum) flash/thumb/USB drive for memory, backup, and for transferring files (under $10 at office supply stores).
    • a personal email address. Sometimes sending a document to yourself via email is the best way to get it to a place that it can be printed. Also, email addresses are used in résumés and for correspondence with the school. (Free email addresses are available from gmail.com, yahoo.com, hotmail.com, etc.).
    • Internet access for checking teacher websites where grades and assignments are posted.   A computer for some assignments.
    • A basic calculator that does trig functions, roots, and scientific notation for math and science classes.
    • $2-$5 brought to school each day, for print cards, lunch, snacks, blank CDs, etc.

    What’s with this Scottish stuff?  When Shorecrest first opened, students were allowed to select the mascot.  Between the fact that the school sits on a high piece of ground (“Highlanders”) and the impression that a visiting group of kilted pipers left on the student body, the decision was made.  Shorecrest is proud to be an official member of the Gordon Clan of Scotland, and from their tartan we take our school colors of gold, forest green, and navy.  Shorecrest has one of the few kilted high school marching bands in the nation.  We offer bagpipe lessons for credit, and Highland Dancing as a club.  Our mascot Otis can be seen at assemblies and games.  When pipers march in playing Scotland the Brave, show your pride by standing and clapping along! Check out our Traditions Website!

    It’s all so overwhelming!  There’s a lot to learn about how high school works, but there are lots of people willing to help. We host get-to-know-Shorecrest sessions for families who want to find out more about Shorecrest.  Eighth grade parents are invited to an evening gathering in late February or early March, at which time they can learn more about Shorecrest.  We offer an evening in late summer when families can come learn about the school and look for a student’s assigned classrooms.  Freshmen will be assigned to a “Link Crew” group of about seven 9th graders paired with two upperclassmen whose goal is to help freshmen navigate through and feel comfortable at Shorecrest.  And counselors and other staff are always available to help individually.

    How can an incoming student get off to a good start at Shorecrest?

    •  Get involved in activities and/or sports!

    •  Don’t skip classes

    •  Ask for help!

    •  Be responsible for your actions!