Counselors worked hard to change schedules

By Ji-yun Park,
HUB Correspondent–

The last day to change classes was Sept. 18. Some students were unhappy about the scheduling process but counselors say there are reasons behind all their decisions.

Every student had a chance to change their schedule after the first three weeks of school. There were various reasons why students wanted to change their schedule.

Sophomore Vivian Liu wanted to change from Algebra 2 to Algebra 2/ Trigonometry. Liu took geometry over the summer and passed the course. However, she was told that she could not change her course level. This was because Liu’s counselor said that she is not ready to move on and the class was full.

“I don’t know why my counselor won’t let me change my class. This seems to be unfair,” Liu said.

However according to sophomore Shawn Rosario there seemed to be spots in her Algebra 2/Trigonometry class.

Rosario also had to change her schedule. She was enrolled into regular art class but she requested AP Art Studio. This happened because her portfolio for AP Art Studio was due before the registration day and wasn’t checked then. She was able to get the class she wanted after meeting her counselor.

Junior Minnie Yoo changed two of her classes. Yoo took a pre-calculus course online over the summer. Yoo was able to change into calculus and also change Chinese 2 to Spanish 1 after meeting with her counselor.

“I wish the rules were more flexible. It takes too long to change a class,” Yoo said.

Senior Bianca Rosario was unhappy with her schedule. She wanted to take five classes with a free sixth and seventh. However, right now she has a free first and free seventh. This was because German 3 was only offered in sixth period.

Rosario had also signed up for British Literature but there wasn’t enough people who signed up for it to offer it so she is in English 12.

“I’m worried because I have only one AP class, but the university I want to go to has high standards,” Rosario said.

The head counselor of DHS, Courtenay Tessler answered questions many students had. It is hard for counselors to change every students schedule because there is a class size limit for each class. There are about 1700 students at DHS and only five counselors.

During February through March there were four weeks to meet counselors and plan the next year’s schedule. Plans that students make should be organized and permanent course.

“Students should be organized and plan. While planning they should know why they select this class,” Tessler said.

Counselors spend April through May developing a master schedule. They try to match students in classes that they have signed up for and 87 percent of students get what they want.

“If there weren’t any rules the system would have been in chaos. Review transcript and have a four year plan to make sure what you want to take,” Tessler said.