Scheduling Resources

CLASS SCHEDULES
Counselors will meet with students to assist in selecting classes for the next year. The FHS Course Description Guide is accessible online for student reference. Students should work with their parents and their counselor to select their courses carefully. The selections made will play a critical role in the student’s future options in further education and in career choices. Questions regarding schedules should be directed to the student’s counselor. 

SCHEDULE CHANGE REQUEST PROCEDURE
Students and parents should carefully consider all course requests prior to meeting with their school counselor to schedule courses for an upcoming school year. Students leaving for summer vacation should consider course requests made at the time of scheduling as final for the entire 2025-2026 school year. 

Generally speaking, schedule-change requests are not granted. This policy exists for many reasons, especially given the scope of our master schedule. Schedule changes after May 31 will only be administratively granted under the following circumstances:

• Administrative error in schedule (i.e. original student requests were not entered correctly)
• Out of necessity to balance class sizes
• Student failed a second semester class or summer school class in a required subject
• Students with 7 academic classes may drop one for a study hall during the first eight days of the semester with a parent’s written request and provided that class is not a dual-credit, or AP course.
• Documented physical or mental condition requires a modification in the schedule
• Exceptional learners considerations
• Student is academically misplaced in the course (ex. has not completed prerequisites)
• Administrative discretion (note: this is for exceptionally rare cases)

Students may not change their schedules due to instructor preference or the order of classes. Approval of all schedule change requests is subject to consideration involving minimum and maximum class size. Except under very special circumstances, any student who withdraws from a class after the second week will receive a “WF” (“Withdrawal Failure”) as a semester grade for that class. 

Year-long and semester classes are included in this policy. Students enrolled in dual-credit courses, in which college credit may be granted, must research and consider the application of credit at other universities carefully prior to scheduling. Changes in college entrance status will not be considered in granting schedule change requests. 

AUDITING / RE-TAKING COURSES
Students who wish to retake a course in order to improve a grade may do so to replace a grade lower than a C-minus. Students must do so in consultation with their counselor and may be referred for approval of the principal. If a student receives a grade lower than a C- in an advanced, honors, or AP course, that student should continue to progress through the natural sequence of courses. If the student is interested in replacing that grade to qualify for the AHD, the student may—with administrator approval— take the regular version of the class, if available, they have previously taken at the Honors level (earning a D+ or lower). The second grade, if a C- or higher, can be used for the AHD. When a student retakes a course, the transcript will indicate that the student took the course twice, with the higher academic grade earned appearing on the transcript and an “R” (for Retake) replacing the lower academic grade. The higher grade will be associated with the credit and factored in the student’s GPA.

FHS One Year Course Planning Sheet

FHS Four Year Planning Guide

FHS Credit Checklist

Graduation Requirements for Class of 2025 - 2028
See Freshman Page for Class of 2029

	Core 40
	Core 40 w/ Academic Honors
	Core 40 w/ Technical Honors
	INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
	General Diploma
	Additional Diploma Information

 

OPT-OUT OF CORE 40 PROCESS

Indiana’s Core 40 curriculum provides the academic foundation all students need to succeed in college and the workforce. To graduate with less than Core 40, the following formal opt-out process must be completed:

• The student, the student’s parent/guardian, and the student’s counselor (or another staff member who assists the students with course selection) must meet to discuss the student’s progress. 
• The student’s Graduation Plan is reviewed.
• The student’s parent/guardian determines whether the student will achieve greater educational benefits by completing the general curriculum or the Core 40 curriculum.  
• If the decision is made to opt-out of Core 40, the student is required to complete the course and credit requirement for the general diploma, and the career/academic sequence the student will pursue is determined.

Pursuit Institute

JEL Career Center

Next Level Program of Studies @ FHS

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

PHYSICAL EDUCATION CREDITS 
Hamilton Southeastern Schools allows flexibility in developing curriculum and scheduling options adapted to the needs and in the best interests of individual students.  Hamilton Southeastern Schools requires students to earn two (2) credits of physical education to be eligible for graduation for class of 2025-2028, and one credit of physical education for the class of 2029 and beyond.  Waiver procedures for these requirements will be administered by the building principal, pursuant to the following guidelines.  PE credits acquired through the waiver process shall receive a grade for the purpose of GPA.  

ALTERNATE PHYSICAL EDUCATION CREDIT  
Hamilton Southeastern Schools offers an alternative option for freshman, sophomore, and junior students to earn one physical education credits.  Students participating in FHS sports recognized by IHSAA, along with cheerleading, dance, and marching band, and those participating in non-FHS sports are eligible for this option.  Students will need to complete two components to earn the physical education credit – coach’s form, and four quizzes.  A student can apply for the opportunity by visiting the FHS website.  

CREDIT THROUGH ONLINE ACADEMY  - Class of 2025 - 2028
Any freshman, sophomore, or junior student who has not participated in the Alternative Physical Education Credit may take one credit of Physical Education through Indiana Online Academy (www.indianaonlineacademy.org).  The student will pay the cost of the course, and the high school will recognize the course for physical education credit.  

REMAINING CREDIT REQUIREMENT  - Class of 2025 - 2028
The remaining required Physical Education credit must be earned by participating in a high school physical education class during the school year or a summer school class held at either Fishers High School or Hamilton Southeastern High School.  A student who has been granted a waiver from the first physical education credit and who is participating or training at least five days a week and who has demonstrated elite status beyond HSE Schools and State of Indiana (regional, National, or International levels), may qualify for a waiver from the remaining physical education requirement.  Verification documentation from two outside sources is required.  The student must document participation and complete the requirements for PE II (second physical education course) through the Indiana Online Academy.  The student will pay any cost associated with the course and the high school will recognize the course for physical education credit. 

CREDITS FOR JUNIOR-HIGH ADVANCED COURSES

The following policies are for all Hamilton Southeastern Schools students who have taken the following MATH courses prior to entering high school: ALGEBRA 1, HONORS ALGEBRA, and HONORS GEOMETRY.

• The courses listed above are not required to appear on the high school transcript. 
• If a student earns a C- or lower in junior high, then they must retake the course in high school. A retake grade will replace the grade earned as an 8th grader. 
• If a student earns a C or higher, the grade and credit will appear on the transcript and figure into the GPA unless the parent requests the course be removed from the transcript before the end of 11th grade. 
• If the student earns a B- or higher, the student may not retake the course. The grade and credit can be removed from the transcript before the end of 11th grade. 
• If the student earns a B- or higher, the student will be placed in a subsequent course in the math sequence. 

The following policies are for all Hamilton Southeastern Schools students who have taken the following WORLD LANGUAGE courses prior to entering high school: SPANISH 1, FRENCH 1, and GERMAN 1. 

• The courses listed above are not required to appear on the high school transcript. 
• If a student earns a C- or lower in junior high, then they must retake the course in high school (or start in Level 1 of a new language). A retake grade will replace the grade earned as an 8th grader. 
• If a student earns a C or higher, the grade and credit will appear on the transcript and figure into the GPA unless the parent requests the course be removed from the transcript before the end of 11th grade. 
• If the student earns a C or higher, the student may not retake the Level 1 course in that language. They may take a Level 1 course in a different language. 
• If the student earns a B-, C+, or C they will progress to Level 2. 
• If the student earns a B or higher, the student will progress to Honors Level 2. 

*Qualifying courses may be found in interactive course guide

GOALS & PURPOSE

We encourage students to take a rigorous schedule of courses during their senior year. Current research indicates that a student who does so is more successful at the college and university level. We also encourage seniors to prepare for more than the academic challenges coming in their post-secondary school lives. One of the greatest of these challenges for high school seniors is handling new freedoms and choices open to them after graduation. 

To help seniors at FHS prepare for the next stage of their lives, seniors have the option to experience some of this flexibility while still in the supportive environment of the high school setting. Seniors who take a rigorous schedule–equivalent to a full semester of college credit–will be given the option of reducing their course load by 1-3 classes. During the flex periods, seniors will make choices about the use of discretionary time, but they will be required to maintain academic proficiency, follow established procedures, and manage flex time well. 

If students choose to stay on school grounds during flex times, they have the option to use the learning commons in the College & Career Academy or another supervised area of the school. If they leave the school grounds, they must check in and out according to established procedures. 

TO QUALIFY FOR SENIOR FLEX SCHEDULE

• Students must meet all graduation qualifications.
• Students must take four or more International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, and/or Dual Credit courses (those that qualify) during the semester in which they have a flex schedule. 
• Students must maintain academic proficiency in these courses. Failure to maintain a C- or higher in these courses will result in assignment to study halls. Grades will be checked at the 9-weeks and midterm grading periods. 
• Students must follow all school policies and procedures or risk forfeit of this privilege. 
• Parents must sign an agreement allowing students with a flex schedule to leave school grounds.

SCHEDULING

• Seniors can discuss the FLEX options with their counselor at their scheduling appointment. Students should be mindful of what college expectations are as they select their courses for senior year. 
• The FHS school master schedule has been developed to accommodate the needs of all students at FHS. Guidance counselors will not change schedules of individual seniors in order to qualify for a flex schedule, nor will counselors consolidate flex periods to allow for late arrival or early dismissal. For example, counselors will NOT:
  • Move a class from first semester to second semester in order to create the flex option
  • Move a class from one period to another period to allow late arrival, early dismissal, or grouped flex periods.

The Senior Flex Schedule is not required, nor is it a right. Students should work carefully with parents and their guidance counselors to determine if this schedule is in their best interest. School officials may revoke this privilege at any time if the student does not follow school policies or if the student is unable to handle the discretionary time or academic load.