8th Grade Information - Class of 2027

Welcome to the web site for incoming Cougars (Class of 2027). This site is designed to help you transition from junior high or middle school to VHHS and should address your most frequently asked questions. Look frequently for updated information as we prepare for the 2023-2024 school year.  In the meantime, please refer to the general timeline below for information about the course selection and registration process for incoming 9th graders. The documents listed below will be posted as they are made available.

If you need further assistance please call Ms. Deborah Lehman at 847-932-2030 or Mrs. Jennifer Sheppard at 847-932-2088 and we will be happy to assist you.

Month

Event

Documents 

September

  • VHHS receives demographic information from feeder schools for mailing.

 

October

  • For the 2022-2023 school year,  PSAT 8/9 (preliminary SAT) October 15, 2022 for the Class of 2027.
  • The PSAT 8/9
  • 8th grade mailing will include instructions (english/spanish) on entering pre-registration information into Registration Gateway and save the date for 8th grade orientation (January 19, 2023).

  • Parent PowerSchool and web store accounts will be created in June during the 23-24 annual registration process.

Pre-registration Instructions/Spanish
 

Class of 2027 Fall Newsletter

November

  • Pre-Registrations due on November 4, 2022.

 

December

  • 8th grade teachers begin the process of recommending students for courses for the coming year.
  • 8th Grade information is mailed (by end of December) containing a list of typical 9th grade classes, curriculumn guide link as well as orientation information.

Class of 2027 Winter Newsletter
 

January

  • 8th Grade Orientation - January 19, 2023 .  
  • Families with Last Names A-K
    • 6:00 – 7:00 pm Presentation in the Auditorium (*Doors open at 5:45 pm, Presentation begins promptly at 6:00 pm)6:00 – 7:00 pm Presentation in the Auditorium (*Doors open at 5:45 pm, Presentation begins promptly at 6:00 pm)

    • 7:10 – 8:00 pm Families with Last Names A – K Activity Fair in the Foyer & Gym

  • Families with Last Names L-Z
    • 6:20 – 7:15 pm Activity Fair in the Foyer & Gym

    • 7:15 – 8:15 pm Presentation in the Auditorium

  • Choice Zone declarations due Friday, January 27, 2023.
  • World Language placement exams.
  • Department Supervisors meet with 8th grade teachers and finalize course recommendations.
    • Additionally, VHHS will use teacher recommendations, family input, MAP & PSAT scores to make the best possible course recommendations.
  • 8th grade recommendations are mailed home on 1/24/2022.  (Mailing could take up to 5-7 business days to arrive.) with course selection instructions and materials.
  • Families are encouraged to talk about course selection at home.

CL of 2027 Parent 8th Grade Orientation Letter

Recommendation Process

Placement Process for Incoming Freshman

Course selection process & optional counselor appointments

Curriculum Guide

Freshman Non Placement Electives

VHHS Department Chairs & Team Addendum

Freshman Course Selection Process Newsletter

Course selection advice & FAQ's   

February

  • Once 8th grade families receive their course selection packet, the pink course request forms need to be completed and returned by February 10, 2023. If a family would like to request a change of placement, they must contact the specific department supervisor prior to submitting the pink course request form.
  • Optional course selection appointments for students wishing to meet with their counselors will take place in February.    
    • In Person at VHHS February 2nd from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  (Early release for H73)
    • Virtually on February 7th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • February 8th, 2023-Optional additional course selection meetings for Spanish speaking families at Middle School South in the Cafeteria from 6:00p.m.to 7:30p.m.
  • Course/level requests are due by February 10, 2023.  Any course change/level requests after February 10th may not be possible. 
  • Counselors will not take course request changes between February 11th-May 23rd.

 

March

  • All course selection data is compiled and prepared for the administration.
  • VHHS and D128 administration review course selection data and make sectioning and staffing decisions.
  • With Board approval, the VHHS administration begins to build the Master Schedule based on the initial course selection data.

 

April

  • Counselors contact students whose courses were cancelled due to lack of enrollment and help them choose alternative courses. Course selection decisions are limited to what is available.
  • Begin limited discretionary schedule changes. Course selection decisions are limited to what is available.
  • Continue to build the Master Schedule. A computer is used to run simulations to find the most effective schedule that will maximize the highest percentage of students being placed into the courses they selected.

How to contact your counselor and change your course requests 

May

  • Finalize master schedule.
  • Counselors meet with students to resolve schedule conflicts/irresolvables. Students who have a large number of singleton or doubleton courses (courses that have only one or two sections) are at the greatest risk for having schedule conflicts.
  • Course selection decisions are limited to what is available.
  • Course change requests will reopen on May 22, 2023. Contact your students counselor. 

 

June

  • Counselors finish schedule conflicts/ irresolvables and begin to balance sections.
  • Main office summer hours are M-Th, 7:30-4:00 and begins on June 5th. School is closed Fridays with the exception of 7/7/2023.  During 4th of July week the office will be closed on 7/3/2023 & 7/4/2023 and open on Friday 7/7/2023.
  • First Summer Mailing goes home the first week of June (registration instructions for online registration, basic school fees, information on proof of residency requirements).
  • June 5th, 2023 will begin the registration & residency verification process for the upcoming year. There are four steps to the freshman registration process: 1) Online registration to verify your child's demographic data and enter other important information,  2) Pay Basic Fees, 3) Complete proof of residency if indicated in your registration Letter/Instructions and 4) Submit ISBE health/dental/immunization forms, and athletic physicals if participating in a sport.
  • Additionally, all incoming 9th grade students may be required to provide proof of residency within the VHHS district boundaries at the Vernon Hills High School main office.  Families asked to provide residency documents should follow the instructions on the Proof of Residency form included in their registration packet. 
  • A counselor is on duty at scheduled times in June (call for availability) to process limited discretionary schedule changes and register new students. Course selection decisions are limited to what is available. Schedule changes get more difficult to do.
  • The deadline for completed registration is Thursday June 29, 2023. Your registration is considered complete once you have completed the online registration process, paid your student's Basic Registration fees (if you are unable to pay your registration fees, please complete and return a Basic Fee Waiver application or set up a payment plan), and provided proof of residency if required.

Health Form (English)

Health Form (Spanish)

Principal's Letter

Registration instructions

Freshman Residency form

Dental Form (en Español)

July

  • A counselor is on duty at scheduled times in July (call for availability) to process limited discretionary schedule changes and register new students. Course selection decisions are limited to what is available.

 

August

  • All counselors are on duty T, W, & Th prior to the beginning of school to process last minute discretionary schedule changes and register new students. 
  • 8/3/2023-Chromebook and schedule distribution. Class of 2027 families who have completed the registration, paid fees & completed residency verification process if requested, will stop by VHHS to pick up student ID cards, locker and bus information, and a chromebook.
  • Freshman Orientation August 8, 2023 . Ride the bus to school, team building activities, meet counselors, receive and walk schedules!
  • Fall athletic teams begin practice begins on August 7th, 2023. Athletic Start Dates
  • The first day of school for 2023-2024 is August 14, 2023.

Freshman Orientation Flyer