Scheduling/Courses
Scheduling
Counselors work closely with students throughout the year to help them create a schedule that fulfills graduation requirements, explores student interests, and is appropriately rigorous. Parent and teacher input is also taken into consideration when making the schedule. Clarence is fortunate to have a wide variety of course offerings. Students can choose from twenty AP courses and numerous college courses to challenge themselves. We also offer a robust elective program that covers a wide range of disciplines. In addition, there are 25 Career and Technical programs offered through BOCES that juniors and seniors are eligible to take.
One of the most important factors in college admission is the overall rigor of a student’s program. Students are encouraged to take the most challenging schedule they are capable of succeeding in. We think of it like a rubber band - try to stretch yourself a little, but not so much that you snap. A word of caution to those super-motivated students who think you’ll be able to hold down five APs without issue - multiple AP courses can have a compounding effect. It can be done, but it’s an incredible time commitment. Try to map out where the time will come from and don’t forget that you need to sleep. Don’t sacrifice your overall health to try and squeeze in an extra AP. Life outside the classroom is just as important as life inside the classroom.
Scheduling Overview for 2025-2026
Scheduling Instructions for Naviance
Course Descriptions by Department
| Art | English | Science |
| Business | Health & Phys. Ed. | Social Studies |
| Career & Technical Education | Math | Special Education |
| Engineering Technology | Music | World Language |
Scheduling Timeline
January-March: Counselors meet with students to take their course requests for the following school year. Scheduling is not done on a “first come, first serve” basis.
Late March/Early April: Counselors give administration a tally report of the requests for each course.
April: Administration determines which courses will run and how many sections of each course will be offered based on student interest and the availability of staffing.
May: If any classes are cancelled due to low enrollment, a letter is sent home inviting those students to see their counselor to choose another course.
June-July: The master schedule for the upcoming year is created.
Late July-August: Counselors work on individual student schedules. Students with scheduling conflicts are notified about the conflict and asked to make another selection.
Late August: Schedules are released to students online.
Early September: Counselors work with students on any scheduling issues that come up.
Mid-Marking Period (5-weeks): Deadline for any changes to half-year classes.
End of Marking Period 1 (Early November): Deadline for any changes to full year classes.
Scheduling Sheets
Students select classes through Naviance, but the sheets below give a quick overview of the courses each grade level is eligible to take.
Scheduling Odds & Ends
- Seniors are required to take 5.5 credits.
- Seniors may request late arrival or early release in their schedule. Release is a senior-only privilege; it is not guaranteed and can be revoked at any time. This permission slip is required for release. Students should not make commitments until they receive their finalized schedule in late August.
- Schedule changes cannot be made after the end of the first quarter for full year courses.
- In the event of a course level change, the exit grades follow the student to the new course.
- We cannot accept requests for specific teachers.
- Some classes have a fee for either the AP exam ($100) or college credit (SUPA or NUSTEP).
- Students taking AP courses are required to take the AP exam in May.
- It is a requirement for students enrolled in SUPA classes, American Military History, French 4H/5H and Marketing to sign up through the college. They cannot audit the class. Students who do not register and pay by the college deadline will be dropped from the class at both the high school and college level.
- 9th graders are required to have a lunch in their schedule. 10th, 11th, and 12th graders may opt out of lunch, but parent permission is required.
- Most Juniors taking a course at Harkness are at CHS for period 1-4, while Seniors taking a course at Harkness are there before school and arrive in time for 3rd period.
- A limited number of students can sign up for morning Physical Education. The class meets before the school day starts on either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. Seniors with two or fewer periods of early release, and Harkness Juniors receive scheduling priority.
High Grades in lower level course vs. Lower Grades in higher level courses?
There’s no single right answer, it's usually dependent on the individual situation. It’s important to speak with your counselor if you have any questions. For the most part, it’s better to take the more challenging class as long as the grade doesn’t dip too far.
Course Progressions
