Applicant Portal

Q:  What if I did not take the HSPT?
A:  Students who did not take the HSPT will be placed into standard freshman college prep courses. At this time, we are working on a process to place students into higher classes and will update parents and students as soon as we have a definitive answer in place.

Q.  I want to take Honors English I and was not placed in the class.
A.  Placement in Honors English 1 was based on the results of the HSPT and this placement is final. Students interested in Honors English are eligible to take Honors English 2 in sophomore year by earning a 90% or higher for both semesters of English 1CP.

Q.  I took Algebra 1 in Middle School and was placed in Algebra 1 again for 9^th grade.
A.  It is normal for students to take Algebra 1 in both 8^th and 9^th grades. Students were initially placed in Algebra 1A, Algebra 1, or Algebra 1 Honors based on the HSPT. Students initially placed in Algebra 1 who have completed a year of high school-level Algebra 1 in middle school can select Geometry. Students initially placed in Algebra 1 Honors who have completed a year of high school-level Algebra 1 in middle school can select Geometry Honors.  Students who have taken a year of high school-level Algebra 1 and Geometry in middle school should select Geometry/Geometry Honors (based on initial placement) as their course placement and then plan to test for Algebra 2/Algebra 2 Honors prior to the start of the 2020-2021 school year. Please see the "Algebra 2/2H Challenge Exam" box on this page for more information; the exam date is Monday, June 22, 2020. To reiterate, however, having a strong Algebra 1 foundation is important for success in high school math, and, consequently, many JSerra freshmen take Algebra 1 in high school after taking it in 8^th grade.

Q.  What is the pathway for Math at JSerra?
A.  Here are the basic pathways for students at JSerra. Honors or AP classes are available for math levels from Algebra 1 to Calculus. Students must meet all pre-requisites to be eligible to enroll in the class.

Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
Algebra IA	Algebra IB	Geometry*	Algebra 2
Algebra 1	Geometry*	Intermediate Algebra 2	Algebra 2
Algebra 1	Geometry*	Algebra 2	Pre-Calculus or math elective
Geometry	Algebra 2	Pre-Calculus	Calculus or math elective
Algebra 2	Pre-Calculus	Calculus	Advanced mathematics

*To advance, Geometry may be taken during the summer following the completion of Algebra 1/1B.

Q.  What is the pathway for Science at JSerra?
A.  Here are the basic pathways for students at JSerra. Honors or AP classes are available for all science levels except Conceptual Physics. Students must meet all pre-requisites to be eligible to enroll in the class. Students have been placed into their freshman science class based on the HPST and other academic factors.

Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
Conceptual Physics	Biology	Chemistry or Conceptual Chemistry	Science elective
Biology	Science elective	Chemistry	Physics
Biology	Chemistry	Physics	Science elective

Q.  What is the pathway for Social Studies at JSerra?
A.  Here are the basic pathways for students at JSerra. All students are required to take Social Studies in 11^th and 12^th grades. One additional year of Social Studies is required during either freshman or sophomore year. Students also have the option to take Social Studies both freshman and sophomore year. Honors or AP classes are available for all Social Studies classes except for Ancient World History. Students must meet all pre-requisites to be eligible to enroll in the AP/Honors classes. Students have been given their options for freshman year Social Studies cases based on the results of their HSPT.

Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
Ancient World History	World History or AP European History	US History	American Government/Economics
World History	AP European History	US History	American Government/Economics
No History	World History	US History	American Government/Economics
World History	No History	US History	American Government/Economics

Q. What is the difference between Theology 1 Foundations and Theology 1?
A.  Theology 1 Foundations is designed for students who have not had prior instruction in Catholic theology.  Theology 1 is designed for students with a background in Catholic theology. Please check the Course Descriptions under the online Course Catalog. Both courses are weighted the same.

Q.  How do I take World Language Honors?
A.  World Language Honors is not available for the first level of all languages except for Spanish. Honors level-World Language begins with level two except for American Sign Language (ASL) as JSerra does not offer honors-level ASL courses. Prior to selecting your World Language course, please review the list of skillsets necessary for the upper division levels of language provided by our World Language Department for Spanish 1 Honors or the second level of your chosen language. Students must have mastery of these skills to be successful in the class. If you feel you will test higher than level two of your language, please contact World Language Department Chair, Mr. Tom Smith (tsmith@jserra.org), for information about testing into higher levels of World Language. All students will be required to select an alternate World Language course.

Q.  How do I become eligible for Honors classes my sophomore year?
A.  Course pre-requisites for all classes can be found in the online Course Catalog. Students are encouraged to understand the requirements for the Honors and AP classes available at JSerra.

Q.  Who is my Academic and College Counselor?
A.  Your Academic and College Counselor will be assigned based on your last name and you will stay with your assigned counselor all four years of high school. You will be able to personally meet your counselor during Freshman Welcome Day. Your counselor is available to assist you with all aspects of your freshman experience.  Check-in meetings with your counselor will be scheduled during the first semester of your freshman year.

Q.  What do I do if I need to speak to a counselor before August?
A.  Students and parents should email their assigned counselor found here. During the summer, please email counseling@jserra.org since counselors will be available on a rotating basis throughout the summer.

Q.  Once school starts and I need to see my counselor, what do I do?
A.  Students needing to see their counselor should visit their counselor's office in the Counseling Center. If their counselor is occupied, the student can sign-up for an appointment using the clipboard outside of their counselor's office and they will call you in as soon as possible.

Q.  Do I need to take Health freshman year?
A.  No, but students must complete Health prior to graduation. Health can be taken in class or online during the school year and in the summer at any time prior to graduation.

Q. What is a magnet program?
A. Magnet programs are designed to prepare students for curriculum in college specific to their discipline and introduce them to potential future careers in their field. An additional fee is required for participation in a magnet program.

Q.  I have applied for a magnet program. When will I be notified of a magnet program decision?
A.  Magnet placement decisions are communicated by the Magnet Directors.

Q.  How do I apply for a magnet program?
A.  Applications for the magnet programs are available on the JSerra web site under "Magnets."

Q.  Can I apply for a magnet program after freshman year?
A.  Magnet Programs will accept sophomore transfers as space allows. For specific information, please contact the applicable Magnet Chair.

Q.  Can I do a sport or be a part of SERP and participate in a magnet program?
A.  Yes. Students will need to take Freshman Communications in Summer School prior to 9^th grade. Participation in a magnet and either SERP or a sport often requires the student to attend Summer School as part of their course of study.

Q.  What classes have summer assignments and where can I find them?
A.  Freshman classes do not require summer assignments except for Algebra 2 and Algebra 2 Honors. Student testing into Algebra 2 and Algebra 2 Honors will receive email notification of the summer assignment.  

Q. Who should take Summer School?
A.  Students who are planning to participate in a magnet program, SERP, or sports class during the school day, and all students who would like to take courses designed to help them start their freshman year successfully.

Q.  What course(s) should I take this summer?
A.  It is helpful for freshmen to take Health over the summer.

Q.  I have a vacation planned during Summer School, can I still take Summer School?
A.  Students attending for credit classes are permitted only one absence per session and only two tardies per session. Please check the dates and times of the summer school sessions before registering for summer school.

Q.  How do I register for Summer School?
A.  Information regarding summer school registration will be emailed to families as soon as the summer school schedule is finalized, and registration is available.

Q.  How do I purchase textbooks?
A.  A list of your courses (without teacher names or periods) will be emailed to the primary parent before July along with detailed information regarding purchasing textbooks. You will receive your class schedule along with your locker number and locker combination during Freshman Orientation. Elective class changes will not be made during the summer. Once you receive your schedule, see your counselor to add or drop a class. Your parent must approve any course changes. Students have three weeks from the start of classes to make schedule changes.