Elective Registration
Elective Registration for the 24-25 School Year
Elective registration is done each year to determine student schedules for both semesters of the following year. The information below outlines the elective registration process.
If you have any questions about registration please contact the registrar, eckstein@seattleschools.org
Step 1: Important Details and Preparing to Register
When (and How) Students Can Register
- We will email YOU specifically when it is time to register and the directions to follow.
- Students entering 6th grade will register in April with Eckstein. Registration will be completed on the Source and/or by email.
- Students currently attending Eckstein in 6th and 7th grades will register at the end of March. Registration will be completed on the Source and/or by email.
- Any other students who will enter Eckstein will register either in April or upon enrollment. Registration will be completed via email and not on the Source.
- Students entering 9th grade will register with their assigned high school, dates determined by each school.
Not Attending 24-25 School Year?
Special Circumstances and Follow-up:
- Students receiving special education may require specific courses or electives. Please follow the registration instructions and consult Case Manager for guidance.
- Students with part-time schedules should email the registrar eckstein@seattleschools.org instead of completing Decision Sheet.
Browse Electives Options:
- Explore available electives by reading the Course Catalog or in Step 3 below.
Importance of Thoughtful Decisions:
- Changes in the Fall can be challenging as many courses are full.
- Core classes (English, Math, Science, History) are guaranteed, but first-choice electives are NOT guaranteed due to class sizes and budget constraints.
- Make sure to choose relevant back-up electives in case primary choices are full.
PE Requirement and Waiver Process
- One semester of PE is required per state law unless waiver is provided.
- PE Waivers are required for students taking two yearlong electives
- Waiver Info: PE Waiver forms are available in September 2024 and are not due until January 2025. PE waivers can be accepted for a variety of physical activities, provided the time spent equals or exceeds 60 hours per school year. Students without a waiver by January 2025 WILL be placed in PE for a semester.
- Estimate Qualification: To figure out if you might qualify for a waiver, multiply the number of hours spent on physical activity each week by the number of weeks they will do this activity. Add all activities together for an annual total. If this number is equal to or greater than 60, students may consider waiving PE, but are not obligated.
Music Electives:
- Speak with music directors to confirm what level music to request.
- Band Director: Moc Escobedo cuescobedo@seattleschools.org
- Orchestra: Angie Kong aykong@seattleschools.org
- Choir: Ellie Kok epkok@seattleschools.org
Step 2: How Schedules are Made
There are several pieces that combine to create each schedule.
Step 3: Electives by Grade Level
Not choosing enough electives will result in the registrar’s office choosing for you.
Please know we cannot guarantee placement for next year in ANY class besides core, because of class sizes, teacher availability and budget constraints.
Read our Course Catalog for full course descriptions and prerequisites.
Watch these videos made by our elective teachers to learn more about our electives!
Step 4: How to Submit Decisions
We will email YOU specifically when it is time to register your student via the Source. Not everyone has Source access.
Online registration is only open for a one week period determined by next year grade level. You will not be able to register online if you are brand new to the district, try to register outside of the window, or if Eckstein is not officially your next school.
There is no way to rank your elective choices. Make sure you chose an appropriate number of courses (read directions!) and make sure you choose alternates/back-up classes in case your desired courses fill up.
Elective Registration FAQs
Here are some answers to our most often-asked questions.
1. Why can’t I register my student for electives in the Source?
Only students currently in attendance with SPS will be able to register through the Source during very specific time periods. If you are certain you should be able to see it and cannot, please log out completely and have your STUDENT log in with their credentials. If you still cannot see it follow directions in Step 4 to submit electives via email. Anyone may submit their electives via email, phone, or mail.
2. When will my incoming student be able to choose their exploratory/elective classes?
Current 5th graders can register starting in mid-April. Current 6th and 7th graders will begin registration in early March.
3. What will my middle school schedule look like?
We have a 6-period day at Eckstein Middle School. All students are assigned to 4 year-long core classes: Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Math. The remaining 2 periods are filled with a required semester of PE (unless waived) and 1 and a half periods of electives. Two periods of electives if PE is waived. 6th graders also have one semester of Technology A, a computers course and at least one semester of an arts course per State requirement.
4. How does my student waive PE?
7th and 8th graders can complete a waiver to bypass their state PE requirement with a minimum of 60 hours of physical participation listed. 6th graders cannot waive the PE requirement unless it is for medical or religious purposes. More information about Eckstein’s PE Waiver
5. How do we place 6th grade students in the right Math class?
Students are enrolled in Math class based on the next course in sequence from the course they are enrolled in for 5th grade.
6. When is 6th Grade Orientation?
We will have our 6th Grade Orientation in late August. We will send you the date as soon as possible.
7. Are there any opportunities for Math Acceleration?
At Eckstein the acceleration pathway we offer is for 7th graders only who have not been granted any other acceleration opportunities yet. The course is titled “Mathematics 7/8 Compacted” and it is a condensed curriculum to accelerate students through Math 7 and Math 8 within one school year instead of two. We also