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Eckstein Middle School/Academics/Registrar’s Office/Elective Registration

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, Toni Morgan.

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 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:

Step 2: How Schedules are Made

There are several pieces that combine to create each schedule.

Language Arts, Science, Social Studies

These courses are all placed automatically based on grade level or by Case Manager and last for the full school year. There is nothing to do for these classes and there are no acceleration pathways in these subjects.

Mathematics

Math enrollment is always based on last course completed with SPS per SPS Math Sequence (Math 5, 6, 7 OR 7/8 Compacted, 8, Algebra, Geometry.) Read more about Math progression.

There are only two (2) opportunities for acceleration in Math:

  • 6th Grade math enrollment is determined by the course the student took in 5th grade. No exceptions or recommendations will be accepted.
  • 7th Graders at grade level will have an opportunity for Math acceleration by choosing between Math 7 and Math 7/8 Compacted.
  • 8th graders in Algebra (not all 8th graders) will have the opportunity for Math acceleration and may request Geometry instead of one year-long elective (subject to seat availability.)
Electives

Electives are the additional courses in a schedule besides Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Math. Some electives are chose and others are required depending on grade level, special education, and circumstance.

6th Graders have three (3) required electives, lasting for one (1) semester each.

  • One (1) semester of Physical Education is required
  • One (1) semester of Computer Technology A is required, and
  • NEW! One (1) semester of an Arts course is required per Washington State mandate (Senate Bill 5878), beginning in the 24-25 school year, 6th grade students are required to take at least one (1) semester of a visual or performing arts course each year. 
  • Any electives that have a course code beginning with “MFA” may be considered to fill the Arts requirement.
  • PE and tech have a single course code that is added to all 6th graders’ schedules automatically.
  • 6th graders may not waive any of these requirements except by medical or religious reasons.

7th and 8th Graders must take one (1) semester of Physical Education, unless they are able to waive it.

  • If they waive PE they can fill 4 semesters worth of classes with electives. This can be two year long electives or with combinations of year and semester electives.
  • If they take PE, they can fill 3 semesters worth of classes with electives. This can be 1 year long elective and 1 semester electives or a combination of three (3) semester electives.

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!

6th Grade Elective Choices

Remember you are choosing either 1 year long or 2 semester classes and this must include 1 semester of an Arts course (Course Names with “MFA.”

6th Grade Yearlong Electives6th Grade Semester Electives
Introductory Band MFA8509Theater Beginning MFA8517
Premier Band MFA8513Guitar Lab 1 MFA8418
Intermediate Band MFA8436Visual Arts Beg MFA8519
Concert Band MFA8407Ceramics Beginning MFA8403
Jazz Band A MFA8511- Use for Intermediate JazzStudent Government A MSS9579- Use for ‘Leadership A’
Introductory Choir MFA8507Computer Sci Tech B MPC6422
Introductory Orchestra MFA8505
Premier Orchestra MFA8515
Intermediate Orchestra MFA8438
Concert Orchestra MFA8411  
Guitar Lab 1 MFA8418
7th Grade Elective Choices

Remember you are only choosing enough elective to fill 2 periods and PE might take up one semester of space.

7th Grade Yearlong Electives7th Grade Semester Electives
French 1 HWL1273Computer Sci Tech C MPC6423
Spanish 1 HWL1279Computer Sci Tech D MPC6424
Introductory Band MFA8509STEM Innovation Lab A MPC5880
Premier Band MFA8513STEM Innovation Lab B MPC5881
Intermediate Band MFA8436Guitar Lab 1 MFA8418
Concert Band MFA8407Visual Arts Beg MFA8519
Jazz Band A MFA8511- Use for Intermediate JazzCeramics Beginning MFA8403
Jazz Band B MFA8512- Use for Senior Jazz  Visual Arts Adv MFA8520
Introductory Orchestra MFA8505Ceramics Advanced MFA8404
Premier Orchestra MFA8515Student Government A MSS9579- Use for ‘Leadership A’
Intermed Orchestra MFA8438 Theater Beginning MFA8517
Concert Orchestra MFA8411  
Introductory Choir MFA8507
Intermediate Choir MFA8429
Vocal Jazz MFA8521
Guitar Lab 1 MFA8418
Student Government B MSS9628- Use for Leadership B (Interest Forms at Room 120) 
8th Grade Elective Choices

Remember you are only choosing enough elective to fill 2 periods and PE or Geometry might take up some of this space.

8TH Grade Yearlong Electives8TH Grade Semester Electives
FRENCH 1 HWL1273Computer Sci Tech C MPC6423
FRENCH 2 HWL3522Computer Sci Tech D MPC6424
SPANISH 1 HWL1279STEM Innovation Lab A MPC5880
SPANISH 2 HWL3560STEM Innovation Lab B MPC5881
INTRODUCTORY BAND MFA8509Guitar Lab 1 MFA8418
PREMIER BAND MFA8513Visual Arts Beg MFA8519
INTERMEDIATE BAND MFA8436Ceramics Beginning MFA8403
CONCERT BAND MFA8407Visual Arts Adv MFA8520
JAZZ BAND A MFA8511- Use for Intermediate JazzCeramics Advanced MFA8404
JAZZ BAND B MFA8512- Use for Senior Jazz Student Government A MSS9579- Use for ‘Leadership A’
INTRODUCTORY ORCHESTRA MFA8505TEACHER’S ASSISTANT MUE9499 (Interest Forms in Main Office)
PREMIER ORCHESTRA MFA8515Theater Beginning MFA8517
INTERMED ORCHESTRA MFA8438
CONCERT ORCHESTRA MFA8411  
INTRODUCTORY CHOIR MFA8507
INTERMEDIATE CHOIR MFA8429
VOCAL JAZZ MFA8521
GUITAR LAB 1 MFA8418
TEACHER’S ASSISTANT MUE9499
(Interest Forms in Main Office)
STUDENT GOVERNMENT B MSS9628- Use for Leadership B (Interest Forms at Room 120)
GEOMETRY (concurrent to Algebra)

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.

Submit Electives Via Source (only when directed)

There is a helpful video to walk you through this process at the bottom of these directions.

  1. Source Log In: Using a desktop/laptop computer, navigate to the Source at http://ps.seattleschools.org/. Login to the student’s Source using the student’s username and password. Guardian logins will not work for this process and it will not work on a mobile device either.
  2. Class Registration: From the Source main screen, click “Class Registration” in the left column. If you do not see “Class Registration” you are likely logged in to a guardian account and must log out and sign in with student credentials.
  3. Decision #1 Required PE Selection: Click on the PENCIL ICON next to “Decision #1 Required PE Selection”. Choose ONE option from this section. Remember to choose PE WAIVED if intention is to not take PE. Scroll down to submit. The system will not let students submit without making a PE selection.
  4. Decision #2 Yearlong Electives Options: Click on the PENCIL ICON next to “Decision #3 Yearlong Electives Options.” Choose Yearlong course(s). There are multiple pages of electives to view, scroll to bottom of window and click to see more pages. Scroll down further to submit. The system will allow students to submit without making a selection.
  5. Decision #3 Semester Long Electives Options: Click on the PENCIL ICON next to “Decision #4 Semester Long Electives Options.” Choose semester long course(s). There are multiple pages of electives to view, scroll to bottom of window and click to see more pages. Scroll down to submit. The system will allow students to submit without making a selection. .
  6. Decision #4 Required Backup Choices: Click on the PENCIL ICON next to “Decision #5 Required Backup Choices.” Choose the backup courses you would take if the primary choices were full. Back-ups must be different than first-choice electives. All semester and yearlong options are listed for Decision #5. There are multiple pages of electives to view, scroll to bottom of window and click to see more pages. Scroll down to submit. The system will not let students submit their choices without choosing at least TWO backup electives.
  7. Decision #5– TA Interest: (8th grade only) If interested in becoming a TA Click on the PENCIL ICON next to “Decision #6– TA Interest.” Students may select the course titled “Teacher Assistant if they are interested in becoming a TA next year. Interest Forms are available in the Main Office. Scroll down to submit. The system will let students submit without making any selection.
  8. Final Section- “Additional Requests”: Ignore the section titled “Additional Requests.’ This section is controlled by the registrar’s office and students may see some core classes there or it may be empty.
  9. Check your Work: Check next to all decisions that there is a GREEN check mark. Any sections with a RED exclamation mark need to be fixed before submitting. Check that you have selected only enough courses to fill 2 periods for both semesters.
  10. Submit Electives: Scroll to the very bottom of the page and Submit/save. The screen should change into a list of the courses just chosen, plus any “Additional Request” items the registrar has added. If the list does not show, there is an error. Try to Submit again. If that still does not work, simply turn in the Decision Sheet to the Main Office.

The video below has step-by step instructions on how to access the Class Registration System and how to register for classes. It is VERY helpful if you are lost in this process. (Recaps #1 through #13 above but with visuals)

Video to Walk through the Process

Submit Electives By Email

If you are new to the district, new to Eckstein, or are unable to register via the Source, please register by email.

Read and complete Steps 1, 2, and 3 above.. When you have a list of electives and alternate choices your student will take, email them to the Registrar, Toni Morgan at tmmorgan@seattleschools.org.

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.

Example 6th Grade Schedules

Classes are listed in no particular order to illustrate how a schedule can be arranged to fulfill all requirements.

Example 1: Choosing ONE year-long Elective

Semester 1Semester 2
Language ArtsLanguage Arts
ScienceScience
Math (level may vary)Math (level may vary)
Social Studies/HistorySocial Studies/History
Physical EducationTechnology A
Introductory OrchestraIntroductory Orchestra
PE, Tech, and Art Requirements are fulfilled in this example schedule.

Example 2: Choosing TWO semester-long electives

Semester 1Semester 2
Language ArtsLanguage Arts
ScienceScience
Math (level may vary)Math (level may vary)
Social Studies/HistorySocial Studies/History
Physical EducationTechnology A
Visual Arts BeginningLeadership A
PE, Tech, and Art Requirements are fulfilled in this example schedule.
Example 7th and 8th Grade Schedules

Classes are listed in no particular order to illustrate how a schedule can be filled.

Example 1: Taking PE with 1 Yearlong Elective and 1 Semester Long Elective

Semester 1Semester 2
Language ArtsLanguage Arts
ScienceScience
Math (level may vary)Math (level may vary)
Social Studies/HistorySocial Studies/History
Physical Education/Team SportsVisual Arts Advanced
Vocal JazzVocal Jazz

Example 2: Taking PE with 3 Semester Long Electives

Semester 1Semester 2
Language ArtsLanguage Arts
ScienceScience
Math (level may vary)Math (level may vary)
Social Studies/HistorySocial Studies/History
Physical Education/Team SportsTechnology C
GuitarLeadership A

Example 3: Waiving PE with 2 Yearlong Electives

Semester 1Semester 2
Language ArtsLanguage Arts
ScienceScience
Math (level may vary)Math (level may vary)
Social Studies/HistorySocial Studies/History
Concert BandConcert Band
French 2French 2

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