Registrar’s Office

Elective Registration

Elective Registration for the 23-24 School Year

Blue Eagle logo and the words Eckstein Eagles, A community of lifelong learners

Elective registration is done each year to determine student schedules for BOTH semesters of the following year. Students will get the chance to choose which elective courses they would like to take. Core classes (LA, Science, Social Studies and Math) will be selected automatically by the registrar’s office.

The courses you choose during this process determine how we staff electives next year. Please be thoughtful with your decisions. Changes to your choices at a later point are difficult and seats may not be available. We will try to place students in their requested electives but choices are not guaranteed.

If you have any questions about course registration for the 2023-2024 school year at Eckstein, please contact registrar, Toni Morgan tmmorgan@seattleschools.org.

Step 1: When and How to Register

Please look at the table below to find which “Circumstance” you or your child fall under and read the corresponding tasks for “When and How to Register.”

CircumstanceWhen and How to Register
Current 5th Grader,
Enrolled in SPS AND
Lives in Eckstein Boundary
When: For TWO weeks in late April, exact Dates TBD.
How: Most students will register via their source accounts.
Students that miss this online registration window should email the registrar to register via PDF.
Current 5th Grader,
Enrolled in SPS but lives outside Eckstein’s boundary
You need to contact enrollment. Read more information about the School Choice Form and Open Enrollment. Once they give you an assignment, if it is Eckstein, you will be contacted by the registrar to choose electives and will not be able to access online registration in the Source.
Currently Enrolled at Eckstein
6th and 7th Graders
When: For ONE week. March 17 to 24. (via Source)
How: Most students will register via their source accounts.
Students that miss this online registration window should email the registrar to register via PDF.
Current 6th and 7th Graders wanting to switch to EcksteinYou need to contact enrollment. Read more information about the School Choice Form and Open Enrollment. Once they give you an assignment, if it is Eckstein, you will be contact by the registrar to choose electives and will not be able to access online registration in the Source.
New to the district in the 23-24 School Year, any grade levelThe District continues to send new student assignments to middle schools weekly. When we receive the notification from the District of a new student getting assigned to Eckstein, we will reach out to you to have them complete course registration by email/mail/phone. No deadline for elective registration.
Currently attending another public or Private School outside of SPS and would like to Attend EcksteinPlease contact our District Enrollment Offices if you have not done so already. Once they give you an assignment, if it is Eckstein, you will be contact by the registrar to choose electives and will not be able to access online registration in the Source.
I will NOT be attending Eckstein in the 23-24 school yearWe’re sad to see you go!
Please email the registrar so we can plan accordingly.


Step 2: How Many Classes Can be Chosen

Students have a SIX period day to fill each school year. Core classes (English, Math, Science, History) take up FOUR of these periods. Sixth graders must also take ONE semester of PE and ONE semester Technology A. Together, these occupy ONE more period in a sixth grader’s schedule. The remaining period can be “spent” on a single year-long elective or with two semester-long electives.

Required Classes
These classes are input to your student’s schedule automatically by the registrar’s office.

Math*
Language Arts
History
Science
Physical Education** (one semester to fulfill requirement)
Technology A (one semester)

* All enrollment is determined by the course the student took in 5th grade. No exceptions. Read more in our Course Catalog about Math progression.

** 6th graders may NOT waive the PE requirement.


ElectivesThese classes are chosen by you.

Students coming into 6th grade at Eckstein can choose either:

ONE year long elective
or TWO semester-long electives.

If you choose two semester-long courses, they may occur in either semester and may not be seen on schedule on first day of school.

Example 6th Grade Schedules

Example 1: Choosing ONE year-long elective

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

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

Example 2: Choosing TWO semester-long electives

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

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 BeginningCeramics Beginning

Students have a 6 period day to fill each school year. Core classes (English, Math, Science, History) take up 4 of these periods. Students must also take one semester of PE unless it can be waived. PLEASE NOTE: Physical Education is a state requirement and you must qualify for and Submit a PE Waiver to bypass this requirement.

The best place to start as a 7th/8th grader, when choosing electives, is whether or not you intend to take PE next year. You will fill out your electives based on this intention even though you are counting on future athletics to happen. That is okay, just make the most educated guess and carry forward. Even if something changes next year, we can fix it then.

An easy way to estimate this is multiply the number of hours spent of practice X the number of practices in a typical week X 25 for 25 weeks in the school year. If this number is greater than 60, you may choose to carry forward with the intention of getting a waiver.

(Example: 1.5 hours x 3 times a week x 25 weeks = 112.50)

Best guess, do you think you will probably TAKE PE or WAIVE PE next year?

*Please note that PE waivers are not due at time of registration and should not be completed until Sept-Jan of the impacted school year.

I will probably TAKE PE next yearI will probably WAIVE PE next year
While looking through the Course Catalog, combine your classes in one of the following ways:

1. PE Course, 1 year-long elective, and 1 semester-long elective
(example: PE Partners + Intro Band + Visual Arts)

2. PE Course and 3 different semester-long electives
(example: Regular PE + Leadership + Visual Arts + Guitar)  
While looking through the Course Catalog, combine your classes in one of the following ways:

1. 2 year-long electives and PE Waiver
(example: French 1A + Premier Orchestra)

2. 1 year-long elective and 2 semester-long electives and PE Waiver
(example: Band, Visual Arts, Ceramics)

3. 4 different semester-long electives and PE Waiver*
(example: Ceramics + Leadership + Visual Arts + Guitar)

Step 3: Which Classes Can Be Taken, By Grade

Not choosing enough electives will result in the registrar’s office choosing for you and that may not be very exciting.

Students with an IEP or who are receiving ELL services may have less electives in their schedule depending on support classes. Contact case manager for more information. If in doubt, follow directions below and we will reach out if there is an issue with electives. It is always better to have too many choices than too few.

Please know we will do everything we can to get you in the classes you picked first, but we cannot guarantee placement for next year in ANY class besides core. Placements are not guaranteed because of class sizes, teacher availability and budget constraints. It is very important that you pick alternates and that they are relevant to you. There is always a chance you get placed into your alternate choices.

The courses you choose now determines staffing at Eckstein for next year. It is very important that you choose only what you truly want to take. You may not be able to have your schedule changed later.

Read our Course Catalog for full course descriptions and prerequisites.

Remember you are choosing either 1 year long or 2 semester classes. You may not choose more or less than that.

6th Grade Yearlong Electives6th Grade Semester Electives
Introductory Band MFA8509Computer Sci Tech B MPC6422 Adds semester to ‘Tech A’
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’
Jazz Band B MFA8512- Use for Senior JazzPhysical Education MPE8016
Introductory Choir MFA8507Physical Education Partner MPE4187
Introductory Orchestra MFA8505Theater Beginning MFA8517
Premier Orchestra MFA8515Peer Tutor B- MFA MNA9926 use for ‘Peer Partner Arts’
Intermediate Orchestra MFA8438
Concert Orchestra MFA8411  
Guitar Lab 1 MFA8418

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 MFA8438Physical Education Partner MPE4187
Concert Orchestra MFA8411  Team Sports MPE8423
Introductory Choir MFA8507 Theater Beginning MFA8517
Intermediate Choir MFA8429Peer Tutor A– MFA9925 for Peer Tutoring
Vocal Jazz MFA8521Peer Tutor B- MFA MNA9926 use for ‘Peer Partner Arts’
Guitar Lab 1 MFA8418
Student Government B MSS9628- Use for Leadership B 
 Theater Beginning MFA8517
Peer Tutor A– MFA9925 for Peer Tutoring
Peer Tutor B- MFA MNA9926 use for ‘Peer Partner Arts’

Remember you are only choosing enough elective to fill 2 periods and PE might take up one semester of 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 MFA8505Physical Education Partner MPE4187
PREMIER ORCHESTRA MFA8515Team Sports MPE8423
INTERMED ORCHESTRA MFA8438TEACHER’S ASSISTANT MUE9499
CONCERT ORCHESTRA MFA8411  Theater Beginning MFA8517
INTRODUCTORY CHOIR MFA8507Peer Tutor A– MFA9925 for Peer Tutoring
INTERMEDIATE CHOIR MFA8429Peer Tutor B- MFA MNA9926 use for ‘Peer Partner Arts’
VOCAL JAZZ MFA8521
GUITAR LAB 1 MFA8418
TEACHER’S ASSISTANT MUE9499
STUDENT GOVERNMENT B MSS9628- Use for Leadership B
Theater Beginning MFA8517
Peer Tutor A– MFA9925 for Peer Tutoring
Peer Tutor B- MFA MNA9926 use for ‘Peer Partner Arts’

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. You are telling the computer that you either want this course (checked) or you do not (not checked). 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. The system will not let you submit without choosing a required PE course and alternates.

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

  1. You Must login from a desktop to complete registration and you MUST be logged in using the student’s credentials.
  2. Login to your Student Source Account. For Source login assistance contact the Librarian, Erin Sterling, emsterling@seattleschools.org. Parent logins do not work for course registration
  3. Click on “Class Registration” in the left column, to view the course categories.
  4. Stop! Read the remainder of the directions below before proceeding with choosing requests
  5. Click on the PENCIL ICON next to “Required PE Selection” and choose which PE course you will take or choose PE EXCUSED to signify your intention to waive PE next year. Click anywhere in the row to make a single selection. Scroll down to submit. The system will not let you submit without making a PE selection.
  6. The next two sections are inputting your electives. Remember the ways you can combine your electives with your PE? Pay attention to how many electives you choose in each section. You do not want to submit too many or too few choices. Use STEP 2 and STEP 3 above to figure out what to select in this section.
  7. If you wanted to take a yearlong class, click on the pencil next to “Yearlong Electives.” Choose the electives you want by selecting the row, then scrolling down to submit.
  8. If you wanted to take a semester long class, click on the pencil next to “Semester Long Electives.” Choose the long electives you want by selecting the row, then scrolling down to submit.
  9. Click on the pencil icon next to “Required Alternates.” Every student must also choose AT LEAST 2 alternate electives as a back-up in case your first choice electives are full. They must be different than your first-choice electives. Scroll down to submit. The system will not let you submit your choices without choosing alternates.
  10. Ignore section titled “Additional Requests.’ This section is controlled by the registrar’s office and you may see some required classes there or it may be empty.
  11. Scroll to the very bottom of the page and submit. The screen will change into a list of the courses you chose, plus any ‘Additional Request” items the registrar has added.  Be sure to submit and that you get the white screen with a list of classes. If you do not see this list, there is an error, and you must fix it before submitting.
  12. Note: No matter which courses you select, your credit hours will equal ZERO. This is not related to “High School Credits” and you can ignore them.
  13. You have submitted your requests! Woohoo!
  14. If you change your mind, you may come back to change your decisions and resubmit anytime in the open window! If you do, be sure to submit your changes and that you get the white screen with a list of classes at the very end. If you do not see this list, there is an error, and you must fix it before submitting.
  15. To edit your requests after you have submitted, click on “Class Registration” again (go back to #2 where you login) and follow the same instructions. Always Click Submit on the bottom right of the page to save your changes. You may edit your online registration during the designated registration time for your grade level.

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)

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

Complete Steps 2 and 3 from 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.

Complete Steps 2 and 3 from above. When you have a list of electives and alternate choices your student will take, mail to:

Eckstein Middle School c/o Registrar

3003 NE 75th St

Seattle, WA 98115

Complete Steps 2 and 3 from above. When you have a list of electives and alternate choices your student will take, leave a voicemail for the Registrar, Toni Morgan at 206-252-5025


Eckstein Middle School Elective Registration FAQs

Here are some answers to our most often-asked questions.

Q: Why can’t I register my student for electives in the Source?

A: You will only 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.

Q: When will my incoming student be able to choose their exploratory/elective classes?

A: Current 5th graders can register starting in mid-April. Current 6th and 7th graders will begin registration in early March.

Q: What will my middle school schedule look like?

A: 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.

Q: Can my student choose to waive PE?

A: 6th graders cannot waive the PE requirement unless it is for medical or religious purposes. 7th and 8th graders can choose to waive PE for medical and religious reasons as well as for athletic participation.

Q: How do we place 6th grade students in the right Math class?

A: Students are enrolled in Math class based on the next course in sequence from the course they are enrolled in for 5th grade.

Q: When is 6th Grade Orientation?

A: We will have our 6th Grade Orientation in late August. We will send you the date as soon as possible.

Q: Are there any opportunities for Math Acceleration?

A: 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.