A Message From Principal Hennig - AP Implementation For The 2026-2027 School Year

Dear Skyline students, families and staff, 

Thank you to the many students, alumni, staff and families who have reached out to share questions and feedback about humanities course options and block scheduling. We recognize the care and commitment behind your messages and rely on your input to help shape programs and offerings that support meaningful and successful learning for every student. 

Based on community feedback and interest in retaining a block option, Skyline will retain on-level and honors blocked humanities course options in the upcoming course catalog. As planned, new Advanced Placement (AP) courses will also be offered, and these include AP Human Geography, AP World History, AP US History, AP Language and Composition, AP Literature and Composition, and AP Calculus BC. Listing these options in the course guide allows us to understand demand and ensure student voice helps guide which courses are scheduled to run next year. 

Our goal is to provide clear choices and strong support so students and families can make informed decisions during the course request process. As always, final course offerings will be determined by student interest, staffing and scheduling considerations. This means some courses listed in the catalog may not run, which is consistent with past practice. 

The addition of AP courses is meant to expand student choice and access to college credit-bearing coursework starting in 9th grade. To meet College Board expectations and keep opportunities equitable and consistent with other district high schools, AP courses are offered in a standard schedule and not in a block format. 

As has been previously stated, students benefit from having multiple rigorous pathways and we will continue offering a strong International Baccalaureate (IB) program that includes IB Diploma Programme (IBDP), IB Career-Related Programme (IBCP) and individual IB course selections across subject areas. 

Below is a chart of the most common Social Studies and ELA pathways (Standard Level & Advanced Options). Blocked course options (not including AP courses) are outlined in the course catalog. 

Social Studies: 

	Standard Level Options	Advanced Level Options
9th Gr.	World History *	Honors World History*  AP Human Geography
10th Gr.	Global Studies  Contemporary World History (CWH)	Honors Global Studies/CWH  AP Human Geography  AP World History
11th Gr.	US History	IB History of the Americas HL 1  AP US History
12th Gr.	Civics	IB History HL 2  IB History SL**

*Students who take World History in 9^th grade must take Global Studies, Honors Global  Studies or AP Human Geography in 10^th grade to meet Contemporary World Issues  graduation requirement. 

**Only counts as Civics credit if student took IB HL History in 11^th grade. 

ELA: 

	Standard Level	Advanced Level Options
9th Gr.	Literary Analysis & Composition 1	Honors Literary Analysis & Composition 1
10th Gr.	Literary Analysis & Composition 2	Honors Literary Analysis & Composition 2
11th Gr.	IB English: Language and Literature SL	IB English: Language and Literature HL 1  AP Language and Composition
12th Gr.	1.0 ELA Credit	IB English: Language and Literature HL 2  AP Literature and Composition

Key dates, next steps and resources to support students’ course request selections: 

• Feb. 9: Course catalog released to students and families 
• Feb. 9: February Coffee with Keith 6:00pm – 7:00pm (join virtually here) 
• Feb. 12: Course Request FAQ Video with Keith in the School Bulletin  
• Feb. 24: Course Request Process (CRP) presentation to SHS students during Flex Time 
• Feb. 24: SHS School Counselors present to 8-grade student at BLMS and PLMS 
• Feb. 24: Course Request Process (CRP) opens for students 
• Feb. 25: SHS Elective fair for current SHS students during Flex Time 
• Feb. 25: Incoming 9^th grade Welcome Night and course request support 
• Feb. 25 – March 11: SHS School Counselors available during lunch for Q&A 
• Feb. 26 – March 9: SHS School Counselors available at BLMS and PLMS for Q&A (two days at each school – TBD) 

We will continue to provide updates and share ways students and families can access resources and meet with counselors for guidance and support throughout the course selection process. If you need assistance, please attend one of our upcoming information sessions or have your child schedule a meeting with their counselor. Our goal is to answer questions early and provide consistent and accurate information. 

We are excited about what this means for our students and are here to support them, and you, every step of the way. Thank you for your engagement, advocacy, and partnership as we work together to ensure the best possible outcomes for every Skyline student. 

Sincerely, 

Keith Hennig, Principal 
Skyline High School