Prep
| Department | Other |
|---|---|
| Length | Semester |
| Credit type | None |
A Prep period is a period where no class is being taken, for both students and teachers. It generally does not refer to zero period and period 8 when they are not being taken.
Obtaining a prep
There are 5 ways to obtain a prep:
Taking classes outside the 1-7 range
By registering for a course during zero period or period 8, a prep is automatically placed during periods 1-7 for the duration of that course. Additionally, each semester in Kick-start results in a single-semester prep during the following school year.
Athletics
Students who participate in athletics do not need to attend PE, provided that they fill out the proper forms. This is not a full prep, as they must return to PE the day after their final game.
Signing up for the "Prep" course
Students may also take fewer than 7 classes by explicitly requesting the course called "Prep." Each grade has its own minimum number of classes, which excludes preps.
| Grade | Minimum |
|---|---|
| 9 | 7 |
| 10 | 6 |
| 11 | 5 |
| 12 | 5 |
Not signing up for 7 year-long classes
Students can sign up for less than 7 year-long classes, especially as an upperclassmen. Some may choose to have a prep the entire school year by not filling up all your block periods with classes, and some may choose to have a semester long prep by taking a semester-long class during a period in one semester but then not taking another semester-long course in the other semester.
Dropping a class
Even when you have a packed schedule, you can still change it in the middle of the school year by dropping the class you're struggling the most in/have the least interest in.
Should I sign up for this course?
Take a prep if your schedule is already burdened with multiple AP and honors classes, or if you have sports or other extracurricular commitments (e.g. Robotics). It will be a lifesaver for you. If you are interested in being a teaching assistant, a prep also allows you to work with the teacher you're TA-ing for more flexibly.