News

Dear District 207 Families,

District 207 students have had a fantastic start to the school year! As we celebrate the successful completion of our first quarter, we are excited to partner with students and families to officially kick off our course selection process for the 2027–2028 school year. This is a pivotal moment for looking ahead to the future and connecting today’s learning to tomorrow’s possibilities. Over the next several months, your current 9th, 10th, or 11th grader will learn about, and explore, course options, meet with their counselor, and build a course selection plan in SchooLinks.

Our course selection process reflects our district vision to support every student to Learn, Grow, and Thrive. Your conversations at home are one of the most valuable parts of that support. The information below covers the key dates, how to view your student’s plan, and how you can help.

Key Dates at a Glance

Future Ready Week and Kickoff Meetings

Future Ready Week (November 10–13) is new this year. In every department, teachers will show students where their learning can lead: course sequences, electives, honors and college-credit options, experiences beyond the classroom, and connections to careers and college majors.

At the start of the week, families will receive the Future Ready Week Family Guide via email with four questions to talk through together at home:

1. What interests me?
2. What do I want to explore?
3. What course opportunities could help me grow?
4. Where could my learning take me?

Course Selection Kickoff Meetings take place during Advisory with each student’s school counselor (dates above). Students will receive access to their personalized Course Planner in SchooLinks and the tools they need to begin planning. In the weeks that follow, each student meets with their counselor to review and finalize their course requests.

Viewing Your Student’s Plan in SchooLinks

SchooLinks is our college, career, and course-planning platform. Parents and guardians have their own account and can see their student’s course plan as it takes shape. Find login instructions here.

Once you are logged in:

1. Select your student’s name at the top of your Guardian Dashboard.
2. Click View casefile.
3. Open the Casefile section dropdown and choose Course Plans (under Planning).

You can also browse the full District 207 Course Catalog. Select your student’s school from the dropdown in the top-left corner to see the right course list.

Course Requests and Alternates

Students enter their course requests in SchooLinks, along with alternate courses in case a request cannot be met. Not every course runs every year, and some requests may conflict with each other. When that happens, counselors use the student’s alternates or work with the student to adjust their plan so it still supports their goals.

Please choose alternates thoughtfully. Treat them as real choices your student would be glad to take, not placeholders.

Some programs require an application or selection process, including CNA, Internship, PE Leader, Newspaper/Yearbook, and C-Team. Selections for these courses are communicated by the end of January. 

Other Important Information

Tracking graduation progress. The Academic Plan Progress Report in Infinite Campus shows the course credits your student has earned, is earning this school year, and the course credits your student still needs to graduate. It is a helpful reference while choosing next year’s courses. District 207 Graduation Requirements can be found here. 

Students receiving specialized supports. Students receiving special education, multilingual, or intervention support may see some courses already filled in their SchooLinks Course Planner, based on current or projected placements. The student’s IEP or support team reviews these plans each year and updates them as needed. Placement in Learning Lab (literacy and academic strategies support) or Foundations of Problem Solving 2 (math support) is based on assessment scores (such as Star or ACT) and/or course grades, and is revisited after winter assessments.

Accelerated placement and open enrollment. Under Illinois law, students who meet or exceed state standards on qualifying assessments in English language arts, math, or science are eligible for the next most rigorous course in English and social studies, math, or science. District 207 maintains an open enrollment policy: any student who meets the prerequisites may take advanced coursework.

Summer school. If your student is considering summer school for Driver’s Education or Health, they are able to communicate their interest via their course selection process with their counselor. 

Questions and Support

Our goal, in line with the District 207 Strategic Plan, is to give every student personalized guidance as they choose courses that fit their interests, strengths, and future plans. We encourage you to talk through options together and consider the balance of the whole schedule, so your student feels challenged, supported, and prepared.

• Questions about a specific course or level: contact your school’s department chair.
• General course selection questions: contact your student’s school counselor.

Thank you for your partnership in this important process.

Learn. Grow. Thrive. Learn about your options. Grow through exploration. Thrive by pursuing possibilities.

Warm regards,

District 207 Student & Family Services Department