High School Initial Placement Guidelines

High School Placement Guidelines 2025-2026 
Placement Guidelines for 2025-2026 Course Recommendations for Core Content Areas in Grades 6-12 
In January, teachers of pre-requisite courses are responsible for making appropriate course recommendations for the next school year based on current and past performance.  In making recommendations, teachers are encouraged to consider student interests, overall course load, and the district placement guidelines.  Schools are encouraged to review and share data with students and parents regarding data points and student behaviors that indicate overall student success in advanced courses.  In considering student interests and overall course load, teachers may or may not recommend a student for an advanced, honors, or Advanced Placement course; however, a student who meets the criteria outlined in the district placement guidelines should not be prevented from taking the course.   
In determining placement for students who fall short of the criteria, overall aptitude demonstrated by the preponderance of evidence from past performance and teacher feedback should be considered, always bearing in mind what is in the best interests of the student.  Parents may sign a waiver for placement in an advanced, honors, or Advanced Placement course if a student does not meet the district placement guidelines.  Parents should not be asked to sign a waiver if a student meets the district placement guidelines but is not recommended by the teacher. 
Please note that the placement guidelines do not include guidance for acceleration in English Language Arts and Mathematics.  Acceleration requires skipping curriculum, and the decision should be guided by the Continuous Achievement 36 Week Review Process in May. 
Waivers are not available for middle school TAG classes as additional state funding is collected for TAG students enrolled in these 
courses.  Alternative placement criteria are applied by the TAG teacher to determine if an additional TAG class is appropriate for a TAG student. 
For assistance in using the guidelines, please contact the appropriate Learning and Teaching content specialist: 

•    6-12 English Language Arts:  Kelley Webb (webbk@fultonschools.org)
•    Mathematics:  Susan Baker (bakers1@fultonschools.org)
•    Science:  Steven Moody (moodys@fultonschools.org)
•    Social Studies:  Crystal Flowers (flowersc1@fultonschools.org)
•    World Language:  Jamie Patterson (pattersons@fultonschools.org )
•    Talented and Gifted: Jessica Sevin (sevin@fultonschools.org)

Updated November 15, 2024