Eighth Grade Students - Glenbrook High School District 225

Events

Incoming 9th Grade Parent Webinar: Course Placement

On September 28, 2026, at 6 p.m., the virtual webinar explains our three-step placement process and how the district works to ensure each student has a strong starting point with room to grow. Families learn how we use multiple sources of information, combine current data with teacher expertise, and place students in courses where they are appropriately challenged.

Registration

Current 8th grade students begin the high school registration process in September of their 8th grade year. Registration steps leading up to the first day of freshman year are outlined below.

Step 1

Step 1

Complete the New Student Pre-Registration Application

October of 8th grade year

On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, the school district opened the pre-registration application for the Class of 2030. Through this application, families share contact information, complete required forms, establish residency, and provide additional information about their student’s academic program. The pre-registration application is completed entirely online, using a computer or smartphone, enabling parents/guardians to upload pictures of required documents (e.g., birth certificate, proof of residency). The pre-registration application will take 10-15 minutes to complete.

Families with questions about the pre-registration application may contact Mrs. Katie McKeown, Enrollment Manager, at (847) 486-4819 or enrollment@glenbrook225.org.

2026-27 New Student Guide for Families (PDF)

Step 2

Step 2

Participate in the PreACT 8 Assessment

October of 8th grade year

Glenbrook High School District 225 utilizes a nationally normed, standardized assessment to help inform student course placement recommendations. In alignment with a recent transition by the Illinois State Board of Education to the ACT, the school district will use the PreACT 8 assessment for all students in the class of 2030.

Students attending eighth grade in Districts 27, 28, 30, 31, and 34 will take the PreACT 8 at their middle school in October 2025.
Students attending a private school in Northfield Township will take the PreACT 8 at their current school in October 2025 or early November 2025.
Students currently attending a private or public school outside of Northfield Township will:
- Submit copies of a nationally normed, standardized assessment (e.g., PSAT 8, PreACT 8 spring 2025 IAR if available) from their current school; or
- Take the PreACT 8 on Monday, October 20, 2025.
  - To register please submit this Google Form by Friday, October 17, 2025.

The PreACT 8 assessment consists of four multiple-choice tests: English, math, reading, and science. Most students will complete the assessment using an online platform over two hours. The assessment results will be utilized by middle school staff and Glenbrook High School District 225 Instructional Supervisors in developing student course placement recommendations. This assessment satisfies the requirements of the Accelerated Placement Act (APA), legislation being implemented by all Illinois high schools. APA allows students who meet the state of Illinois benchmarks on the PreACT 8 to be automatically placed into accelerated honors courses. Individual results will be sent to students/parents by their junior high/middle school on December 18, 2025.

Families who have questions about the use of the PreACT 8 assessment may contact Mr. Ryan Bretag, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, at (847) 486-5736 or rbretag@glenbrook225.org.

Families with questions about the October 20, 2025 test day directions and timing may contact Mrs. Katie McKeown, Enrollment Manager, at 847-486-4819 or kmckeown@glenbrook225.org.

Step 3

Step 3

Course Recommendations Shared with Parents/Guardians

DECEMBER of 8th grade year

On Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 4 p.m., the school district will email course recommendations to all parents/guardians of the class of 2030. These course recommendations take into consideration the following information:

Results from the nationally normed, standardized assessment;
Prior academic performance; and
Eligibility as determined by PreACT 8 for Accelerated Honors and Enriched Honors.

Parents/guardians and students will review course recommendations as a family and prepare to discuss their course requests with their Glenbrook High School District 225 counselor.

Step 4

Step 4

Attend Incoming Freshman Curriculum Night

January of 8th grade year

On Thursday, January 8, 2026, an evening event will be held for students and parents/guardians at Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South. Families will receive a printed course guide, and the program will focus on the curriculum, general information about the course placement process, and elective offerings. Additionally, during the event, parents will have an opportunity to learn more about student involvement opportunities in athletics and activities. School-specific information will be shared in forthcoming
correspondence with families.

Step 5

Step 5

Finalize Course Requests for Freshman Year

January of 8th grade year

During the month of January 2026, students will meet with their counselors to finalize their course requests for their freshman year.

Students attending eighth grade in Districts 27, 28, 30, 31, and 34 will meet with their Glenbrook High School District 225 counselor during the school day, at their middle school, or Glenbrook North or South, depending on logistical considerations.
Students attending a private school in Northfield Township will meet with their Glenbrook High School District 225 counselor during the school day, at their middle school, at Glenbrook North or Glenbrook South, or on Zoom, depending on logistical considerations.
Students attending a private or public school outside of Northfield Township will meet with their Glenbrook High School District 225 counselor during the school day at Glenbrook North or Glenbrook South or on Zoom.
All students receiving special education services will also participate in an individual articulation meeting to review course requests.

While parents/guardians do not attend meetings, counselors will document course requests in SchooLinks, which is accessible to parents/guardians. An email will be sent before the beginning of February asking families to complete a final review of course requests and to submit any changes to their Glenbrook High School District 225 counselor by the deadline. It should be noted that if a student requests a course different from the previous recommendation, the student will need to take the content assessment for that discipline.

Parents/guardians will schedule a content assessment by completing the Google Form shared with all families when course recommendations are emailed.
Following the completion of the assessment, the Instructional Supervisor will contact the parent via email with the assessment results and the updated course recommendation.
If the student and parent/guardian still desire a course different from the course recommendation, their request will be honored.

Families who have questions about the course request process may contact Dr. Lara Cummings, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support, at (847) 486-4706 or lcummings@glenbrook225.org.

Step 6

Step 6

Student Support Planning Meetings

Spring of 8th grade year

Students who currently receive additional support through multilingual learner, section 504, or special education service programs in their junior high/middle school may have additional planning meetings scheduled.

Multilingual Learner (ML)
- Students already identified as ML will follow the course request process, however, the ML services will continue.
- Families that indicate on the Home Language Survey in the Pre-Registration Process that their student speaks another language or another language is spoken in the home, will need to be screened for ML services in the winter and spring.
Special Education (IEP)
- Students receiving special education services will participate in an individual articulation meeting to review needs and course requests.
- These meetings will take place during the fall and winter at the high school, with middle school representation.
Section 504 Plan
- Students with a Section 504 plan will have an individual articulation meeting to review current accommodations.
- These meetings will take place in April and May, with middle school representation.

Families who have questions about student support planning meetings may contact Dr. Lara Cummings, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support, at (847) 486-4706 or lcummings@glenbrook225.org, or Dr. Skip Kumm, Director of Special Education, at (847) 486-4708 or skumm@glenbrook225.org.

Step 7

Step 7

Complete Registration and Pay Student Fees

April of 8th grade year

On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the school district will open the online registration process in PowerSchool. This is the final step that parents/guardians will complete confirming their student’s intent to attend high school in Glenbrooks in August 2026.

The online registration process is divided into seven steps, allowing parents/guardians to verify their residency status, confirm contact information and emergency contacts, submit physical and immunization records, review school policies and procedures, and share athletic participation interests. We estimate that the process will take 5 minutes to complete for each student. Following this process, parents/guardians can review and pay for required student fees and sign up for school bus services. After July 1st, families will be provided the opportunity to join parent organizations, and purchase optional items such as the yearbook and activity pass.

Families who prefer to complete the registration process in person may visit the Enrollment Office at the District Administration Building during school hours. Additionally, evening events will be held throughout the summer to assist families with completing the registration process.

Families who have questions about the registration process may contact Mrs. Katie McKeown, Enrollment Manager, at (847) 486-4819 or enrollment@glenbrook225.org.

Families who have questions about student fees may contact Ms. Alexandra Gan, District Bursar Manager, at (847) 486-4737 or agan@glenbrook225.org.

Step 8

Step 8

Submit Physical and Immunization Records

All parents and guardians are required to submit health forms to their child’s school by July 1, 2026.

Physicals are considered compliant if dated within 12 months from the first day of school, Thursday, August 13, 2026.
Students who are not compliant will be excluded from school starting Thursday, October 15, 2026.

Families who have questions about the health requirements may contact Mrs. Julie Shellard, Assistant Director of Nursing, at (847) 486-4669 or jshellard2@glenbrook225.org.

Step 9

Step 9

Pick Up Instructional Materials and Chromebooks

July Prior to freshman year

Families will receive an email with information about signing up to pick up instructional materials and Chromebooks starting mid-July 2026. Pick-up appointments will be available Monday - Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Families who have questions about picking up instructional materials and Chromebooks may contact the Glenbrook North Bookstore at (847) 509-2409 or gbnbookstore@glenbrook225.org, or the Glenbrook South Bookstore at (847) 486-4407 or gbsbookstore@glenbrook225.org

Step 10

Step 10

Step 11