Similarly, if you plan on majoring in something like journalism, concentrate most of your effort on taking advanced English classes and additional English electives. Also, if you are looking at attending a highly competitive college , know that most expect applicants to have taken honors or advanced classes if their school offers them, and most also require or highly recommend completing four years in each core subject math, science, English, and social studies.
One of the single most important parts of your college application is what classes you choose take in high school in conjunction with how well you do in those classes. Our team of PrepScholar admissions experts have compiled their knowledge into this single guide to planning out your high school course schedule. Below is information on the typical classes a high school student will be expected to take, organized by subject. Each subject includes classes that are required to graduate high school, classes colleges expect students to have taken, and suggestions for ways to impress by going beyond these expectations.
These are classes that are not part of the core curriculum, but may still be a part of graduation requirements. Now that you know what the typical high school curriculum looks like, you can use this information to make more informed decisions about your own high school classes. Some actions to take include:. Wondering if you're taking enough challenging classes? Check out our guide to learn what a rigorous high school course load looks like. Do you know what colleges look for on your transcript?
Learn what a high school transcript is and why it's so important to colleges. Want to get more detailed information about the classes you should take? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:. Academically, 11th grade is the most rigorous yet for students aiming for selective colleges.
Many load up with Advanced Placement and honors courses. Others will be tempted to improve their chances of a perfect GPA by taking easier courses. This is a mistake, counselors warn. Students should stay on the path they started, taking the right courses for their post-high school plans and getting the best grades they can.
In addition to core courses in math, English, science, and social studies, students may also be taking a foreign language or electives while juggling drama, band, sports, or other activities. Throw in a social life and a part-time job, and junior year can be overwhelming. A trend of mediocre grades in 9th and 10th grades can be reversed in time for college applications with a support system at home and at school.
Students at this age may groan at the sight of their parents at school, but kids with active parents tend to have an easier time managing the stress of 11th grade.
While some kids need motivation to turn around subpar grades, others who have always worked hard and gotten good grades may need encouragement on the home stretch. Burnout is not uncommon at this age, especially among students who have always strived to participate in everything.
Parents can help their children manage their time and develop effective study skills. Some high schools offer online tools to keep parents in the loop, and many teachers now communicate through email. Junior-year coursework varies depending on the path to graduation your child chose, but all juniors will be expected to take a challenging math course, regardless of career or college plans.
In high school, students dig into several different types of math. Algebra and geometry are required at most high schools, and students may choose to take advanced math classes if they are offered. Most states require three or four years of math coursework in high school. The main math classes in high school include:. Basic life sciences e. These classes often include lab components that allow students to perform hands-on experiments.
Most states require two to three years of science coursework in high school. These may include:. Understanding how the world works is important for young adults. In high school, students will study history and government and learn about how social studies affects their lives. Most states require three to four years of social studies coursework in high school, including:. Learning a second language is important in today's global world.
While many high schools offer foreign language courses, only 11 states require students to take a foreign language course. High school students can fill these requirements by learning the basics of at least one foreign language, and they may be able to choose to take advanced classes to learn more.
Common languages offered in high school include:. Physical education and health classes can teach high schoolers how to care for their body's fitness and nutritional needs. Many states require at least one unit of P. Other states have P. Students planning to go to college should consider how colleges will look at their courses during the application process. Grade point average GPA is important, but coursework should also demonstrate academic rigor.
When planning, it can be helpful to balance standard high school courses with some that are more challenging. Additionally, students can do this—and even get a head start on college—by taking advanced placement AP or college classes. AP classes are more rigorous courses that teach subjects at an introductory college level.
Students who take AP classes have the option to take an AP test in the spring. If they get a certain score, they can get credit for the course at many colleges. Many high schools offer opportunities to gain college credit, and the counseling department can inform students about any such offerings as well. These may be online or in-person classes through programs offered by colleges and universities, and they may be taught by a professor or a high school teacher.
Dual-credit programs allow students to fulfill their high school requirements while obtaining some college credits free of charge. In addition to the basic classes, there are usually plenty of opportunities to take electives in various areas of study. These can not only broaden a student's academic knowledge but also teach them valuable life skills.
In some cases, a student may be given the freedom to choose one class from a select group of options required in the school's curriculum. In others, a student may have room in their schedule to choose to study something simply based on their interests and aspirations. Examples of elective classes may include:.
0コメント