Developing a Plan for High School
Topics: High School, Preparing Your Child for Back to School, College Academic Preparation, more...
Your child’s post–high school goals and objectives are the primary considerations when planning out a high school program. Since he may not know with certainty what he will do upon graduation from high school, you will want to help him determine his interests, skills, and possible future vocational goals. Although a child may be thinking that college is not on the radar screen, remember that plans often change during the high school years. Therefore, it is beneficial to plan the high school program with college in mind so that at some point in the future, should your child decide to pursue college, he will be prepared.
In this brochure are several possible four-year plans for you to consider as you assess your child’s future:
- General High School: for students planning to go directly into the workplace.
- General College Prep: for collegebound students, this plan provides a solid foundation upon which to build.
- Rigorous College Prep: for those students considering applying to a highly selective college.
General High School (not college bound)
|
Subjects |
Suggested Credits |
Possible Courses |
| English | 4 credits |
Composition, American Lit, British Lit, World Lit, Rhetoric, Creative Writing, Speech/Communication, Journalism (Courses should stress grammar, vocabulary and analyzing literature.) |
| Math | 3 credits |
Algebra 1&2, Geometry, General Math, Consumer Math, Business Math, Accounting |
| History | 2-3 credits |
World History, American History, American Gov’t |
| Science | 2-3 credits |
Physical Science, General Science, Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Foreign Language | 2-3 credits |
French, Spanish, Latin, German, Russian, etc. (2 years same language preferred.) |
| P.E. | 1-2 credits |
Physical education—many options available |
| Fine Arts | 1-2 credits |
Art, Music, Drama, Photography, etc. |
| Electives | 5 credits |
Practical Arts, Life Skills, Bible, Computer Skills, etc. |
| Total Credits | 20-22 credits | |
General College Prep
|
Subjects |
Suggested Credits |
Possible Courses |
| English | 4 credits |
Composition, American Lit, British Lit, World Lit, Rhetoric, Creative Writing, Speech, Journalism, Debate;also consider AP courses |
| Math | 4+ credits |
Algebra 1&2, Geometry, Trig, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, AP Calculus |
| History | 3-4 credits |
Essentials: World History, American History, American Gov’t. Consider: Economics, Geography, Constitutional Law, and AP courses |
| Science | 3-4 credits |
Physical Science, General Science, Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics courses |
| Foreign Language | 2-4 credits |
French, Spanish, Latin, German, Russian, etc. (2 years same language preferred.) |
| P.E. | 1-2 credits |
Physical education—many options available |
| Fine Arts | 1-2 credits |
Art, Music, Drama, Photography, etc. |
| Electives | 5 credits |
Practical Arts, Life Skills, Computer Skills, Bible, Church History, etc. |
| Total Credits | 24-28 credits | |
Rigorous College Prep (highly selective colleges/universities)
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Reprinted with the permission of the Home Safety Council. © 2008 Home Safety Council All Rights Reserved.
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