Here are the classes I am/will be taking throughout high school:
8th:
Algebra 1 (transferred to highschool transcript as i got an A in both semesters)
9th:
(1/2 Semester) Honors English 1- English
(1/2 Semester) Integrated Earth Physical Science- Science
(1/2 Semester) Honors Spanish 1- Electives/World Language
(1/2 Semester) Honors Geometry- Math
(1/2 Semester) Computer Application- Occupational Education
(1/2 Semester) Physical Education- PE
10th (next year schedule):
(1/2 Semester) Honors English 2- English
(1/2 Semester) Algebra 2- Math
(1/2 Semester) Horticultural Lab Science- Science
(1/2 Semester) World Studies- History
(1/2 Semester) Spanish 2- Electives/World Language
(1 Semester) Family Health- Health
(2 Semester) Body Wise- PE
11th:
(1/2 Semester) English 3- English
(1/2 Semester) Pre Calc- Math
(1/2 Semester) AP(Depending on history previous year)US History- History
(1/2 Semester) Spanish 3- Electives/World Language
(1 Semester) Photo 1- Art
(2 Semester) Photo 2- Art
(1 Semester) Floral Design 1- Elective
(2 Semester) Floral Design 2- Elective
12th:
(1/2 Semester) AP English Language and Composition- English
(1/2 Semester) AP Photo- elective
(1/2 Semester) Honors Biology- Science
(1 Semester) International Business- Social Studies
(2 Semester) Street Law- Social Studies
(1 Semester) Foods 1- Elective
(1 Semester) Intro to Business- Elective
(2 Semester) Interior Design- Elective
Credits:
English(4 Creds): Honors English 1, Honors English 2, English 3, AP English Language and Composition
Math(4 Creds): Algebra 1, Honors Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre Calc
Science(3 Creds, 1 lab): Integrated Earth Physical Science, Horticultural Lab Science, Honors Biology
History(3 Credits): World Studies, US History, International Business, Street Law
Art(1 Credit): Photo 1 and 2
Pe(1.5 Credits): Physical Education, Body Wise
Health(0.5 Credits): Family Health
Elective(7 Credits): Honors Spanish 1 and 2, Spanish 3, Floral Design 1 and 2, Intro to Business, Career English, Interior Design, Foods 1, AP Photo
Total: 24 Credits
Are there any changes I should make any different classes or schedule changes?
@JCVeil It depends on what your goals are and which colleges you have in mind. Go to the websites of any schools you have in mind and look for their documentation on HS preparation. If you don’t yet have any schools in mind start with your state flagship as a starting point to get an idea of what they expect in terms of requirements. Depending on where you plan to apply, you may want to have 4 years of math, science and history rather than 3. While your high school has opted to place your 8th grade math course on your HS transcript, that may not be accepted as 4 years of math by colleges. Some specifically state they will not accept a course that was taken before 9th grade. Putting that aside, your transcript will still reflect no math senior year. Some colleges say they would prefer to see calculus so you may want to fit it in for senior year. Even non-STEM majors are viewed as stronger with higher level math because the colleges are saying they want to see that the humanities students can handle rigorous coursework in all areas. It actually makes sense because STEM students are being pressured to have more humanities courses to demonstrate they can make presentations and write well.
Also, just so you are aware, colleges view foreign language as one of the five academic courses, not an elective, so if you get a full credit each year, you wouldn’t list it as an elective. Good for you that you are taking the time to plot out your courses! Very good decision on your part. Good luck!!
@paveyourpath For the Spanish my high school counts it as an elective and in Washington we have no foreign language requirements but instead a requirement of 7 credits of electives. I despise math extremely and don’t know if i could do a year of math each year Is there some sort of senior year math requirement i am not aware of?
@paveyourpath If I did take another math senior year i could take Statistics but I’d have to give up a credit that i have an extra one in which are really none besides science and then I’d only have two credits so it would be difficult to do that
English: you’re good
Math: notice how it says you should take a math course senior year? Yes, you could find a loophole based on the math track you’re in but it would be good to take at least AP Calc AB or AP Stats or something
Science: you’re ok, but I would recommend taking more “core science subjects” eg. chem or physics. (Although they do require more math)
History: I think you’re good?? double check the senior year history classes to make sure they meet the .5 Civics/ .5 CWA WA state grad requirement
Foreign Language: You’re good, if you want, you can decide to take a 4th year to make you more competitive though
Other electives: look good! If you get interested in a subject you might want to take a series of electives in them if your school offers stuff like that but make sure you still meet the graduation requirements if you change them.
I’m not an expert, but it also looks like you’re meeting all the WA HS graduation requirements so that’s good.
Also, why do you drop down a level in English junior year? That’s the time you really should be taking AP or Honors, especially if humanities is your strong suit.
@snowfairy137 Thank you! For english at my school they do not have any honors english 3 classes.Yeah we only have 6 periods and 4 years and the requirement is 23 or 24 credits so if i wanted to get another science credit like a core class I’d have to drop either a math or english credit which wouldn’t be smart. Sadly though they do not have a Spanish 4 either as my school mainly focuses on french and german as languages with 1-4, while spanish is only 1-3.
If you drop an elective first priority would be senior year math, 2nd would be another science (you could also just switch out horticultural science for a chem or physics class assuming thats a lab), a 4 year language credit is only useful if its in the same language so take ASL if you want but its not really gonna help.
@JCVeil I understand what you are both saying about Washington State HS grad requirements and, first and foremost, you want to meet those requirements to make sure you graduate. Next, you want to focus on what the colleges are looking for. Some colleges, not all, will say they want to see all 5 of the core academics in each year of HS. The colleges include foreign or world languages in the 5 academic so even though your state refers to them as electives, colleges view them as one of the main academic courses. Point being, make sure you continue to do your best and ideally don’t drop language unless you have maxed at on available courses at your school. Colleges won’t hold that against you. They will be less forgiving on the math if you don’t take a math in senior year. My son does not like math either so I understand your desire to run from it as fast as you can. As @snowfairy137 points out, doing so in HS may get you out of some math in college. What colleges will receive is a school profile. It tells the college what your school’s requirements are, how many from your school will attend college, average SAT/ ACT scores, etc. Check to see if your school profile is available on your school website so you can see how your transcript will look in comparison to your peers.
I don’t know any of the schools in Washington State but am familiar with Gonzaga because I like college basketball. Using Gonzaga as an example, go to the link below and you will see that they post what their admissions requirements are. Do this for any school you consider. These are really helpful planning tools.
Gonzaga is a private school so it does things slightly differently than the state schools, but yea. (Go Zags!! My dad and both grandparents on his side went there. I’m taking a math class there, but I probably won’t apply bc they are too into sports for my liking, I’m not a huge fan of their campus, and although my family is catholic and goes to the church on campus I dont really hold those beliefs) So, Gonzaga is a good school for some students but probably not the best for a general example lol.
Fair enough but the point is that you can find those requirements pages on the college websites so it was just an example of what to look for not about the school.
Maybe this will be more helpful. It’s from Washington State University. I haven’t read it; just skimmed through quickly. @JCVeil page 3 caught my eye as it mentioned an intent to have students take meaningful math senior year. You are being very proactice and putting a plan in place. Why don’t you try to meet with the college counselor at your school. Wait until February or March when they have more time to focus. College app season is there worst time of year.
@snowfairy137@paveyourpath I see what you guys are saying, but if i want to graduate I need 24 credits 4 in english, 3 in math, 7 electives, 1 art, 2 pe/health, 1 occupational, 3 in science, 3 in history and I only have 24 periods in my 4 years, which means i can only take that amount if i want to get my diploma. I live in WA state.
No, bc additional classes in core subject areas count as electives (for example a 4th science would count as an elective). Its kindof a catch all category so that your total number of credits add up to 24. Plenty of other WA state students manage 4 sciences and 4+ maths etc. with a 6 class day. The state isn’t restricting stuff like that.
Is there some sort of senior year math requirement i am not aware of?