<p>D2 is enrolled in a "gifted" program in junior high. Consequently, many of her junior high courses are dual credit for high school as well. My question involves her World Language credits. She has taken Chinese for the last three years. Once she transfers to high school, Chinese is not offered. Should she start a different language? Should she take a fourth year through a community college or is she okay with the three years she will have on her transcript?</p>
<p>If she is aiming for the most selective schools, she should be taking a language during her high school years. Starting a new language, or continuing Chinese through a program outside the high school, would both work.</p>
<p>I think she should start a new language and plan on taking it for 4 years. Even though the credits for Chinese will be on her transcript, I think that schools will be looking for her to have taken a language for 4years in high school regardless of what she has done to date.</p>
<p>If she has a solid base in Chinese, and can arrange to continue it outside of the high school, that is an excellent idea. She will be able to reach a more advanced level of fluency than she is likely to get to in four years of another language during the regular school day. The college transcripts will become part of her academic record, and will be taken into consideration when she applies for college admission. If she has enough coursework in Chinese at the community college, she may be exempt from any foreign language requirement when she starts college.</p>
<p>Provided that the dual credit Chinese courses will count toward any HS graduation requirement, the only reason to start another language in HS would be if it is one that she has been dying to study, and the instructor(s) are good. She can use her time to take other classes instead.</p>
<p>I appreciate the feedback from Senior posters. Will share with daughter and determine a plan. Although she is quite capable, I don’t think she has any aspirations for a Tier One school; she’s too much of a homebody.</p>