Fulfill High School Requirements: High schools typically have a set of mandatory credits required for graduation. Most colleges, both online and traditional, necessitate a high school diploma for enrollment in bachelor's degree programs.

 

Maintain a Balanced Curriculum: Aim for a well-rounded education by taking courses in English, science, math, social sciences, and a foreign language throughout your high school years.

 

Choose College-Preparatory Courses Wisely: While not every student needs to enroll in every available Advanced Placement (AP) course, the selection of courses should align with the colleges you wish to attend. Taking challenging honors, accelerated, AP, International Baccalaureate (IB), or Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) courses can enhance your desirability as an applicant. Remember that your course options may be limited by your high school, and colleges understand this limitation.

 

Demonstrate a Positive Academic Progression: Colleges appreciate a consistently rigorous academic record with a strong, or even improving, level of success throughout high school. Strive for higher-level courses and, if faced with the choice between an easier course with an 'A' and a more challenging one with a 'B,' opt for the latter. Seeking challenges and succeeding in them is paramount.

 

Research Admission Requirements: Familiarize yourself with the specific admission criteria for your top-choice colleges, especially selective institutions that may have unique prerequisites, such as foreign language requirements. Ensure that you meet all minimum requirements for each school.

 

Pursue Intellectual Interests: Be honest about your motivations, selecting courses because they genuinely interest you and not merely to avoid challenging academic subjects and not merely to add qualities to your AP course.

 

Explore Online and Dual Enrollment Opportunities: If your school doesn't offer a specific course you're passionate about, consider online or dual enrollment options. The internet and dual enrollment programs offer access to a wide range of courses. Verify with your school that these credits will be accepted.

 

Seek Guidance from Teachers and Counselors: Consult with your teachers, high school counselor, or experienced college advisor to determine the most suitable courses for your academic goals. You may need to make challenging decisions regarding your course selection and balance with extracurricular activities.

 

Guard Against Senioritis: Maintain your academic commitment during your senior year. Many colleges scrutinize your senior year's course load and performance before extending offers of admission. Some may even reconsider your acceptance if your senior year performance is subpar.

 

High school course selection by Category:

 

Here is a general list of the most important classes you’ll want to cover in high school:

 

Math: Most school offer Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus BC/Calculus AB, Multivariable Calculus. get yourself well prepare for math placement test. go to community college take one level higher math class in the summer before HS starts if you have a choice. Please note that if you are interested in taking Physics subject which requires a solid algebra knowledge and AP physics C requires calculus knowledge (you can take calculus and AP c at the same time, but it would be very challenge.)

• MathPathway: https://www.carlmonths.org/Academics/Academic-Departments/Mathematics/index.html

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtm8A7tCb5k

 

Science: Physicals Science or Life Science.

 

classes usually offered are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, engineering and green tech , human biology, environmental science. for more detail, please see https://www.carlmonths.org/Academics/Academic-Departments/Science/index.html

 

 

English: Summer reading is required for all students in the Sequoia Union High School District. In our AS-level classes, an assessment will be given in the first few days of school.

• You can choose regular or AS English in 9th grade

• in 10th and 11th grade, there is regular or AS English pathway and Media Arts 10th grade pathway (https://www.carlmonths.org/Academics/Academic-Departments/English/index.html )

• AP Literature and AP English Language will be offered in 12th grade.

 

Social Science: AP Government, AP U.S. History, AP World or European History https://www.carlmonths.org/Academics/Academic-Departments/Social-Studies/index.html

 

 

World Language: take a foreign language other than your home/native language. It is also okay to take a language you are already fluent in, indeed, it is a common strategy for students to get an “easy” AP credit in. Most college want you take at least three years foreign language. https://www.carlmonths.org/Academics/Academic-Departments/World-Languages/index.html

 

Computer science: https://www.carlmonths.org/Academics/Academic-Departments/Business--Computer-Science/Computer-Science/index.html

 

 

Electives: Art, Music or Theater

 

 

* Sophomore: Some school would offer 1 AP course to 10th graders. I would encourage you to try it out and get yourself prepare for more AP courses in your Junior year. Don't skip Honor Physics(or Physics 1) if you are a stem student. Many school asks you take Honor Physics(or Physics 1) before allowing you taking AP physics C .

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