Plan for High School Courses
Your student may have already met with the school counselor to set up next year’s class schedule, or they may be meeting soon. Either way, this is a good time to review the courses your student plans to take next year and set the foundation for a four-year plan.
Why It Matters
- Get on the right track.
Your student may want to achieve a certain level in math, science or other coursework by high school graduation. This usually requires placement in a particular class during the fall of freshman year as well as continual progression through a predetermined track of courses. - Meet requirements.
By graduation, your student will need to meet requirements for state-specified curriculum, high school graduation and, possibly, entrance into the college or program of choice. These may not all be the same. It’s important to understand what classes must be taken (and passed) and which are not essential. - Create balance.
Depending on interest and commitments, your student may want to allow time for specific electives, classes off-site at another building or community college, and other considerations. By planning out four years of high school classes, your student can balance rigorous coursework with less-intensive classes and avoid overloading.
What Your Student Can Do Now
- Check high school graduation and program entrance requirements.
A school counselor is the best resource for this information, but the high school handbook or website should list graduation requirements. College or program websites list entrance requirements. If your Iowa student is unsure of future plans, a good starting guide is the Regent Admission Index required courses. Other states’ graduation requirements are listed on state education department’s websites. - Make a tentative four-year plan.
Your student can use the high school course listing to make a balanced and complete plan for high school classes, including electives like automotive shop and activities like marching band. In Iowa, ICAN offers a template if the high school does not have an online or printed process for all students. - Meet with the counselor.
If your student hasn’t already talked through a complete four-year plan with the school counselor, now is the time. Also be sure to take note of high school orientation dates.
What Your Student Can Do Later
- Make adjustments.
Course offerings and availability will change throughout high school, as will your student’s interests and plans. Periodically, your student should adjust the plan to suit these changes. - Make room for exploration.
Some students are tempted to take as many high-level, rigorous courses as possible. Your student may wish to take classes that allow a taste of possible future careers, such as a robotics or design class. - Consider courses for college credit.
Dual enrollment in community college classes, Advanced Placement classes and other options may be available to your student in high school. These can range from technical and trade classes to college-level coursework and may be conducted at the high school or elsewhere. Some may be free while the student is in high school, allowing more money to spend on other education or training after or the freedom to graduate early for less cost.
What You Can Do
- Help your student consider the class options.
Sit down together with the class listing and discuss the benefits and disadvantages of various plans. Emphasize the importance of staying on track academically to be in the best possible position after high school graduation. - Explore options.
Does your student wish more, or more advanced, classes were available in a certain area? Many high schools don’t have the resources to offer everything but may be willing to work with you and your student. Your student can self-study for Advanced Placement courses and take the test to earn potential college credit. Local community colleges may offer online or in-person classes your student can explore.
Registration is still open through March 29 for a scholarship for Iowa high school students, not just seniors. The scholarship awards $1,000 College Savings Iowa deposits, which can be used when your student is ready to pay educational expenses. Register at www.IowaStudentLoan.org/ScholarshipSignUp.
Next Steps
Be sure to complete the survey questions at the end of this article to be entered into the 529 deposit giveaway!
Additional references, handouts and talking points are available in the right sidebar to use at your leisure. They may prove beneficial to reference now or after receiving future emails — we’ll leave it completely up to you. Use our emails like a recipe for a successful outcome — assemble the recommended ingredients and then follow accompanying directions to add flavor and depth.