Let’s begin with what a high school in the U.S.A is. A high school offers the last stage of secondary education to students from 14 to 18. High school is between middle school and college. In America and Canada, high school in grade nine to grade twelve. Here is the topic- The Course of Study in High School.
In an average American, a student, 14 years of age goes through these four years:
1. Freshman who is in the 9th grade. In the English system, it is year 10.
2. Sophomore year is the 10th grade which is equivalent to year 11.
3. Junior year is the 11th grade equivalent to year 12.
4. Senior year is the 12th grade equivalent to year 13.
What number of courses should I offer in high school?
Aside from elective courses, you are to offer at least four compulsory courses and a foreign language.
Courses of study in high schools:
The courses of study in high school can be divided into compulsory and elective subjects. The mandatory subjects are required of every student while the elective subjects are a matter of choice.
Note that in choosing the list of subjects, parents and students should pick according to their importance. For example, anyone who wants to study biochemistry in college has no choice but to include science in their list of subjects. It is also essential to research the college you want to go to before selecting the subjects you want to study in high school, so they do not affect you later.
Science- Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Mathematics- Statistics, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, and Calculus.
English- Oral or speech work, Literature, and Composition.
Social Sciences- History, Geography, and Economics.
- English and Arts:
This is a compulsory subject that all students have to study regardless of their plans. It trains them on writing and speaking to enhance effective communication. So you would find every student, even those I’m the study of the science this particular subject or course. What better way to learn communication from its foundation than through English and art subjects? The record has it that this particular course trains and helps the mind of a child or young adult to express their personality. English and the arts include:
1. Literature:
This aspect covers reading, studying, and analyzing books, poems, and other works of art. Literature can be fiction or nonfiction. Literature helps the creative part of the student. For example, you would see them think of poems to compose, stories, and how the writer thought while writing, analyzing books, and imagining themselves as the author. Literature makes their brains work in a very creative manner.
2. Oral or speech work:
This aspect tests the pronunciation of words and how they speak. Under this aspect, other subtopics like the English sounds, stress (word or emphatic stress), and pronunciation of words are covered. Tests of orals are mostly practical but sometimes written. During this course, you would hear the teacher pronounce words and expect the students to follow suit. No wonder the students speak so well: most times, more than their parents.
3. Composition or writing:
This aspect focuses on the creativity of the students. They are asked to write many types of essays, letters, and articles to ensure mastery of the primary type of writing. Most essays are either argumentative, e.g., essays, narrative, e.g., storytelling, descriptive, e.g., reporting, or expository, e.g., articles. Sometimes they can be asked to write plays and poems. This particular course focuses on their ability to create and compose.
- Mathematics:
This is another compulsory subject to be offered by high school students, and they must do three to four years of study of the subject. For most colleges, it is a requirement. How do you explain the ability of a student to calculate and understand figures without this course? It is broken into different aspects. They include:
1. Algebra:
Algebra is a branch of mathematics that deals with letters and numbers. Usually, the letters represent certain values. They form algebraic terms, expressions, and equations.
2. Geometry:
This aspect of mathematics deals with the study of shapes. The shapes can be plane, solid, or composite. In geometry, we deal with the sides, area, and volume or capacity of shapes.
3. Statistics:
This branch of mathematics studies data and groups and analyses it. Statistics is a significant branch if used to solve real-life problems in the world.
4. Trigonometry:
This branch of mathematics is concerned with angles and how they are used in calculations to solve problems. For example, there are six common trigonometric ratios or functions. They are sine (sin), cosine (cos), and tangent(tan)- the most popular ones, and cotangent (cot), secant (sec), and cosecant (cosec).
5. Calculus:
This branch of mathematics is feared and disliked by a lot of students. It is very complex, and it deals with derivatives and integrals for solving other calculations.
- Science:
Another compulsory subject. Some states in America require the study of two or three years of science. In high school, science is both theoretical and practical. That means you will have to put down notes and do some written assignments, but practical experiments will also be. Science is divided into:
- Basic life science: This is just another fancy name for biology, zoology, and any other science subject relating to life study. In high school, basic life science is only limited to biology, and we all know what biology is. Biology is the study of the life around us. This has advanced options available to interested students and broadens their mindset on the ideology of life and death.
- Physical science: While basic life deals with life around us like plants and animals and how they live, physical science deals with inanimate objects like chemistry, physics, astronomy, and others. However, in high school, physical science is restricted to chemistry and physics. Let’s learn a bit about them:
1.Chemistry:
Chemistry is the branch of science that studies matter and what they are made of. Branches under chemistry are:
-Organic chemistry
Simply this branch of chemistry deals with carbon and carbon compounds like salts.
-Inorganic chemistry
This branch studies inorganic components and their behaviors. Any compound that is not compound based falls under inorganic chemistry
-Physical chemistry
It is, as it sounds, the application of physicals in chemical systems and processes.
-Analytical chemistry
This branch studies how to identify and break down matter using some instruments
-Biochemistry
This branch studies the chemical systems that occur within a living organism. An example is digestion in humans.
2. Physics:
On the other hand, physics is the branch of science that deals with all that concerns matter and energy. Thus, topics like motion, pressure, velocity, and others are studied in physics.
- Social science:
Social science studies humans and their society, how they relate, and everything about them. In high school, social sciences are limited to history, geography, and economics.
- History: Deals with the study of the people’s past like the past presidents, important historical events in America, and around the world. Here, parts of government and how the government works are included.
- Economics: This subject is all about the production and consumption of goods and wealth. It is an introduction to the business world and how the economy and market in America works.
- Geography: This is the study of the earth and all about it, including wind, climate, and other components.
Elective subjects:
Elective subjects are subjects that are not compulsory. Instead, they are chosen and offered to students of their free will. Usually, there is a list of subjects available to all students for them to choose from.
Elective courses are out only for them to make their choices. Still, they help students build their passion in other interests they might have outside academic work. They also give students a chance to learn useful things they are interested in outside their academic work.
Students offer elective courses for two reasons:
1. The passion or flair they have for it.
2. To complete the required number of subjects needed to enter college.
With much said, here is a list of elective courses you can offer:
1. Physical education.
2. Art.
3. Music.
4. Computer science.
5. Religion.
6. Accounting.
7. Web design.
8. Culinary arts.
9. Consumer education.
10. Word processing.
11. Interior decoration.
12. Home economics.
13. Typing.
14. Home design.
15. Graphics design.
16. Psychology.
17. Personal finance.
18. Auto mechanics.
What of foreign languages?
Some high schools have foreign languages as a course. It is perfect if you are interested in linguistics or want to learn another language. It is also a good idea if you have nothing else to offer. Here is a list of them:
1. French.
2. German.
3. Spanish.
4. Italian.
5. Japanese.
6. Chinese.
7. Latin.
8. Arabic.
9. Korean.
10. Hebrew.
And many more…
Things to consider before selecting your elective courses:
1. The workload:
It is advised to survey and ascertain the workload you are carrying before adding the weight of another course to it. You may like that course, but there is only so much that one student can carry. You do not want the effect of extra work affecting your entire performance. It is best to wait for your sophomore year before selecting any extra courses if you are a freshman.
2. Your interests:
Elective courses are meant to be fun. It is like a consolation for the other courses you offer. You do not have a choice about so when choosing your elective courses, do not base your option on your friend(s) choices or your parent’s opinion. Do it because you like it. If you like music, but do not want to offer it, do not go for it. Save yourself the stress. Offering a course, you do not like will destroy the passion you have for it.
3. See a course advisor:
You need help, and that is why it is advisable to do this with a grown-up. Try to select your compulsory and elective courses with an adult, preferably a parent or guardian. It is also okay to meet your course advisor to assist you. If you do not have one in your school, you can meet any teacher you feel comfortable with.
4. Do you need it?
Think of it thoroughly. You are in high school; this can determine a part of your future. If you are looking at going into art, then selecting art as an elective is on point. It can give a lot of information and training that you will need about art even before you go to art school.
On the other hand, if you have all your courses complete and comfortable, there is no need to add an extra course. Think of what part it will play in your result, what the college you will attend will think of it, their requirements and what you have at present. If everything is in the right place, there is no need to change anything, and there is no need to add anything.
5. Extra-curricular activities:
For some reason, you are a jack of all trades. You are the head of the cheerleaders. You are a member of the debate society. You are on the editorial committee, and you play in the school band. With all the heavy work, an elective course is the last thing you need. You already have a bubbling and busy social life filled with extra-curricular activities. Maybe it is not school work per se, but it is too much on your plate, and an extra course will give constipation. You do not want that, do you?
You might be asking yourself some questions like;
Can I drop any compulsory subject?
Yes, you can, but not in your freshman year. In middle school, you are exposed to a wide range of courses, and this Is to give you a taste of everything before deciding on what you need and what you do not need. So the freshman year is a bit like middle school in this way.
Dropping the subject depends on your prospective college requirements and what you want to study. For example, you cannot drop science if you want to study biochemistry. You will have to talk with your course advisor before taking or dropping any course.
Can I retake a course I dropped?
If you stopped any course and later realize that you need it, you can always retake. There will only be a few things to sort out with the school management and your course advisor to ensure you are taking the right step.
What are AP courses?
AP stands for advanced placement. The College Board sets them up in the United States. AP courses give extra credits. They are college courses you take while in high school.
Some people take AP courses and even their exams in their freshman year. However, as prestigious as AP courses seem, you do not need to get into college, but they make you stand out among other students seeking admission and boost your high school results.
How many AP classes can I take?
If you are getting admitted into top schools in the United States, you are looking at 10-14 AP courses. It is a lot, so you might want to start taking your AP courses early. As early as your sophomore or even freshman year. A good three years of preparation is excellent and should trick any hardworking and ambitious student.
How is AP calculated?
AP is on a scale of 1- 5. That means, unlike in high schools where they use A-F, AP uses 1-5. Below is the score range and their respective numbers.
104-150. 5
92-103. 4
76-91 3
75-50 2
0-49 1
What do they represent?
Five means extremely well qualified
Four means well qualified
Three means qualified
Two means possibly qualified
1 means no recommendation
Since the average is 3, getting 4 or 5 is a big deal, while 1 and 2 are not good.
Four advantages of AP classes:
1. It gives you a lot of respect. In some states, AP is a big deal, and this gives you a lot of prestige. It also makes the people in charge of college admissions regard you higher, especially if you had a 4 or 5 with good honors. Finally, it raises your chances of getting into college.
2. It prepares you for college work. Since some of the work you are doing is college level, you get a hint of what it will be like. It’s like watching the trailer of a movie; you know what you are up for.
3. It boosts your transcript. Most schools give you extra credit for taking AP exams. That means that they add them to your GPA, and this will give your GPA some weight.
4. You get to follow your passion. AP has over thirty courses giving students a chance to offer what they want to offer.
How is GPA calculated?
GPA stands for grade point average. To calculate your GPA, you need to follow some steps. It is straightforward.
Step 1:
Convert all your grades to numbers. In most American high schools, A is 4.0, B is 3.0, and so on. So you have to convert your steps to the equivalent number. If you do not know the grades and their equivalent, the list below should help you. Let it be stated that GPA is a 4.0 scale.
A +. 97 – 100. 4.0
A. 93 – 96. 4.0
A-. 90 – 92. 3.7
B+. 87 – 89. 3.3
B 83 – 88. 3.0
B-. 80 – 82. 2.7
C+. 77 – 79. 2.3
C. 73 – 76. 2.0
C-. 70 – 72. 1.7
D+. 67 – 69. 1.3
D. 65 – 66. 1.0
E and F. Below 65. 0.0
Step 2:
Add them all up. Get the total of your grades, so if you have five Bs and two C+s. You will add 3+3+3+3+3+2.3+2.3. That equals 9.6.
Step 3:
Find out the total number of credits. That means knowing the number of courses you offer. So if you offer six courses, you will be dividing by six.
Step 4:
Divide the total you got in step 3 by your total number of classes.
Step 5:
The number you get from the division is your GPA.
What score is a good GPA?
This is dependent on the college you want to study. You may graduate from high school and be on the honors list, but you will not be admitted if you do not meet the college’s requirements. Note: However that the national average GPA is 3.0, which is a B. You have to get Bs if not As to have a good enough GPA.
Top 30 colleges in America to choose from:
1. Massachusetts institute of technology.
2.Havard university.
3.Stanford university.
4. Yale University.
5. Duke University.
6. Princeton University.
7. Rice University.
8. California institute of technology.
9. Brown University.
10. the University of Pennsylvania.
11. Vanderbilt University.
12. Columbia University.
13. Dartmouth university.
14. Northwestern University.
15. Washington University.
16. University of Notre dame.
17. the University of Chicago.
18. Cornell University.
19. the University of Southern California.
20. Pomona college.
21. University of California Los Angeles.
22. New York University.
23. the University of Washington.
24. University of California, San Diego.
25. the University of Oklahoma.
26. Utah State University.
27. West Virginia State University.
28. Loyola University Chicago.
29. Southern Methodist University.
30. Thomas Jefferson University.
Conclusion/Summary:
In conclusion, you should understand all that high school and college entails, the courses of study, and which ones to offer. This will help you in picking a college and meeting their requirements efficiently. Also, this article should help you choose the courses that would lead you to your dream career. High school is the beginning and the foundation of your career and your dreams in the corporate world so, choose wisely.
Frequently asked questions:
What courses can I pick in high school if I want to study medicine in college?
- You are going into a medical career. Therefore, you should pick science courses. You must not do it on your own. Have a parent, guardian, or course advisor guide you on what to choose.
