High School Courses
Recommended High School Courses for
College-Bound Students
Although academic requirements differ among colleges, the admissions requirements listed below are typical for four-year colleges. The specific classes listed here are examples of the types of courses students can take.
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English—Four years
- American Literature
- Composition
- English Literature
- World Literature
Mathematics—Three to four years
- Algebra I
- Algebra II
- Calculus
- Geometry
- Precalculus
- Trigonometry
History & Geography—Two to three years
- Civics
- Geography
- U.S. History
- U.S. Government
- World History
- World Cultures
Laboratory Science—Two to four years
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Science
- Physics
Foreign Language—Two to four years
Visual & Performing Arts—One year
Challenging Electives—One to three years
- Communications
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Psychology
- Statistics
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Make Sure That All Courses Meet High Standards
It is vital that your child not only enrolls in the courses recommended for college-bound students, but also that the material taught in those courses reflect high academic standards and high expectations for what students should know and be able to do. Research indicates that high expectations and high standards improve achievement and positively influence student learning.
Mathematical and scientific concepts and skills learned in math classes are used in many disciplines outside of these courses. Recent studies have shown that students who take higher level math courses are much more likely to go on to, and complete, college than students who do not.
Traditional English courses such as American and English literature will help students improve their writing skills, reading comprehension, and vocabulary. History and geography will help your child better understand our society as well as societies around the world.
Research also indicates that students who take courses in the arts disciplines and who participate in the arts (performing arts and visual arts) often do better in school and on standardized tests. The arts help students to learn; they often give students a richer understanding of history, science, literature, and math.
Thirty states require students to take some art course(s) (visual or performing) before graduating from high school; six state university systems require students to take at least one unit of art (visual or performing) at the high school level before gaining admission to the university. Many college admissions staff view participation in the arts as a valuable experience that broadens students' understanding and appreciation of the world around them.
Knowing what will be required for college is important; by taking the right courses and examinations from the beginning of high school, your child may avoid admission problems later on. In addition, students who do not prepare well enough academically in high school, if admitted to college, may be required to take remedial courses. Most colleges do not offer credit for these courses, and students may have to pay for these extra courses and spend extra time in college to earn their degrees. Studies have also shown that students who take more rigorous courses in high school are more likely to complete college.
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