High School Four-Year Plan
Plan Today. Keep Your Options Open.
A high school four-year plan is more than a list of classes needed for graduation. It is a roadmap that connects your high school coursework and experiences to your career interests and plans after graduation.
Creating a plan before high school—and reviewing it each year—can help you make intentional course choices, meet graduation requirements, prepare for education or training after high school, and take advantage of opportunities such as career and technical education, college credit, work-based learning, and advanced coursework.
Your plan can change as your interests and goals change. The important thing is to start with a plan and revisit it regularly.
What Should Your Four-Year Plan Include?
As you build your plan, consider:
- High school graduation requirements
- Courses recommended or required for education and training programs you're considering
- Career interests and related coursework
- Career and technical education opportunities
- College-credit, AP, or other advanced courses
- Work-based learning, internships, and job shadows
- Electives that allow you to explore your interests
- Activities, leadership, service, and other experiences
- Room to adjust your plan as your goals change
Start With Your Career Interests
Your four-year plan shouldn't begin with simply filling spaces on a course schedule.
Think about the careers and career clusters that interest you. Then research the education or training those careers require and use that information to help guide your high school course selections.
For example, your career interests may influence the math, science, technical, career and technical education, fine arts, or other electives you choose.
Prepare for What's Next
Different education and training pathways may have different preparation or admission expectations. As you build your plan, research the programs you're considering and make sure your high school coursework keeps those options open.
You don't need to know exactly what you'll do after high school. A strong four-year plan can give you flexibility while you continue exploring.
Explore Education & Training Options →
Look for Opportunities Beyond Required Courses
Your four-year plan can also help you make room for experiences that build skills and allow you to explore possible careers.
Consider opportunities such as:
College Credit While in High School
Earn college credit and experience college-level coursework while still in high school.
Career & Technical Education
Develop technical and career skills through courses connected to specific industries and occupations.
Work-Based Learning
Explore careers through job shadows, internships, workplace experiences, and other opportunities.
Activities & Leadership
Build skills and experiences through clubs, athletics, volunteering, employment, and leadership.
Review Your Plan Every Year
A four-year plan isn't something you create in eighth grade and forget.
Review your plan with your school counselor each year. Ask:
- Have my career interests changed?
- Am I meeting graduation requirements?
- Am I taking courses that prepare me for my future plans?
- Are there new courses or programs available?
- Should I consider college-credit or advanced coursework?
- Are there career-related experiences I want to pursue?
- Do I need to adjust anything based on the colleges, training programs, or careers I'm considering?
Your plan should grow with you. Changing your mind doesn't mean your original plan failed. The purpose of planning is to help you make informed choices as your interests and goals develop.
Work With Your School Counselor
Your school counselor can help you understand graduation requirements, evaluate course options, explore career interests, and make sure your four-year plan supports your goals after high school.
Bring your career interests and questions to your planning conversations so you can make course selections with purpose.
