Recommended Courses
Choose Courses That Prepare You for What's Next
Your high school schedule is more than a list of classes you need to graduate. The courses you choose can help you explore your interests, develop important skills, and prepare for college, career training, apprenticeships, the military, or employment after high school.
There isn't one perfect schedule for every student. Your course choices should reflect your goals, interests, abilities, and the opportunities available at your school.
Start by meeting your high school's graduation requirements. Then think about how your remaining course choices can help prepare you for what comes next.
Start With Your Four-Year Plan
A four-year plan can help you see how your courses fit together from freshman through senior year.
As you build and review your plan, consider:
- High school graduation requirements
- Career interests and possible career pathways
- Education or training you may need after high school
- Admission requirements for colleges or programs you're considering
- Career and technical education opportunities
- Advanced or college-level coursework
- Electives that allow you to explore interests and develop skills
Review your plan each year with your school counselor. As your interests and goals change, your course selections can change too.
Build Your High School Four-Year Plan →
Build a Strong Academic Foundation
Regardless of what you plan to do after high school, a strong foundation in core academic subjects can help prepare you for future opportunities.
Your schedule will typically include coursework in areas such as:
English & Language Arts
Develop communication, reading, writing, research, and critical-thinking skills.
Mathematics
Build problem-solving, analytical, and quantitative skills that are useful across many careers and education pathways.
Science
Develop scientific reasoning, problem-solving, observation, and research skills.
Social Studies
Strengthen your understanding of history, government, economics, geography, and the world around you.
Your high school's graduation requirements determine the courses you must complete. Colleges, training programs, apprenticeships, scholarships, and other opportunities may have additional recommendations or requirements.
Connect Courses to Your Career Interests
As you begin identifying careers that interest you, research the skills, knowledge, education, and training those careers require.
Then look for high school courses that can help you explore those areas.
A student interested in healthcare, for example, might consider additional science or health-related coursework. Someone interested in engineering or technology might explore advanced math, computer science, engineering, or technical courses. A student interested in business might consider accounting, marketing, entrepreneurship, or economics.
You don't have to know exactly what career you want. Exploring different subjects is one of the ways you discover what interests you.
Use Electives to Explore
Electives give you an opportunity to explore subjects beyond your required courses.
Depending on your school, you may be able to take courses in areas such as:
- Business and entrepreneurship
- Computer science and technology
- Skilled trades
- Health sciences
- Agriculture
- Family and consumer sciences
- Engineering and manufacturing
- Fine and performing arts
- World languages
- Communications
- Career and technical education
Don't think of electives as simply spaces to fill in your schedule. They can help you discover interests, develop skills, and experience subjects connected to potential careers.
Challenge Yourself Appropriately
Taking challenging courses can help you strengthen your academic skills and prepare for education and training after high school.
Depending on your school, options might include honors courses, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), college-credit courses, advanced career and technical education, or other rigorous coursework.
But more difficult isn't automatically better.
Choose a level of challenge that allows you to grow while maintaining a schedule you can realistically manage. Consider your entire workload, including other classes, employment, activities, family responsibilities, and commitments outside of school.
The goal is to challenge yourself with purpose, not simply build the most difficult schedule possible.
Consider College Credit Opportunities
Some high school courses may allow you to earn both high school and college credit.
Before enrolling, consider how the course fits into your academic and career plan, whether the credit is likely to transfer, and how it could apply toward the education or training you're considering.
Explore College Credit in High School →
Research Requirements Early
If you already have colleges, apprenticeships, military opportunities, career-training programs, or other pathways in mind, research their requirements before you finalize your high school schedule.
Ask:
- Are specific high school courses required or recommended?
- Is a certain level of math, science, or world language expected?
- Are there requirements for a particular major or program?
- Would advanced or college-level coursework be helpful?
- Are there GPA or other academic requirements?
Requirements vary, so always check directly with the institution or program you're considering.
For Iowa Students
If you're considering one of Iowa's public universities, review current admission requirements and recommended high school coursework for the institution you're considering.
Admission policies and requirements can change, so use current information from the university and talk with your school counselor as you plan your courses.
Work With Your School Counselor
Your school counselor can help you understand graduation requirements, evaluate your course options, and connect your schedule to your future goals.
Bring your career interests, possible education or training plans, and questions to your course-planning conversations.
Your schedule doesn't have to predict your future. It should help prepare you for it.
