Jennay Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 As my children are nearing the high school years and I've been thinking and planning I was reflecting on my own high school courses. I went to a STEM magnet high school. At one point, I wanted to be an astronaut. I quickly realized that STEM fields were not for me, but I was lucky that my high school had one of the best band programs in the state (I went on to major in music education). I remember feeling pulled in so many different direction in HS, with never enough time to really focus and master anything. My grades were OK overall except I really struggled in math past Algebra 1. What courses did you take in HS? Mine were: 9th - Civics, Biology, English, P.E., Intro to Engineering 1, Band, Algebra 1. 10th - World History, Chemistry, English, French 1, Intro to Engineering 2, Band, Geometry 11th - AP U.S. History, AP Chem, Honors Physics, English 11, French 2, Band, Algebra 2-Trig 12th - Senior Research Project w/statistics, AP Bio, English 12, Pre-Calc, Band, Microbiology/Physiology, Student Aid (I was so burnt out that I dropped a level in English and didn't take a third level of FL) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Our system in Germany was different. Everybody who wants a college prep high school diploma was required to take all subjects every year, with very few exceptions in the upper grades. Not every subject is taught for exactly an hour a day; students have around 13 different subjects every year. math through calc in 11th and 12th grade bio since 5th, phys since 6th, chem since 7th - every year through 11th, then you could drop one science, I dropped bio Russian (since 3rd grade) English (since 5th grade) German History Civics Geography (could be dropped in 11th) music or art (could drop one in 11th, I kept music) PE Practical arts (drafting plus 1 day working in a factory every other week). Only in grades 10-12. Electives: I picked Statics and Complex numbers   Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheres Toto Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 9th - Honors English, Advanced Algebra, US History, PE, Biology, Spanish 1 10th - Intro to Computers (BASIC), Multi-course English (Creative Writing, Science Fiction Literature and two required quarters), Algebra 2/Trig, Geometry, Chemistry 1, Military History, PE, Honors Spanish 2 11th - typing, Honors British Literature, Algebra 3/Trig, Honors Anatomy & Physiology, PE, History 12th - two cooking classes, I dropped Calculus, Honors World Literature, Honors Chemistry 2, PE Â I'm sure I'm forgetting about some art classes and a few other things. Â I wanted to be a veterinarian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 These are the things that stand out in my memory because they are so different than today's world: Â Â I had AP History and AP English. I scored a 4 or a 5 (I forget) on both and there was NO TEST PREP in either class. Â Â My school did not offer calculus, so I did not have any math my senior year. I applied as a mechanical engineering major, and was accepted at several selective universities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I'm not from the states. Specialisation is in 11th-12th grade (junior college level) where we take three or four core and two languages. My home country university admission is based on the weighted scores of the top three core subjects add to the weighted scores for the two languages.  9th-10th grade (upper secondary) - English, English Literature, Chinese, Maths D, Additional Maths, Pure Physics, Pure Chemistry, Pure Biology Religious Knowledge in Chinese, Music (analysis, academic subject), History  11-12th grade (junior college, mine) - General Paper (English), Chinese, Maths C, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry (engineering track) 11-12th grade (junior college, hubby's) - General Paper (English), Chinese, Maths C, Biology, Physics, Chemistry (pre-med track)  PE is from 1st to 12th grade with annual physical fitness tests, Music (non academic) is from 1st to 10th grade English and a second language is from PreK to 12th grade, at least 14 years of two languages.  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Through junior year: 2 years of Spanish Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, Trig/Functions World Civilizations I (Ancient History to Middle Ages), American History, American Government English 9 (literature matching W. Civ I), English 10, English 11 ( American Lit), Creative writing sem elective/Grammar elect PE 9, 10 Typing  Senior I took all my courses at a local university 27 credits 6 credits of English 6 credits of German 6 credits of statistics 3 credits of comparative government (British/US) 3 credits of psychology 3 credits of something else probably another government class since I thought I would be a government major, didn't know I was going to become a chemistry major yet and bunches of math and physics to my schedule  If I'd spent my senior year at the high school I would have taken physics, calculus, English, and 3 other classes.  ETA: large suburban district late 70s, early 80s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serenade Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I don't remember every class -- that was a long, long time ago. Â But I do know that there was not a whole lot of variety in what one could take. Â We had no AP classes or Honors classes, although that was back in the day when classes were divided according to ability, so perhaps my classes were more or less the equivalent of AP & Honors classes, just not called that. Â I think I have a transcript somewhere from my high school years, and now I'm curious to find it and see what my classes were called officially. Â I'm afraid, however, that they had no more of a fancy name than English 10, or Social Studies 11 or Biology 9. Â I don't remember feeling any pressure about course selection or SAT scores or anything, other than getting good grades in my classes because that was what my parents expected. Â It was all so different then, at least for me. Â I feel so totally lost trying to navigate the high school and college scenes with my kids today. Â Just another reason not to have kids late in life. Â Everything changes so much. Â Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaKinVA Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 9th -- Hon. English, PE, Health, Geography, Hon. Geometry, Hon. Biology, typing, Civics, Advanced Band (GA) 10th -- Hon. English, PE, Health, Hon. Chem, Hon. Algebra 2, Hon. World History, Hon. Spanish 1 (new class, teacher was trying to fast track kids for AP), Advanced Band (FL) 11th -- Homeschooled, working full time. English, Trig, Spanish 2, U.S. Govt/U.S. History 1, public speaking, Bible (I continued music in church orchestra and choir) 12th -- Homeschooled, working full time, English, College Vocabulary, U.S. History/Government 2, Econ, Bible (music same as 11th) Â My homeschooling options were really limited in the 80's. There were some subjects that were just awful -- and that colors my opinion as to how I home school my own kids in high school. That said, I still CLEPd English, Science, Humanities, and Literature. I should have CLEPd math, but was afraid of the test. Hindsight what it is, I placed high enough on the math placement exam to CLEP it. Oh well! Â Had I stayed at the local high school, I would have had AP English/Lit, AP Bio,AP Chem and AP Physics, Pre-Calc, Calc, Spanish 2, AP Spanish, Journalism, 2 more years of band, and probably yearbook. On the flip side, I wouldn't have saved enough money for college, and wouldn't have gotten any more scholarships than I did (getting into a different school wasn't an option). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 9th - geometry, US History, Biology, Honors English, Old Testament, British Literature ( a different course completely from Honors English), and PE. Honors English was a zero hour course - met at 7 a.m.  10th - algebra 2, New Testament, Chemistry, Advanced Biology, 2nd year of Honors English, French 1, World History (Honors English again at 7 am), oh and choir. I took World History DE so it was an evening course.  11th - Trig/Pre-Calc, Physics, Senior English, French 2, 1/2 credit of US Government, 1/2 Credit Economics, Work Study (volunteered three days per week at the local elementary school for 1.5 hrs. per day as a 2nd and 3rd grade tutor), and Art History (DE and again, an evening class). College/community choir.  During that time I practiced the piano three hours per day too. I went to a private high school that allowed a lot of independent study and acceleration. So I was done with coursework at the end of the third week of January, and went home until graduation except for the tutoring which I kept up, and any college courses I was taking such as choir. It was the flexibility of the private school that allowed me to do all of that and graduate early as well. Otherwise, I am sure my schedule would have looked more normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I took the cookie cutter classes that everyone took until 11th grade. In the subjects that had tracking, I took the honors level.  9th: English, American History, Physical Science, Geometry, French 1, Intro to Business, PE/Health 10th: English, World History, Alg 2, French 2, Bio, Typing (yes, a whole year on IBM Selectrics--I'm a GOOD typist), PE 11th: English, Am History yet again, Trig, Chem, French 3, Spanish 1 and 2 (on my own, taking the tests), PE 12th: English, Econ/Govt, Calc, French 4, Spanish 3 and 4, Marching Band, Comp Sci, PE  DH did the math/science track in Venezuela. Kids go to high school through 11th grade. Your bachelor's degree takes 5 years and the first year is much like American 12th grade. Other than choosing math/science or humanities, there are no electives. Math is studied through pre-calc, science is combined each year, the only foreign language is English (they add French in the humanities track), Spanish and history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy in Richmond Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Small town public high school in PA in the 70s: Â English 9, honors English 10, pre-AP English 11, college prep English 12 Comparative Governments, World History, AP US History, AP European History Algebra 2, Geometry, Elementary Functions, AP Calculus AB Integrated Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics & Advanced Chemistry French 1, 2, 3, 4 Band & Orchestra & PE Â In 12th grade I dropped the AP English track in order to schedule a 2nd year of chem & lab. Math didn't go any higher than Calc AB. My school offered only 4 AP classes: US and Euro history, Calc AB, and English. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 We were only allowed 5 courses per year (and high school started in 10th)  10 Earth Science, Geometry, English, US History, German  11 Chemistry, Alg II/Trig, English, Govt/gym. German  12 Physics, Calculus, English, AP Chem, German  (2nd semester I finally convinced them to give me  6TH class - Spanish) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewellsmommy Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Algebra and French 1 (8th)  9th: Geometry Biology English (I don't remember anything other than basic grammar stuff) French 2 History (American) Dance (.5) PE (.5) Drama (.5) Geography (.5)  10th Algebra 2/Trig Chemistry first half of American Lit (.5)  Marine Biology (.5) Outdoor Ed (.5) Driver's Ed (.5) Government English/Comp  11th Eng. Lit Physics Genetics (.5) Computer Graphic Art (.5) Health (.5) Psychology (.5) Teacher's Aid (.5) 2nd half Amer. Lit (.5) Photography  I graduated in 3 yrs, and I attended an atypical high school for the end of the 9th, 10th and 11th. I also received high school elective credits for volunteering in an animal service room and at the touch tank at a local museum, and for participating in a year long stock market recreation challenge. Genetics and marine bio were re-branded as electives in order for me to graduate. I did not take any sort of test prep. That was not an offered course as far as I knew. There were no honors or ap classes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Age 14 to 16: English, French, Latin,geography, maths, physics, chemistry, music, PE, RE  Age 16 to 18: English, French, history, Spanish, PE, RE and general studies  Direct Grant (semi-private) girls' school in England in the late 70s and early 80s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 9th: Honors Geometry, Honors Trig, Honors Oral Communications, Honors Writing With Word Power, Honors Biology I, Honors Social Studies, French II, Art I Â 10th: Honors Statistics, Honors PreCalculus, Honors English Lit, Honors Some Other English Class Whose Name I don't Remember, Honors Chemistry I, Honors European History with extra AP prep (my favorite class of high school!), French III, Art II Â ETA: I'm such a geek that I had to go look those classes up. They were actually Literary Criticisms (and the biggest thing I remember from that is that we read The Necklace and used it for every single exercise the entire semester, it seemed) and Great Readings (British and American lit; that was a good course, and I still have the texts we used). Â 11th: Calculus I and II at a local big university, Intro College Writing Course at local big U, Poetry at LBU, American History I and II at LBU, Honors Chemistry II, French 4. Â 12th: Math for Elementary Ed I and II at LBU, Drama at LBU (and this is a testament to a good teacher; I never liked drama, but she made it come alive, and I loved it that semester), Short Story at LBU, American Government at LBU, International Relations at LBU, Honors Physics, Independent Study French 5 Â Plus gym a couple semesters, health one semester, driver's ed, and a whole slew of time spent assisting teachers and tutoring ESL students because in my last two years, I only had classes two out of eight periods, plus driving the 20 minutes back and forth between home and the LBU multiple times a week, and running a couple of clubs. And maintaining a long distance relationship in the days before text and email. (How can I possibly think I'm busy now, compared to high school? Maybe it's that I need more sleep now.). I was in a special program that did math and English at higher speed in 8th-10th and then had us doing college classes in 11th and 12th. My school did offer AP for several classes (but not both Honors and AP for the same class -- they offered AP US History, for instance, which was also the Honors option and which got the weighted grade, and college prep US History), but taking US history and poli sci at the LBU was a really great option for me. I also petitioned the special program to allow me to take the math for elementary ed classes, instead of Calculus III and Differential Equations, because I really didn't need more heavy math classes, and they agreed. It was those elementary math classes that really cemented my desire to homeschool, because they were content, not methods, courses, and there were too many people in them who couldn't do the math. I think I called up the boyfriend and said, "No way, we cannot put our children in classes with people who can't do third grade math; I will teach them myself." And that was the end of that discussion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Major Texas city. Was graduated in 1973. No AP courses available. Rather, one took the honors-level classes as preparation for both the AP exams and for what now are called "SAT-II" tests. Algebra always was taken in the 9th grade, not earlier.  9th: honors algebra. honors English. orchestra. world history (no other choice). physical science (no other choice existed). honors Spanish.  10th: honors geometry. honors English. honors biology. world geography (no other choice). band. orchestra. honors Spanish  11th: honors algebra 2. honors English. physiology (semester). typing (semester). sewing (semester). orchestra. band. honors Spanish. American history (taken summer prior to 11th grade) history of England (semester).  12th: honors Spanish. honors government (semester). honors economics (semester). band. orchestra. Film making (semester). Independent reading (semester). [note: last two-mentioned were taken because the honors English teacher for grade 12 was a joke and I did not wish to waste time by taking her class.] physics (for credit). honors physics (audit because I enjoyed the subject so much).  Oh yeah. P.E. Every year. Forgot about that forgettable subject.  Dual credit did not exist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluedarling Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 9th - Biology, English, Algebra II, Gifted Ed/Research Project, Art, Computer Programming (BASIC) 10th - Chemistry, Honors English, Senior Math (probably pre-calc), Speech, Choir, American History 11th - Physics (failed along with the entire class because the teacher was lousy), Honors English, AP Calculus (but didn't take test), Spanish 1, Theater, social studies?? or choir?? 12th - Honors English, Algebra Assistant (because no math offerred above Calculus), Gov't and Economics, Spanish 2 (left early in day because I had plenty of credits) and then in the evening I attended CC to re-take physics just to prove to myself I could do it (got an A there!) My CC course did not count for high school...it was just early college. Why didn't I take math there as well? no idea.  There was no suggestion that I take extra credits or harder classes (no advising that I recall.) No one said your transcipt will be more impressive if you take math all 4 years, or fill your schedule every year. It was very odd to leave school early my senior year, and it was never clear to me why I was doing it, other than someone said those are the only credits I needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I can't remember what I took each year, but overall: English 9, 10, American Lit (11), Creative Writing (1 sem, 12th), Humanities (1 sem, 12th), and British Literature (1 sem, 12th) World History, US History, AP European History (no AP test) -- I must have taken some sort of government course, but don't remember it at all (9th??) Alg II (summer before 9th), Geometry (9th), Pre-Calc (10th), Calc (must have been AB, 11th), Calc III & Diff-Eq (both DE at local uni, 12th) Biology, Physics, Chemistry, BioChem (1 sem, 12th), Adv. Physics (1 sem, 12th - calc-based physics???) French 2, 3, 4, & 5 Â Electives (that I remember): Keyboarding, Accounting I & II, Entreprenuership (1 sem), Child Development I & II, Economics (1 sem?), Art, PE, Drama (at least 2 sem) Â Things I wish I would have taken? Â -- CAD/drafting & anything in the shop (welding, wood working)/auto mechanic area. I sorely missed having an intro to CAD in high school and would have benefited from more hands-on classes when I went into my Mech Eng classes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa B Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 9th  English 9 Earth Science Civics Honors Geometry French I PE / Typing  10th  English 10 Biology World Geography Algebra II / Trig French 2 German 1  changed schools  11th  Honors British Literature Honors Chemistry AP US History Precalculus French 3 German 2  12th  Honors American Literature Physics (first semester only) Study Hall (took Government over the summer in order to have a study hall) AP Biology (this was a two period class) German 3 Dual enrollment - Sociology (2nd semester)  * opted out of Calculus (Algebra I credit from 8th grade was on my high school transcript as 4th math class) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I can't remember every year, been out of high school a long time. I graduated at semester my senior year.  I do know I took every history and art class I could cram into the schedule. I also took 3 1/2 of Spanish and every Creative Writing class offered. Now, *mumble*mumble* years later I'm a history major, considering an art history minor, and write stories on the side. This time, I'm taking French instead. I really wish I hadn't  listened to those people that told me I'd change my mind about interests as I got older.  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015  Things I wish I would have taken?  -- CAD/drafting & anything in the shop (welding, wood working)/auto mechanic area. I sorely missed having an intro to CAD in high school and would have benefited from more hands-on classes when I went into my Mech Eng classes.  I took outside classes in AutoCAD and programming languages right after high school to prep for engineering. It was worth it besides the fact that I do love CAD and would have paid for CAD classes anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My3girls Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Wow, some of you had some cool options. High school was from 1987-1991 for me. I went to a small town school, and no AP classes were offered. I have my HS transcript somewhere, but I think it's buried in the attic with my diploma. It went something like this...  9th: Earth Science, (H) Algebra I, (H) English I, Band, Business (1/2), P.E. (1/2), and something else I can't remember 10th: Biology, (H) Algebra II, (H) English II, Spanish I, US History, Band 11th: Chemistry, (H) Geometry, (H) English III, Spanish II, Band, Health (1/2), P.E. (1/2) 12th: Physics, (H) Advanced Math, (H) English IV, World History, Band, Economics (1/2), Sociology (1/2)  Advanced was the highest math offered and was essentially Pre-calculus.   Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelia Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 What I remember:  TAG/AP English 1-4 Algebra I & 2, Geometry, Pre-calculus Honors World History, AP US History, AP US Government, AP Macroeconomics Biology, Chemistry, Honors Physics Latin 1-3 Drill Prep/Drill Team (Dance) all 4 years Theater 1 & 2 Health Occupations (designed for students planning a career in the medical field, lots of anatomy, etc.) Health Microcomputer Applications  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenneinCA Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Grade 9 (this was the last year of junior high) English World History Algebra 1 Spanish 1 Physical Education Computers/Typing  Grade 10 (my first year at the math/science magnet school) English US history Geometry and Algebra 2 Biology Spanish 2 Phys Ed and softball  Summer School Trigonometry  Grade 11 English European history PreCalc and Calculus A Chemistry Spanish 3 Health and Softball  Grade 12 English Government and economics Calculus BC Physics Ceramics and tv production Drivers Ed and 'educational career planning' and softball  I was at math and science magnet school. They got a whole lot of math in a short period of time. It also happened to be the performing arts magnet school too, so there were lots of high quality drama things I wasn't involved with and multiple band and music things that I wasn't involved with either. Our sports teams were horrible. Still we had a good time rooting for our losing team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherry in OH Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I attended high school in a small rural school district. Â No AP, no honors, no dual credit, or early graduation options. Â Tracks were selected/assigned at the end of the 8th grade: academic, business (secretarial), or general. Â Academic students also selected their foreign language. Â From that point forward, with the exception of foreign language, students simply moved to the next class in their sequence. Students were permitted to drop or change foreign languages in 11th and 12th grades. Â If they opted to drop the language, they could take home economics or computer science. Â Otherwise, adding or dropping classes was not permitted. Â Â Â 9th grade - English, Algebra II, Earth and Space Science, History, French, Art, PE 10th grade - English, Geometry, Biology, History, French, Typing, Driver Ed, PE 11th grade - English, Trigonometry, Physics, History, French, Health, PE 12th grade - English, Pre-Calculus, Chemistry, Civics/Economics, French, PE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillStanding Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I am from Spain, and I took the science track ( a long time ago): Â Spanish Literature: Freshman and Sophomore years Catalan Literature: Freshman and Sophomore years Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Advanced Biology, and Advanced Chemistry Math: No names, just 4 years of Math but got me ready for College Calculus (I also did an IB math as extra curricular in school) Latin in Freshman year (French as extra curricular in school--I didn't like it) Music Appreciation (one year sometime in high school can't remember when). Art (different mediums)--each year Philosophy-Senior year Religion and Ethics- Sophomore or Junior year (can't remember) History: One class every year-- We covered from pre-history to modern times (both world view and Spanish history. We did some Geography every year). English (as a foreign language): 4 years P.E: Swimming, team sports, "gimnasia" and running (I hate running). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I was a terrible student in high school.  9th grade (got kicked out of school at the end of 9th grade) English geometry (failed it) life science Spanish I (failed it) drawing PE  10th grade (different school) English geometry world history biology French I photography PE  11th grade American literature Algebra II (got a D) American history marine biology/botany French II AP studio art (did not take test) Art history  12th grade AP English literature (got a 2 on the exam) US government (got a D) AP biology (got a 3 on the exam) French III (got kicked out, took it at the local university instead) AP studio art (got a 4 on the exam) some sort of computer class (like how to use a word processor)  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeschoolingHearts&Minds Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 My high school did not offer "honors" courses, and dual enrollment was rare, but I was in the TAG (Talented and Gifted) program and most of my courses that were not electives or APs were TAG sections. The TAG sequence at our school was predetermined. The only thing I had some choice in was my electives.  Best I can remember: 9th---Geometry, English, Biology, World Geography (sem 1), US Civics (sem 2), Spanish 1, PE 10th---Algebra 1, English, Chemistry, World History, Spanish 2, Typing 11th---Algebra2/Trigonometry, English, Physics, AP American History, Latin 1, Art 12th---Calculus, AP English, AP Biology, AP European History, Sculpture, Word Processing (because the elective I wanted met at the same time as Calculus)  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneezyone Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I attended three different high schools before I graduated so there was a lot lost in translation from one place to the next. I managed to cobble together a decent record between them. Â 9: English/History combined, Geometry, French 2, Adv. Biology, Art, Band, Track 10: English 101 (DE because my high school refused to recognize the combined class from prior HS), History, Algebra2/Trig, French 3, Adv. Chemistry, Band, Track 11: AP Lang. and Composition, Calculus AB, French 4, Physics, AP Government, AP US History, Film Studies, Football Manager 12: AP Literature and Composition, Calculus BC, French 202 (DE because my high school didn't offer a fifth year), Economics, AP European History, Yearbook, Football Manager Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 As my children are nearing the high school years and I've been thinking and planning I was reflecting on my own high school courses. I went to a STEM magnet high school. At one point, I wanted to be an astronaut. I quickly realized that STEM fields were not for me, but I was lucky that my high school had one of the best band programs in the state (I went on to major in music education). I remember feeling pulled in so many different direction in HS, with never enough time to really focus and master anything. My grades were OK overall except I really struggled in math past Algebra 1. What courses did you take in HS? Mine were: 9th - Civics, Biology, English, P.E., Intro to Engineering 1, Band, Algebra 1. 10th - World History, Chemistry, English, French 1, Intro to Engineering 2, Band, Geometry 11th - AP U.S. History, AP Chem, Honors Physics, English 11, French 2, Band, Algebra 2-Trig 12th - Senior Research Project w/statistics, AP Bio, English 12, Pre-Calc, Band, Microbiology/Physiology, Student Aid (I was so burnt out that I dropped a level in English and didn't take a third level of FL)  I'm going to tell you a long story. :D  I started high school in Norfolk, Virginia; at that time, high school was 10-12, not 9-12. Because of testing done in 8th grade, TPTB decided that I should be a secretary when I grew up ::rolls eyes::, which would mean two years of shorthand, two years of typing, and a couple of other required business-related electives. I didn't need algebra or foreign language. However, all students, regardless of their track (General, College Prep, Vocational), were required to do biology in 10th as well as three years of English, U.S. history, and U.S. government. All courses were the same; e.g., there was no such thing as a college prep English--all English classes were the same.  So, sophomores had five classes a day plus one study hall...except for vocational students. This school required a year of typing before shorthand, so business students could take first year typing instead of a study hall, and U.S. history, which was usually a junior year course. So I did that. I also did algebra, which I didn't need, because my ninth grade teacher thought it would be a good idea. Whatever. So, my courses were English, P.E., biology, algebra, U.S. history, first year typing.  I moved after Christmas of my sophomore year to South Carolina, and started my junior year at that school. World history was required there, so I took that, as well as second year typing and first year shorthand. We moved at Christmas to California, where world history was not required by P.E. was. Dropped world history, started P.E. Also, S.C. didn't have college prep classes, but California did; at first I was put into general English but I was bored to tears, so I was moved into college prep English. Woohoo. So that year, the first semester was English, world history, art, second year typing, first year shorthand (no science or math); second semester was college prep English, P.E., art, second year typing, first year shorthand. (FTR, the typing class in California was pathetic but the art class was better.)  Then I moved during the summer, and ended up back in Norfolk as a senior. I took English, bookkeeping, U.S. government, second year shorthand, and business office machines.  The school where I started as a sophomore was the only one that required a year of typing before taking shorthand, so after that year, I was ahead of all the other students in typing.  And there you have it. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sk8ermaiden Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Biology, Chemistry Algebra II, geometry, precal, calculus English, English, AP Literature, AP Language US History II, World History, World Geography, Government AP/Econ AP Journalism, Yearbook, Yearbook, Yearbook and Newspaper Art I, Art II, Art III Swimteam, Swimteam  Stupid stuff like health and I am forgetting many. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrixieB Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I don't remember all the classes, but I know I took:  9th: French 1, geometry, English, typing, health... maybe P.E.? 10th: French 2, algebra 2, English, biology, world history, accounting, driver's ed 11th: French 3, math analysis, English, creative writing, U.S. history, chemistry, stained glass, study hall (100% sure about these) 12th: calculus, English, semester world history, semester American gov & econ (100% sure about these)  The only honors class available was English, which I took. My senior year school had only one AP class available (English) but they wouldn't let me sign up for it because I was new to the school.  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdj2027 Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Like Regentrude I went to school in Germany but in a different state.  Grades 1-4: German, English, math, science, social studies, PE, Art, Music  Grades 5: German, Latin, math, history, geography, biology, PE, Art, Music, Religion Grade 6: German, Latin, math, history, geography, biology, PE, Art, Music, Religion Grade 7: German, Latin, English, French, math, history, geography, biology, physics, PE, Music, Art, Religion Grade 8: German, Latin, English, French, math, history, geography, biology, physics, chemistry, PE, Art, Religion Grade 9: German, Latin, English, French, math, history, biology, physics, chemistry, PE, Music, Religion Grade 10: German, Latin, English, French, math, history, biology, physics, chemistry, PE, Art History, Religion Grade 11:German, Latin, English, math, history, philosophy, biology, chemistry, PE, Art (declared majors; English, biology, Latin, history) Grade 12: German, Latin, English, math, history, philosophy, biology, chemistry, PE, Art  (declared majors: English, biology, Latin, history) Grade 13: German, English, Latin, math, history, biology, chemistry, PE, Art  (final examinations in English, Latin, biology, history)  Grades 11-13: German, math, two foreign languages, history or geography, two lab sciences, PE, art or music were the general mandate.  In grade 11 we had to declare 4 majors.  One had to choose one language, one science, history or geography, one anything goes  subject.  These were the subjects in which we had to take our final examinations.  The other classes you only had to pass for credit.   Math was integrated but 11 and 12 was pretty much calculus, 13 was probability and statistics.   My son who will graduate this summer has a different track.   Grades 5-6: German, English, Latin, math, art, music, religion, geography, history, biology, PE        Electives: Jugend Forscht (STEM research), drama/theater  Grades 7-10: German, Latin, French, Ancient Greek, math, art/music, religion, geography, history, biology, physics, chemistry, economics/political science        Electives: Jugend Forscht, speech/debate, drama/theater, journalism  Grades 11-12: German, English, Latin, math, drama/theater, religion, geography, history, economics/political science, biology, chemistry, computer science, PE Grade 13: German, English, Latin, math, drama/theater, religion, history, geography, economics/political science, biology, PE  Majors/Final Exams: German, English, Economics/Political Science, biology   Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I don't know how you people can remember all of that. I vividly remember 2 of my 3 senior classes. Advanced history and advanced Literature. Other than that just hit and miss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mschickie Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I went to a Catholic school and there was no choice in our classes for 9th and 10th grades, in 11th we choose a 2nd language and then in 12th had some electives.  9th: General Science(NYS Regents test...I think), Afro-Asian Cultures/History,English,Integrated Math I (NYS Regents test), French, Freshmen Seminar, Religion, Gym, Art 10th: Biology (with lab)(NYS Regents Test), World History(NYS Regents Test), English, Integrated Math II (NYS Regents Test), French, Religion, Art, Music, Gym 11th: Chemistry (with lab)(NYS Regents Test), US History and Government(NYS Regents Test), English, Integrated Math III(NYS Regents Test), French(NYS Regents Test), Latin, Religion, Music, Gym 12th: Physics (with lab), AP US History, AP English, AP Calculus, Latin, Religion/life skills, Gym, Computer Science, Drivers Education (oh and we took the English Regents in Jan.)  One thing I liked about my high school, I never had a study hall till 12th grade.  Also our school was arranged so that on Fridays you always had a short day (unless you were in Drivers Ed) and got out at 12:20.  That made for a nice weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I went to a parochial high school and it was just terrible.  But I know I had 4 years of Bible, 4 years of Math, 4 years of English.  3 Maths - Geometry, Alg 2, and PreCalc.  Only 2 sciences - Earth Science in 9th and Biology in 10th.  I did foreign language at the JC.  I can't remember if I did 3 or 4 years of history.  I did a Business elective and a required (for girls) Home Ec "elective" too.  I think that's about it.  It was basically 4 years of wasted time.  I survived my boredom by having a book on my lap pretty much all day long and reading through all of my classes, which the teachers didn't complain too much about because I got good grades and it kept me from asking them questions that revealed their ignorance.  I read a lot of classic literature under my desk, so I guess it wasn't all wasted. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lllll Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest2 Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 The midwest state requirements for graduation were pretty low. 1 science credit 2 math 4 English 4 PE .5 Govt 1 American History 1 world history Electives My classes at a small Catholic school were divided into college bound and non-college bound courses. It didn't offer honors or AP. I took additional science ( scary, but only general and Bio), three years math( Alg 1, Alg2, Geometry)three years Spanish,and lots of history, gov't , civics for electives. Â When I was in high school , some senior students came in for one or two classes, because that was all they needed to graduate. It was very weird. The school changed it and required staying on campus for 6 hours of classes by the time I was a senior. English had a basic semester required and then you choose your other English from debate, theater,creative writing type courses. My parents felt that high schoolers should choose their own classes and were completely hands off. I looked up what the area colleges required to make sure I would meet the criteria. I wasn't looking for the most challenging courses, my focus was in my part time job (30 hours per week). What a different time. Edited to add: I think I caught up on most things in undergrad and grad school with the huge noted exceptions of grammar and typing . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Okay before I list them, just a quick recap of how courses work in ALberta. grade classes are marked with 10, grade 11 with a 20 and grade 12 with a 30.  We are on a block schedule and credits are different than yours.Okay so the breakdownGrade 10Math 10English 10social 10science 10PE 10Industrial arts 10accounting 10typing 10 (back then was on a word processing typewriter that we thought was so fancy and up-to-date with technology) French 10Grade 11 math 20social 20bio 20chem 20foods 10accounting 20 basic business 20 english 20 CALM 20 French 20  Grade 12 math 30 (failed and retook in summer school but not needed to graduate) English 30 Chem 30 Bio 30 photography 10 Social 30 accounting 30 Psych 20French 30That's all I can remember, I know in grade 11 and 12 I had a few spares, and often did not go to class at all even for the things I was in.  OUr graduation requirements are 100 credits incl, social 30, CALM 20, Math 20 and PE 10, and then there had to be X number of 30 levels etc.  I know I am missing some other courses in the above but off the top of my head I can not remember, it will be 20 years this June since I graduated and I have not thought of that course load since back then  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Library Momma Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Regular suburban PS in CT in the 80's  I was in the G&T program in elementary.  In HS that that meant students in the program could decide which AP exams they would take Sophomore year and which they wanted to wait until Senior year to take after actually taking AP classes.  Sophmore year I took the AP American History, Biology and English exams.  I scored 5s on all as my Middle School and Freshman year AP track classes had prepared me well. (They weren't AP classes in this grade but AP track as opposed to Honors Track or College Track)  I took Latin and Spanish throughout - Taking the National Latin Exam each year and gold medaling once.  By Senior year I took all AP classes (plus electives)  and took the AP Calc exam.  AP Clac I and II classes were taught Senior year in our school but they were also associated with the local state college so I received college credit for them as well as was able to take the AP exam at the end.  (unfortunately the University I attended did not accept the credit from our local state college).  I regret not taking the Physics or Chemistry Exams but most people in our school did not at that time.  Sprinkled throughout were electives like Economics and Gym that we had to take for graduation.  School went from 7:05 to 1:00 each day and there was no lunch.  I opted out of a study hall to take extra electives (languages) instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenNC Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Let's see what I remember (it was over 30 years ago):  Science: biology (tried to take regular to avoid dissection, but they made me go to the advanced class), chemistry, physics  math:  algebra 1, geometry, algebra 2, maybe pre-calculus (must have, I did calculus as a freshman in college)  foreign language:  French 1, 2,  (wanted to take Latin, but the Latin teacher retired just before I got there and they didn't replace her until after I graduated), and I think I took French 3 (may be conflating it with French in college)  history:  at least a couple of years, but I don't remember specifics  English:  4 years, I believe jr year was American and sr British?  I think we did the AP test after senior year? I think I took at least one AP test  electives:  typing, drafting, chorus (4 years), health/PE, home ec, driver's ed  There were only a couple of AP classes available at the time in our school (late 70s to early 80s)---biology (refused to take it because you had to dissect a cat), I think English, and maybe one other. Calculus wasn't an option.  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raptor_dad Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I went to a poorly regarded urban school in NC in the 80's... you know that school where when you tell people where you went their eye's get wide and they start slowly backing away from you ;) The upside was that I was in the gifted program and the gifted class average around ~15 kids per class. We had 6 classes per year  9th: G(ifted) Geometry, G Civics/Econ, G English, G Biology, Spanish 1, Gym(required) 10th: G Algebra 2, AP US history, G English, G Chemistry, Spanish 2, Computer Science(Pascal on Apple 2es) 11th: G Pre-cal, AP Eur History, G English, AP Chem(double class for labs), old no longer offered AP Comp Sci AB (Pascal) 12th: AP Calc AB, AP English, AP Bio, AP Physics, Spanish 3, Gym  I took the highest level of every math, science, english, and history class offered. There were no history options for my senior year. I took every AP offered except foreign language.   Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I went to a Catholic High School. Classes were labled "Advanced" rather than "Honors", and while there were no AP classes, the Biology II class I took senior year used a college textbook and when I took Bio in college, it was pretty much a repeat. I took Advanced/Honors classes for all my core classes. They stopped offering German after my freshman year. I think I'm missing some classes - I'm fairly sure we took 7 classes per year (I got out of Religion classes because I wasn't Catholic and got to take an extra elective. But Christian Values, in which we had an ancient nun in a habit teach us the rosary and pass out scapulas, was mandatory - go figure - that was just freshman year). In MA we don't have to take Civics, US Gov't or Econ - I don't think they were even offered, so that's not it - there were def. just 2 years of History, one US, one World... Gym was also in there every year, but I don't think it was daily, more like weekly?  9th: English, Geometry, Physical Science, Oceanography/Meteorology, German 3, Spanish 2, Christian Values 10th: English, AlgII/Trig, Biology, Spanish 3, Crafts, Journalism, U.S. History 11th: English, Probability, Creative Writing, Chemistry, Spanish 4, Crafts II 12th: English, Calculus, Physics, Biology II, World History, Typing, Spanish Conversation @ local University Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bugs Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I attended 3 different high schools in three different states:  9th ( Island of Molokai ) English I World Cultures Algebra I ScienceArt PE  10th (In PA) English II US History Western Civ Geometry College Prep ScienceGerman I Piano PE Algebra II during summer school  11th (1st half in PA second 1/2 in NC) English III American Studies Algebra III Trig JROTC PE  12th (in NC) English IV Biology Physics German JROTC  The high school in NC didn't have any math past their Algebra III, so I spent a year mathless. <sigh>  Nothing there or on Molokai was labeled Honors or AP.  I think there were both honors and AP in PA, but my honors math didn't translate over to NC.      Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Let me see if I can remember - it's been a long time!  9th grade English Algebra 1 World History PE/Health (1 semester each) Biology French 1  10th grade English Algebra 2 American History PE/Health (1 semester each) Physical Science French 2  11th grade Honors American Literature Geometry Chemistry Concert Band American Government Study Hall/Typing (1 semester each)  12th grade Honors British Literature Trigonometry (1 semester) Physics Symphonic Band Chorale Early Work Release (both semesters, left earlier second semester as I was finished with math)   I also worked 30 hours a week in our family business Sept-March of every year, 15-20 hours during the other, off-peak months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I was in an IAHP (academic school within a school). I also took Jazz Band during 0 period (ie-7:00 in the morning) and symphonic/Marching band during 7th period-those two pretty much put me out of running for the top 10 in my class because they were non-weighted). Â 9th grade- PE, English (world lit) French 2, Earth/Space science, algebra 2, World History, Band, Jazz Band 10th grade-PE, English (American Lit), French 3, Biology, Geometry, Latin I, Band, Jazz Band 11th grade-English (British Lit), AP Biology, AP US History, Latin 2, Trigonometry, Band, Jazz Band, Chemistry 12th grade-English (AP literature and composition), AP Chemistry , Latin 3, AP US Government, Physics, AP Calculus AB, Band, Jazz Band, AP Music Theory/AP music listening and literature (Independent study). I ended up not taking most of the AP exams due to the fact that I started having seizures mid-way through my senior year and was adjusting to medication and basically in a fog the entire 2nd half of my senior year. I'm pretty convinced I only graduated because my teachers were merciful. I did take AP English and the Music exams-the latter of which turned out to be completely useless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsuga Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 French three years, TA French one year English comp, American lit, Brit lit, AP English and Comp Bio, Chem, Physics, A&Physiology (AP) Alg 2, Geometry, Trig/Pre-Calc, Calc Concert band, with letter, four years Annual (yearbook), 3 years and editor PE and health, 1 year State history, world history, American history, Civics (Honors) Â It was a rural school, very poorly ranked, but all of us who went through this program got into our first choice college (we didn't aim high, but mostly graduated with low or no debt). I used to feel insecure because I knew it was a "bad" school. Â Now I realize that it was really the students who were not high achievers and that I was lucky to have such small honors classes! They were there for those of us who wanted to learn. I know more French than my partner does Spanish and he did four years of Spanish at a top ranked school. The difference? Â I was determined to use mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retiredHSmom Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I graduated in 1990. My dad was in the military so I went to three high schools:  9th grade (all girls catholic high school in California)  Algebra 2 (I took Algebra 1 in 8th grade and this school did geometry after Algebra 2) Western Civilization PE Spanish 1 English Religion  10th grade (public high school in Virginia) Honors American History Honors English Honors Geometry PE/Health Honors Spanish 2 Honors Chemistry Biology (they refused to let me take all honors classes)  I took programming and art history in this summer because the school I was going to next required 28 credits to graduate and my previous schools had only done 6 classes a year  11th grade (math/science magnet school, TJHSST in Virginia) Physics AP Chem Pre-calc drafting/CAD Electronics 1 English American Government programming 2  12th grade (math/science magnet school, TJHSST in Virginia) Robotics lab (double period) my senior project was in voice recognition AP Calculus AB AP American History AP English Geoscience (required senior year science class, we were required to take 4 years of science + an AP science) Electronics 2 and 3  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikslo Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 To the best of my memory - some of the actual titles of the history classes I can't remember, but:   9th Ă¢â‚¬â€œ Honors English 1, German 1, Honors Geometry, Honors European History, Honors Biology, Studio Art (Minor), Orchestra  10th Ă¢â‚¬â€œ Honors English 2, German 2, Greek 1, Honors Algebra I, Honors US History, Honors Chemistry, Studio Art (Minor)  11th Ă¢â‚¬â€œ AP English Language, German 3, Greek 2, Advanced Art Major, Honors Algebra II/Pre-Calculus, AP European History, Physics  12th Ă¢â‚¬â€œ AP English Literature, AP German, Greek 3, Advanced Art Major, AP Calculus AB, AP US History, AP Biology   We didn't have P.E., just mandatory two seasons/year participation in sports teams. Dropped Orchestra after Freshman year, and replaced with Greek. So very sad - I just saw that the High School I attended no longer offers the German, Russian, and Greek they used to offer. Just Spanish, French, Chinese, and Latin now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historically accurate Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 9th grade: large fairly rural county school  English, Algebra II, World Geography, US History, Health, PE, Biology, German I  10th - 12th STEM Magnet School  10: English (Irish & British Lit), Geometry, PE, US History, Physics, Chemistry, German II, Choir  11: English (World Lit), Trigonometry, World History, Biology, German III, Astronomy, Mathematical Problem Solving  12: English (Horror, Russian Lit), PreCalc & Calculus, Future of Science, Ecology, German IV, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics   That was a long time ago, but I think that's it.  I could've taken AP tests for anything at the magnet school; however, being the first generation to go to college, we had no idea what that meant, so I didn't take any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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