Planning High School Classes for College: Course Selection Guide for Parents and Teens
A few clear principles go a long way.
Keep long term goals in mind
When it is time to build next year’s schedule, it can feel like one wrong move will close doors for college. The good news is that a few clear principles go a long way. If you keep rigor, consistency, and long-term goals in mind, your student can end up with a schedule that both challenges them and keeps options open for senior year and beyond.
Keep appropriate rigor, all four years
Colleges look closely at the level of challenge in a student’s classes, not just the GPA. This means aiming for the most advanced coursework a student can handle—whether that is Honors, AP, IB, or dual enrollment—while still maintaining solid grades and a healthy life. It also means staying engaged through senior year, not coasting. A very light schedule in 12th grade can raise questions about readiness for college-level work, so students should continue core classes and a reasonable level of rigor right up to graduation.
Stick with one world language for 3–4 years
World language is more than a box to check. Many colleges, especially more selective or liberal arts schools, like to see three to four years of the same language when possible. If a student can, encourage them to continue their language throughout high school rather than stopping early. Families should also know that some colleges prefer or require a spoken language such as Spanish, French, or German; students who choose American Sign Language or Latin may find that certain colleges still expect additional study in a spoken language once they enroll.
Pay special attention to junior year
Junior year is often the most important year on the transcript because it is the last full year of grades colleges see when students apply in the fall. This is the time to aim for an upward trend and consistent effort. When possible, try to avoid a study hall and instead choose an elective that reflects a real interest—engineering, art, business, computer science, music, or another area that connects to future goals. By the end of junior year, course choices and activities should start to align with what the student thinks they might like to study; for example, a student considering medicine or engineering should be taking advanced math and science, while a future business major might add economics or statistics in addition to taking calculus in senior year.
Cover the key science classes
Many colleges like to see the “big three” lab sciences on a transcript: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. If a student’s school offers these courses, it is wise to plan long-term so that all three fit into the four years of high school. Even if a student is not planning a STEM major, exposure to each of these subjects shows preparation for college-level science and keeps more options open.
Check requirements for honors diplomas and special programs
Every high school and state has its own rules for honors diplomas, seals, and special certificates. Before finalizing a schedule, review those requirements so your student does not miss out on a recognition they could earn with one or two additional courses. Sometimes this might mean an extra year of a language, a specific science, or a certain number of advanced classes—details that are much easier to plan for ahead of time than to fix at the last minute.
Know the rules for the University of California schools
If there is any chance your student will apply to a University of California campus, make sure their schedule aligns with the UC “A–G” course requirements. These include specific expectations in English, math, history/social science, world language, lab science, and the arts. Students sometimes forget categories like visual or performing arts, which can create a scramble later. If you are unsure how your high school’s classes line up with A–G, check with your counselor—or, if you work with Jennifer, this is a great time to ask questions and confirm that everything is covered.
Final Thoughts
When families keep these things in mind—sustained rigor, ongoing language study, a strong junior year, key science courses, local honors requirements, and any special college systems like UC—course planning becomes less about guesswork and more about strategy. The result is a schedule that challenges your student, supports their well-being, and keeps as many doors open as possible for life after high school.
