Four Year High School Plan: A Roadmap

By Lynne Fuller, Founder of College Flight Path

It is that time of year when the course selection book is issued and students are asked to decide on their coursework for the next year. What should they choose? Do they level up to AP or IB classes, do they consider a dual enrollment course with a local college, do they consider taking an asynchronous class online to help explore content in an area that they would otherwise not have access to? 

These are the questions that drive the planning process and every year should be reviewed and adjusted for each learner.

Establishing an adjustable four-year high school plan for a high school student is important on a multitude of levels: it helps students make informed decisions about their coursework, ensures that they meet graduation requirements, and provides a roadmap for achieving academic and career goals. When 8th graders are handed the course selection book for the first time, students should consider their existing wants and needs and plan to explore additional interests as part of their high school plan.

Here are some factors everyone should consider and elements to include in the process:

• Graduation Requirements:

  • Familiarize yourself with the graduation requirements set by the school district or state. Ensure that the chosen courses fulfill these requirements. Often schools require PE and Health courses, technology, business, or art elective credits. Additionally, many of these courses can be completed in the summer months to make room for additional electives or core courses. This is important to map out and ask ahead as it can create space for additional course exploration.

• College and Career Goals:

  • Consider the student's interests, strengths, and career goals. Align the academic plan with these aspirations to ensure that the chosen courses contribute to their future success. Electives are the perfect place to level up on exploratory courses such as positive psychology, robotics, entrepreneurship, or even digital media design.

• Course Selection:

  • Plan a balanced course load that includes core subjects (English, math, science, social studies), foreign languages, and electives. Consider adding advanced courses or honors classes as the years progress and the student is adjusting well to the academic load. One way to keep track of an increase in rigor is to calculate how many honors, AP/IB, and dual enrollment classes are taken each year and look for a place to uplevel coursework and rigor year over year that aligns with academic goals and career interests.

• Extracurricular Activities:

  • Include space in the plan for extracurricular activities, such as sports, clubs, and community service. It is wise to pursue three club endeavors - one that builds a social network, one that services the community at large, and one that helps explore career interests. Examples would include ultimate frisbee (social), Alex’s Lemonade Stand (community), and DECA (career). This sample would share that the student is interested in serving their community, exploring their career goals, and appreciates team camaraderie but not cutthroat sports culture.

• Standardized Tests:

  • Be aware of standardized testing requirements for college admissions. Plan for when the student will take tests like the SAT or ACT and consider prep courses if needed. If students have completed Algebra 2 by the end of 10th grade then they have the math they need to prepare for the SAT starting the summer before junior year. By the time a student gets to April of 11th grade and is enrolled in precalculus, they now have the math they need to accomplish every problem on the ACT. So determine the time, test, and pace that works best for their schedule. Additional factors include the run-up to AP and IB testing as it is best to avoid testing when other assessments have only one try associated with them. Typically we recommend to rising juniors who have had Algebra 2 to consider prepping during the summer and testing in October which is then followed by the PSAT. They get two results and can then determine when to repeat a test in December, March, or August before senior year.

• College Admissions Requirements:

  • Research the admissions requirements for colleges or universities the student is interested in. Some institutions may have specific course requirements or recommendations so students want to meet or exceed them in their academic plan. For example, a student who wants to apply to a highly rejective college in a business major should aim to graduate with calculus and finds out that they would only graduate with precalculus should enroll in an online school to get that additional course that they need to remain on track for their plan. Planning out a four-year academic trajectory, especially in math, can save everyone headaches later.

• Career Exploration:

  • Encourage the student to explore potential careers. Tailor the academic plan to include courses that align with their career interests and goals. By taking career assessments through Naviance, SCOIR, or an outside assessment such as the Strong Interest Inventory, students can look at their results (which are a snapshot in time) to see what early interests are emerging. It is even a good idea to watch TV shows that depict the world of work from The Office to Abbott Elementary and, of course, Dirty Jobs.

• Counselor Guidance:

  • Work with the school counselor to ensure the academic plan is realistic and aligns with the student's goals. Counselors can provide valuable insights and advice on course adjustment, the nuance of the classroom experience, and what courses have been lightbulb moments for students with similar profiles. By coming in with a plan for the counselor meeting, students will be equipped to have these deeper conversations.

• Flexibility:

  • Be open to adjustments in the plan based on the student's evolving interests, academic performance, and changes in career goals. A mid-year check-in to ensure that all electives align is essential by recognizing that even minor adjustments can have a big impact. It is important to look at everything in a student’s schedule. It is best to have contingency plans if courses become too difficult and adjustments are necessary. We plan Option A, B, C, and even D in some cases.

• Time Management:

  • Help your student develop good time management skills. Balancing academic and extracurricular commitments is crucial for success; using digital planners, online calendars through the school (Canva, Schoology), and set up global checklists that account for long-term assignments. 

• Review and Update:

  • Regularly review and update the academic plan to reflect any changes in goals, interests, or academic performance. This ensures that the plan remains relevant and useful.

By considering these factors and incorporating them into the planning process, families can create a comprehensive four-year academic plan that maximizes a student’s high school experience and prepares them for future success. Check out our four-year academic planner here for how you can kick off next year on the right foot. To learn more about your student’s four-year high school plan roadmap, email hello@collegeflightpath.com or book a free 15-minute call.

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