How to Select Courses and Create an Appropriate Schedule

When selecting courses, we advise students to challenge themselves appropriately while pursuing areas of interest.  CCA's block schedule allows students to explore a variety of different interests beyond graduation and college requirements.  If students are looking to add rigor to their schedule, we recommend they consider areas of passion or strength.  An appropriate challenge allows students to stretch themselves academically, while not compromising extracurriculars, elective interests, and a students' ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle. When students are achieving success in their courses, it may be appropriate to seek to add a small incremental increase in rigor, but not at the expense of their ability to balance other obligations and interests.

Things to consider when choosing honors/AP or college prep courses...

• If a student is earning average grades in college prep classes, then it is reasonable to assume continuing in college prep will serve them well

• If a student is earning above average grades in college prep classes, pursuing honors/AP may be an appropriate challenge

• If a student is performing well in honors/AP classes, but is stressed or stretched thin, it may be appropriate to scale back in course rigor in areas

If a student has questions about course rigor, consulting Course Profiles, talking to teachers in that subject area, or consulting their counselor are great ways to evaluate choices!

Some students want to create an overall four-year plan for their courses throughout high school.  To do so, students should consider their personal interests, abilities and motivation.  Colleges seek individuals whose records reflect genuine interests and endeavors. Students may customize a flexible four-year plan that can be updated at any time as they complete coursework and pursue extra-curricular activities. CCA's Four-Year Plan template may be useful in helping students balance rigor and subject matter across their high school careers.

SDUHSD graduation requirements and UC/CSU entrance requirements are listed on the template for assistance in planning.  As students hone their interests over time, they can adjust the 4-year plan so that is directly related to what they hope to do after high school.  The more effort a student puts into using tools that are available to them, the better developed his or her plan will become!

How to access student grades, graduation summary, transcripts and college entrance requirements in AERIES Portal- Screencast Recording