4-Year Coursework Planner

Welcome to the EduAvenues 4-Year Planner module on Google Classroom! This essential planning tool is designed to guide students through creating a comprehensive and strategic four-year academic plan, rather than approaching their high school career on a year-by-year basis. Our philosophy emphasizes the importance of forward-thinking and strategic course selection to maximize your academic potential and college readiness.

Key Recommendations: Strategic Planning: Craft a 4-year academic plan that reflects not just immediate goals but sets a strong foundation for college admissions and future endeavors. Understand the importance of looking at the big picture of your high school career from the outset.  Continuous Adaptation: Note that it is OK and very normal to change your 4-year plan. Most students do change it from time to time. Even though your plan may change, it's important to create your 4-year plan upfront so that you can take a strategic, long-term view of your academics.  Rigorous Coursework: We guide students to enroll in the most challenging courses available to them, encouraging you to aim for an "A" grade in each. It's critical to balance ambition with realism, ensuring you can excel in these demanding courses. AP/IB Courses: Highlight the significance of incorporating Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) level courses across all core disciplines: Math, Science, Social Studies, and English. These courses demonstrate your ability to tackle college-level work and are highly valued in college admissions. Electives and Advanced Coursework: Beyond core subjects, fill elective slots with advanced coursework wherever possible. We explore strategies for expanding your curriculum through summer classes and additional online or 8th classes, which can free up space during the regular school year for even more specialized courses. Note that while school counselors sometimes discourage summer or 8th courses, keep in mind that their goal is to get you to graduate. Our goal is to maximize your admissions chances. The balance between those two goals is up to you, but our recommendation is to take those opportunities to enhance your application. Advanced Diplomas: Ensure you meet and exceed the minimum requirements for the most advanced diploma offered by your school. This not only enhances your college application but also prepares you for academic challenges beyond high school. Module Objectives: Equip students with the tools to create a well-rounded and challenging high school curriculum. Encourage strategic thinking about academic and career goals from the beginning of high school. Highlight the importance of advanced coursework in core and elective areas to prepare for college and beyond. Note: In case you are a student at TJHSST, check out TJ's 'course of action' YouTube channel.

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A heavyweight TJHSST-style example 4-year plan. Use as a model; substitute courses available at your school.

The plan stacks 5-6 APs each year of 11th and 12th, uses summer Virtual Virginia for non-academic requirements (Health & PE), and adds self-studied AP exams in 11th and 12th to demonstrate further rigor.

Note: this is a stretch profile. Build the plan that maximizes rigor available at your school while still earning straight A's.

• TJ Course of Action - YouTube