The applications for Early College are about to open. Scheduling high school classes for next year will start in just a few short weeks. Some students and families might be getting anxious about these choices. Crosby Scholars staff members often get asked, “What program should my student be in?” or “Should we go with AP or IB?” As much as we’d like to be able to answer these questions for you, we can’t! These decisions should be based upon what you know about your child.
Here are some things to consider when trying to decide about a high school (or middle school) program:
- Is your student more mature or less mature than most of his/her peers?
- How much time after school is your student willing to commit to schoolwork?
- In how many extracurricular activities will your student participate?
- How much time/ability do you have to support your student with transportation, homework help, community service requirements, etc?
- How much flexibility is there to change programs if our choice doesn’t work out?
Colleges look at the courses taken as well as the grades earned.
It is true that sometimes a “B” in a more rigorous course might be more impressive to colleges than an “A” in an easier class. However, a “C” in any class won’t impress the most selective college admissions officers. So, it’s important to have a balance between challenge and support to ensure success.
My best piece of advice is to do your homework. Talk to counselors and principals to learn about what it takes to be successful at their school. Ask questions and read the registration guide for your district. (You will be amazed at how many choices there are!) Involve the student in the process of deciding. If your child ends up somewhere they really don’t want to be, it probably won’t go well.
To help you understand just a little bit about some of the programs you can choose from in Iredell County, I created a chart. This is just a starting point to begin exploring and doesn’t include every choice available! I hope it helps.
