The following is a chart of suggested patterns of college-preparatory study and can be used to help in developing your four-year plan of courses. The content areas outlined are those in which colleges are looking for specific preparation. Since you will have ample opportunity for other course work, we encourage you to select from the wide array of offerings in the Art, Business, Ind. Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Performing Arts areas. These courses will provide a well-rounded background for possible career and vocational interests.
NUMBER OF YEARS RECOMMENED
| COLLEGES | Competitive College |
Very Competitive College | Extremely Competitive College |
| ENGLISH | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| SOCIAL STUDIES | 3-4 | 4 -5 | 4 -5 |
| COLLEGE-PREP MATH ( Alg. I , Geom, Alg. II, etc.) |
3-4 | 4 -5 | 4 -5 |
| SCIENCE (Lab Science) | 2-3 | 3-4 | 3-5 |
| FOREIGN LANG . (same language) |
2-4 | 3-4 | 3-5 |
| ACADEMIC UNITS | 16-19 | 18-22 | 19-24 |
Two year colleges (Community Colleges / Junior Colleges) do not necessarily require the same kind or number of courses that four year colleges do. However, some programs of study at the two year college may have specific requirements. (E.G., nursing at Middlesex County College requires that you have taken Lab Biology and Chemistry).
ACADEMIC UNITS - Explanation and Listing
Your post-high school plans will determine, to a great extent, which courses you will take in high school. Students who are planning to go to a four-year college should accrue a minimum of sixteen academic units before graduation. An academic unit is earned for completion of study in a year-long college-preparatory course. Semester courses do not earn academic unit status.
It is recommended that students should take at least 16 units from grades 9-12. This is important because you want to present as strong an academic record as possible to prospective colleges. To help you in planning, those courses, which are generally accepted by colleges as academic units, are listed below. Please refer to the footnotes for clarification.
| Business and Criminal Law (1) | Physical & Earth Sci. (Lab) |
| College Preparatory Accounting I & II (1) | Biology I (Lab) Honors/Standard |
| Advanced Computer Applications (1) | Biology II (Lab) |
| International Business (1) | A.P. Biology (Lab) |
| Business Organization Management | Human Anatomy & Psychology (Lab) |
| A.P. Economics | Field Ecology /Animal Behavior (Lab) |
| English I, II, III, IV (Standard/with lab /Honors) | A.P. Environmental Science (Lab) |
| Ancient Greek | Chemistry I-T/ Chemistry I-CC (Lab) |
| Latin I, II, III, IV, V | Honors Chemistry (Lab) |
| Spanish, IIA,IIIA (2) | A.P. Chemistry (Lab) |
| Spanish I, II, III, IV, V (Standard / Honors) | Physics I-T / Physics I-A(Lab) |
| AP Spanish V | Honors College Physics (Lab) |
| French I, II, III, IV, V (Standard /Honors) | A.P. Physics C (Lab) |
| A.P. French V | A.P. Physics B (Lab) |
| Algebra I /Elements of Alg I/Adv Alg. I | Sci. Applic. of Multi-Variable Calc. |
| Geo./Elem. of Geom./Adv. Geom. | Sci. Appl of Differ Equa.& Comp. Analy |
| Alg.II/Adv. Alg. II/ Hon. Alg. II./Elem. of Alg. II | Science & Society (1) |
| Computer Prog. I/ II | Global Studies – all levels |
| A.P. Computer Programming | Holocaust & Genocide |
| Discrete Math | Govt. & Economics –all levels |
| Intro to Statistics | IPLE I & II (1) |
| College Prep Math | Introduction to Psychology |
| Adv. Pre Calculus | A.P. Psychology |
| Trig and Algebraic Functions | Military History and Strategy |
| Calculus | U.S. History - all levels |
| A.P. Calculus – AB, BC | The Viet Nam Era (1) |
| A.P. Statistics | Race, Class & Gender in America (1) |
| Music Theory I (1) | Simulations in World Trade (1) |
| A.P. Music Theory | A.P. European History |
| A.P. Art History | A.P. U.S. Govt.Politics A.P. Comp. Govt. & Politics |
(1) Accepted as an academic unit by some colleges, but is not universally accepted
Completion of this three-course sequence yields two academic unit
(2) Completion of this 2 year course yields I academic unit.
NCAA Information
College-bound athletes also need to be sure that they have the kind and number of courses required to meet NCAA eligibility requirements. Although most of the courses listed as academic units qualify as eligible core courses, students should check with their counselors for NCAA information or go to NCAAClearinghouse.net to see which of our courses are authorized core courses. In addition, perspective athletes must meet GPA and SAT/ACT score requirements. The NCAA uses a sliding scale in regard to G.P.A and S.A.T. scores. You can consult NCAAClearinghouse.net for further details.
College Admission Testing Information
PSAT
This exam is given once a year in October to all sophomores as well as juniors. This is a practice SAT I exam to acclimate the students to the SAT and is used by the National Merit Corporation to identify highly qualified juniors for recognition.
SAT I
This is a three-hour test, divided into two sections, which measures Mathematical and Verbal abilities. The score ranges from 200-800 respectively. It is recommend that students take the exam two or three times, two of which should be in the junior year. The test will include a writing section in 2005.
ACT
This test is an alternative to the SAT I. It can be taken during the student's junior and senior years. The ACT is divided into four parts, Math, English, Science Reasoning, and Reading. The student will receive a composite score from 1-36. Students with a solid course background are encouraged to take the ACT test as an alternative or in addition to the SAT.
SAT II (Subject Tests)
Students attending selective schools would be required to take the SAT II subject area tests. (usually three exams). Each test is 1 hour long so students can take one, two or three at one administration. Each subject score ranges from 200-800. Students taking Biology , Chemistry, or Physics during their freshman or sophomore year may want to take the Biology , Chemistry, or Physics exam; ask your teacher or counselor for more information. Most students would take the SAT II subject tests at the end of their junior year or beginning of their senior year. You should consult your counselor for the timing of the test.
ART REQUIREMENTS
The list below contains the courses that will fulfill the Visual/ Performing/ Practical Arts requirements for graduation. The courses with * could fulfill either area.
NOTE: Class of 2007 – 2 years of any course listed below
Class of 2008, 09, 10 – I year of a Visual / Performing Art and 1 year of a Practical Art
| Visual / Performing Arts | Practical Arts | Practical Arts (cont’) |
| Printmaking I&II | Keyboarding | Computer Science II |
| Art 1&II | Computer Applications | Computer Science Java(AP) |
| Graphic Design 1* | Entrepreneurship | Introduction to Technology |
| Intro to Computer Graphics* | Intro to Business | Studio Production for TV |
| Desktop Publishing* | Personal Law | |
| A World of Art | Career Exploration | |
| Art History | Applied Business Math | |
| Art II | Business and Criminal Law | |
| Drawing I | Accounting I | |
| Cartooning I | College Accounting I&II | |
| Black & White Photo I&II | Business Org. and Mgt. | |
| Commercial Art II* | Adv. Computer Apps. For Business | |
| Sculpture I | AP Economics | |
| Photoshop I&II | Intro to Web Page* | |
| Advanced Drawing | Advanced Web Page* | |
| Painting I | Senior Internship in Business | |
| Yearbook I&II* | Marketing Ed. I | |
| Art Portfolio | International Business | |
| Advanced Painting | Architecture I, II, III, IV | |
| Intro to Film Analysis | Industrial Design I | |
| Comedy in Film | Advanced Graphics I &II | |
| Chorus | VTN: Broadcast Journalism Technology | |
| Concert Choir | Advanced Video Production | |
| Music Theory I | Engineering Drawing | |
| AP Music Theory | Advanced Engineering Drawing | |
| Wind Ensemble (Honors) | Engineering Technology | |
| Concert Band | Electronics & Robotic Technology | |
| Symphonic Band | Auto Tech I &II | |
| String Orchestra | Advanced Auto Technology | |
| Theatre Arts I &II | The Art of Screen Writing | |
| AP Art Portfolio | Creative Writing I &II | |
| Advanced String Ensemble | Newspaper Journalism I, II, III | |
| Independent Living | ||
| Parenting | ||
| Craft Marketing I &II | ||
| Creative Foods | ||
| Foods II, III, IV | ||
| Clothing, Adv. Clothing, Cloth. Lab | ||
| Child Development: Kids, Kids, Kids | ||
| More Kids | ||
| Advanced Child Development | ||
| Computer Programming PASCAL |