Set goals

What you take today affects what you can take tomorrow. Setting educational goals in high school can help to keep you on track for your future plans, and that starts with picking the right classes. 

Prerequisites are classes that are required before taking a higher-level course. The first levels of many classes are the prerequisites for future classes. For example, you generally have to take Algebra I before taking Geometry - or English I before English II. This is also true for endorsement-area classes (Business and Industry, Arts and Humanities, Public Service, STEM, and Multidisciplinary Studies), which have an introductory class in ninth grade that’s needed before you move up to the next level. 

School districts across the country usually require you to take three to four years of English, social studies, science, and math (plus elective classes) in order to graduate from high school. If you pass these classes, this gives you the background you need for your career after high school. 

Ultimately, you take courses during high school to learn new skills and information, pursue your specific interests, earn a high school diploma, and start on the next leg of your journey—life after high school! 

Sometimes the hardest part of planning is knowing where to start. Follow this action plan to guide you on your path to success in high school and beyond. 

One of the first things you should discuss with your counselor are your academic options. This includes: 

• Texas' high school graduation programs and necessary requirements 
• Endorsement options and their related programs of study 
• Options for taking accelerated coursework and earning college credit while in high school 

The decisions you make around graduation options and endorsements can impact your college admissions, as each school may have their own expectations or requirements for what you need to complete in high school.  

Think of endorsements as high school majors. Endorsements help group related coursework in a particular area of study, which lets you zero in on topics you're interested in and build the foundational knowledge and skills you'll need after high school. In Texas, you can graduate with at least one of the following endorsements: 

• Arts and Humanities 
• Business and Industry 
• Multidisciplinary Studies 
• Public Service 
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) 

You'll want to check in with your counselor about the endorsement options available at your school, since high schools aren't required to offer all five. If your school doesn't offer the endorsement you want, your counselor can help you pick another endorsement and classes that match your interests. 

And don't forget: You can change your mind. You can pick a new endorsement or decide you want to meet requirements for more than one endorsement. You just need to make that decision before 11th grade. After that, it can be really tricky to meet graduation requirements if you're just getting started in taking courses tailored to an endorsement area. 

The Basic Endorsements Milestones timeline can help you keep track of the endorsement decisions you need to make and when you need to make them. 

Programs of study 

A program of study is a set of courses that align high school education with postsecondary education. They include challenging content to prepare you to succeed in college and beyond. 

They may offer you the chance to earn college and technical school credits. You may also earn an industry-recognized credential or certificate or an associate or bachelor's degree. 

You’ll need to talk with your counselor to make sure any programs of study you're interested in lead to your selected endorsement(s). If they don’t align, you might need to change endorsements. 

Choosing the right mix of classes is an art, not a science. There isn't a magic formula to picking the perfect mix of classes, but there are some general rules you can follow to create a challenging yet manageable course load. 

Check out the resources below to learn more about the benefits of challenging classes. There are also some great questions you can ask yourself to make sure you pick classes that match to your interests and long-term goals. 

• Choosing High School Classes by QuestBridge 
• How to pick your high school courses freshmen and sophomore years by CollegeVine 
• How and why to take advanced high school courses by BigFuture 

What is GPA and why does it matter? 

Your grade point average (GPA) is an important part of your high school career. It’s essentially an average of your grades in all of your classes. To keep things simple and standardized, this number is translated onto a 4.0 or 5.0 scale, depending on which one your school uses. 

On a 4.0 scale, grades are unweighted, meaning your classes (and the grades you get in them) are treated the same, regardless if those classes are standard, honors, or AP/IB/dual credit. On a 5.0 scale, grades are weighted by their difficulty level. This means that when it comes to calculating GPA, the A you receive in your AP history class will be treated differently than the A you get in a grade-level history class. Because the AP class is more rigorous, you get an extra boost on your GPA to account for the extra work and effort you had to put in to get that grade. 

Explore: GPA Chart: Conversion to 4.0 Scale by PrepScholar 

Impact of GPA on college applications 

Colleges will evaluate your GPA during the college admissions process. The more competitive the college, the higher the GPA you’ll need to get in. Of course, GPA isn’t the only thing colleges look at on your application. In fact, this is part of the reason why standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, and community involvement are so important during high school. If your GPA isn’t where they want it to be, you can make up for it in those other areas. 

GPA and class ranking 

At most high schools in Texas, your GPA will determine your class ranking and class percentile. These numbers show how you’re doing in relation to your peers. These numbers could impact your eligibility for college admissions, scholarship opportunities, and high school honors and recognitions.  

Explore: What is Class Rank? By PrepScholar 

Talking with your counselor about your GPA 

The next time you meet with your counselor, make sure you bring up GPA. Some questions to help guide the conversation include: 

• Does the school calculate a weighted or unweighted GPA? You can also ask if the school converts GPA on a 4.0 or 5.0 scale. 
• How often is your GPA updated, and where is that information posted? 
• What GPA will you need to get into the colleges you’re interested in? 
• What GPA will you need to compete for the top 10% of your graduating class? 

In the end, GPA matters. The more you know about GPA and why you should work to keep it high, the better.