To choose high school classes, start with your state and school graduation requirements, then add rigor in subjects where your teen is strong or curious, and keep standard or honors levels where they are still building skills. Check the total weekly load, including activities, work and sleep. A schedule your teen can sustain all year beats an impressive one that falls apart by November.
Step one: know the requirements
Every state sets minimum graduation requirements, and many districts add more. Public universities in some states also publish their own course requirements for admission, which can differ from graduation rules. Ask for both lists early, ideally in 8th or 9th grade.
- Credits needed in English, math, science, social studies, world language, arts, physical education and electives.
- Any required sequences, such as a particular math path.
- College admission course expectations, if your teen may apply to a four-year college.
- Where to find it: the school course catalog, the counselor, and your state education department.
Our guide to high school graduation requirements covers this in more detail.
Step two: choose a level for each subject
Most schools offer standard, honors and AP or IB levels in core subjects. Choose subject by subject rather than applying one level across the board.
- Strong and interested: consider the most challenging level, such as AP, IB or dual enrollment.
- Solid but not a passion: honors or standard, depending on the rest of the load.
- A real struggle: a level where your teen can build skills and earn a grade that reflects effort.
- Unsure: ask the current teacher. See honors vs AP.
Step three: count the whole week
Course loads are easy to underestimate. Before finalizing, estimate weekly hours honestly:
- Class time plus realistic homework for each course.
- Sports, arts, clubs, a job and commute.
- Family responsibilities.
- Sleep. Teens generally need more than most get; our guide on teen sleep and school explains why.
- Unscheduled time to rest and see friends.
If the total does not fit in a real week, something has to give, and it should be decided now rather than in a crisis in October. It helps to sit down with your teen and fill in a blank weekly calendar together, so the tradeoffs are visible to both of you.
A rough year-by-year guide
- 9th grade: build habits. Mostly standard and honors classes, with challenge where your teen is clearly ready. See freshman year of high school.
- 10th grade: add rigor in strong subjects, and look ahead to 11th grade options such as IB. See sophomore year.
- 11th grade: often the most demanding year. Choose rigor selectively. See junior year.
- 12th grade: finish requirements and keep grades steady; colleges may see senior grades. See the senior year slump.
Signs the balance is off
- Homework regularly running late into the night.
- Grades dropping across several classes at once.
- Constant irritability, dread on Sunday nights, or giving up activities they love.
- Persistent worry, low mood or physical complaints. A licensed professional is the right step if these last; in a crisis, call or text 988.
Ask about deadlines for changing a class level. Dropping one course early is far better than struggling through four. Our guide on when a teen is failing classes helps if things have already slipped.
Where a mentor helps
Course decisions belong with the student, family, teachers and working with the school counselor. A mentor helps the student think through tradeoffs honestly, then build and run the weekly routine the schedule requires, and spots overload early. Mentors meet weekly or more, stay in touch between sessions, and share progress with parents. Learn more about mentoring for high school students or our page for families.
Related
- AP classes explained
- Weighted vs unweighted GPA
- The high school transcript explained
- Executive function skills
Common questions
When should we start planning classes?
Usually in the winter or spring before the next school year, when schools open course selection. Look at a four-year plan by 9th grade so requirements and sequences are not missed.
How many hard classes is too many?
It depends on the student and the rest of their week. If homework routinely cuts into sleep or grades are falling across the board, the load is likely too heavy.
Should my teen take classes just to look good for college?
Colleges generally look at rigor in context and at grades. Choosing classes your teen can do well in, and cares about, is usually a sounder plan.
Can we change classes after the year starts?
Many schools have a short window for schedule or level changes. Ask the counselor for the dates before the year begins.
Get started
Want help balancing a challenging schedule with your teen’s wellbeing? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.