College Planning
Students who are interested in continuing their education after high school by attending college are advised to consider the following information from the Tahoma High School academic counseling staff:
COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS
Students who satisfy Tahoma Senior High School graduation requirements are eligible for admission to two-year colleges. Students interested in this type of institution should meet with their school counselor to discuss appropriate courses.
FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS
Students planning to attend a four-year university directly from high school should include as a minimum the following academic core courses in their high school educational plan:
ENGLISH
Four years
SOCIAL STUDIES
Three years (THIS IS .5 CREDIT MORE THAN THS REQUIREMENTS)
MATH
Three years — through Advanced Algebra (Colleges are recommending math all four years)
SCIENCE
Two years of lab science (must include chemistry or physics for WWU; Biology for UW), three years recommended
FINE ART/ACADEMIC ELECTIVE
One year (University of Washington and Western Washington University require a minimum .5 fine arts credit)
WORLD LANGUAGES
Two years of the same language required, three years recommended
Academic review for college admissions will not only include an examination of a student’s GPA and college entrance examination scores (SAT/ACT), but will also be based upon an evaluation of a student’s rigor of curricula and achievement. A significant grade improvement through the junior and senior year is also taken into account. Increasingly, colleges are also looking at 10th grade WASL scores as an entrance consideration.
Course requirements at out-of-state colleges and universities, as well as at all selective colleges, may vary. Students should contact the college in which they are interested in attending to inquire about specific requirements.
SCHEDULING PRIORITIES
Each student should keep in mind the following priorities:
1. Graduation Requirements: Tahoma High School's graduation requirements insure that each student will attain a certain level of development and complete a well-rounded program.
2. Future Plans: Very few high school students know exactly what they intend to do after graduation. In fact, interests and plans often change with experience and education. It is important, therefore, to take courses that lay a foundation for transitioning to one of many post-secondary options. These after-high school opportunities may include apprenticeship, community college, four-year college/university, military, technical college, work/on-the-job training, or a combination of them.
3. Five Academic/Career Pathways: The five pathways are: Arts and Communication, Business and Marketing, Health and Human Services, Industry and Technology, and Science and Engineering. Students will be given opportunities beginning in grade 9 and continuing through grade 12 to select, review, and revise, if needed, their choices of career pathway. The students’ decisions should be based upon personal characteristics, interests and aspirations. Selecting a Pathway provides the student with an area of FOCUS, along with FLEXIBILITY and a
VARIETY of ideas to pursue. The Pathways program encourages students to make wise course selections, generate possible post-secondary options, and explore occupations.
4. Interest and Abilities: Students should be realistic about their ability level and interests and should choose courses which are challenging, rewarding, and motivating. Students are encouraged to enroll in special elective courses. Parents, teachers, counselors, and the school-to-career transition coordinator can offer individual assistance to better understand one’s interests and abilities in relation to course selections.
