Class Tracks by Subject Area

Classes in some subject areas follow a specific order.  Below is a guideline with our recommendations for sequencing classes, along with our college prep recommendation.

 

Science

For middle school students who are confident in their math and science skills:

• Grade 6:  eCHAT Science for 5th and 6th graders
• Grade 7:  General Science, Applied Engineering, or Life Science
• Grade 8:  Physical Science

For middle school students who might need an easier beginning to high school science:

• Grade 6:  eCHAT Science for 5th and 6th graders
• Grades 7-8:  Pick 2 of these 3 classes:  General Science, Applied Engineering, Life Science
• Grade 9:  Physical Science

For high school:

• Physical Science (if not already taken)
• Biology
• One of the following:
  • Chemistry
  • Physics

College Prep Recommendation:  3-4 lab science credits

 

Social Studies, Economics, and Worldview

For 7th and 8th Graders:

• Jr. High World History
• Jr. High Cultural Geography

Note:  These classes are both offered each year.  The order they are taken in does not matter.

For high school:

• The classes offered can be taken in any order.

College Prep Recommendation:  3-4 credits

 

Math

For middle school students who are confident in their math skills:

• Grade 7:  Pre-Algebra
• Grade 8:  Algebra 1

For middle school students who might need a more gradual entry into high school math:

• Grade 8:  Pre-Algebra
• Grade 9:  Algebra 1

Advanced Math Enrichment is a helpful course to be taken concurrently with any core math class.

High school math classes should be taken in this order:

• Algebra 1 *
• Geometry
• Algebra 2 (can also be taken before Geometry or concurrently with Geometry if necessary)
• Pre-Calculus

*Minnesota public school math requirements now consider Algebra 1 an 8th grade class and do not give it high school credit.  Homeschooled students are not bound by this law and parents can give high school credit for Algebra 1. 

College Prep Recommendation:  Students should take 3-4 credits, with at least one class beyond Algebra 2.  This can be Pre-Calculus, Statistics, or any PSEO math class.

 

Writing, Language Arts, Literature

For middle school students:

• Grade 7:  English A
• Grade 8:  English B

Creative Writing can also be taken as an 8th grader

For high school:

• Writing 1
• Writing 2 
• Writing 3
• PSEO College Writing

Creative Writing can also be taken at any time in grades 9-12.

College Prep Recommendation:  4 credits

 

Speech

College Prep Recommendation:  0.5 - 1 credit

 

Foreign Languages

Foreign language classes offered are all high school level, but the sequence can begin as early as grade 7.

College Prep Recommendation:  2-4 credits  (Some colleges will waive a student's college-level foreign languge requirement if a student has 4 credits of a high school language.)

 

Physical Education and Health

College Prep Recommendation:  1-2 credits

 

Performing Arts and Studio Arts

The majority of these classes can be taken in any order.  See individual class descriptions for prerequisites.

College Prep Recommendation:  1-2 credits

 

Electives

Electives can be taken wherever they best fit the student's schedule.  See individual class descriptions for any prerequisites.

College Prep Recommendation:  4 credits