Second semester is well underway, and students are already preparing for what’s to come: next year’s class schedule. With excitement and anxiety in the air, students at Marist High School are currently in the process of picking classes for the next school year. This decision, however, comes with some important notes and changes that students should consider when deciding their classes.
Class Selection Process
Each year, students at Marist High School are given a presentation by the Counseling Department to explain the process for picking classes, and to be given advice for their next year at Marist. Students are also provided with two sheets of paper, one detailing the classes that are available to them, and the other as a guide to keep track of the classes they are interested in.
Once the scheduling website, ‘Pick-a-Time,’ is accessible, students are able to schedule meetings with their school counselor to sign-up for next year’s classes. It’s important to note that many students sign-up within minutes of ‘Pick-a-Time’ being released, so students should sign-up immediately if there is a class they are very interested in taking.
“The meeting slots go by very fast. I signed up for classes an hour after it was released and I got one of the last meeting dates,” said Alfredo Ibarra, a junior student.
Rising Seniors: The Final Year
For rising seniors, the pressure of class selection is at its peak. Many students are concerned about their college applications and want to maximize their chances and improve their applications with advanced classes. For senior year, the maximum number of AP classes a student is permitted to take is four.
“I’m going to try and take the maximum number of AP [classes] I can,” said Mia Narciso, a rising senior. “I hope that I’ll be able to use them for my college applications later in the fall.”
Rising seniors are also given the unique opportunity to apply to a variety of different religion classes. Those classes include: Religion in the 21st Century, Faith, Science, and Reasoning (FSR), Peer Leadership, and Senior Service. For the Peer Leadership and Senior Service programs, there are a limited number of students admitted and they require a separate application.
“I was accepted into Senior Service…and I applied because it seemed really interesting to be able to do community service as a religion class,” said Devin Feliciano, a rising senior.
Rising seniors should also pay close attention to Marist’s graduation requirements if they wish to graduate on time. Marist High School requires that students take a total of 25 credits during their high school career. Specifically, four credits of English, four credits of Religious Studies, three credits of Mathematics, three credits of Science, three credits of Social Studies, two credits of World Language, one and a half credits of Physical Education & Health, one credit of Visual and Performing Arts, and three and a half credits of Electives.
Rising Juniors: Finding a Balance
For rising juniors, the next year will allow them to explore subjects they are more passionate about. Students will have completed most required classes and will also have the opportunity to branch out and find new areas of interest.
“I think I’m going to sign-up for AP Chemistry,” said Reagan McQuaid, a rising junior. “Even though it’s a difficult class, I really like science classes and might go into the med-field in the future.”
It is also commonly said that junior year is the toughest year in high school. Rising juniors should take into consideration that next year they will be required to take the ACT, and juniors are eligible to take up to three AP classes (meaning three AP exams). Students must find a balance between academics, sports, extracurriculars, and home life so as to not let themselves burnout.
“My son is taking honors classes, is involved in clubs afterschool, and has a job. I tell him he needs adequate rest and sleep so that he does not burnout,” said John Maher, father of a Marist student.
Rising Sophomores: Gaining Experience
For rising sophomores, the next year is all about getting valuable advice and experiences in high school and preparing for more challenging courses in the future. Some restrictions for sophomores are that they can take a maximum of two AP courses, and that Marist High School requires students to have completed a Health class by the end of their sophomore year.
“I haven’t decided on what classes I’m taking next year, but my brother said that I should get all of my required classes out of the way,” said Daniel Prendergast, a rising sophomore.
Incoming Freshmen: A New Start
For incoming freshmen, high school represents a new chapter in their lives and academic career. They will be introduced to all that Marist has to offer.
“I hope my time at Marist High School will let me make great friends while getting a good education,” said Emma Froylán, an incoming freshman student.
Most freshmen will automatically be signed up for their core classes based on their performance on the Entrance Exam. However, a new change will give freshmen the opportunity to take a single AP class, usually AP World.
For students with an advanced understanding of a world language, they can opt to take an additional test to qualify for either a heritage language class or an advanced language course. Additionally, Speech class is no longer a required course for freshmen and is now offered as an elective.
