Number of Classes

"How many classes should I take?" It is a common question that students are asking and, in all honesty, the answer depends.

A general rule of thumb for students planning to attend college is that all freshman, sophomore, and junior students should plan to take at least 6 classes each semester. All seniors that are on track for meeting their graduation requirements can decrease the total number of courses each semester due to the demands of other requirements such as college and scholarship applications, but should still plan to take at least 5 classes each semester.

If students are behind on earning their credits, then it may be necessary to plan on taking more classes for a semester or the year.

In order to progress forward with your class, all freshman students must earn at least 5.0 credits to be classified as a sophomore. All sophomore students must earn at least 10.0 credits to be classified as a junior. And, to be classified as a senior, students must earn at least 15.0 credits. 

"But do I have to?" When we talk about the recommended courses, a lot of students will come back asking if they have to take 5 or 6 classes. The answer is no, but 5 classes is what it takes to be considered a full time student and so you will need your parents to sign off that they approve of you taking less than the recommended number of courses.

Additionally, for those of you who participate in anything that requirements co-curricular eligibility you need to be sure that you are selecting enough classes when picking out your courses.  Remember, any school sponsored activity that involves competition requires you to be eligible.  So this includes sports, band, choir groups, Mock trial, In the Know, Dance Team, etc.  You will need to PASS at least 5 half credit courses each quarter in order to be eligible.  If you are signing up to take a Wellness for Life class (Wellness for Life, Strength Training, or Flex and Tone), you need to be aware that these classes are only worth .25 credits so they do not count in the courses needed for co-curricular eligibility.  

If you have co-curricular eligibility questions, please stop by the Co-Curricular office or drop by to see me.

I have also had a few students asking for clarification to make sure that they are signing up for the right number of classes in the online system.  I realize that we tend to talk in credits and then in the online registration system it refers to things in "units."  Units represent how many quarters are filled with the classes you are selecting.  So 6 academic classes would equal 24 units.  When you have your lunches and academic prep or options added in to give you a full day it should equal out to being 32 total units.