Classification: Classes

High School is generally viewed as a whole experience, consisting of many different parts. For example there is, of course the social aspect: friends, clubs, dances, parties. There is the political aspect: who wears what clothes, who is more popular, who gets to date the hottest guy or girl. And there actually is, what school was originally created for, the academic aspect. In high school there are many different classes and the choices students make in selecting these classes will effect where they fit in to the other two aspects that I mentioned, social and political.
Before freshman come to high school for the first time they are faced with a very scary book: the course syllabics, and even though they may not think much of it, this book can and will determine in a way how ones high school experience will work out. So the question is…. What classes do I take?
The first, and easiest classes to examine are the “required classes”. Required classes, are a set standard that everyone in ones grade has to adhere to. The required classes for a freshman at my high school were: Earth/Physical Science, English 9, Health, P.E. and some form of Math. These classes were generally and stereotypically easy, but students decided themselves weather or not to take them seriously. Even though I was a freshman there was a sophomore in my English 9 course, which, at first baffled me because I was only used to having classes with people in my grade.
The next kind of class were the fun classes and students had freedom in choosing them to go along with individual interests. These classes are called electives. Students at my school could choose to take “fun” classes to go along with their required classes. These classes included but were not limited to: Foreign Language, Physiology, Auto Shop, Robotics, Band, Drivers Ed., and Art. These classes were exciting to choose and gave students the freedom to express themselves in their own personal ways.
At my school, the next step is XL classes, or Honors classes. These classes were offered to freshman and sophomores and added no extra boost to a students Grade Point Average. These classes were for the student that wanted to challenge themselves, to be in classes with less disruptive kids who care about their education and to learn a little more than a regular class would give them the opportunity to. These classes showed not only that a student was a hard worker, but that they wanted to excel later in life and try hard at everything they do.
The last and hardest classification do classes is a class, followed on ones schedule by two letters that spark fear in the minds of every student. These classes are A.P. classes, or Advanced Placement classes. These classes are weighted, witch means that they give students extra points on their G.P.A. than other, regular classes. These advanced classes are challenging, stressful, scary at times, and very time consuming. Students who take these harder classes must have an amazing work ethic, dedication, focus and a mentality that is to never give up.
Through these different classifications of classes, students make a name for themselves. They decide weather they are going to float by wasting their time in classes they rant paying attention to, or weather they are going to work hard and general excel more in everyday life after high school.