Getting Ready for College Starts in Middle School

Classes to Take
Is it too early to start planning for college when your kid is in middle school? Absolutely not. Be involved in choosing your kid's schedule, making sure to include challenging courses. For example, research shows that students who take algebra and geometry early are much more likely to go on to college than students who do not. By taking these subjects early in middle or junior high school, students make themselves eligible to enroll in chemistry, physics, trigonometry, and advanced placement courses before finishing high school.

College-bound middle and junior high school students should take:

• Algebra I (in eighth grade) and geometry (in ninth grade) or other challenging math courses that expect students to master the essentials of these subjects. Algebra and geometry form the foundation for the advanced math and science courses colleges want their students to take, and give students the skills they need to succeed on college entrance exams, in college math classes, and in their future careers.

• English, science, and history or geography every year. Together with math, these courses make up the "core" -- the basic academic classes every student should take every year, in middle school and in high school. Students can take a variety of English, science, and history classes -- all of them good preparation for college.

• Foreign language. Many colleges require their students to study a foreign language for at least two years, and some prefer three or four years of one language. Taking a foreign language shows colleges that a student is serious and willing to learn the basics plus more, and shows employers that he or she is prepared to compete in the global economy.

• Computer science. Basic computer skills are now essential, and more and more jobs require at least a basic knowledge of computers. Make sure your child takes advantage of any opportunities the school offers to learn to use computers.

• The arts. Many colleges view participation in the arts and music as a valuable experience that broadens students' understanding and appreciation of the world around them. It is also well known and widely recognized that the arts contribute significantly to children's intellectual development.

There's no substitute for taking challenging courses and working hard.

Help for Parents Some parents -- especially those who did not go to or finish college themselves -- may worry that they cannot provide their child the guidance and support needed to get ready for college. But remember, getting ready for college is more work than anyone can handle on his own, and you don't need to have gone to college yourself to help someone else get ready for college. Here are some resources:

• Many schools offer before- and after-school programs, where children can learn more about the subjects that interest them, under the care and guidance of adults.
• Some schools also have mentoring programs. An adult can provide extra help and advice about, for example, the challenging math and science courses college-bound students need to take. They can also advise students how to plan for a college and a career.

Ask your child's teachers or guidance counselor for information about such programs in your local schools. Ask your child's principal about opportunities for teachers or others who have graduated from college to come into the classroom to talk with students about their experiences and success.

Source: Getting Ready for College Early: A Handbook for Parents of Students in the Middle and Junior High School Years, August 1997, U.S. Department of Education

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