Consultant for HS course selection

[Anonymous]

Are there consultants or other individuals who can help HS kids figure out how to organize their schedule each year to ensure they are prioritizing appropriate pre-requisites? I’m not sure how parents normally do this considering there are hundreds of classes in the course offerings and the ordering/pathway isn’t always obvious for each subject area.

I’m not trying to be over the top on pre-defining my kids entire college life and career, but DC is already totally off in two areas because DC didn’t understand how certain early course selections would result in different subsequent options (nor did we as parents). One mistake is non-recoverable, the other requires DC to repeat a class. We’d learned our lesson the hard way and would like to avoid making the issue worse by instead investing in some good advice.

I appreciate that at some schools the HS counselors help with this but that does not appear to be an option at our HS.

[Anonymous]

You might not be trying to be over the top, but you ARE over the top.

[Anonymous]

Just ask on DCUM. No need to hire a consultant.

[Anonymous]

It’s been so confusing. Each school has special programs and different electives. MCPS does a horrible job at showing pathways or giving ideas. Counselors are overwhelmed.

I don’t think you need a consultant but you need to ask around and here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You might not be trying to be over the top, but you ARE over the top.

OP here, for the avoidance of doubt our DC is the one who has classes DC wants to take. I want to support them in that process by at least letting them get good advice.

They are personally disappointed knowing they have to repeat a class to reach their own goal and certain classes they were looking forward to are now out of reach. It feels like this information should be readily available but if it isn’t I’m interested in understanding how one can access it. Is my asking a group of potentially knowledgeable parents how my child can get advice to accomplish her own goals over the top?

[Anonymous]

Can your DC ask the counselor for a 4-year planning sheet? Or just make up their own? Then you can sit down with the graduation requirements and course bulletin and map out a plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You might not be trying to be over the top, but you ARE over the top.

OP here, for the avoidance of doubt our DC is the one who has classes DC wants to take. I want to support them in that process by at least letting them get good advice.

They are personally disappointed knowing they have to repeat a class to reach their own goal and certain classes they were looking forward to are now out of reach. It feels like this information should be readily available but if it isn’t I’m interested in understanding how one can access it. Is my asking a group of potentially knowledgeable parents how my child can get advice to accomplish her own goals over the top?

Why do they have to repeat a class to reach their goal?

[Anonymous]

The counselors at your school won't sit down with you ever?
That's terrible. I haven't asked at our school but that seems completely unacceptable. I know they are busy but you would think they could book a 15-20 minute appointment with you months out.

[Anonymous]

My best advisors have been parents with older kids, usually seniors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are there consultants or other individuals who can help HS kids figure out how to organize their schedule each year to ensure they are prioritizing appropriate pre-requisites? I’m not sure how parents normally do this considering there are hundreds of classes in the course offerings and the ordering/pathway isn’t always obvious for each subject area.

I’m not trying to be over the top on pre-defining my kids entire college life and career, but DC is already totally off in two areas because DC didn’t understand how certain early course selections would result in different subsequent options (nor did we as parents). One mistake is non-recoverable, the other requires DC to repeat a class. We’d learned our lesson the hard way and would like to avoid making the issue worse by instead investing in some good advice.

I appreciate that at some schools the HS counselors help with this but that does not appear to be an option at our HS.

Why do you need a consultant?? Can't you (and your child!) first dig into the course catalog, study the course flow charts and read the details? That should be enough to avoid most pitfalls with prerequisites. Then if you have specific questions about classes/schools, etc, you can come back to ask here, but you need to do your research first.

[Anonymous]

I think college consultants help with this stuff. They usually know which courses high school students need to be competitive for admissions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there consultants or other individuals who can help HS kids figure out how to organize their schedule each year to ensure they are prioritizing appropriate pre-requisites? I’m not sure how parents normally do this considering there are hundreds of classes in the course offerings and the ordering/pathway isn’t always obvious for each subject area.

I’m not trying to be over the top on pre-defining my kids entire college life and career, but DC is already totally off in two areas because DC didn’t understand how certain early course selections would result in different subsequent options (nor did we as parents). One mistake is non-recoverable, the other requires DC to repeat a class. We’d learned our lesson the hard way and would like to avoid making the issue worse by instead investing in some good advice.

I appreciate that at some schools the HS counselors help with this but that does not appear to be an option at our HS.

Why do you need a consultant?? Can't you (and your child!) first dig into the course catalog, study the course flow charts and read the details? That should be enough to avoid most pitfalls with prerequisites. Then if you have specific questions about classes/schools, etc, you can come back to ask here, but you need to do your research first.

There are lots of caveats and pathways that the course catalog doesn't cover. You need someone who knows the system to guide you.

[Anonymous]

I figured it out from DCUM and current parents, and a little my kid gleaned from school counselor. Tell us what your kid is taking and we'll help you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there consultants or other individuals who can help HS kids figure out how to organize their schedule each year to ensure they are prioritizing appropriate pre-requisites? I’m not sure how parents normally do this considering there are hundreds of classes in the course offerings and the ordering/pathway isn’t always obvious for each subject area.

I’m not trying to be over the top on pre-defining my kids entire college life and career, but DC is already totally off in two areas because DC didn’t understand how certain early course selections would result in different subsequent options (nor did we as parents). One mistake is non-recoverable, the other requires DC to repeat a class. We’d learned our lesson the hard way and would like to avoid making the issue worse by instead investing in some good advice.

I appreciate that at some schools the HS counselors help with this but that does not appear to be an option at our HS.

Why do you need a consultant?? Can't you (and your child!) first dig into the course catalog, study the course flow charts and read the details? That should be enough to avoid most pitfalls with prerequisites. Then if you have specific questions about classes/schools, etc, you can come back to ask here, but you need to do your research first.

There are lots of caveats and pathways that the course catalog doesn't cover. You need someone who knows the system to guide you.

Really? Everyone else seems to do it just fine.

[Anonymous]

I have 2 grads and a sophomore. While there are a lot of course options, MCPS provided pretty clear diagrams of the tracks for math and science. English and social studies were pretty straightforward. Our school hosts grade level parent meetings that also discuss this. My kids didn’t seem to have any issues figuring it out. The course catalog mentions prerequisites so you can find the classes they want to take and sort of work backwards. Are you at a magnet that is different? Perhaps they can just ask the counselor for clarification. I’ve never known anyone to hire a consultant for this though I know some will ask a college consultant for coursework advice such as does college A want to see Calc BC or 4 years of language.