Advanced vs. Standard diploma in Fairfax Co.
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Anonymous
| Fairfax Co offers advanced HS diploma and standard HS diploma. Does it really matter which one you get and do colleges care? My dc would be on track to get the advanced diploma except that it requires 4 years of social studies/history. He is definitely not going to be a liberal arts major in college and is wanting to take either 2 sciences or AP computer science his senior year. But to do so, he would have to forgo a history class, which means he would not get the advanced diploma. I feel like the additional science would be so much more useful for him but I'm not sure what it means to not get the advanced diploma. |
Anonymous
|
My son went to FCPS and got a standard diploma and went to Georgetown. Pretty good school, if that helps.
I think if you are on an Ivy track, maybe the advanced is better? So many high schools only have one diploma so I can't imagine that it matters some huge amount? |
Anonymous
| Colleges only care about the classes you take, not which HS diploma you get (conferred after you are admitted). You do have to figure out which one you are getting before you signup for freshman classes as it impacts which classes you need to take. Both diplomas have requirements that the other does not have. |
Anonymous
A students needs 4 years of social studies/history for the standard diploma too. Can't get around that. |
Anonymous
| Yes, the main diff is the advanced requires 4 math, 4 science, and 3 years of language. If your DC is taking classes in prep for college, it seems easy enough to get adv diploma almost by default. |
Anonymous
| He can get extra science classes by choosing them as electives |
Anonymous
| I believe he can choose to take an additional science as an elective. At least that is possible in my kids Fairfax high school. And if he has 3 years of language done, then that leaves room senior year as well. |
Anonymous
| "Advanced" diploma: another meaningless qualifier suitable for résumé padding and bragging rights. |
Anonymous
Not really, no one cares. |
Anonymous
Yup, no one cares about this nor do kids include it on a resume. You must be new to FCPS. |
Anonymous
Tell that to the Virginia Department of Education. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/graduation/index.shtml |
Anonymous
Tell that to the Virginia Department of Education. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/graduation/index.shtml |
Anonymous
| It just distinguished a different track that requires more math and science. It doesn't go on anything. But colleges will be aware of the two tracks per the school report/counselor's rec and more demanding colleges MIGHT look askance if you didn't pursue the more demanding track. |
Anonymous
| *distinguishes* |
Anonymous
| Boy VA sure does like to create a hierarchy of kids. |