Which high school math subjects should your student take?

If your student intends to go to college, it’s important that they take the right math curriculum during high school. Students should keep in mind that college admissions officers review applicants’ academic records to assess how prepared they are for college-level academics, but their scrutiny of specific subjects like math might vary depending on several factors.  

Colleges each have their own set of math course requirements that applicants must complete during high school to meet minimum admission standards, but when students apply to highly selective colleges and programs or put science, technology, engineering and math-related majors on their applications, they need to stand out. Admissions officers will look for evidence that a student challenged themselves and took the most rigorous math (and other) courses available to them. 

What math classes are required in high school?  

Although requirements vary at high schools across the country, three years of math is typical, with courses taken in the following order: algebra 1, geometry, algebra, 2/trigonometry, pre-calculus, and calculus. Students have to meet those minimum requirements to graduate, but they should look toward the future when selecting high school math subjects. Here are a few things students should think about when choosing math courses:  

• Recommendations of their top college choices – Ambitious students applying to Ivy League or other selective colleges and universities must review their admissions websites for recommended high school math classes—the sooner in high school, the better. Stanford University, for example, recommends that high school students take four years of rigorous math, including algebra, geometry and trigonometry. The university states that they welcome additional mathematical preparation, including calculus and statistics for first-year applicants.  

• The math expectations of certain majors – High school students thinking about majoring in math-heavy disciplines like physics or electrical engineering should take more than their high school’s minimum math requirements. Ideally, that is four years of high school math that includes both pre-calculus and calculus. To be a competitive applicant, these students must show admissions officers that they are capable of succeeding in demanding college math courses. 

A solid foundation in math is important for all students as they prepare for college, but taking the most difficult high school math classes isn’t necessary—or wise—for everyone. Additional math classes on a student’s high school transcript can strengthen their application, but only if they perform well in them. Every student is unique and has their own goals. So, it’s perfectly fine for students to push themselves the most in their strongest subjects that suit their interests. A student who loves writing and is considering majoring in journalism might opt to take extra and more advanced English classes rather than a fourth year of high school math. 

Get Ahead with Math Subject Tutoring from Huntington 

Whether your student is struggling through high school math or wants to earn the best grades possible, Huntington can help. We work with all kinds of students, from those who want to pursue math-related disciplines in college and their careers to students striving to boost their grades and confidence.  

Huntington’s math tutoring programs begin with a comprehensive academic evaluation of a student’s current math skills. With specific details about the student’s strengths and weaknesses, Huntington tutors design a personalized learning plan. Every session is focused and targeted to meet the students’ needs.   

To learn more about Huntington’s high school math subject tutoring program, call 1-800 CAN LEARN today.