Tips For Incoming MTHS Freshman

By: Sidak Setia

As a current freshman, I know how complicated it is to decide which courses to select as an incoming highschooler. This article is to help inform you on which classes to pick your freshman year. 

First, you have a choice to join an academy that chooses the classes necessary for your desired career path. You must interview in 8th grade for a spot in the academy. Your options consist of the following:

1. The STEM Academy Programs: In this program, you can strive for the Advanced or Honors Biomedical track, Computer Science/Information Technology, or Engineering

2. The Business Academy Programs: In this program, you can aspire to be in the fields of Economics & Finance, Business Management, or Marketing.

The classes you will take for each academy (All of these images can be found on the Monroe Township High School website.)

If you are not deciding to do an academy, below are the options you can do for each subject.

Science:

There are 3 science courses you are permitted to take as a MTHS freshman: Lab Biology, Honors Biology, and Advanced Placement Biology.

1. Lab Biology: There are no prerequisites for this class, and is essentially the easiest science course you can take in 9th grade.

2. Honors Biology: A grade of 90 or higher in 8th grade science, 70 in Algebra I, and a teacher's recommendation. Any who wave into Honors Biology cannot drop the class. This is a class for people who are interested in Biology, and believe they can follow the rigor of the class.

3. Advanced Placement Biology: You need to be eligible for Honors Biology, and incoming freshmen must take a standardized test to place into this rigorous course. 9th grade students can NOT wave into Advanced Placement Biology. 

Mathematics:

There are 5 mathematics courses you are permitted to take as a MTHS freshman: Algebra I A/B, Algebra I, Geometry, Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra II

1. Algebra I A/B: Algebra I A/B is for people who need help in mathematics, and is essentially the easiest math course you can take as a freshman.

2. Algebra I: Algebra I is for people who scored a 70 or higher in 8th grade math, and is a bit more fast paced than Algebra I A/B. People who wave into this class can’t drop it.

3. Geometry: Completion of 8th grade Algebra I. It is for people who want to take the easiest course in the advanced track of mathematics.

4. Honors Geometry: An  80 or higher in 8th grade Algebra I. It is a fast paced and rigorous course for people who are in the advanced track of mathematics. People who wave into this class cannot drop it.

5. Honors Algebra II: Completion of 8th grade Geometry. It is essentially the hardest course one can take as a freshman.

History:

There are 2 courses you are permitted to take as a MTHS freshman: World History And Honors World History

1. World History: There are no prerequisites for this course, and is essentially the easiest course one can take for History.

2. Honors World History: A90 in 8th grade Language Arts, a 90 in 8th grade History, and teacher’s recommendation. This course is for people who want to go through the advanced history track. Freshman who wave into this class cannot drop it.

Language Arts:

There are 3 courses you are permitted to take as a MTHS freshman: Language Arts I, Honors Language Arts I, Pre-Advanced Placement Language Arts I

1. Language Arts I: There are no prerequisites for this course, and is essentially the easiest course one can take for Language Arts.

2. Honors Language Arts I: A 90 in 8th grade Language Arts and teachers recommendation. Freshman who wave into this class cannot drop it.

3. Pre-Advanced Placement Language Arts I: There are no prerequisites for this course. It is for people who want to go through the advanced Language Arts track. This class will have a high rigor level.

World Language:

There are 10 courses you are permitted to take as a MTHS freshman: Spanish I, Spanish II, Honors Spanish II, French I, French II, Honors French II, Italian I, Honors Italian II, Italian II, Latin I

1. Spanish I: This is an introductory course for people who want to learn about Spanish, and is the easiest Spanish course one can take.

2. Spanish II: Has a prerequisite of 80 in eighth grade Spanish I, and you may need background knowledge of Spanish I for this course. If you wave into this course you cannot drop it.

3. Honors Spanish II: Has a prerequisite of 90 in 8th grade Spanish I and requires a teacher’s recommendation. You may wave into Honors Spanish II, but you won't be able to drop it if you wave in.

4. French I: This is an introductory course for people who want to learn about French, and is  the easiest French course one can take.

5. French II: Has a prerequisite of 80 in 8th grade French I, and you may need background knowledge of French I for this course. If you wave into this course you cannot drop it.

6. Honors French II: Has a prerequisite of 90 in 8th grade French I and requires a teacher’s recommendation. You may wave into Honors French II, but you won't be able to drop it if you wave in.

7. Italian I: This is an introductory course for people who want to learn about Italian, and is the easiest Italian course one can take.

8. Italian II: Has a prerequisite of80 in eighth grade Italian I, and you may need background knowledge of Italian I for this course. If you wave into this course you cannot drop it.

9. Honors Italian II: Has a prerequisite of 90 in 8th grade Italian I and requires a teacher’s recommendation. You may wave into Honors Italian II, but you won't be able to drop it if you wave in

10. Latin I: This is an introductory course for people who want to learn about Latin, and is the easiest Latin course one can take.

Good luck to any incoming Freshman in selecting their courses! See you in MTHS next year, and Go Falcons!