- ✅ Jazz Band in 9th & 10th Grade → Shows commitment & fulfills UC A-G “F” Fine Art Requirement.
- ✅ Drop Jazz in 11th & 12th Grade → Replace with high-value STEM electives like AP CS A, AI, Engineering, or Cybersecurity.
- ✅ Math Acceleration → Take Geometry in Summer 2026 to reach AP Calculus by 12th Grade.
- ✅ Strong CS Focus → Advanced CS electives, hackathons, research, and leadership in tech clubs.
📌 9th Grade (2025-2026) – Foundation Year
✅ Main Goals: Complete Jazz Band (Fine Art requirement), accelerate math, start STEM electives.
📅 Summer After 9th: Take Geometry (DVC, BYU, or UC Scout) to accelerate math.
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|
| English 9 | English 9 |
| Biology | Biology |
| Algebra 1 | Algebra 1 |
| World Geography (1 sem.) | Health (1 sem.) |
| World Language (Spanish/French/Korean/Chinese I or II) | World Language (cont.) |
| Jazz Band (7th class) | Jazz Band (cont.) |
| PE 9 | PE 9 |
📌 10th Grade (2026-2027) – Strengthening STEM While Keeping Jazz
✅ Main Goals: Start CS electives, complete 2nd year of Jazz Band, and take Algebra 2.
📅 Summer After 10th: Consider Precalculus (Online/Community College) to accelerate further.
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|
| English 10 | English 10 |
| Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Algebra 2 | Algebra 2 |
| World History | World History |
| World Language (Level II or III) | World Language (cont.) |
| AP Computer Science Principles | AP Computer Science Principles (cont.) |
| Jazz Band (7th class) | Jazz Band (cont.) |
✅ Drop Jazz Band After 10th Grade → Free up schedule for more advanced CS & STEM electives.
📌 11th Grade (2027-2028) – AP Heavy & Leadership Year
✅ Main Goals: Take Precalculus, AP CS A, AP Physics, & replace Jazz with a STEM elective.
📅 Summer After 11th: Consider CS Internship, Research, or AI Program.
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|
| AP English Language | AP English Language |
| AP Physics 1 | AP Physics 1 |
| Precalculus OR Honors Precalculus | Precalculus OR Honors Precalculus |
| U.S. History | U.S. History |
| AP Computer Science A | AP Computer Science A (cont.) |
| 🔹 Cybersecurity OR Engineering Design (PLTW) | 🔹 AI & Machine Learning (if offered at Cal High) |
🚀 Extracurricular Focus:
- 💻 USACO (Programming Olympiad)
- ⚡ Hackathons & CS Research
- 🎯 Leadership in CS or Robotics Club
- 📢 Summer AI/CS Research Programs (MIT LaunchX, Google CSSI, AI4ALL)
📌 12th Grade (2028-2029) – Final Year for UC Berkeley Application
✅ Main Goals: Take AP Calculus, final APs, and most advanced STEM electives.
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|
| AP English Literature OR College-Level English | AP English Literature OR College-Level English |
| AP Physics C OR Advanced Science Elective | AP Physics C OR Advanced Science Elective |
| AP Calculus AB or BC | AP Calculus AB or BC |
| Government (1 sem.) | Economics (1 sem.) |
| 🔹 AI & Machine Learning OR AP Statistics | 🔹 Cybersecurity OR Engineering Capstone |
🚀 Final Year Plan:
- 📑 Strong UC Application Essays → Highlight CS Projects, Hackathons, Leadership.
- 🛠️ Final STEM Project or Internship → Research, CS Startup, AI, or Open-Source Contributions.
✅ Why This Plan Works for UC Berkeley CS
- ✔️ Math Acceleration → AP Calculus by 12th Grade
- ✔️ Strong CS Pathway → AP CS A, AI, Cybersecurity, Engineering
- ✔️ Balanced Arts & Leadership → Jazz Band (2 Years), then STEM Electives
- ✔️ UC A-G Requirements Fully Met
- ✔️ Maximized Rigor Without Overload
📌 Final Next Steps
- 📌 Confirm Summer 2026 Geometry Options (DVC, BYU, UC Scout).
- 📌 Plan Extracurriculars for CS Leadership (Hackathons, AI Projects, USACO).
- 📌 Ensure AP & STEM electives fit with school offerings.
