Posted in

High School, 4-Year Plan – Jazz Band Until 10th Grade, Then STEM Focus

  • 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 SemesterSpring Semester
English 9English 9
BiologyBiology
Algebra 1Algebra 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 9PE 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 SemesterSpring Semester
English 10English 10
ChemistryChemistry
Algebra 2Algebra 2
World HistoryWorld History
World Language (Level II or III)World Language (cont.)
AP Computer Science PrinciplesAP 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 SemesterSpring Semester
AP English LanguageAP English Language
AP Physics 1AP Physics 1
Precalculus OR Honors PrecalculusPrecalculus OR Honors Precalculus
U.S. HistoryU.S. History
AP Computer Science AAP 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 SemesterSpring Semester
AP English Literature OR College-Level EnglishAP English Literature OR College-Level English
AP Physics C OR Advanced Science ElectiveAP Physics C OR Advanced Science Elective
AP Calculus AB or BCAP 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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *