You might view your high school years as the beginning of your future!  You need to carefully review the courses and graduation program options found within the pages of this guide.  Select the most challenging and rigorous programs to help you reach your career goals.  By taking the time to read the information contained within this guide, you will discover that it is possible to begin to set your career goals now.  Early career goal setting is important because good decisions about your course selection can’t be made until you form at least some of the goals you wish to pursue.  Please take this opportunity to seek the support and advice of your counselor, your parents and your teachers. Ask questions and develop an individualized plan that best meets your personal goals and aspirations.

As you review the guide, consider that each course you choose should be part of an overall plan best suited to your abilities and interests.  Perhaps you have a particular career in mind.  Perhaps you are not sure on what you want to focus and you want to explore different fields to help you select a vocation.  You may be planning for college, or you may be developing interests in one of the fine or performing arts areas.  Whatever the goal, making good scheduling decisions is important.  Keep in mind that your participation in a particular subject area should be based on a combination of logical and sequential courses which will lead to your future goals.

Use this guide as a tool in your planning process; it can help you make appropriate course selections.  Although this guide won’t take the place of your school counselor, it is the best single source of information you can use for making course selection decisions.  It has been designed to help you and your parents plan your high school years so that you are prepared for success in the future, whatever your career goal.

On behalf of our staff and the members of the Queen Anne’s County Board of Education, I wish you great success in high school.  Enjoy these years, set your goals, and make a plan to accomplish them.

Best wishes for a successful high school experience and for the years that follow.