Pre-College
Our increasingly specialized society highly values post-high school education. Approximately 95% of FVL’s graduates attend colleges, universities or technical schools to pursue their career goals.
Students planning to attend college should be sure to discuss their plans and schedule with the Guidance counselor as early as possible in their high school careers. For students considering college, the following are minimal recommendations:
- English - 4 years
- Math - 3 years (a math course during senior year preferred)
- Science - 3 years (2-3 lab sciences)
- Social Studies - 3-4 years
- World Language - at least 2-3 years of the same world language (4 years for some high-level institutions)
- Academically, a student should strive to rank in the upper half of his/her class and/or have a B average or better to be accepted for admission and to succeed.
- The student should strive for involvement in volunteer and service activities at school, church and or community.
- The student will take the ACT test in February. This may be retaken during September, October or December of the senior year, if necessary.
The student should take the initiative in making personal contact with the college or university of choice, and follow its recommendations for course scheduling.
For students desiring a college education without a specific career plan in mind, the Guidance Department recommends the following general areas of study:
- Freshman:
Religion (1 credit), Language Arts 1 or Advanced Language Arts 1 (1 cr.), Math (1 cr.), History 1 or Geography (1 cr.), World Language (1 cr.), Health (.5 cr.), Physical Science (1 cr.) and an Elective (.5 cr.).
- Sophomore:
Religion, Language Arts 2 or Advanced Language Arts 2, Math, Biology, History 2A or 2B or Geography (if not taken in gr. 9), World Language, Physical Education, specialized electives
- Junior:
Religion, American Literature, US History, World Language, College Chemistry or Chemistry/College Physics or Physics, Math, Physical Education, specialized electives
- Senior:
Religion, British Literature or College British Literature, US Government, World Language, Psychology/Economics or Contemporary Issues, College Chemistry or Chemistry/College Physics or Physics, Math, Physical Education, specialized electives
Exclusive Institutions
If you are interested in attending a school which is very selective, such as UW-Madison, MSOE, an Ivy League school or the like, take into consideration the chart below. Displayed are the minimum number of courses required in different categories as well as what is typical of those who are accepted.
- English
Minimum for Application is 4
Typical for Admission is 4+
- Math (minimum Algebra 1)
Minimum for Application is 3
Typical for Admission is 4+
- Social Studies
Minimum for Application is 3
Typical for Admission is 4
- Science
Minimum for Application is 3
Typical for Admission is 4
- Single World Language
Minimum for Application is 2
Typical for Admission is 4
- PE and Health
Minimum for Application is 2
Typical for Admission is 2
- Additional Academic & Fine Arts
Minimum for Application is 2
Typical for Admission is 2+
- Total Units
Minimum for Application 17
Typical for Admission 24+