Skip To Main Content

Header Holder

District Canvas Container

Close District Canvas

District Navs Tabs - Desktop

District Navs Accordions - Mobile

Canvas Icons Nav

Breadcrumb

High School Timeline

From kicking off their high school careers as freshmen to standing on the stage as graduating seniors, Golden High School (GHS) students each year build toward postsecondary readiness. Below are things students should keep in mind as they progress through their time at GHS.

Freshman Year: Transition to High School

Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP)

  • Review graduation requirements, credits, GPA and transcripts
  • Freshman required courses and credits:
    • Four core courses: English, mathematics, science and geography
    • Two elective courses per semester
    • End-of-year goal: complete 6 credits toward 23 credits needed to graduate
  • Demonstration of knowledge opportunities
  • Put together four-year academic plan

Tests

  • PSAT 8/9 testing in April
  • AP tests in early May

Registration

Registration for the following school year begins in late January or early February. In February, register and select the following year’s courses.

Things to do

  • Get involved; join a few clubs, try out for sports.
  • Find a study system that works for you.
  • Attendance IS important. Work hard to set the stage for a successful high school career.

Sophomore Year: Career Exploration

ICAP

  • Review transcripts and graduation requirements
  • Required courses and credits:
    • Four core courses: English, mathematics, science and U.S. History
    • Two elective courses per semester
    • End-of-year goal: complete 6 credits toward 23 credits needed to graduate
  • Career exploration
  • Resume building
  • Explore course options offered through Warren Tech

Tests

  • PSAT 10 testing in April
  • AP tests in early May

Registration

Registration for the following school year begins in late January or early February. In February, register and select the following year’s courses.

Things to do

  • Stay involved; focus on extracurricular activities that you enjoy.
  • Volunteer for a cause or organization.
  • Attend career speaker events and expos to learn more about career opportunities.
  • Keep track of everything you do and recognitions and awards you’ve earned so you can include them on your resume.

Junior Year: Postsecondary Planning

ICAP

  • Graduation requirement credit check: Are you on track to graduate?
  • Required courses you will take:
    • Four core courses: English, mathematics, science and World History
    • Two elective courses per semester
    • End-of-year goals: Complete 18 credits toward 23 credits needed to graduate and meet English and Math Demonstration of Knowledge requirements
  • 11th Grade ICAP
    • Take the Career Interest Profiler or StrengthsExplorer
    • Introduction to SuperMatch College Search
    • Plan and submit Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness goal
  • Get started on college search, college essay and application process

Tests

  • Optional PSAT/NMSQT testing in October (this is a good practice for the SAT) Learn more about PSAT/NMSQT
  • SAT testing in April
  • AP tests in early May

Things to Do

  • Stay involved in extracurricular activities.
  • Volunteer for a cause or organization.
  • Build your resume.
  • In March and April, attend college information sessions.
  • Begin the college search; attend local college fairs.
  • Sign up and attend college visits with college admission representatives at Golden.
  • Narrow your college choices to a reasonable number.
  • In spring, visit your top college choices; find out about application requirements.
  • In April or May, ask teachers to write you a letter of recommendation (only if your top college choices requires them). 

Senior Year

What to expect

  • Graduation requirement credit check: Are you on track to graduate?
  • Required courses you will take:
    • Three core courses: English, U.S. Government, economics
    • Two elective courses per semester
    • At the end of the school year, you will need to have completed 23 credits and have met English and Math Demonstration of Knowledge to walk and earn a high school diploma
  • Prepare for graduation

Things to do

  • Stay involved in extracurricular activities and volunteer.
  • Finalize your resume.
  • Apply to colleges. Use your personal email account, not the @jeffcoschools.us email.
  • Request teachers’ letters of recommendation in Naviance.
  • If applying through Common App, begin writing your essay the summer before your senior year. Finalize your essay at the end of September or the beginning of October.
  • Beginning Oct. 1, apply for financial aid through FAFSA and apply for scholarships.