How to Select Courses @ AHS
What You Need
Your transcript. Use this to check that you are meeting all graduation requirements.
Albany High School Course Catalog. Use this to learn about course options and to check prerequisites and learn what requirements each course meets.
Albany High “A-G” List (linked below). Use this to check which courses meet college eligibility requirements.
Guidelines
In order to plan the most meaningful program for next year, discuss your choices with your parents, teachers and/or counselor.
Consider your time commitments, activities and responsibilities outside of school.
A 7th period is optional
Consider your post high-school plans. To be 4-year-college eligible we suggest 5 academic classes per year. You must earn Cs or better in classes used to meet college eligibility requirements. Students are limited to one class per subject area except for Arts and Social Sciences.
Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors classes provide excellent preparation for higher education through college-level instruction and expectations. These advanced level classes also demand a heavy workload, including additional homework and summer work. Students are advised to think carefully about selecting AP/Honors courses in areas of interest to them and consider their overall demands before signing up for multiple AP/Honors courses. We recommend no more than 3 AP courses in any given school year.
Be sure that you have met all course prerequisites and get teacher approval when required. All classes marked with an * on the course list require a teacher signature. If a student has not met the requirements for a particular class but can present substantial evidence demonstrating that the requirements have been met in an alternate fashion, they should complete the waiver form, attach documentation of the requirements being met, and submit it to the Counselor for review by the Principal.
Alternate choices are required for all courses except required classes and math. Choose your alternates carefully. Your first choice is not guaranteed, and if you omit alternates your schedule will be incomplete and options will be limited.
AHS Course Catalog
The Course Catalog contains descriptions of all courses offered at Albany High School as well as requirements and prerequisites. Students should refer to the Course Catalog when selecting courses for the following school year.
Course Lists
These documents show every course (without descriptions) offered at each grade level. They are updated each spring for the following-year's schedule.
Schedule Change Policy
Albany High School has a student driven master schedule and all staffing, class periods and course offerings are largely determined by your initial course requests. Therefore, there is very little flexibility to change, add or drop classes once initial course selections are submitted. All classes are yearlong. Please note that most classes are full in the fall. Priority will be given to students placed in incorrect courses or levels.
Requests to change courses will be considered during the petition period in August (the week before school starts) and the end of the first semester on a case-by-case basis to minimize disruption when classes commence. After the initial petition period, changes may only be made with the approval of an administrator. Any changes made after the first 6 weeks of any semester may result in a Withdraw (W) posted on the student’s transcript.
Math Placement Policies
AHS UC 'a-g' list
Please click here to go to the University of California's Doorways website. Search for Albany High School to see our full course list of UC-approved courses and to find out which courses meet 4-year college eligibility requirements in each subject area. Students can refer to this list to be sure the courses they sign up for will help them meet college eligibility requirements.
Counselor Powerpoint Presentations
Note: These are updated once-per-year in conjunction with the presentations.
Beginning in early spring, presentations are delivered to each grade level during the school day. Parent/Student Night presentations are delivered during scheduled evening events. These presentations are updated shortly before each year's Parent Information Night. Please refer to the dates listed below.
8th grade Parent/Student Night
Covers information about graduation requirements, course scheduling, elective options and extracurricular activities for entering 9th grade students and parents. Zoom presentation is here.
(presented March 2024)
Rising Freshmen student presentation
(presented March 2024 to current 8th graders)
Rising Sophomore student presentation
(presented March 2024 to current 9th graders)
Rising Junior Student Presentation
(presented March 2024 to current 10th graders)
10th grade Parent/Student Notes
Covers information about how to plan for the final two years of high school in preparation for meeting graduation and college eligibility requirements.
(uploaded March 2024)
Rising Senior student presentation
(presented March 2024 to current 11th graders)
Forms
Second UC (a) - (e) Course Request
Complete this form if you would like to take two courses in the same UC category in the same year and term. The categories are: (a) History/Social Science, (b) English, (c) Mathematics, (d) Laboratory Science, and (e) Languages other than English.
10th Grade AP Sign-up Form
According to school policy, AP Courses are available to students in the 11th and 12th grades. In certain circumstances students may appeal this policy. Use this form to do so.
Request for P.E. Exemption
Albany High School students may have their PE 2 requirement for graduation exempted through participation in District interscholastic athletic programs. The one-year requirement will be exempted if the student participates in FOUR seasons of any combination of school athletics, beginning with sports in 10th grade. Because 9th grade students are required to enroll in P.E., only 10th-12th grade students are permitted to exempt PE by participating in athletics. Students may not “bank” credits for 9th grade athletic participation.