Computer classes in high school...

[Rand Dusing]

My highschool is one of the best and Texas and has some computer classes that I'm thinking about taking since I'm really in to computers now. There are a couple classes being offered including A Plus Academy, Network Plus Academy, Cisco Networking Academy, and Microsoft Academy. And there are also some webmastering, graphics, and desktop publishing ones. But I think the Academy ones are better and deal with the hardware side of computers. What do you think would be the best for me? I've just gotten in to building computers so I was thinking A+. I aslo make good grades, staight As since 6th grade, and already got some credits in middle school. Also, do you know of any computer classes I should take either online or in community colleges?

Wish I could have taken those classes in high school. I'd suggest reading the course description and talking to the teacher to see what types of material are covered as you may be better off going and doing college course work. You'd more than like want to take the academy classes. However if your thinking about going to do some college course as an after school program or maybe as an alternative, you should check with your school to see if they will allow you class credits for those instead. The college course will give you a two fold step-up. You may get regular High School credits as well as getting college credits at the same time. and the course work is likely to be something more in depth and more to your liking.

[jmebonner]

Do they have any classes in humility?
Kidding bro. I'd say take all you can get. Each class will lend some benefit to the other. A+ is a good cert to have. Any time you have the opportunity to polish that resume, take it. As for the graphics and publishing classes, they'd be fine but you have to consider if they'll help you in your anticipated career. If you plan on doing that, take them. If you want to be in the IT field, stick with the others.

[Telexen]

I had a limited pick on computer classes in my high school...the only hardware related class was A+ Network Certification (note the irony in the title...the instructor did not name the course)

I learned nothing from the class as I knew most of what was in all the A+ course we studied, and ended up being a Tech Aide, fixing computer problems throughout the school.

My point is classes may be a waste of time. If you're a beginner you should probably start with the A+, but don't be surprised if you don't get much out of the course.

The best thing you can do is experience things for yourself through trial and error...looking around tech forums like these always helps, you learn a lot. Classes may only be useful in advanced fields, such as possibly Cisco Networking.

[Rand Dusing]

Yah, I was looking through the book and one of them was for college credit also. I think it was A+ and I can get dual credits because I passed the concurrent test.

Originally posted by Rand Dusing
Yah, I was looking through the book and one of them was for college credit also. I think it was A+ and I can get dual credits because I passed the concurrent test.

then that would definitely be the way to go. Talk to a counselor at your school as well as one at the college its been a few years for me but when I took some college course during high school I set my schedule up so that I didn't actually have to go on my own time after school leaving me a decent amount of free time. I had the option to actually go to my classes during school hours as long as I made it back in time, which wasn't likely or I got off a period early. I could have taken my full load of reg classes too but that wasn't going to happen

[Rand Dusing]

Yah, these classes are during normal school hours, you dont have to stay after or anything.

[SeanC]

You're so lucky to have things like this in high school. When I was in high school computers involved learning how to use DOS, Wordperfect, Lotus 1-2-3 and some programming in Watcom Basic and Pascal. That was IT!!

I wish I had A+ and Network+ courses in high school... Sniff, sniff...

Sean