Senior High School: Everything You Need to Know

1. What is Senior High School?

Senior High School is the last phase in the implementation of the K-12 program. It covers Grades 11 and 12. Students have four general programs or tracks to choose from. Under each program, there are various specializations or strands to specialize in.

See also: Search and apply to senior high schools online – for FREE!

2. Who are eligible to enroll in Senior High School?

All Grade 10 completers, as well as those who are outside the formal school system who have completed Grade 6, will be accepted in SHS.

 

3. Why is Senior High School being implemented in the Philippine educational system?

The addition of two more years or two more grade levels, Grade 11 and 12, will better equip learners with the necessary skills, knowledge, and values needed for a successful future in the fields of:

• Employment
• Entrepreneurship
• Skills Development (further Technical-Vocational Learning)
• Higher Education (College)

4. What are the four main tracks being offered in SHS?

The tracks or general programs being offered are the following:

• Academic
• Technical-Vocational Livelihood (with highly specialized subjects with TESDA qualifications)
• Sports
• Arts and Design

 

See also: Search and apply to senior high schools online – for FREE!

 

5. What are the specializations or strands to choose from under each track?

A. Under Academic Track, there are three main specializations or strands to choose from:

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
• Humanities and Social Science Strand (HUMSS)
• Accounting, Business, and Management (ABM)
• General Academic Strand (GAS)

 

B. Under the Technical-Vocational Livelihood Track, these are the following strands to choose from:

• Agri-Fishery Arts
• Home Economics
• Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
• Industrial Arts

 

C. The Arts and Design Track will provide skills training in the following art forms:

• Theater
• Music
• Dance
• Creative Writing
• Visual Arts
• Media Arts

D. The Sports Track was designed for students who want to pursue a sports-related career such as:

• Athletic Development
• Fitness Training
• Coaching
• Officiating

 

6. What is the main content of the four strands under the Academic Track?

Accountancy , Business, and Management (ABM) Strand

This specialization which consists of business-related courses is designed for those who intend to take up business courses in college or intend on engaging in business, entrepreneurship or other business-related ventures.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Strand

The courses in this strand are designed for the mathematically, scientifically, and technologically inclined students.

Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) Strand

This strand is intended for students interested in the fields of humanities and social science as their major in the university.

General Academic (GAS) Strand

For students who are undecided to the track to pursue in SHS, this track offers subjects taken from the three academic strands.

 

How about for the TVL?

The courses in this track are related to the Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) subjects required in Grades 7 to 10.

Each TVL strand may have specializations which may have a National Certificate (NC) equivalent from TESDA.

 

See also: Search and apply to senior high schools online – for FREE!

 

7. Is SHS required to have a high school diploma?

The law prescribes that SHS is a part of compulsory basic education. With the full implementation of SHS in SY 2016-2017, all students have to finish Grades 11 and 12 in order to graduate high school.

 

8. Will education at SHS mean additional expenses?

SHS is free in public schools offering SHS.

A voucher program has been prepared for Grade 10 completers from public schools as well as Education Service Contracting (ESC) beneficiaries of private high schools who choose to take SHS in private schools. This will ease the parents’ worry in paying their children’s tuition fees.

 

9. How can a Grade 10 completer make the right decision in the choice of a track in SHS?

Through the Senior High School Career Guidance Program, Grade 10 completers will be assisted in making informed decisions regards in their choice of track based on their skills and interests, available resources and needs of society.

 

See also: Search and apply to senior high schools online – for FREE!

 

10. When is the full implementation of the SHS?

The full implementation of SHS begins on the school year 2016-2017.

 

11. How will Grade 10 completers know the schools which offer SHS?

Schools Division Offices (SDOs) will post the list of schools offering SHS in conspicuous places. The list will also be posted on the website of the division.

Schools will also post their respective SHS program offerings as well as the number of students which can be accommodated.

SDOs may provide a city/municipal SHS map for each and every city/municipality. The map may be printed in a tarpaulin and posted in conspicuous places, in brochures, handouts or in the local papers.

The city / municipal SHS map will provide the following data:

• All SHS providers in the area
• All program offerings (tracks and strands) per SHS providers
• Student quota per program per SHS provider
• Locations or distances of SHS providers

 

 

See also: Search and apply to senior high schools online – for FREE!

 

Dr. Evelina Viloria is a former assistant division superintendent of the Division of City Schools of Manila. She is the mother of three kids, who have made career decisions independently. Her sons, Edueve and Careli, are nurses at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Hospital. Her eldest daughter, Lites, is a political science, law and social entrepreneurship graduate, and formerly head the Philippine operations of Edukasyon.ph.