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A Guide to Choosing the Right Senior High School Strand

WHAT’S THE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (SHS) STRAND FOR YOU?

Congratulations! You are now almost through with your Junior High School years, and all of us here in TeacherPH know that you are still quite confused about which track and which particular strand to take in your Senior High School year. That is why; we published this article for you to be guided and for you to know more about the K-12 program of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Before you choose the track or strand that is right for you, you must first know what K to 12 is for and the difference between Academic Tracks, Strands, and Specializations.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (SHS) STRAND

The K-12 Senior High School (SHS) Program is composed of five different tracks which are Academic, Arts and Design, Sports, Technical, and Vocational. These tracks prepare students for college, universities, or even real workplaces by providing them with the necessary skills they must possess.

Each track is composed of different strands.

ACADEMIC TRACK

1. Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS)

This strand is for those students who want to pursue college courses such as Education, Political Science, AB English or Literature, Mass Communication, Theater Arts, and other related career paths.

2. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)

If the career that you want to pursue is related to the Science and Mathematics field, then you must take STEM. This strand is quite challenging and at the same time enjoyable for you will be able to experience hands-on learning. This strand is for those who want to pursue Engineering, Medical Courses, AB Math, Information Technology, and the like.

3. Accounting Business and Management (ABM)

Do you think you can excel in business? Then the ABM track is right for you! Related courses are Business Administration, Tourism Management, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Accountancy, Real Estate Management, Entrepreneurship, and all courses related to business and management.

4. General Academic Strand (GAS)

If you are not yet sure of which career path to walk on, we suggest that you take the General Academic Strand. This strand offers courses that are related to all fields. You will be able to experience a variety of learning experiences to explore the different interesting fields which you can study in college. The General Academic Strand is for all types of courses.

TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL-LIVELIHOOD TRACK

The Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) track gives you the TESDA National Certificate once you finished any of the strands under it. If you want to pursue working after Senior High School, this strand will surely give you a gateway to finding a job for skilled people. Even without seeking college, through the TVL track, you will gain skills that can be considered job-ready.

The strands under the TVL track are the following:

  1. Home Economics Strand
  2. Industrial Arts Strand
  3. Agri-Fishery Arts Strand
  4. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Strand

ARTS AND DESIGN TRACK

If you want to unleash the artist in you in your future career path, then the Arts and Design track is suited for you. This program is designed for students who want to further enhance their creativity and the effectiveness of their artistic expression.

The students who are under this program are provided with the knowledge of different types of arts of various forms. The elements of dance, music, theater, media, photography, and visual arts will be introduced to you, and you will be taught how to apply different concepts in it the global setting.

SPORTS TRACK

If you think you can excel in the field of sports and can have it as a source of your bread and butter in the future, then enhance your skills through enrolling in the Sports Track. This track is for those who want to become an athlete, coach, Physical Education teacher, game officials, Gym instructor, Sports trainer, or any other job related to officiating sports events.

When you specialize in this course, you will be able to learn concepts on how to develop athletes for them to develop a positive attitude on competitiveness, team spirit, and skills development. You will be able to determine the different aspects concerning social, psychological, and cognitive development in sports leadership and management.

The subjects offered here will let you discover human physiology and anatomy for you to be able to understand and explain the underlying concepts of social movements. You will be able to learn how to respond to an emergency situation by studying Safety and First Aid.

For the Philippines to go on with the other countries in terms of competence in various fields, we have adopted the K-12 learning program which has been the standard education system in our neighboring countries for years. K-12 is expected to develop the quality of learning of students like you by adding two more years in High School. The senior high school years (grades 11 and 12) will be a fundamental stage of preparation for college and universities and even for workplaces.

BEING A SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT

For you to get a glimpse and an idea of what you will learn in any of the tracks mentioned above, you can check this link to download the Senior High School Curriculum of your desired strand.

Your Senior High School life will be colorful. As you see, it is not going to be the same as your Junior High School years as you will enjoy working on challenging learning tasks. But for you to enjoy the last two years of your high school life, you must make sure that you like the strand or track that you are going to take. What you regularly do in and out of the school can be your basis on which track you should take in your SHS years. Whatever your interest or hobby is, there will always be an SHS track that is suited for it.

CONSIDERING YOUR STRONG POINTS and YOUR CAREER CHOICE

The question is: Do you know the subjects or fields which you are good at? You must identify the subjects where you excel. If you are good in speech and communication, then HUMMS can be suited for you. Your dream career in the future can be your basis in choosing the right track too. Make sure that the strand you’re going to take is related to it.

CONTINUE READING:

Mark Anthony Llego

Mark Anthony Llego, a visionary from the Philippines, founded TeacherPH in October 2014 with a mission to transform the educational landscape. His platform has empowered thousands of Filipino teachers, providing them with crucial resources and a space for meaningful idea exchange, ultimately enhancing their instructional and supervisory capabilities. TeacherPH's influence extends far beyond its origins. Mark's insightful articles on education have garnered international attention, featuring on respected U.S. educational websites. Moreover, his work has become a valuable reference for researchers, contributing to the academic discourse on education.

22 thoughts on “A Guide to Choosing the Right Senior High School Strand”

  1. If the course I want to take was related to aviation (pilot/f.a), what strand or track I must take when I enter senior high?

    Reply
  2. Goodmorning sir..pwd po bang malaman yung tools para sa level of appropriateness of college course preference within the specific strands?
    ABM,STEM, HUMSS, TVL, COOKERY
    ,AUTOMOTIVE,EIM,SMAW,BEAUTY CARE..

    Reply
  3. Good afternoon po sir Mark Anthony Llego, pwede po ba na gamitin ko tong article mo for research lang po namin. Maglalagay naman po kami nang correct citation po. Thank you sir

    Reply
    • Ano ho bang strand Ang kukunin mo po?
      Kung Ang strand na napili mo is either HUMSS,STEM,GAS,or ABM
      The track is ACADEMIC.

      Reply
  4. Ang abm ba po dba tungkol po ung business management anong strand ang pang pastry kasi po mahilig po ksi ako sa mga cake sna po my replie ????????

    Reply
  5. If I am going to get the GAS strand in SHS and I wanted to be a doctor but I dont want to get the STEM, am I still able to go through medical schools? or they just require those students who got through STEM strand? Thank you.

    Reply
  6. sana lang po mabigyan na rin automatic na voucher ang mga incoming gr.11 kht pa po nanggaling sa private school…yung nd na klngan mag apply apply pa.imbes na dretso enrol na po ang mga bata ang dami png inaasikaso mga papeles.

    Reply

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