In this study the researcher was interested to study the relationship of academic performance to the track preference of the high school graduating Students in MSU-Sulu Laboratory High School. Their common choice could be a basis for action by school administrators. This is because, for some of the reasons, as based on observation, many of the high school graduates, specifically in the MSU-SULU Laboratory High School, usually leave their hometown and reach as far as Manila or Cebu for pursuing their career. This study was guided by the following objectives: (1) to determine the course preferences among Grade 10 Students at Laboratory High School of MSU-SULU; (2) to find out the relationship between the academic performance and course preferences among the grade 10 Students at LHS of MSU-SULU; and (3) to determine what is/are factor/s that has/have the greatest effect on the course preference of these graduating students.
The method used was descriptive research. A set of questionnaire was sent to the 4th year high school students of MSU-SULU LHS. Their academic performance was also taken into consideration.
The first five courses mostly preferred by MSU-SULU Laboratory High School grade 10 students are: (1) Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which ranks first, (2) Bachelor of Science in Education, (3) Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, (4) Bachelor of Science in Criminology, and (5) Bachelor of Science in Engineering. It is also the finding that there is significant relationship between their performance and the track preference. Many of those whose high school average grades ranges from 80%to 87% and to 91% categories incline to take up Engineering; still many of them whose average grades range from 80%-87% levels tend to take up Nursing, Education and Information Technology; and still those whose averages fall under the category of 76% - 79% tend to take up Criminology. The findings also reveal that, among the factors, personal choice ( the 1st in rank) and community demand (2nd factor) are strong factors affecting the career choice. Both factors are perceived by more than half of the respondents. The third in rank (but only 38.36% of the respondents) is the financial factor. There are other strong factors, and still there may be other factors which are covered in this study.