1 / 11

Honors/AP Information Night: Prepare for College Success!

Learn about the benefits and considerations of taking advanced coursework, such as Honors and AP classes, at Dublin High School. Find out how these challenging courses can enhance your GPA, earn college credits, and appeal to colleges/universities. Discover the pros and cons of Honors/AP coursework and get tips for success. Attend the event in February and explore the placement options for advanced courses.

jdery
Download Presentation

Honors/AP Information Night: Prepare for College Success!

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Honors/Advanced Placement Information NightInformation for the 2015-2016 Academic Year Dublin High School February 11, 2015

  2. Why take advanced coursework? • Appropriate for students who have a special talent and interest in a particular course of study and wish to challenge themselves. • Academically prepares students for the rigors of college or further study in a particular area. • If a student performs well on an AP exam, it may be possible to earn college credits. • Honors and AP courses are “weighted” so an additional grade point is given for grades of “C” or better which enhances a student’s GPA.

  3. In other words…. • It is better to take a strong set of classes and do well than over-commit and not do as well as possible. GPA is a very important college selection factor. • In general terms, no more than 3 Honors/AP courses are recommended. • Each student is an individual; each family needs to take into account family and friend time, sports/volunteering/clubs and leadership activities, etc. • Students subject to stress need to carefully consider their course selections.

  4. How to be successful? • Successful completion of previous coursework • Strong reading and writing skills • Strong organization skills • Consistent completion of homework • Self-motivated • Independent learner • Excellent attendance • Willingness to access help

  5. Pros Appealing to colleges and universities if grades are good. Colleges/universities will allow up to 8 semesters of Honors/AP work to “bump up” GPA. Many students exceed 8 semesters of Honors/AP work. A cost of an AP exam is $110.00. A 3-credit course at a UC campus is $1,320.00. If student passes, can save time/money. Cons Level of rigor is higher than our already rigorous college preparatory classes. Requires significant time/study commitment. Not all colleges recognize AP credits, may have limitations on the number of credits accepted and may calculate GPA by unweighting weighted courses. There is no guarantee of an enhanced GPA. Pros and Cons of Honors/AP Coursework

  6. Pros Excellent for students wishing to challenge themselves. For AP courses, depending on the score earned on the AP exam, students may earn college credit. College credit is determined by each post-secondary institution. Cons A poor grade in an Honors or AP course does not “weight up” the grade. Nothing below a “C” counts. May not be possible to transfer out to equivalent grade level course or other elective. Pros and Cons of Honors/AP Coursework

  7. Other considerations: • Does the student have the time to commit to their classes? • Does the student have good study skills and time management? • Is the student taking this course for the right reason? • Has your family had a discussion about whether this is a good fit for your student?

  8. Placement in Honors/AP Courses • Students and parents should attend the Honors/AP Information Night in February. • Students must successfully complete the previous course or pre-requisite as needed. • Students should obtain a teacher recommendation for the course and attend an informational meeting about the class if necessary. • Students will then meet with their counselor to review course load. • Student and parent will then complete and sign a contract agreeing to the expectations and responsibilities of the course. • Policies about dropping these courses are still being drafted and will be available in August 2015.

  9. Highlights of Honors/AP Contract • Some teachers may have their own contract in addition to the universal contract. Students turn in an individual contract to each Advanced, Honors or AP teacher by (TBD). • Students must inform counselor and the teacher of Advanced/ AP/Honors course if they wish to drop by (TBD). After that, they are held to their course selections. • Students pay for AP exams online with Total Registration at www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/050784. It is preferred that students do so at the start of the school year. Payments must be made by 3/11/16 in order to meet test ordering deadline requirements. Fee reductions are available for students eligible for or participating in Free/Reduced Lunch Program. Those students would pay $5.00 per AP exam instead of $110.00 per exam. • AP exams are in May 2016. • Scheduling for 2015-2016 courses begin in late February 2015.

  10. Advanced/Honors Courses • English 1 ADV • English 2 ADV • Band ADV • Video Production ADV • English 3H • Chemistry H • Anatomy/Physiology H • Chinese H • French H • Spanish H • Show Choir H • ADV Vocal Music H

  11. Advanced Placement Courses • AP Music TheoryAP Studio Art DrawingAP English Language & CompositionAP English Literature & CompositionAP European HistoryAP Human GeographyAP MicroeconomicsAP PsychologyAP United States Government & PoliticsAP United States History • AP BiologyAP Calculus ABAP Calculus BCAP ChemistryAP Computer Science AAP Environmental ScienceAP Physics C: MechanicsAP StatisticsAP Chinese Language and Culture

More Related