1. AP & Honors Parent and Student Night
North Cobb High School

2. What is Honors?
Honors courses are taught at a faster pace and cover more material in greater depth than regular level classes.
Honors courses, except for most 9th grade courses, carry an extra .5 quality point. (not for HOPE core)
Honors level courses best prepare students for Advanced Placement Courses as well as the rigor of college courses

3. What is the Advanced Placement Program?
AP provides students with the opportunity to try college work while in high school.
AP gives students the opportunity to learn valuable skills and study habits
AP is designed by college professors and secondary school teachers. College professors also help score exams to verify mastery of college material in AP courses

4. Benefits of AP Subjects are studied in greater depth
Students will discover areas of strength and weakness
Students will be preparing for the rigor of college work
Students will build good study habits
Students will improve writing skills
Students will gain the realization that they can excel as they face their challenges

5. Don’t forget these benefits…
Gives you an edge on your college application
Saves you money on college tuition
Helps you develop your potential in the classroom
Helps shape clearer goals for your future
Students more likely to graduate from college on time

6. What is Different? Honors and AP classes are more demanding
AP classes are similar to first year college courses
Students are asked to read and write more
Students must learn to evaluate and critically analyze material

7. This means: Discussions are intense, probing and demanding
Students are required to think for themselves, not give answers to please the teacher
Homework involves thinking for yourself, expressing your ideas and analyzing what you read.
The classes teach you to analyze, reason and understand

8. Who Should take AP Classes?
All students who are willing to accept the challenge of a rigorous academic curriculum
AP Potential
Students should take into consideration their
-interests
-motivation
-strengths and weaknesses

9. AP Courses offered at North Cobb
AP English Literature
AP English Language
AP Statistics
AP Calculus AB/BC
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Physics
AP Environmental Science
AP World History
AP U.S. History
AP European History
AP U.S. Government & Politics
AP Comparative Government & Politics
AP Microeconomics
AP Macroeconomics
AP Psychology
AP Human Geography
AP French Language
AP Spanish Language
AP German Language
AP Studio Art
AP Music Theory

10. AP at North Cobb AP Certified School
All AP teachers receive special training
NCHS is an AP Access and Support School with at least 30% of test takers identified as African American or Hispanic and over 50% percent scoring 3 or higher
Received a grant from the State to train additional teachers

11. The AP Exam Administered on a nationally established schedule
May 4th –May 15th
Typically three hour exams that include a multiple choice section and either essays or problems
Measures reasoning skills and the ability to analyze facts and data, synthesize information, think critically about complex issues and negotiate competing perspectives

12. Grading Scale for AP Exams
Each exam is graded using a 5 point scale
5 – Extremely qualified
4 – Well qualified
3 – Qualified
2 – Possibly qualified
1 – Not qualified
An AP grade of 3 or higher can qualify you for college credit or placement at most U.S. colleges and universities

13. What’s the Difference? Credit or Placement
Earn points/credits toward college degree requirements
Placement
Skip introductory courses
Enter a higher level course
Fulfill general education requirements
Can be offered both placement and credit by many colleges
Allows you to move into upper level courses sooner, pursue a double major, gain time to study and time to travel abroad

14. What counts? Check directly with the college
Check the College Board website
Type in the name of the institution or browse by letter of alphabet

15. How much do AP Exams cost?
The state of Georgia pays for the first test for each student in a given year
All other tests in a given year are $86 each
There is an $20 administration fee per student
Students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch receive qualify for a fee reduction

16. Rigor vs. Final GPA
Colleges and universities are more interested in students who take a course load that has academic rigor than one that has a 4.0 GPA without any rigorous coursework
Not only is rigor what the post-secondary schools are looking for, rigorous courses will help prepare you for success at the college level.

17. What if my student isn’t ready for AP?
The emphasis should be on the highest level of instruction at which the student is capable of performing rather than the grade the student might receive.
College registrars say they do recognize the difference between the honors and regular level courses.
Consider the AVID program

18. A.V.I.D. (Advancement Via Individual Determination)
Enables first time honors/AP students to take risks by enrolling in rigorous courses
Provides a support course designed for student needs
Builds confidence for success and provides skills necessary for rigorous coursework
Provides instruction, coaching and resources for success

19. Academic Booster Club Please join!
The purpose of the ABC is to establish an environment of academic excellence for students
Recognize students for academic achievement and improvement
Contact Judy Kelly in room 459

20. Governor’s Honors Curriculum Areas:
GHP is a six-week summer instructional program designed to provide intellectually gifted and artistically talented high school students challenging and enriching educational opportunities.
Students in 10th and 11th grade are nominated by teachers and begin with an interview process at the school level
Curriculum Areas:
Communicative Arts
Math
Science
Social Studies
Foreign Language
Visual Arts, Music, Theater, Dance
Design, Technology and Executive Management

21. So What’s Next… For us: For you:
Recognition of students for taking the more rigorous coursework
Provide support and guidance to AP students
Summer AP Boot Camp
Parent communication to keep you up to date on everything from testing to registration
For you:
Be supportive parents
Shift the focus from the grade to the learning
When you check grades remember that:
There are typically fewer “grades” in an AP/Honors course
The grades may not initially be the same as they have “always been”

22. Current AP Students
AP Student Panel

23. Thank You!