Honors/Advanced Placement Night Dublin High School March 1, 2010

Honors and Advanced Placement Courses at Dublin High School English – Advanced English 9 (not honors), English 2 Advanced (not honors), English 3 H, English 4 H, Advanced Placement English Language (grade 11), Advanced Placement English Literature (grade 12) Foreign Language – French 4 H, Spanish 4 H, Advanced Placement French Language, Advanced Placement Spanish Language

Advanced Placement/Honors Courses Mathematics – Advanced Placement Statistics, Advanced Placement Calculus (AB and BC) Science – Advanced Placement Physics, Advanced Placement Chemistry, Advanced Placement Biology, Advanced Placement Environmental Science, Honors Chemistry

Advanced Placement and Honors Courses Social Studies – Advanced Placement European History, Advanced Placement United States History, Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics, Advanced Placement Microeconomics. AP Psychology will be offered in 2011/2012.

Selection Factors for College Admission #1 – GPA in college prep classes #2 – SAT/ACT scores #3 – Number, content of and performance in academic courses beyond the minimum “a-g” requirements #4 – Number of and performance in Honors, AP and college courses #5 – Quality of senior year program, as measured by the type and number of academic courses in progress or planned

Additional Factors #6 – Quality of the academic performance relative to the educational opportunities available at our high school. #7 – Outstanding performance in one or more academic subject areas. #8 – Special talents, achievements and awards or special skills or interests.

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. 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.

Are entrance tests required? For English/Language Arts classes and AP European History, yes. Only students who are seriously considering enrolling in courses that require a placement test are encouraged to do so. Students who take placement tests with no real interest in taking the class may take away a spot for a student who would like to be in the class. Please see the Advanced, Honors and AP rubric for further information about testing dates and times.

Advanced, Honors or AP? Differences between these levels

Pros and Cons of Honors/AP Coursework 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. Cons Level of rigor is higher than our already rigorous college preparatory classes Requires significant time/study commitment

Pros and Cons of Honors/AP Coursework Pros Excellent for students wishing to challenge themselves For AP courses, if students earn at least a “3” on the AP exam, they may be eligible for 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 Pros Students are encouraged to consider Honors/AP courses in area where they have a real passion for the subject – not to look “good for college”. As a result, students in Honors/AP courses truly want to be there, have a strong work ethic and an interest in the material. Cons It is better to earn an “A” or a “B” in a regular college preparatory course of study than to earn a “C” or lower in an Honors/AP course. Colleges may perceive that the student is not ready for this type of course.

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 or courses for the right reason? Has your family had a discussion about whether this is a good fit for your student?

Placement in Honors/AP Courses STAR test scores, grades, attendance, prior preparation in area of study are considerations. AP/Honors contract AP Test Fees: subject to change in 2010/2011, but are $86.00 per AP test this year, $5.00 for students qualifying for Free/Reduced lunch. All students in AP courses will be expected to pay appropriate fees in 2010/2011 within the first week of school.

Highlights of Honors/AP Contract Universal contract for 2010/2011. Some teachers may have their own contract in addition to the universal contract. Students will fill out one form for each Advanced, Honors or AP course they are taking. Students will return contract with signatures and payment for each individual AP exam to each respective teacher before June 1st. AP fees are due by the end of the first week of school to their AP teacher or may be paid during registration. If AP fees are not received at that time, the student’s account will be billed. Students must inform counselor and teacher of Advanced, AP/Honors course if they wish to drop by June 1, After that, they are held to their course signups. Not doing summer work is not a sufficient reason to drop an Honors/AP course. Students on Free/Reduced lunch may waive part but not all of the fee. Documentation will be required to be turned in to Mrs. Rubio, AP Coordinator, within the first few days of school to earn a fee reduction.