1. Eleanor Roosevelt High School Advanced Placement and Honors Programs January 17, 2012

2. What are AP classes? Rigorous college-level classes taken by high school students The College Board certifies a class as Advanced Placement, and develops and scores the AP exams. Students who successfully pass an AP exam with a score of three or higher (on a 1-5 scale) can receive college credits while still in high school. Classes and exams are designed primarily for juniors and seniors, but qualified underclassmen may also register for them. Rigorous college-level classes taken by high school students The College Board certifies a class as Advanced Placement, and develops and scores the AP exams. Students who successfully pass an AP exam with a score of three or higher (on a 1-5 scale) can receive college credits while still in high school. Classes and exams are designed primarily for juniors and seniors, but qualified underclassmen may also register for them.

3. Why AP Classes Matter… Students in AP classes are exposed to rigorous curriculum and are better prepared to handle college-level work. (Newsweek Magazine) Students who take at least one AP course during high school are more likely to graduate from college than students who don’t, even if they do not pass the AP exam. (Newsweek Magazine) Students in AP classes are exposed to rigorous curriculum and are better prepared to handle college-level work. (Newsweek Magazine) Students who take at least one AP course during high school are more likely to graduate from college than students who don’t, even if they do not pass the AP exam. (Newsweek Magazine)

4. AP/Honors and GPA Calculation Four AP/Honor classes help improve a students GPA All AP/Honors courses are considered during the admissions process (Beware!) Not all universities accept AP or Honor courses Students are admitted to universities without taking any AP or Honor classes Four AP/Honor classes help improve a students GPA All AP/Honors courses are considered during the admissions process (Beware!) Not all universities accept AP or Honor courses Students are admitted to universities without taking any AP or Honor classes

5. What are honors classes? Honors classes often offer the same curriculum as regular high school classes, but are tailored for high-achieving students covering additional topics or some topics in greater depth.

6. Open enrollment Speak with current teachers about your academic strengths Speak with your counselor about college entrance requirements Speak with your family (Remember 3 AP courses are the equal to a full college course load) Speak with current teachers about your academic strengths Speak with your counselor about college entrance requirements Speak with your family (Remember 3 AP courses are the equal to a full college course load)

7. Pros and Cons of Taking AP and Honors Classes ProsCons Demonstrate to colleges an ability to succeed in rigorous academics You will take on significantly heavier workloads that may increase your stress. Challenge yourself in more demanding classes Minimize time or other activities. Study subjects in greater depth Must take AP exam in your subject area in May. Possibly earn credit or advanced placement in college

8. Current AP Course Offerings American Government Art History Biology Calculus AB Calculus BC Chemistry Chinese Economics Environmental Science European History Human Geography American Government Art History Biology Calculus AB Calculus BC Chemistry Chinese Economics Environmental Science European History Human Geography Language & Composition Literature & Composition Music Theory Physics C Psychology Spanish Language Spanish Literature Statistics Studio Art Drawing United States History World History

9. Current Honors Course Offerings Language Arts 1 Language Arts 2 Biology Chemistry Physics Algebra 2 Geometry Trig/Pre Calculus Language Arts 1 Language Arts 2 Biology Chemistry Physics Algebra 2 Geometry Trig/Pre Calculus

10. Consequences of Course overload If you take too many higher level classes and combine it with several extra-curricular activities you may Reduce your overall GPA Become stress and unfocused If you receive a low grade in a class, you will not be able to exit that class. You may jeopardize your ability to graduate Students should take a balanced load, one that allows them to devote the necessary time to each course. Colleges look for quality, not quantity. According to Dan Saracino, assistant provost for enrollment at the University of Notre Dame: "Nothing is more important than the quality of the course load."

11. Prerequisites and recommendations for AP/Honors Course Calculus AB Trigonometry/Pre -Cal Biology AP Biology 1/2 or concurrent Chemistry 1/2 Chinese Lang Chinese for Native Speakers 2 or Chinese 3 or Teacher Recommendation English Honors Scoring Adv. in CST AVID student scoring Pro. in CST Other test scores Teacher recommendation

12. Once a contract has been signed the student is in the class and cannot exit unless: Three weeks Counselor Interventions Parent,teacher,student,counselor, Principal must agree to exit.

13. www.cnusd.k12.ca.us/erhs Please visit the AP/Honors page on the school website under “Academics” for more information.