Honors and Advanced Placement Courses

Honors
Honors courses are offered for students of superior promise in English, social studies, foreign language, mathematics, science, art and music. Honors study in one or more of these areas is based upon a consideration of the student’s ability to engage in a program that is both accelerated and enriched. 

Advanced Placement
Preparation for AP exams in English, social studies, computer science, foreign language, mathematics, music, art, physics, chemistry and biology are offered at this time. Students interested in electing any one of these college-level courses should consult with their teachers or school counselor. Colleges may give credit and/or advanced course placement to those students who take the AP examination and demonstrate mastery of the material presented in the course. Students and parents should contact colleges directly for full information about their AP credit policies.

Recommendations for Honors/Advanced Placement Programs
The purpose of the following guidelines is to clearly define the criteria used in recommending student placement. Honors and Advanced Placement programs are designed for students who demonstrate a high level of interest, aptitude and success in the subject matter.

Criteria for recommendations
THE STUDENT:
• Works well independently; seeks help only when necessary; does not require detailed or repeated directions
from teacher in order to proceed.
• Is creative; can think of methods to try; or use original methods when faced with a problem or situation.
• Readily applies learned principles to new situations; can solve novel problems; responds well to guided discovery.
• Responds positively to challenging situations; shows persistence in searching for solutions; finds satisfaction in independently solving a problem rather than accepting another person’s solution or help.
• Likes to analyze, generalize, derive, prove, abstract; to investigate relationships and alternative solutions.
• Has a strong intuitive sense for the subject matter. Sorts out key relationships quickly.
• Shows a high degree of interest and motivation; is intellectually curious and a critical thinker.
• Has experienced high achievement in past courses without undue stress; has not depended heavily on rote learning or tutoring.
• Shows above average ability in oral and written expression.
• Ability to demonstrate long-term planning skills.
(Adopted by the 2005-2006 Shared Decision Making Team from the College Board Advanced Placement Statistics List Serv.)

Open Enrollment
(Self Selection for Honors and AP courses)
Students who have not been recommended by the teacher or department for an Honors or AP course they wish to take may enroll in the course. In such cases, the student may request a “Self Selection Form” from his or her counselor. The form must be completed by the student and signed by the parent or guardian in order to complete the enrollment for that course.

Teachers, directors and counselors are available to discuss questions regarding the course expectations and recommended preparation. It is important to note, however, that the final decision regarding placement rests with the student and his/her parent.

Those courses designated as Honors or Advanced Placement are:
English 9 H
English 10 H
English 10 H: World Connections
AP English 11 H
SUPA English 12 H
AP English 12 H
AP Reading and Writing Prose

S.S. 9 H: Global History 1
S.S. 10 H: World Connections
S.S. 10 H: Global History 2
S.S. 11 H: American History
AP American History
AP Micro Economics
AP Macro Economics
AP American Government
AP Macro Economics & American Government
AP World History
American Politics and Public Affairs H

Biology H
Chemistry H
Earth Science H
Physics H
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Physics

Math 2 A
Math 3 H
Math 4 H
AB Calculus
BC Calculus
AP Statistics
AP Computer Science AB

French II H, III H, IV H, V H
German Accelerated I/II, II H, III H, IV H, V H
Latin Accelerated I/II, IV H, Latin AP
Spanish II H, III H, IV H, V H

Advanced Art Studio
Advanced Jewelry
Advanced Sculpture
Advanced Ceramics
Advanced Studio in Video
Advanced Studio in Computer Arts
Advanced Photography

Symphonic Band
Symphony Orchestra
Concert Chorale
Music Theory II
Jazz Ensemble
Chamber Strings
Studio Singers
Bel Canto Voices
Orchestra Winds
(With the exception of Music Theory II, which requires a prerequisite, entrance into these performing ensemble classes is by open auditions and may not be self-selected.)

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