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
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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, 2010. 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.