Honors/Advanced
Placement Information
Night
Information for the 2015-2016 Academic Year
Dublin High School
February 11, 2015
Why take advanced coursework?
 Appropriate for students who have a special talent
and interest in a particular course of study and wish
to challenge themselves.
 Academically prepares students for the rigors of
college or further study in a particular area.
 If a student performs well on an AP exam, it may be
possible to earn college credits.
 Honors and AP courses are “weighted” so an
additional grade point is given for grades of “C” or
better which enhances a student’s GPA.
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.
GPA is a very important college selection factor.
 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.
How to be successful?
 Successful completion of previous
coursework
 Strong reading and writing skills
 Strong organization skills
 Consistent completion of homework
 Self-motivated
 Independent learner
 Excellent attendance
 Willingness to access help
Pros and Cons of Honors/AP
Coursework
 Pros
 Cons
 Appealing to colleges and
 Level of rigor is higher than
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.
 A cost of an AP exam is
$110.00. A 3-credit course at
a UC campus is $1,320.00.
If student passes, can save
time/money.
our already rigorous
college preparatory classes.
 Requires significant
time/study commitment.
 Not all colleges recognize AP
credits, may have limitations
on the number of credits
accepted and may calculate
GPA by unweighting
weighted courses. There is
no guarantee of an
enhanced GPA.
Pros and Cons of Honors/AP
Coursework
 Pros
 Excellent for students
wishing to challenge
themselves.
 Cons
 A poor grade in an Honors or
AP course does not “weight
up” the grade. Nothing
below a “C” counts.
 For AP courses, depending
on the score earned on the
AP exam, students may earn
college credit. College credit
is determined by each postsecondary institution.
 May not be possible to
transfer out to equivalent
grade level course or other
elective.
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 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
 Students and parents should attend the Honors/AP Information
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Night in February.
Students must successfully complete the previous course or
pre-requisite as needed.
Students should obtain a teacher recommendation for the
course and attend an informational meeting about the class if
necessary.
Students will then meet with their counselor to review course
load.
Student and parent will then complete and sign a contract
agreeing to the expectations and responsibilities of the course.
Policies about dropping these courses are still being drafted and
will be available in August 2015.
Highlights of Honors/AP Contract
 Some teachers may have their own contract in addition to the universal
contract. Students turn in an individual contract to each Advanced,
Honors or AP teacher by (TBD).
 Students must inform counselor and the teacher of Advanced/
AP/Honors course if they wish to drop by (TBD). After that, they are
held to their course selections.
 Students pay for AP exams online with Total Registration at
www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/050784. It is preferred that students do
so at the start of the school year. Payments must be made by 3/11/16
in order to meet test ordering deadline requirements. Fee reductions
are available for students eligible for or participating in Free/Reduced
Lunch Program. Those students would pay $5.00 per AP exam instead
of $110.00 per exam.
 AP exams are in May 2016.
 Scheduling for 2015-2016 courses begin in late February 2015.
Advanced/Honors Courses
 English 1 ADV
 English 3H
 English 2 ADV
 Chemistry H
 Band ADV
 Anatomy/Physiology H
 Video Production ADV
 Chinese H
 French H
 Spanish H
 Show Choir H
 ADV Vocal Music H
Advanced Placement Courses
 AP Music Theory
AP Studio Art Drawing
AP English Language &
Composition
AP English Literature &
Composition
AP European History
AP Human Geography
AP Microeconomics
AP Psychology
AP United States
Government & Politics
AP United States
History
 AP Biology
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Chemistry
AP Computer Science A
AP Environmental
Science
AP Physics C:
Mechanics
AP Statistics
AP Chinese Language
and Culture