Pathways to Excellence

St. Charles High Schools are committed to keeping open every door possible for our students after graduation.  More importantly, we are working to ensure that students and parents feel confident our graduates can step through those doors and perform successfully.

Many resources for academic support for students are available,  including the following: Literacy Block, extended math classes, Applied Studies, Math Resource, Writing Center, and a wide variety of tutorials. Opportunities for students to move among academic pathways are available.

Most District 303 students will go on to a college experience after high school.  A significant number of students would like to apply and do well at highly competitive colleges.  Our students who choose to go into the workforce, technical certification, or military careers also wish to pursue the higher levels of training and opportunities those avenues offer them.

Therefore, we encourage and offer supports to students to take advantage of the most challenging curriculum at which they can succeed. Please look carefully at what Standard, Honors, and Advanced Placement Pathways offer in each curricular area and choose courses that prepare you to take advantage of  post-secondary opportunities. 

Standard

St. Charles High Schools actively work to ensure every student receives curriculum that provides high quality assignments and assessments of the significant concepts within each content area.

Our teachers collaborate to refine lessons and increase supports so that students in standard classes find higher-level learning experiences to be engaging and achievable. Teachers work to identify key standards within each course and create common assessments that identify when students still need assistance.

We assure students and families that quality teaching and learning are the foundation of all we do. Critical thinking, reading, and writing are fundamental to every Standard Pathway course. Standard courses are designed to ensure all students meet Illinois Learning Standards.  

 Honors

The Honors Pathway challenges students to extend their learning into content concepts requiring more independent investigation and autonomous learning inside and outside of the classroom. As a result, students earning a grade of C or better receive an additional 1.0 point grade weighing.

The Advanced Placement Pathway can open doors to competitive colleges and universities and to honors programs at other universities. More importantly, completing a successful AP experience can better prepare students for college success. St. Charles High Schools offer a wide variety of Advanced Placement courses.

Advanced Placement

The Advanced Placement Pathway can open doors to competitive colleges and universities as well as honors programs at universities. More importantly, completing a successful AP experience can better prepare students for college success. St. Charles High Schools offer a wide variety of Advanced Placement    courses.

College admissions offices recognize that an honors curriculum and district-written assessments for honors courses may vary from state to state, and even from district to district. Because the AP curriculum and accompanying exam represent a nationally   standardized program, many admissions offices, particularly at competitive colleges, show preference for students who have    successfully completed an Advanced Placement curriculum.

While there are many advantages of having Advanced Placement courses on a student’s transcript, students are cautioned about   enrolling in too many AP courses within any semester:

• • • • Time demands from juggling multiple AP courses should be considered carefully.

      • A well-balanced transcript that includes high-level electives which enrich a student’s experience are also important in the college admissions process.

AP students can expect to devote considerable time outside of class in preparation for Advanced Placement assignments and assessments. This may include required summer assignments.

Advanced Placement courses offer high school students an opportunity to study college-level material while still enrolled in high school.  All students who enroll in Advanced Placement courses are required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May.  By participating in the Advanced Placement examination program, students may receive advanced placement, credit, or both for a specific college or university.  College Board has an AP Credit Policy Search webpage to see if Advanced Placement credit is accepted.  If your specific college or university isn't listed, you are encouraged to contact the school directly.  

Advanced Placement Exams Benefit Students

District 303 requires students to take the Advanced Placement  Exam because of the inherent benefits:

• • • • Students challenge themselves at the highest academic level.

      • Students position themselves to be competitively marketable when applying to their first choice universities or colleges.

      • Depending on the university policy, a score of 3, 4, or 5 may be awarded college credit. Some students and families elect to apply this credit, allowing them to save money and/or to move into more advanced levels as a freshman in college.

      • A score of 3 or higher on an AP exam qualifies for free college credit at all public colleges and universities in Illinois.

AP Capstone Diploma

Students who take AP Seminar and AP Research and score a 3 or higher on those AP Exams will receive the AP Seminar and     Research Certificate from the College Board.  Students who take AP Seminar and AP Research and score a 3 or higher on those AP Exams and four other AP Exams at any point throughout high school will receive the AP Capstone Diploma from the College Board.  For more information on these recognitions, please see Appendix.

10th Grade Plan

11th Grade Plan

12th Grade Plan

Senior students have wonderful opportunities to extend their learning on and off campus through multiple experiences. 

Learn more about offerings for seniors in each content area and in the off campus offering section of this resource.

For all four grade levels, it is important for students to work closely with their parents/guardians, school counselors, and teachers so that each student is taking advantage of all possible options provided within the course offering book.

High School Course Level Definitions