Advanced Placement (AP)

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered in English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Computer Science, Spanish and Fine Arts.  Students wanting to take an AP course must complete an application (due during the prior school year) and meet eligibility requirements.  Applications are made available during certain times of the school year.  Students who take Advanced Placement courses are expected to take the appropriate AP examination.  If you score high enough on the AP exam (qualifying scores vary among colleges), some colleges allow you to receive college credit and skip the beginning level of a course.  This can save you both money and time.   

College In High School (CHS)

Our College in the HS Program (CHS) affords students the opportunity to take specific existing BAHS courses and enroll through a university for college credit simultaneously.  Students receive college level coursework from our own BAHS educators and if completed successfully, receive a transcript from the university as well as high school credit.  There is a cost associated with each institution and it varies by course.  Be aware that each university has its own stipulations, expectations, and requirements. We currently have partnerships with The University of Pittsburgh, Saint Francis University, Carlow University, and Seton Hill.  Specific information on courses is located in the individual department sections of this guide and the CHS chart. 

Students can participate in this program if they are Senior status and will attain the minimum amount of credit to graduate with time left in their schedule.  Students must also acquire mandatory clearances from their workplace supervisor to be in the program.  The program is a yearlong program broken down by semester with a pass/fail grading system.  In order to continue through the second semester, students must complete at least 250 hours of work during the first semester.  Credit is issued by the completion of at least 250 hours per semester and 500 total hours or more for the school year (250 hours minimum required per semester).  There is .5 credit available per semester and 1 full credit for completion of the program requirements for the year.  If students do not meet the hour criteria for the first semester, they will be given a failing grade and removed from the class and given alternate classes to fill out a full day schedule within the Bellefonte Area High School.  Dismissal time for work release may differ for students, as individual student course load may vary for credit requirements for graduation. Students must schedule a minimum of four (4) class periods at the high school.