TRHS Gifted students have many course and program options to choose from. How to know what's right for you?
(Course Selection Presentation)
Honors Courses- An Honors course is more rigorous than a general course, both in coursework and learning expectations, and provides more in-depth study of a particular topic.
•These courses are typically considered “Pre AP/IB”, or perhaps are a middle ground between a general course and AP/IB courses.
•These courses are not weighted.
Advanced Placement (AP)- TRHS AP Presenation
AP offers college-level work in a high school setting. AP courses are commensurate with a freshmen (100) or sophomore (200) level college course.
•AP courses are available in all subject areas (excluding PE).
•”Passing” an AP exam (3 or higher) will earn 3 college credits at any Colorado university. These scores are also accepted at colleges around the country, although some highly selective colleges do not accept AP credit.
•Students must pay for textbooks and exams for these courses.
International Baccalaureate (IB)- IB is a comprehensive academic program designed to provide rigorous college-level coursework with an international academic perspective.
•The IB curriculum’s focus is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.
•Students in the IB program must demonstrate successful completion of all core areas, as well as community service activities.
•Students also complete external as well as internal assessments, with a minimum score required to achieve an IB diploma. Students pay for each exam.
•An IB diploma typically provides 24 college credits at schools such as CU, etc.
Concurrent College Enrollment- Concurrent enrollment courses offer students college-like experiences while earning credits at Arapahoe Community College (ACC)
•Unlike AP or IB, students do not need to pass an end of the year exam to earn the credit, but instead must earn an ‘A’, ’B’ or ‘C’ grade. These courses require only a small fee (unless the student does not earn credit.)
•ACC credits are ultimately transferable to Colorado state colleges like CU and CSU.
•Concurrent Enrollment Fact Sheet (CDE)
High school grade point averages (GPAs) are factored into the college admissions process (along with SAT scores, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, etc.)
•The highest GPA on a traditional grading scale is a 4.0 (meaning straight “A” grades.)
•However, each AP and IB course is weighted, meaning a student will earn a higher point value for each grade, which means a higher GPA as well.
•A = 5 (instead of a 4), B = 4, C = 3, D= 2
•Instead of a 4.0 GPA for straight ”A”s, taking AP or IB courses could lead to a GPA above 4.0 (4.3 for example.)
•Note- Most colleges accept weighted grades, and while some colleges “unweight” grades when factoring for admissions, they do consider course rigor in their entrance calculations.