Advanced Placement is a program run by College Board (the makers of the SAT) that allows students to take courses in high school that can earn college credit and/or qualify students for more advanced classes when they begin college. Since AP courses are challenging and require students to study for a comprehensive exam, they teach students skills that will help them succeed in college classes. Taking AP courses are also a way to demonstrate real academic interest in a certain subject.
Course credits granted for AP courses vary from college to college, so students should contact the college(s) of their choice for specific AP Policies.
CFHS uses the AP Program’s official policy for AP enrollment, which indicates that all willing students should be considered for admission to AP courses. Therefore, any student interested in taking an Advanced Placement (AP) course, should speak to their school counselor for more information!
Students and families will be expected to adhere to the CFHS AP Commitment agreement.
Rather than teaching subjects-specific content, these courses develop student’s skills in research, analysis. Evidence-based arguments, collaboration, writing, and presenting. Students who complete the two-year program can earn one of the two different AP Capstone awards, which are valued by colleges across the United States and around the world.
Students can earn the AP Capstone Diploma or the AP Seminar and Research Certificate
- Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing receive the AP Capstone Diploma
- Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research, but not on four additional AP Exams receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.
Project Lead the Way is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for PreK-12 students and teachers across the U.S. by creating an engaging classroom environment unlike any other. PLTW empowers students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges. Through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science, students not only learn technical skills, but also learn to solve problems, think critically and creatively, communicate, and collaborate. We also provide teachers with the training, resources, and support they need to engage students in real-world learning.
Students earning a qualifying score on the end of course exam in PLTW courses could be eligible to earn dual credit weight. The qualifying score is established by PLTW.
The Program for Accelerated College Enrollment (PACE) provides opportunities for qualified high school seniors to get a head start on college by taking college credit courses that will also meet high school graduation requirements.
PACE college courses are a valuable opportunity for students that will require personal responsibility and commitment to ensure success. PACE grades are included in the student’s high school GPA/Rank and will be weighted as Dual Credit/Advanced Placement (AP) in accordance with the SC Uniform Grading Scale. Failure to complete these courses with a “C” or better may result in a lower overall GPA and ineligibility or loss of financial aid later on. In addition, PACE grades will appear on the student’s college transcript and are important to their overall college GPA.
Students should contact their high school counselor for information on how to access the online PACE Application. Students will be responsible for completing all parts of the online application and providing supporting documentation
Technical Advanced Placement (TAP) is an Advanced Placement (AP) program for high school students who are enrolled in Career Technology Education courses. Through articulation agreements between HCS and HGTC, high school students may receive Technical Advanced Placement (TAP) credit for specific high school courses. Agreements could vary from year to year. TAP courses are designated in the CFHS Program of Studies next to the course name. Included in the description is the grade requirement that the student must earn as well as the corresponding HGTC course name.
TAP benefits:
- Save money on college tuition, fees, and books
- Accelerate progress to college completion
- Reduce duplication of instruction
- Improves job-readiness skills
- Improves job-placement potential
- Earn college credit at no cost while in High School
- Motivates students to continue education
Earning college credits:
- Master the skills and competencies of the high school course.
- Earn the required grade for the course as listed in the Articulation Agreement.
- Receive a Teacher Recommendation form from the high school teacher.
- Submit the completed Teacher Recommendation form to the HGTC Admissions Office.
- A student must apply and register at HGTC (which includes payment of tuition) in order for TAP credits to be accepted and entered on the student’s transcript. The course will show on the transcript with the grade symbol “T”, which means the student earns the credit hours but no grade is calculated.
HGTC will award credit to students who enroll within 2 years of the completion of the course and who have the TAP Teacher Recommendation form on file in the HGTC Admissions Office.