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