PRE-AP/AP (ADVANCED PLACEMENT)
Graham High School offers Pre-Advanced Placement and Advanced Placement classes in order to serve students who need a more rigorous curriculum. These classes receive weighted GPA points and will require more of the student’s time outside of class
Before registering for Pre-AP/AP classes, students need to carefully consider whether it is truly the best choice for their personal education plan
All Pre-AP/AP classes will count toward graduation credit on any of the graduation plans
What is the Advanced Placement Program?
The College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Program is an opportunity for students to pursue college-level studies while still in secondary school and to receive advanced placement, credit, or both, in college
By challenging and stimulating students, the AP Program provides access to high quality education, accelerates learning, rewards achievement, and enhances both high school and college programs. Students may take a national exam at the end of the class in order to earn college credit
What does it take to be successful in a Pre-AP/AP class?
Successful Pre-AP/AP students are typically task oriented, proficient readers, and critical thinkers who are able to set priorities with regard to time and responsibilities
PARENTAL SUPPORT also plays a key role in the success of these students
Which Pre-AP/AP class should I take?
The College Board suggests that you take the Pre-AP/AP class in the subjects that you have a STRONG INTEREST and FOUNDATION in the objectives being taught
They also say that you should take a Pre-AP/AP class in the subject in which you have experienced success in the past
You might also consider what your future career goals are and take a Pre-AP/AP class that would be helpful in your future college major
There may be prerequisites for Pre-AP/AP courses
Advanced Placement Courses that may be offered at GHS:
1. Calculus, PreCalculus
2. English III, English IV
3. Biology, Physics I, Chemistry, Environmental Systems
4. Government, Economics, U.S. History, Human Geography, European History
5. AP Spanish IV
6. AP Music Theory
Pre-Advanced Placement Courses that may be offered at GHS:
1. Geometry, Algebra II
2. English I, II
3. Biology, Chemistry
4. World Geography, World History
5. Spanish I, II, III
Pre-Requisites for Pre-AP and AP Courses:
Student must have met level II or GJHS level equivalent on previous year’s core subject STAAR Test
2.5 cumulative GPA average in pre-requisite course
No AEP in current school year
No excessive absences in current school year
Must complete required summer assignment (Student will be removed from class first day of school if reading has not been completed)
Current Instructor approval
Late work Policy for AP/Pre-AP classes differs from the GHS late work policy
COLLEGE CREDIT OPTIONS
Dual Credit – The Dual Credit program at GHS offers an opportunity for juniors or seniors to take college level academic courses and receive both high school and college credit.
Dual credit courses may be taken during the summer with prior approval from GHS administration. No course that has a state exit assessment may be taken during the summer prior to the successful mastery of that assessment (i.e. US History)
Courses are offered based upon an agreement between GHS and other colleges/universities and follow the Texas Education Code provisions relating to courses for joint high school and college credit
Students must meet all entrance requirements of the college or university offering the course and must have permission to take the course from the GHS principal or counselor
The student must pay for all tuition, fees, and textbooks for the college course
Juniors may take a maximum of 6 hours dual credit their first semester and seniors may take up to 9 hours of dual credit with approval of both GHS and the sponsoring college
Students who plan to earn a performance acknowledgement may use dual credit courses as long as a grade of “B” or higher is achieved
TSIA Requirement – To qualify for Dual Credit, students must take the TSI test or be exempt.
An eleventh grade high school student is also eligible to enroll in dual credit courses under the following conditions:
A student achieves a minimum designated on the end-of-course assessment and/or the ELA II end-of-course assessments, relevant to the courses to be attempted. An eligible high school student who has enrolled in dual credit courses in the eleventh grade under this provision shall not be required to demonstrate further evidence of eligibility to enroll in dual credit courses in the twelfth grade
Include PSAT eligibility scores for Math & English
Students can also be exempt by scoring a 23 or higher with a minimum of 19 on each test on the ACT, or 1070 or higher with a minimum of 500 on each test on the SAT
For those not exempt, passage of the TSI is a requirement that should be completed prior to the end of June
The TSI test will be administered at the NCTC Graham campus. Potential dual credit students should contact NCTC by calling 940-521-0720 to get the current test dates. The cost is set by the college. For more information, call (940) 521-0720. Students taking dual credit English, speech, social studies, government, and/or economic classes must pass the reading and writing portions of the TSI or be exempt. Students taking math courses must meet math standards or be exempt.
DUAL CREDIT COURSES
While in high school, students may earn credit for both high school and college by participating in and successfully completing a dual credit course. Dual credit means that the grade the student earns in the course will count for both a high school credit course and a college credit course. Students are encouraged to speak with a counselor to discuss the benefits and transferability of dual credit courses.
Academic Dual Credit Courses - Courses offered on the Graham NCTC Campus
Students are required to meet the requirements for admission into the sponsoring community college or university
Students are required to meet the standards for the TSI (Texas Success Initiative) exam or be exempt from qualifying EOC scores or ACT/SAT scores
Students will simultaneously receive college credit and high school credit for satisfactory performance in the course
Students are required to pay the tuition for the college course and are responsible for the textbook for the college course
Technical Dual Credit Courses-Courses offered by NCTC
Technical dual credit courses may require high school students to pay regular or reduced tuition and fees or the college may elect to waive these costs
The course may be taught on a high school campus by a high school teacher
The course may be taught on a high school campus by a college instructor
The course may be delivered by instructor or a qualified instructor from another ISD via distance learning capabilities
Online refers to a course that is delivered 100% via web-based instruction
STUDENTS WISHING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Must be classified as a high school junior or senior
Meet established admissions requirements of NCTC as well as appropriate prerequisites
Comply with the state-mandated TSIA requirements, or equivalent test results through EOC, SAT, ACT or other approved test
Complete the Dual Credit Consent form prior to enrollment
Students are responsible for the tuition costs, any special fees associated with the course, and textbook costs
This must be paid in advance to taking the course unless other arrangements have been established with the college