Embedded Files
Students have many options for Advanced Academic Pathways at Hoover High School.
Guide to Course Name Conventions at the High School Level
The terms listed below are used at the end of course titles to denote their special status. Course titles that do not contain these terms are considered part of the regular curriculum. The regular high school curriculum of Hoover City Schools is based on a college preparatory model, and students should always expect challenging content and homework (an average of 15–30 minutes per night for each academic course). Homework should typically include respectful tasks that support, but do not replace, classroom instruction.
Pre-IB and Advanced Level courses are designations used by Hoover City Schools and are not officially recognized by the College Board or the International Baccalaureate Organization.
Advanced Level
Description: Used to denote Advanced Level courses that specifically include content and skills that help prepare students for taking an Advanced Placement course in the given subject. These courses will also prepare students for the International Baccalaureate program in those subjects that do not have specific Pre-IB courses.
Recommendation: Students with a strong work ethic who have demonstrated intellectual curiosity in the given subject and who desire to attempt college-level courses before graduating from high school.
Content distinction: These courses cover more challenging topics by moving faster through the content
Grade weight: + 0.50 quality points
Description: Used to denote Advanced Level courses that specifically include content and skills that help prepare students for participation in the International Baccalaureate program. The title Pre-IB designates a preparatory course for IB work, not an International Baccalaureate course.
Recommendation: Any students with a strong work ethic who have demonstrated intellectual curiosity should enroll in Pre-IB classes. Due to the international component of IB, students taking Pre-IB should also be enrolled in Latin or Spanish courses. Students enrolled in Pre-IB will also have Pre-IB Crew.
Content distinction: These courses cover more challenging topics in greater depth and include content that is more focused on an international perspective to the given subject. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of IB, students taking Pre-IB in grades 9 and 10 are required to take both the English and history courses.
Grade weight:
Pre-IB English 9-10: + 0.50 for parity with Advanced Level English 9 - 10
Pre-IB History 9: +0.50 for parity with Advanced Level History 9
Pre-IB U.S. History 10: + 1.00 for parity with AP U.S. History 10
Pre-IB English 10: + 1.00 for parity with AP Seminar/English 10
Description: Used to describe college-level courses that follow the Advanced Placement curriculum as defined by The College Board that prepares students for an examination at the end of the course, and the scores from these exams can be submitted for consideration of credit to colleges or universities
Recommendation: Students with a very strong work ethic who are prepared to begin college-level coursework in the given subject prior to graduation from high school
Content distinction: These courses move at a college pace and cover a deep range of content as defined by The College Board that represents the same topics that one would expect to find in freshmen and sophomore level courses at a typical college or university
Homework load: These courses require substantial reading and writing assignments outside of class, and students should expect on average an additional 30–40 minutes of homework per night for each course
Grade weight: +1.00 quality point
Description: Used to describe college-level courses that follow the International Baccalaureate curriculum as defined by the IB Organization in Geneva, Switzerland that prepares students for a series of examinations in all academic subjects, and the scores from these exams can be submitted for consideration of credit to colleges or universities
Recommendation: Students with a very strong work ethic who are prepared to begin college-level coursework in two or more academic areas prior to graduation from high school and who desire an interdisciplinary and global perspective in their education
Content distinction: These courses move at a college pace and cover a deep range of content as defined by the IB Organization that meets the standards of colleges and universities around the world as a benchmark of excellence
Homework load: These courses require substantial reading and writing assignments outside of class, and students should have good time management to be able to meet assignment deadlines.
Grade weight: +1.00 quality point
Criteria: Students in IB must be enrolled in a minimum of two IB courses. IB Fine Arts can be taken as stand-alone courses but application required.
Team
Description: Used to denote Advanced Level courses that are associated with academic teams that represent the school in competitive events
Recommendation: Students with a strong work ethic who have demonstrated superior ability in the given subject and who can commit to substantial time demands outside of the regular school day
Content distinction: These courses move even faster through the content than their Advanced Level/IB peers, and they use class time gained by the faster pace to practice for competition in the given subject
Homework load (Math teams): On average, an additional 20 – 30 minutes per night for each course
Grade weight: + 0.50 quality points
Criteria: Approval of team sponsor
Page updated
Report abuse