Advanced Placement and Honors designated courses
The general objective of these advanced courses it to provide an intensive and challenging program for the more able student. Courses titled "Honors'' and "Advanced Placement'' (or AP) and carrying the (HP) designation carry weighted credit for A, B, and C grades. Honors courses at Patrick Henry are Honors Chemistry, Honors US History, Honors Pre-calculus, and Honors American Literature.
Advanced Placement Program
Raising Expectations
The Advanced Placement Program consists of courses and tests developed by the College Board, which also administers the PSAT and SAT . These courses are designed to offer high school students the opportunity to experience college-level work. We encourage all students to take an AP class as part of their preparation for college.
Students signing up for AP courses must be prepared for a very rigorous course of study that is EQUIVALENT TO FIRST YEAR COLLEGE WORK. AP exams are given each year in May. By earning an acceptable score on the exams, students may earn college credit at the college they will eventually attend. Each college and university has its own advanced placement policy which dictates how AP grades are handled in allowing credit toward graduation and fulfilling distribution (graduation) requirements.
Eligibility for Advanced Placement Classes
Eligibility for advanced placement classes is based on a variety of factors. We encourage students to take AP classes but to also find balance in their schedule. Students taking multiple advanced placement courses are strongly encouraged to carefully evaluate the total workload they are choosing. Students taking three or more AP classes at Patrick Henry should expect a workload equal to that of freshman at the most selective colleges.
AP Course Offerings
Patrick Henry High School has the second largest AP program in the San Diego City School District, offering 20 AP courses. Due to demand fluctuations, not all courses are offered every year. According to Board of Education policy, these courses are given a weighted grade point when computing cumulative GPA. Courses include:
2-D Art & Design, Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, Drawing, English Language, English Literature,
Environmental Science, Government, Microeconomics, Physics C (mechanics),Psychology, Spanish Language, Statistics, US History
District Policy for Honors and AP courses
San Diego City Schools (SDCS) is aligned with the University of California (UC) policy for Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses. This allows high school students the opportunity to take advantage of a weighted grading system where courses are graded on a 5-point scale instead of a 4-point scale (e.g., A=5, B=4, C=3). The UC strictly enforces its procedure regarding honors courses which includes the following requirements:
Each honors course must be designed for 11th and 12th graders who have already completed foundational work in the subject area. Tenth graders who have the necessary preparation to complete UC designated honors courses will also receive UC honors credit;
Each honors course must have established prerequisites;
A regular course must be offered in the same subject area at the same grade level as each honors course;
Textbooks, instructional materials and course work used in each honors course must represent college-level rigor;
Each honors course must have a comprehensive, written final exam; and
One honors course may be offered in addition to AP and IB courses in each subject area.
All AP courses will continue to receive both district and UC weighted credit. The following honors courses are currently recognized by UC and are approved by the Board of Education as district honors courses. These courses will also receive SDCS weighted credit:
CCTE-
Electives: Broadcast 1,2, OR 3,4, Child Development 1,2, Graphic Design 1,2, Photoimaging 1,2,
English: American Literature 1,2
Engineering: Architectural Design 1,2, Digital Electronics 1,2, Engineering Design Development 1,2, Civil Engineering 1,2, Principles of Engineering 1,2
Mathematics: Precalculus 1-2
Science: Chemistry 1,2
Social Studies: U.S. History and Geography 1,2
World Languages: Spanish 7-8
Choosing Honors / AP Courses
The choices you select, if available, will be for the entire school year. Choose wisely!
Schedule changes will be made for placement errors only. As per PHHS policy: When choosing courses, careful attention should be given to college entrance (a-g) UC requirements / PHHS graduation requirements. Patrick Henry High School Honors and AP classes are created in the master schedule based on demand and numbers of students selecting the courses in the spring articulation process.
Students and parents must be aware of the rigorous curriculum and have a clear understanding that taking more than one Honors or AP course could have an impact on a student's academic load, athletics, work schedule, or other outside-of-school commitments. Schedule changes will not be made after the school year begins due to taking too many AP and/or Honors courses, "too much homework," poor grades, or too many other outside-of-school commitments.
The UC and CSU applications only accept 2 semesters of weighted credit in 10th grade and 6 semesters of weighted credit in the 11th grade for GPA calculations.
Community college courses: Mesa Community College & PHHS 2018-19 Course Offerings & Description Earn Dual Credit: Community College & PHHS non/weighted Credits
English 101: Reading and Comprehension
This course is designed for transfer-level students or for those who want to develop competence in college level reading and composition. Students read, analyze, discuss and think critically using a variety of works and sources. Based on these activities, students write essays, fully documented research projects, and other types of texts for various purposes and audiences. This written work, which demonstrates effective, logical, and precise expression of ideas, totals at least 6,000 graded words. Designated sections of this course may be taught from a specific cultural perspective. Meets 3 English college transfer credits for CSU; UC; Weighted High School Credit.
Communications 103: Oral Communication
This course is an introduction to speechmaking. Emphasis is placed on the skills required to organize and deliver a variety of types of speeches. Students give several speeches with and without visual aids. This course is designed for Communication Studies majors and for anyone interested in honing their speech skills. Meets 3 English college transfer credits for CSU; UC; Weighted High School Credit.
Political Science 101: Introduction to Political Science
This course is an introduction to the field of Political Science. Emphasis is placed on the concepts and methodologies used in the study of political institutions, political participation, public opinion, and the international political system. Topics also include a survey of political theory and the history of American political ideology and culture. This course is intended for students majoring in Political Science and those interested in the field of Political Science. Meets 3 Social/Behavior Science college transfer credits for CSU; UC; Weighted High School Credit.
Political Science 102: The American Political System Sprin
This comprehensive survey course provides an in-depth study of the American political system. National and California systems of government are studied from the perspective of constitutional frameworks and political institutions, processes, issues, and policies. Other topics include political participation; political parties and interest groups; social movements and minorities; civil liberties; and the role of political ideology, culture, and the mass media in shaping public opinion and policy making. This course is intended for transfer students, political science majors, or students interested in the American political system. Meets 3 Social/Behavior Science college transfer credits for CSU; UC; Weighted High School Credit.
Math 141: Pre-Calculus Summer 2021 (Proposed)
This course is a study of numerical, analytical, and graphical properties of functions. The course content includes polynomial, rational, irrational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. Additional topics include: inverse functions, complex numbers, polar coordinates, matrices, conic sections, sequences, series and the binomial theorem. This course is designed as a preparation for calculus and is intended for the transfer student planning to major in mathematics, engineering, economics, or disciplines included in the physical or life sciences. Meets Math transfer requirements at CSU; UC; Weighted High School Credit.