Advanced Placement, Honors, Concurrent Enrollment, Project Lead the Way

*Honors grade point weight awarded

Project Lead the Way courses may earn college credit, scholarship, preferential admissions and offer additional opportunities

Questions for students and families to consider before choosing Honors, Concurrent enrollment, or AP Courses: 

• Is this class a high interest subject area? 

• Am I enrolling in this class because all of my peers/friends are enrolling? Or is it because I am up for the challenge? 

• How many hours are needed for each class, each night? Do I have that many hours available? 

• How are my time management skills? Do I have the ability to persevere through challenges? 

• How have I managed other stressful academic periods (projects, during virtual learning)? 

• High school students are not placed on teams. Multiple teachers will often assign assessments due on the same day. How will I handle my workload and stress level? 

If you have additional concerns, please contact your child's school counselor and/or content area teacher. 

Types of Courses at South Kingstown High School

• College and Career Prep Courses prepare students for postsecondary education and careers

• Honors courses are more intense and faster paced than non-honors courses. Material is covered in more depth and breadth and teachers expect students to be independent thinkers and self-motivated. Most colleges, however, do not consider honors courses equivalent to college-level work. 

• Advanced Placement (AP) courses are equivalent to college-level courses and follow a standard curriculum; students are required to take the AP test. 

• Concurrent enrollment courses are either Honors or AP and offer the opportunity for students to earn college credit through a college or university. 

Taking full advantage of the honors and/or AP courses, and doing well in them, is a top admissions factor for selective post-secondary schools. 

If a student's academic performance is stong, school counselors or teachers might suggest enrolling in an honors-level, concurrent enrollment, or AP course(s). Families should consider past academic performance, student and family obligations, student commitment to academics and student interest in the subject before enrolling a student in honors or AP courses. 

Skills needed to be successful in Honors or AP courses

Students at South Kingstown high School can take an Honors, concurrent enrollment, or AP course at any point during high school; there is no prerequisite that enrollment in these courses only begins in freshman or sophomore year. However, students should carefully reflect on the following list of characteristics which are needed for a positive experience in an Honors or AP course:

Benefits of Honors or AP or Concurrent Enrollment Courses

• College admission. Taking full advantage of the honors program at South Kingstown High School signals to selective colleges that students are serious about academics, and will continue this challenge in college. 

• College credit. Depending on the score of the AP exam, a student might start college with college credits. Students may also be exempt from taking certain required college courses. This can save a student significant time and money on the road to college graduation. Students taking a class with CE designation have the option of enrolling in the class for college credit through the college or university. 

• College readiness. Being accustomed to high level challenges and fast paced course work will serve students well when enrolled in college courses. 

Over-commitment

Over-committing to honors, concurrent enrollment, or AP courses leads to extreme stress and anxiety and grades may suffer. If a student has numerous extracurricular commitments or other obligations, carefully consider these before taking on a heavy honors or AP course load. 

Time spent on honors, concurrent enrollment, or AP classes may take time away from other interests. Homework can vary from 0.5 hours to 2 hours per night per class or more, depending on the subject, the assignment, the content being covered in school, and time management skills of the student. For example, students may have to choose between an AP Calculus course or participating in other community or school events. 

Source: 

https://www.collegedata.com/cs/content/content_getinarticle_tmpl.jhtml?articleId=10024

http://newwestcharter.org/high-school-courses-honors/