Course Levels

COURSE LEVELS

Course levels at Staples differ in terms of content, rigor, pace, assessment, and expectations for work outside of class. Courses are weighted in the GPA as College Level, Honors, or College & Career Prep. Advanced courses at the Honors and College Level are spread across 7 departments (Art, English, Math, Music, Science, Social Studies, and World Languages). Detailed information for all courses can be found in Curriculum-at-a-Glance documents on the Westport Public Schools website.

Course descriptions in the Program of Studies include whether a teacher recommendation is required to register for an advanced course. Unless otherwise noted in the course description, a student and their family may choose to override a teacher’s recommendation to take a higher level course by following the designated override process and timeline.

COLLEGE LEVEL

College Level includes Advanced Placement (AP), dual enrollment, and three additional advanced math courses.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

AP courses developed by the College Board are designed for motivated and academically prepared students to do college-level work while in high school. Each AP course is modeled after an introductory college course and culminates in a standardized AP exam administered in May. These courses offer students the possibility to earn college credit or advanced placement based on exam performance, depending on the policy of the college they go on to attend. Staples offers 26 AP courses across 7 departments.

DUAL ENROLLMENT

Dual Enrollment includes courses taught at Staples by a Staples teacher certified by the college as well as courses taught on the college campus by college faculty through an affiliated program. Students earn both high school and college credit simultaneously. These courses provide students the opportunity to engage in academically challenging college-level work while at Staples, earn college credit for free or at a reduced cost, and develop confidence and important skills for the transition to higher education. Staples has established partnerships with Connecticut State Community College, Southern Connecticut State University, and University of Connecticut.

ADDITIONAL MATH COURSES

Calculus BC Plus, Multivariable Calculus, and Differential Equations are advanced Staples math courses taught at the college level, but not affiliated with either College Board or a particular institution.

HONORS

Honors courses at Staples are defined by the depth of abstract, critical, and original thinking they require, along with a significant amount of independent work. These courses are designed for students whose ability and effort call for greater academic challenge and a faster instructional pace. Honors courses ask students to engage deeply with complex material, demonstrate intellectual curiosity, and take initiative in their learning. Staples offers 42 honors courses across 7 departments.

COLLEGE & CAREER PREP

College & Career Prep at Staples encompasses A, B, and C level courses along with non-leveled elective and Health & Physical Education courses.

A LEVEL - advanced college preparatory

A-Level courses provide rigorous college preparatory experiences that challenge students to think critically, analyze complex material, and apply consistent, purposeful effort. These courses promote independence, strong study habits, and advanced intellectual engagement. A-Level courses are offered across each of the academic departments.

B LEVEL - college preparatory

B-Level courses offer a solid college preparatory foundation, emphasizing the development of key academic skills. Students engage with course content through purposeful effort, guided practice, and growing independence in their learning. B-Level courses are offered in Math, Science, and World Languages (Spanish only).

C LEVEL - SUPPORTED COLLEGE PREPARATORY

C-Level courses provide additional structure and scaffolding to reinforce essential skills. These courses offer a more guided pace, explicit instruction, and targeted support to help students build confidence and success in foundational academic areas. C-Level courses are offered in Math and World Languages (Spanish only).

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