Glendale Union High School District Honors / Advanced Placement Information Night
Our Schools Apollo High School Cortez High School Glendale High School Greenway High School Independence High School Moon Valley High School Sunnyslope High School Thunderbird High School Washington High School
About Our Schools � “Excelling” schools for the past eight years � Schools have been featured in U.S. News and World Report � Highly qualified and certified teachers � A focus on technology and literacy � A nationally recognized learning system that focuses on student achievement and preparedness for college
About Our Schools � A personal connection with parents, students, and the community � School populations range from approximately 1400- 1800 students � Over 70 different clubs, sports, and activities � No “pay to play or pay to participate” program � Award winning Fine Arts programs � A wide variety of elective programs � A focus on 9 th grade transition
The Advanced Placement Program The Advanced Placement Program offers students the opportunity to take rigorous courses during their high school years in order to gain college credits as well as prepare them for the challenges of higher education.
Similarities between AP and International Baccalaureate � Both are rigorous and dedicated to educational excellence for students and teachers � Both involve dedicated and creative teachers � Both attract highly motivated students who wish to excel academically and attend the most selective universities � Both articulate with the junior high and middle schools
Similarities between AP and International Baccalaureate � Both have attracted the attention of international educators and the general public on ways to improve education � Both value programs that require research, thinking, and writing � Both offer extensive professional development opportunities for teachers
Why Choose AP � More North American Universities accept AP exam scores than IB exam scores � AP allows more flexibility in choosing classes � AP programs cost less which results in more money in the classroom
The Benefits of the Advanced Placement Program � Provides students with a head start on college � Assists students in obtaining college admission � Allows students the opportunity to earn college credits � Enter upper-level courses in college
The Benefits of the Advanced Placement Program � Fulfill a foreign language requirement � Save money on college � Earn academic scholarships and awards � Experience college-level exams � Increased chance for success
Why take AP classes College credit can allow you to move into upper-level college courses sooner, pursue a double major, and gain time to study and travel abroad: “As a freshman, I was able to skip general ed requirements and head straight into the higher-level classes I wanted to take. Taking AP Exams literally saved me semesters of time.” —Brent Wiese, University of Iowa
Why take AP classes A U.S. Department of Education study found that the strongest predictor of college graduation is something students do before they ever go to college: Participate in rigorous, college-level courses in high school—and AP courses in particular. Clifford Adelman, Answers in the Tool Box: Academic Intensity, Attendance Patterns, and Bachelor’s Degree Attainment (1999), U.S. Department of Education.
Standing Out in the Admission Process “One of the best standard predictors of academic success at Harvard is performance on Advanced Placement Examinations.” —William R. Fitzsimmons Dean of Admissions, Harvard University
Cost of Taking AP Courses There is an $82 fee for each AP Exam, which the College Board uses to: 1) subsidize teacher training 2) develop classroom resources GUHSD covers the cost of this exam
Dual Enrollment � Students have the opportunity to earn college credit while completing the high school requirement. Dual enrollment courses are offered through many AP classes. � Many of our Career and Technical Ed classes also offer the opportunity to gain dual credit.
Dual Enrollment Core Courses � AP English – 6 credits � AP Government – 6 credits � AP US History – 6 credits � Honors Pre-Calculus – 5 credits � College Algebra – 4 credits � AP Biology – 8 credits � AP Physics – 8 credits � Honors French or Spanish – 8 credits � AP French or Spanish – 8 credits
Dual Enrollment Savings A total of 59 credits through GUHSD dual enrollment courses could cost you $4,189 A total of 59 credits through Glendale Community College could cost you $4,189 + the cost of books and lab fees A total of 59 credits through Arizona State University could cost you $35,400 + the cost of books and lab fees
Dual Enrollment Scholarships Gateway Community College grants scholarships to Glendale Union High School District students every semester. For the fall 2010 semester $66,183 in grant monies were distributed to 190 students across our district.
Diploma Choices GUHSD offers 3 Diploma options: Standard Diploma Advanced Diploma Honors Diploma
Honors Diploma The Honors Diploma requires a student to do the following: � Earn 24 credits � Successfully complete six Honors/AP courses with four of the six during the junior and senior year � Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or rank in the top 25% � “Exceed” on at least two of the AIMS exams
Honors Diploma Courses requirements: – 4 credits of Language Arts – 3 credits of Social Studies – 3 credits of Science – 4 credits of Mathematics – 2 credits of Foreign Language – 1 credit of Fine Arts – 1 credit of Physical Education – 6 Elective credits
Student Selection Student selection for the Honors/AP program is based on the following: Student grades and performance in 1. elementary and middle school Performance on state mandated tests 2. Performance on placement exams 3. Teacher recommendation 4.
Typical Honors/AP Track Freshman Year: Honors English 1-2 Honors Algebra 1/Geometry Honors Biology Physical Education Spanish 1-2, French 1-2, or Elective Elective of your choice Sophomore Year: Honors English 3-4 Honors Algebra 2 Honors Chemistry Honors World History Spanish 3-4, French 3-4, or Elective Elective of your choice
Typical Honors/AP Track Junior Year: Honors English 5-6 Honors Pre-Calculus AP Biology AP US History Honors Spanish 5-6, Honors French 5-6, or Elective Elective of your choice Senior Year: AP English AP Calculus AP Physics AP Government AP Spanish, AP French, or Elective Elective of your choice
Graduate Recognition � Top graduates speak at graduation and march at the front of the class � Medallions and chords are given for academic achievements � Honors and Awards ceremonies honoring student accomplishments
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