Advanced Placement (AP)

AP courses are offered in the areas of English, social studies, science, mathematics, world languages, art, and music. AP courses are college-level courses that use the College Board’s suggested curricula to prepare students for the AP exams. Students understand from the beginning that success in an AP course will require extra study time and effort. Grades earned in AP courses are weighted and are weighted only after successfully completing the course. In addition, several AP courses have a required summer assignment that students must complete by the first day of school. Be sure to read the course descriptions for specific information about this.

Resources: Students are expected to be able to read and understand a college-level textbook. The textbooks used in the AP courses are also used by schools such as Georgetown and Princeton. Weekly reading assignments are lengthy (30 to 50 pages or more) and involved. This is not light reading. Outside reading is also college level. Student purchase of an AP test preparation book is also strongly recommended.

Course Content: The concepts to be mastered for the AP tests are spelled out clearly by The College Board and serve almost exclusively as the basis for the curricula. These standards reflect the content of most college courses; therefore, the AP class is essentially a college course. The curriculum is driven by the need to meet the AP test objectives. These objectives, and other information about AP courses, can be found at https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses.
Assessments: The majority of a student’s grade in an AP class will be based on unit tests and papers. Tests in AP classes are challenging. They will follow or mimic the format of the actual AP test. Therefore, they will consist of equal parts objective and subjective questions.

Honors

Honors courses are designed to offer a greater depth of instruction at an accelerated pace. Placement into honors courses is based on exceptional performance and achievement in previous courses. The teacher recommendation is one of the strongest and most reliable criteria for honors placement. It is also important to recognize that honors courses place higher demands on a student’s time. A demonstrated ability to work with a heavier academic workload is essential. Likewise, there is an increased demand for student participation in discussion and independent learning. Grades earned in Honors courses are weighted and are weighted only after successfully completing the course. In addition, several Honors level courses have a required summer assignment that students must complete by the first day of school. Be sure to read the course descriptions for specific information about this.

Gifted/High Potential (GHP)

The Parkland School District provides programs for its Gifted/High Potential students in the areas of English, social studies, math, and science. While the basic content of the regular program will be presented at each grade level, activities and methods are used that are intended to develop higher order thinking skills. This is brought about using more advanced supplemental teaching materials and more advanced research methods. Students in these programs have the advantage of working with students of similar ability. Although the student may choose to build a program of courses at the College Preparatory level, it is recommended that consideration be given to one or more of the Gifted/High Potential courses that are available. Participation will usually demand more time and work than courses at the College Preparatory level because these classes have been planned to provide the student with a challenge and with advanced academic skills. Weighted grades are not used in the evaluation of student progress in these courses.

College Preparatory (CP)

The College Preparatory curriculum is moderately paced and serves the student who requires the traditional academic preparation necessary for higher education. Students are required to analyze pieces of literature, use traditional research methods, make oral presentations, work collaboratively with peers, and write papers. It is designed to build skills and knowledge needed for students who plan to enroll in a four-year college or university.

Career, Education, & Work Readiness (CEW)

CEW courses are only available for students who are enrolled at LCTI. This level exists in our English and Social Studies course offerings and provides LCTI students with opportunities to develop the skills and competencies needed for success academically and within their trade of study. Students will enrich their understanding of the skills needed for success with their LCTI labs through various content-based activities and assessments in English and social studies. Note that only students who attend LCTI may take CEW courses, though LCTI students may take other course levels as well.

Seminar

Seminar courses will be available for students in grades 9 and 10 in English and social studies only. These courses are designed to assist students with developing future goals as well as the skills necessary to be successful in either the study of trades (at LCTI) or at the College Preparatory level. Content based activities along with real-world applications will assist students with determining their future paths and career goals. By the end of 10th grade, students will either continue their studies in English and social studies at the College Preparatory level at PHS or at the CEW level if attending LCTI.