CHOOSING A HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM OF STUDIES

The Course Selection Booklet is a planning guide for use in selecting subjects for high school next year. It consists of graduation requirements, scheduling guidelines, and a catalog of all subjects offered. During the scheduling process, each student has a conference with his/her school counselor to discuss a proposed program of study for the following year. The school counselor’s discussion during this conference is based upon teacher recommendations, parent recommendations, and the student's expressed interest in the various disciplines and a career interest or vocation. Recommendations concerning sequential courses are based upon the student's ability and past achievement.

II.        LEVELS

Many courses are offered on the following ability levels: Advanced Placement/Honors (AP/H); Accelerated (A) and Regular (R).

Regular (R)

These college preparatory courses are developed to provide students with the foundation for postsecondary demands by emphasizing depth, breadth, and enrichment. Courses are designed to develop the essential skills necessary for students to meet or exceed the requirements of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

Accelerated (A)

These are courses which require the ability to perform in a rigorous program at a rapid pace. They are offered at the college prep level. Courses are designed to develop the essential skills necessary for students to meet or exceed the requirements of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

Honors (H)

Honors courses present rigorous course material, expect considerable independent student work, and move at a faster pace. Students will complete more course assignments than accelerated courses.

Honors courses require students to be highly organized and willing to assume responsibility for the heightened volume and standard of honors-level academic work. Substantive critical analysis within a content-rich academic environment forms the heart of the honors academic routine. Courses are developed to further enhance students’ ability to work independently and demonstrate high levels of critical, analytical, and original thinking. Courses are designed to develop the essential skills necessary for students to meet or exceed the requirements of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Courses designed as Advanced Placement (AP) are taught under guidelines established by The College Board. AP courses are college-level courses. Students enrolled in AP courses will be challenged at the highest level of academic difficulty available in a high school setting. The AP curriculum consists of a high level of rigor in content complexity and requires significant independent learning by the student. Students who take AP courses are strongly encouraged to take the accompanying Advanced Placement Examination given in May. If a student earns a grade of 3, 4, or 5 on an AP exam it is possible to receive college credit for that particular AP course while gaining tuition savings. PLEASE NOTE: The Advanced Placement test for college credit is optional. If a student chooses to take the test, he/she will be responsible for the payment of the testing fee.