AP (Advanced Placement)

PROGRAM GUIDE

HillcrestHighSchool

AP Statistics

AP Physics

AP Chemistry

AP Biology

AP Environmental Science

Pre-AP English II

Pre-AP English I AP English III

AP English IV

Pre-AP Geometry

Pre-AP Algebra II

Pre-AP Calculus

Pre-AP World Geography

Pre-AP World History

AP U. S. History

AP Calculus AB & BC

AP Macroeconomics

AP French

Pre-AP Computer Science

AP Computer Science

AP Human Geography

AP European History

Pre-AP Chemistry

Pre-AP Spanish

Pre-AP French

Pre-AP Physics

Pre-AP Art

Pre-AP Biology

AP Music Theory

AP U.S. Government

AP Spanish

AP 2D Studio Art

Ronald K. Jones, Principal

Ann McNutt & Forrest Oliver, AP Coordinators

Hillcrest High School

9924 Hillcrest Road Dallas, Texas 75230 972-502-6800

AP World History

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=AP+College+Board+Studio+Art&Form=IQFRDR

HHS AP PROGRAM GUIDE Page 2

HHS AP Program Guide

What is the Advanced Placement (AP) Program?

Advanced Placement (AP) is a program of college-level courses and exams that gives high school students the opportunity to receive advanced placement and/or credit in college. Nationally, about 1.2 million students participate in the AP Program each year. Hillcrest High School is committed giving all students an opportunity to participate in rigorous and academically challenging curriculum that will prepare them for college and beyond. Students are highly encouraged to take AP courses. As students plan their schedules, they should consider the time commitments required in extracurricular and outside activities by carefully reviewing the course descriptions before making decisions. These courses are designed to prepare students for AP courses, but they also offer an excellent opportunity for students to enjoy a challenging, interesting course in areas where students exhibit strengths and curiosity.

What are AP courses?

AP courses will be more demanding than regular high school courses. They often require more time and work, but the AP courses give you greater depth. A student should realize that taking an AP class is a serious commitment. Students should give careful thought to which and how many AP courses to take in one year.

Why take an AP Exam?

Satisfactory grades on AP examinations offer many benefits which may enhance your applications for college admissions, placement, and scholarships. You may also receive college credit based on your AP scores. AP exams are administered each year in May. An exam contains both multiple choice and free response questions that require essay writing, problem solving, and other skills. Every examination receives an overall grade on a five-point scale. Scale: 5 Extremely well qualified 4 Well qualified 3 Qualified 2 Possibly qualified 1 No Recommendation AP Grade Reports are sent in July to each students home address, high school, and, if the student has requested, to designated colleges. Each college decides how much credit to award for AP scores. You can find this information for the colleges you are interested in by using the AP Credit Policy search at: www.collegeboard.com/ap/creditpolicy.

*Some information was taken from the AP College Board Website.*

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Pre-AP Program

Pre-AP is a set of courses with content-specific strategies designed to:

program

Pre-AP/AP Information for Students

Through college-level AP courses, students gain knowledge that may unexplored in a traditional high school curriculum; through AP Exams, students have the opportunity to earn credit or advanced standing at most of the nations colleges and universities.

Specific skills for success:

Why Participate?

AP offers something for everyone. The only requirements are a strong curiosity about the subject you plan to study and the willingness to work hard. Here are a few reasons to sign up:

Broaden Your Intellectual Horizon:

Gain the Edge in College Preparation:

-level work.

-solving

techniques.

course work. Stand Out in the College Admissions Process:

what college admissions officers look for on a high school transcript.

*Some information was taken from the AP College Board Website.*

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HHS AP Program Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can my student enroll in Pre-AP and AP courses?

Yes, DISD allows students, parents, teachers and counselors to nominate for Pre-AP and AP courses. Please note that these courses are more rigorous and move at a faster pace that the regular courses.

2. Is there a limit to the number of Pre-AP and AP courses that a student can take?

There is no limit; however, students should consider their overall course load and other activities or commitments they have to make sure they have adequate time in their daily schedule to study and to complete homework.

3. Who can I contact for more information about the AP Program?

Ann McNutt, AP Coordinator 4. Can I change my schedule once school starts?

Schedules will be mailed during the summer. Please email the associate principal to request schedule changes before school begins. We cannot guarantee that students will get a certain teacher or class period. We hope to limit the number of schedule changes after school begins as it disrupts the classroom learning process.

Shanna Burton, Associate Principal sburton@dallasisd.org

5. Who will be my childs counselor and how can I reach them?

Alpha A-F: Gailene Anderson (Lead Counselor) ganderson@dallasisd.org Alpha G-N: Caroline Jones-Harris CAROJONES@dallasisd.org Alpha O-Z: Bridget Dyer-Smith BDyer-Smith@dallasisd.org

6. What if my child needs assistance in his/her courses? Each teacher has a tutoring schedule that is either before school, after school or both. Students will be provided a tutoring schedule once school begins.

7. Are there summer assignments? Some courses require summer assignments. This information will be available on the schools website.

8. Can my child take Pre-AP and AP courses if they participate in the Academy of Engineering?

Yes. Certain sections of English, Math and Science Pre-AP and AP classes are designated specifically for Academy of Engineering students. 9. What other programs and activities does Hillcrest have to offer? Academic Decathlon, Academy of Engineering, AVID, Biomedical Research, Cooperative Education, Colorguard, Debate Club, French Club, Gay/Straight Alliance, Glee Club, Information Technology Pathway, Interact Club, Jazz Band, JROTC, JV Cheerleading, Key Club, Marching Band, Mock Trial, Mu Alpha Theta, Theater, National Honor Society, Newspaper, Orchestra, Panaders Drill Team, Ro-botics, Student Council, Varsity Cheerleading, World Cafe Reading Club and Yearbook.

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Rank in Class and GPA

Rank In Class

Rank in class is based on a weighted grading system. Eligible courses for the computation of rank include all courses taken for state credit in grades 9-12. Courses taken for state credit in summer or evening school, as well as approved correspondence and college courses taken for high school credit will count toward rank in class. Credit earned through credit-by-exam, with or without prior instruction, does not count toward rank in class. Rank points are awarded based on semester grades. For each student, rank points for each semester course are sorted in descending order. Rank in class is computed by totaling the weighted rank points of eligible courses representing the highest twenty-four credits taken and earned in grades 9-12. Course weights are assigned to Texas Education Agency approved courses as follows: Advanced Placement 9 Remedial Education/Special Education 6 Pre-AP / Dual Credit 8 Regular Education/ESOL 7 Local credit courses 0 Below 70 in any course 0 To obtain rank points, the semester grade in each course is multiplied by the course weight. English I Grade 100 X 7 = 700 POINTS English II PAP Grade 100 X 8 = 800 POINTS AP English III Grade 100 X 9 = 900 POINTS Rank in class is calculated at the end of each semester beginning with the first semester of the junior year. The first calculation is based on the highest 15 credits. At the end of the junior year, rank is calculated based on the highest 18 credits. First semester senior rank is calculated on the highest 21 credits and the final rank is calculated on the highest 24 credits.

GPA

Calculating Grade Point Average (GPA)

Students earn a grade point average (GPA) based on a 100 point system. Eligible courses for the

computation of GPA include all courses taken for state and local high school credit in grades 9-12.

Courses taken in summer or evening school, as well as approved correspondence courses, and

courses taken for concurrent college credit, shall count toward the grade point average (GPA).

Grade point average is computed by totaling the numerical grades earned and dividing by the

number of numerical grade earning courses attempted. GPA can range from 50 to 100. Credit

earned through credit-by examination or examination for acceleration will not count toward GPA.

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