LHS ADVANCED COURSES
Please make sure you take into account the amount of time needed to be successful in an honors or AP class. Students must balance their time between activities like athletics, FFA, band and clubs with the extra time needed to be in an honors or AP class. It is better to be successful in one or two honors/AP classes than to earn a C, D or F in 3 or 4 honors/AP classes in your 10th & 11th grade years.
Reminder- UC and CSU GPA is based on A-G classes taken after your 9th grade year through summer school after your 11th grade year.
Advanced classes that do not earn an extra point for G.P.A.:
9th- Eng1 PreAP, Geometry Advanced
10th- Eng2 PreAP, Algebra 2 Honors, World History Advanced, AP Spanish Language (AP does earn an extra point for G.P.A.)
Classes that carry an extra point for G.P.A.:
11th- PreCal H, English Language AP, US History AP, AP Biology, AP Spanish Language, AP Spanish Literature, AP Calculus, AP Statistics
12th- English Literature AP, Government AP, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Spanish Language, AP Spanish Literature
AP/Honors classes in the 12th grade year CAN help show a rigorous schedule, help with scholarships and final class rank and earn you college credits if you pass the AP Exam BUT do not count in your GPA for admissions and a D or F grade can result in your admission being canceled.
The following course sequences are recommended for those wanting to take an AP class:
- AP English- Eng PreAP
- AP Government or AP US History- World History Advanced
- AP Biology- Junior year after completing Physics
- AP Calculus- Senior year after taking PreCal-H your Junior year or Junior year after taking Alg2 Trig H
- AP Statistics- Senior year after taking Statistics your Junior year or Junior year after taking Alg2 Trig H
- AP Spanish Language- After completing Spanish for Spanish Speakers 1
- AP Spanish Literature- After completing Spanish for Spanish Speakers 2 (starting in fall of 2013 it will follow AP Spanish Language)
UNDERSTAND THE TIME COMMITMENT
- How many hours a day do you spend in athletics, band or club activities?
- Will you be able to attend teacher led tutorials right after school?
- You will need to spend a minimum of 1 hour per day for homework and studying and often times 2 hours for EACH AP course you take.
- What are your strengths? What were your grades AND CST scores in the area of the AP course you are considering?
- Why are you taking the class? Is it part of your pathway? Are you serious about passing the course and getting college credit?
