Advanced Academics Advanced Placement (AP) and
Advanced Courses
Preparing Every Student for College and Beyond
What are Advanced Placement courses?
Advanced courses are on-grade level academically advanced courses designed to challenge motivated students to understand rigorous content. Advanced courses are based on the expectation that all students can perform well at rigorous academic levels. The coursework requires students to engage in independent and analytical assignments and to complete a substantial amount of work outside of class. The curricula for the courses are built on the core academic curriculum following the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) expectations for each course. The curriculum and instruction challenge students to expand their knowledge, concepts, and skills to prepare for the next level. Advanced middle school courses are designed to prepare students for high school Advanced and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
What are Advanced Placement (AP) courses?
AP is a rigorous academic program built on the commitment, passion, and hard work of students and educators from both secondary and higher education. AP courses are college-level courses taught in a high school setting. AP courses help students acquire the skills and habits needed to be successful in college. Students in AP courses are taught writing skills, problem-solving abilities, time management skills, discipline, and study habits. In the AP classroom, students engage in intense discussions, solve problems collaboratively, and learn to write clearly and persuasively. At the end of each AP course an AP Exam is administered. Qualifying scores (3, 4, or 5) on the AP exams can enable students to receive college credit.
Why should a student enroll in Pre-AP classes?
Enrollment in Advanced courses is based on the belief that every student is prepared for higher intellectual engagement by starting the development of skills and acquisition of knowledge as early as possible. The strategies and tools engage the students in active, high-level learning, thereby ensuring that every middle and high school student develops the skills, habits of mind, and concepts needed to succeed in college.
Are there any special qualifications for taking an Advanced course?
Galena Park ISD offers open enrollment for Advanced/AP courses. Any student with the guidance of a parent, teacher, and counselor can enter an Advanced/AP course. Open enrollment refers to courses open to any student who wishes to take on the additional challenge of the rigorous curriculum. This statement is based on the profound hope that all students can perform at rigorous academic levels.
Please be aware that GPISD abides by the open enrollment policy. However, in order to be eligible to open enroll in an Advanced/AP course, a student must pass STAAR. A student may enroll in an Advanced/AP course with a parent request as long as he/she has passed STAAR and STAAR EOC, and has earned a passing grade in the previous course.
Please be aware that GPISD abides by the open enrollment policy. However, in order to be eligible to open enroll in an Advanced/AP course, a student must pass STAAR. A student may enroll in an Advanced/AP course with a parent request as long as he/she has passed STAAR and STAAR EOC, and has earned a passing grade in the previous course.
Can ELL students enroll in Advanced/AP courses?
The Advanced/AP program offers open enrollment for all students. Students are advised to seek counselor and parental input before enrolling.
May students with disabilities enroll in Advanced/AP?
Careful guidance should be used in course selection. The IEP committee recommendations for accommodations are permissible, but shall not change course expectations or course content.
What are some of the personal and academic characteristics of Advanced/AP students?
Students who exhibit the following personal and academic characteristics are strongly encouraged to enroll into Advanced/AP courses.
Personal Characteristics:
• Excellent study and organizational skills
• Ability to work well with others
• Persistence in pursuing goals
• A strong sense of responsibility
• Ability to become an independent learner
• A desire to be academically successful
• Reading on or above grade level
• Proficient oral and written communication skills
Academic Characteristics:
• Grade of 85 or higher in an on-grade level related academic content area course
• Scores at the Advanced Academic Performance level (Meets/Masters) on the most recent STAAR/EOC test closely related to the Advanced/AP course being considered.
Personal Characteristics:
• Excellent study and organizational skills
• Ability to work well with others
• Persistence in pursuing goals
• A strong sense of responsibility
• Ability to become an independent learner
• A desire to be academically successful
• Reading on or above grade level
• Proficient oral and written communication skills
Academic Characteristics:
• Grade of 85 or higher in an on-grade level related academic content area course
• Scores at the Advanced Academic Performance level (Meets/Masters) on the most recent STAAR/EOC test closely related to the Advanced/AP course being considered.
Can a student make a schedule change if he/she determines that an Advanced/AP course is too difficult?
A student and his/her parent/guardian may request removal from an Advanced/AP class between the 7th and 8th week of the school year as long as:
- the student does not have any zeroes,
- the student has attended tutorials,
- the teacher has made direct parent contact, and
- the teacher agrees that the student is struggling.
Can a student turn in work late in Advanced/AP classes?
Any assignment that is not turned in on the due date will be assessed a 10-point penalty, per day, for up to five days. After that time, any assignment may be turned in prior to the last week of the marking period for a maximum grade of 50%.
How are grades calculated in advanced classes?
Grading Categories
Advanced Middle School – 50% major assignments and 50% daily assignments
Advanced High School – 60% major assignments and 40% daily assignments
AP High School – 70% major assignments and 30% daily assignments
Homework assignments cannot account for more than 10% of the daily category.
Advanced Middle School – 50% major assignments and 50% daily assignments
Advanced High School – 60% major assignments and 40% daily assignments
AP High School – 70% major assignments and 30% daily assignments
Homework assignments cannot account for more than 10% of the daily category.
Grading Point System
Each high school course is subject to the Grade Point System, per district board policy, which weights classes based upon the level of the course. The chart below provides that information.
What qualifications will a teacher need to teach Advanced/AP courses?
Teachers will be trained in subject specific Advanced/AP workshops to provide strategies and tools to engage their students in high-level learning. The Advanced/AP training is required prior to teaching the courses. Teachers must also complete 30-hours of Gifted and Talented training.
What classes are offered in each grade level?
Advanced/AP Courses by grade level
9th Grade 11th Grade
Advanced English I AP English III – English Language
Advanced Geometry Advanced Pre-Calculus
Advanced Biology AP Statistics
AP Human Geography AP Biology
Advanced Art I AP Chemistry
AP Environmental Science
10th Grade AP Physics I
Advanced English II AP Physics II
Advanced Algebra II AP U.S. History
Advanced Chemistry AP Computer Science A
AP World History AP Art History
Advanced Art I AP Studio Art: Drawing - 2D/3D Design
Advanced Art II AP Psychology
AP Art History Advanced Music Theory
AP Psychology AP Spanish Language (Spanish IV)
Advanced Spanish III
Advanced French III 12th Grade
AP English IV – English Literature
AP Calculus
AP Statistics
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Environmental Science
AP Physics I
AP Physics II
AP U.S. Government and Politics
AP Macroeconomics
AP Psychology
AP U.S. History
AP Computer Science A
AP Art History
AP Music Theory
AP Studio Art
AP Spanish Literature (Spanish V)
9th Grade 11th Grade
Advanced English I AP English III – English Language
Advanced Geometry Advanced Pre-Calculus
Advanced Biology AP Statistics
AP Human Geography AP Biology
Advanced Art I AP Chemistry
AP Environmental Science
10th Grade AP Physics I
Advanced English II AP Physics II
Advanced Algebra II AP U.S. History
Advanced Chemistry AP Computer Science A
AP World History AP Art History
Advanced Art I AP Studio Art: Drawing - 2D/3D Design
Advanced Art II AP Psychology
AP Art History Advanced Music Theory
AP Psychology AP Spanish Language (Spanish IV)
Advanced Spanish III
Advanced French III 12th Grade
AP English IV – English Literature
AP Calculus
AP Statistics
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Environmental Science
AP Physics I
AP Physics II
AP U.S. Government and Politics
AP Macroeconomics
AP Psychology
AP U.S. History
AP Computer Science A
AP Art History
AP Music Theory
AP Studio Art
AP Spanish Literature (Spanish V)
Is there any limit to the number of Advanced/AP courses a student may take?
A student may take as many Advanced/AP courses as can fit his/her schedule. Careful consideration should be given to the instructional needs of the individual student. Students are encouraged to take Advanced/AP courses that are appropriate to their interests and academic strengths. The number of Advanced/AP courses also varies with students’ motivation, self-discipline, and available time outside of class. Students are not expected to enroll in Advanced/AP courses in all core subject areas.
Do advanced classes have more homework than standard academic classes?
Advanced/AP courses may have more homework than standard courses. They typically require more reading, more writing, and more independent practice with the goal of developing advanced skills in those courses. Advanced/AP courses have similar amounts of homework.
How does Advanced differ from AP?
Advanced/AP courses are grade level courses embedded with strategies that specifically target middle and high school students providing knowledge, concepts, and skills needed to engage in a higher level of learning that prepares them for the rigor of college level work. These classes prepare a student for the rigorous coursework of AP. The AP program offers college level instruction to the academically successful student while in high school with the option of taking the advanced placement examination to possibly qualify for college credit.
Who chooses a student’s courses for Advanced/AP?
A decision about placement ultimately rests with the student and their parent. The school can provide powerful input through teacher recommendation, counselor input, communication regarding the challenges of the Advanced/AP curriculum, and information about indicators of student success.
Does enrollment in Advanced/AP courses affect the UIL “No Pass No Play” rule?
There are special “No Pass, No Play” rules designed to encourage participation in Advanced/AP courses. Students are required to maintain a passing grade (70) in each Advanced/AP course at the end of each grading period in order to stay in the course.
A waiver can only be used once for a specific course. If a student fails the same course a second time then he/she will be removed from the Advanced/AP course.
Students are exempt from the rule under the following conditions:
• A student may be exempt for more than one course during a regular grading period.
• A student may use an exemption only one time for each course during a school year.
A waiver can only be used once for a specific course. If a student fails the same course a second time then he/she will be removed from the Advanced/AP course.
Students are exempt from the rule under the following conditions:
• A student may be exempt for more than one course during a regular grading period.
• A student may use an exemption only one time for each course during a school year.
How might taking advanced academic courses affect my student’s grades?
Advanced courses may have an effect on grades because the standards of excellence are set very high in these courses. However, remember that participation in advanced courses has been a better predictor of future success than grades or even high school GPA. Parents are encouraged to focus on what students are learning rather than the occasional B or C grades he/she may encounter on the journey.
If a student fails a Advanced/AP course will that student automatically be exited from the course?
If at any time a student’s performance is not satisfactory, the teacher will conference with the student and his/her parents to develop a plan for improvement.
A student and his/her parent/guardian may request removal from an Advanced/AP class between the 7th and 8th week of the school year as long as:
A student and his/her parent/guardian may request removal from an Advanced/AP class between the 7th and 8th week of the school year as long as:
- the student does not have any zeroes,
- the student has attended tutorials,
- the teacher has made direct parent contact, and
- the teacher agrees that the student is struggling.
Will a student have time for after school activities if enrolled in Advanced/AP courses?
As in any coursework where there will be additional challenge, students who choose to enroll in Advanced/AP courses should be prepared for the added academic rigor.
What do colleges think of Advanced/AP?
Research has found that an intermediate and secondary school curriculum of high intensity and quality, such as that found in Advanced/AP courses has the strongest correlation to bachelor's degree completion.
How will your AP Scores translate at your future college?
Must a student take Advanced/AP courses in order to be prepared for college?
Academic courses in Galena Park ISD offer appropriate instruction to prepare students for college or university work. Many students without prior Advanced/AP coursework successfully complete college educations.
What is the difference between AP and Dual Credit?
- Advanced Placement courses are part of the College Board organization that requires students to take a rigorous test at the end of the course to potentially earn college credit. A dual credit course on the other hand is an official course offered by San Jacinto College.
- AP exams require a passing score of a 3, 4, or 5 on the exam to earn the college credit. In dual credit classes, students are graded on their coursework over a semester. The students must earn a passing grade in order to receive the college credit.
- Most ivy league colleges/universities prefer AP exam scores over college credits earned through the dual credit program.
- In Galena Park ISD, students are recommended by their teachers to take the AP exams. However, students who are not recommended my pay for the exams without the recommendation.