Honors/IB/AP Classes & Academic Waivers

Counselors often hear students (and parents) say "I heard colleges want kids to take H/AP/IB courses" and "I heard it is better to get an A in a CP course instead of B in a H/AP/IB course." Although competitive colleges certainly do seek (and admit) applicants who have consistently challenged themselves (primarily by taking the most rigorous coursework available at their school), AND these same colleges have no shortage of applicants who have earned nothing but straight As (throughout high school in the most rigorous courses available to them), that does NOT mean that ALL students should take H/AP/IB courses. Before a student embarks on the H/AP/IB path, they should review the following: 

1. Descriptions of the content they can expect in various honors level courses: (CLICK HERE) 

2. Prequisities: 

Students need a B or above final grade in current honors course to move to the next honors course OR they need to complete the Academic Waiver Form  

Students need an A as a final grade in current CP course to take the next level honors course OR they need to complete the Academic Waiver Form  

The reality of an H/AP/IB course is that even if a student meets the minimum requirements to enroll in an honors class, it does not mean that doing so is ideal. Some important things for students and parents to consider are:

1. Is the student genuinely interested in the subject?

2. Is the subject an inherent strength for the student?

3. Does the student have the work ethic required for success in an honors class?

4. Does the student have the time to devote to the honors class?

5. Does the student ask questions/seek assistance/attend school-based tutoring?

If the answer to even ONE of these aspects is NO, H/AP/IB may not be the best placement for the student! A student’s current teachers/counselor are the best source of accurate information for these considerations.