Advanced Placement Courses

Students who have demonstrated high academic ability and strong motivation may be admitted to Academic (Honors), Advanced Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, which require an overall grade point average of at least 3.5 and no grade below 80 in the subject area of the Leap course requested. These courses also require regular attendance and regular study habits in order to be successful.

Students who are enrolled in more than one Academic, AP or IB course should especially be aware of the time demands that will be placed on them. Advanced Placement courses are college-level courses to prepare students to take the AP test in that subject in the spring semester.

Students enrolled in AP courses are encouraged to take the AP exam for that course. Students who score high on the AP exams may be granted college credit. Detailed information regarding AP courses is available from the student's class counselor, and students should consult their intended college directly for information regarding AP credits.

A student must have at least a 3.2 grade point average and no grade below 80 in the previous course in order to be admitted to an Academic course. A student must have at least a 3.5 grade point average and no grade below 80 in the previous course in order to be admitted to an Advanced Placement or Academic level course. Students should maintain at least an 80 in order to remain in an Academic or Advanced Placement class.

The IB program is considered the most rigorous high school curriculum in the world. 'To become an IB diploma candidate a student must meet the criteria for LEAP admission, which includes passing all portions of the 8th grade TAKS, an overall 3.5 GPA, and no grade below a B in the chosen LEAP course. Students who do not have the required 3.5 GPA may go through an alternative application process, which requires an interview, writing sample, past TAKS scores, and GPA. See Mrs. Mouser for more details.