college level high school study
/By Joyce Szuflita
There are many opportunities to go deep academically at high school in NYC.
In most parts of the country, when you finish your high school graduation requirements, you can take AP (Advanced Placement) courses. These courses in many subjects are designed and administered by the College Board . At the end of the class, you pay a fee to take the test and if you test well, there is the possibility that the College or University you attend will give you credit. This may allow you to graduate early. It is much rarer these days to shorten your college stay through the use of AP's. Many elite schools like to see high scores on AP exams for admissions, but may rarely give credit, preferring you take their entry level courses.
The International Baccalaureate program is becoming more popular in the US. A school can participate in IB programs in the primary years or the middle school years, but the rubber hits the road at high school in the Diploma Programme. They use a combination of tests and teacher assessments to determine evidence of achievement after their course of study. This work is college level work and Colleges and Universities are now asking, “do you have AP’s or IB’s?” in vetting students for admissions.
Many high schools in New York City are incorporating “Early College” or “College Now” programs into their schools. This is how the directory describes them: “Early college high schools blend a rigorous college-prep curriculum with the opportunity to earn up to two years of college credit toward a liberal arts Associate degree while in grades 9–12 at the high school level, at no cost to students. These schools maintain a partnership with a college to provide academic and social supports to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in college. Find more information on a school’s early college degree course offerings on its MySchools page, or contact the school directly.”
There are also Early College or Career schools. From the directory: “Early college and career schools, also called NYC P-TECH Grades 9–14 schools (Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools), offer a six-year program where students can earn a high school diploma and a no-cost, career-specific Associate degree (or up to two years of transferable college credits), plus gain valuable workplace skills. As both an early college and a Career and Technical Education (CTE) school, each school has a specific science, technology, engineering, or math-based career theme for its rigorous academic and CTE program. Students participate in career exploration activities with the school’s lead industry partners, including work-based projects and internships. Students may also begin taking tuition-free college classes as early as tenth grade at the partnering college and have until the fourteenth grade to complete the college credits towards an Associate degree. Through these partnerships, graduates are prepared to begin their careers and continue their postsecondary education. Find more information on a school’s career theme and early college degree pathway on its school page in this directory, or contact the school directly.
