Course Levels and College Partnership Programs
COURSE LEVEL CURRICULA AND COLLEGE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS
Honors (H)
Honors courses explore the subject matter in depth and in a comprehensive and accelerated approach. Courses are available in the following academic subjects: English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. These courses are intended for students who have demonstrated motivation, interest, and achievement in previous courses taken in this content area. Students are required to meet specific criteria for all honors courses. Successful completion of an honors course adds .05 weighted credit to a student’s rank and GPA. For further information, contact the school counselor.
Advanced Placement (AP)
AP courses are designed to meet the objectives of rigorous first year courses at the college level as prescribed by the College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement Program. AP courses provide students with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both. Each AP course concludes with a college-level test, which is an essential part of the AP experience enabling students to demonstrate their mastery of college-level course work.
More than 90 percent of 4-year colleges grant credit and placement on the basis of successful AP exam scores. AP courses are offered in the following subject areas to prepare students for taking the AP examination: Art, English, Math, Music, Social Studies, World Languages, and the Sciences. The examinations are given in May.
Students who wish to receive the weighted credit of .07 for rank and grade point average (GPA) in those subjects are required to take the AP examination. To earn college credit a student must receive a passing score of 3 or higher on the AP exam. There are additional course requirements for AP classes, particularly during the summer. Students are expected to consult their AP teachers for those requirements. For more information, visit www.collegeboard.org.
Norwalk Community College High School Partnership Program
NCC Program offers highly motivated and academically qualified students to take credit-bearing CT State Norwalk courses while a high school student at no cost. The courses the student is eligible to take are determined by Norwalk’s placement and course prerequisite criteria. The student may take one or two courses per semester in the fall and/or spring semesters. The CT State Norwalk courses must meet outside of regularly scheduled high school hours. For additional program information visit: NCC High School Partnership Program.
University of Connecticut - Early College Experience (ECE)
ECE provides academically motivated students the opportunity to take challenging courses that allow students to preview college work, build confidence in their readiness for college, and earn college credits that provide both an academic and financial head start toward a college degree. UConn ECE instructors are high school teachers, certified as adjunct professors by the University. UConn ECE faculty fosters independent learning, creativity, and critical thinking – all-important for success in college. Students must complete the course with a grade of C or better to receive university credit on a UConn transcript. University credits are transferable to many colleges and universities. Courses are offered in a variety of content areas at each of Stamford’s high schools. Students are charged registered course credit plus a resource fee. Fee waivers are available. For additional program information visit: UConn Early College Experience.