What Are Advanced Placement (AP) Classes?
AP courses are college-level classes taught in high school by high school teachers. They follow a national curriculum set by the College Board and wrap up with an AP exam in May.
Credit Opportunity: College credit is based on the student’s score (usually a 3, 4, or 5) on the final exam.
Subjects Offered: English, math, science, history, and more.
Environment: Taught on your student’s high school campus with teachers and peers they already know.
Benefits of AP Classes:
- Recognized nationwide by many colleges and universities
- Boosts GPA through weighted grading
- Builds strong academic and time management skills for college readiness
Considerations:
- College credit is not guaranteed—depends on exam score and the policies of each college
- One high-stakes exam determines whether or not credit is earned
What Is Dual Enrollment?
Dual Enrollment allows high school students to take actual college classes—online, at a college campus, or sometimes right at their high school—while earning both high school and college credit at the same time.
Credit Opportunity: College credit is awarded based on the student’s final course grade, not an exam.
Subjects Offered: Varies by the college partnership, but often includes general education classes.
Environment: Depending on the setup, courses may be taken online, on a college campus, or in familiar school settings.
Benefits of Dual Enrollment:
- College credit is awarded based on the course grade
- Offers students a real college experience
- Can save time and money in college later on
Considerations:
- Credits may not transfer to all universities, especially private or out-of-state schools
- Requires maturity, time management, and motivation to succeed in a college-level class
How to Choose: AP vs Dual Enrollment?
Ask yourself:
- Is my student strong academically but anxious about big tests? → DE might be the better fit.
- Are they applying to competitive or out-of-state schools? → AP is more widely recognized.
- Are they responsible and ready for independence? → DE can be a great head start.
- Do they prefer structure and familiar support? → AP may be the more comfortable path.
Megan’s Insider Hot Tip: Some students even choose a mix of both AP and DE depending on their schedule, subjects, and college goals.
Talk to Your High School Counselor
Every student is different—and every school’s offerings are, too. If you’re unsure which option fits your student’s path, reach out to their school counselor. They can help you explore:
- Which AP courses are offered
- What local dual enrollment programs are available
- How each type of credit transfers to colleges your student may be considering
This fall could be the start of something big. Let’s set our students up for success!
Committed with heart and purpose,
Megan Bird
Assistant Principal