Parents often wonder what it means when a high school student takes a class with a special designation. This quick guide will help you keep them straight.
When your high school student takes a…
Remedial High School Course
A course that is designed to help a student catch up, review, or revisit a subject. These are also called “developmental” courses.
High School Transcript
- Award regular grades (A, B, C, D, F) plus or minus optional
- Award a regular number of credits (0, 0.5, 1.0)
- Use a regular GPA weight (4.0 scale)
- Note: these courses are not worth “less” than a regular high school class
Regular High School Course
A course that is on-grade level or typical for an “average” student. An example would be “9th grade Language Arts” taught to a 9th grade student.
High School Transcript
- Award regular grades (A, B, C, D, F) plus or minus optional
- Award a regular number of credits (0, 0.5, 1.0)
- Use a regular GPA weight (4.0 scale)
Honors High School Course
A course carrying an “honors” distinction is often the same curriculum as regular classes but with additional topics or some topics in greater depth. Some HS4CC parents like to tag a course “honors” when they have added a CLEP exam to their curriculum.
High School Transcript
- Be sure to use the tag “Honors” in the course title
- Award regular grades (A, B, C, D, F) plus or minus optional
- Award a regular number of credits (0, 0.5, 1.0)
- Choose between regular GPA weight (4.0 scale) or weighted GPA (4.5 scale)
Advanced Placement AP High School Course
Advanced Placement (AP) is a specific brand name, and must be distinguished between an unauthorized “AP-style” course. If your student takes an AP brand course, both the curriculum and teacher will have been approved by The College Board.
High School Transcript
- Be sure to use the tag “AP” in the course title
- Award regular grades (A, B, C, D, F) plus or minus optional
- Award a regular number of credits (0, 0.5, 1.0)
- Choose between regular GPA weight (4.0 scale) or weighted GPA (5.0 scale)
AP-Style High School Course
Advanced Placement (AP) is a specific brand name, and must be distinguished between an unauthorized “AP-style” course. Courses that are AP-style may mirror an AP course in every way except for having undergone the approval process.
High School Transcript
- Do not use the tag “AP” in the course title
- You may opt to use the tag “Honors” in the course title
- Award regular grades (A, B, C, D, F) plus or minus optional
- Award a regular number of credits (0, 0.5, 1.0)
- Choose between regular GPA weight (4.0 scale) or weighted GPA (4.5 scale)
- Do not use the weighted GPA (5.0 scale)
Remedial College Course
A course that is designed to prepare a student for college level courses. These are also called “developmental” courses. High school students do not typically have access to remedial college courses. Additionally, colleges generally do not count these courses toward a degree.
High School Transcript
- Award regular grades (A, B, C, D, F) plus or minus optional
- Award a regular number of credits (0, 0.5, 1.0)
- Use a regular GPA weight (4.0 scale)
- Note: these courses are not worth “less” than a regular high school class
Regular College Course
A course that is open to high school students and worth graded college credit. This course will appear on an official college-issued transcript and later count towards a student’s college credential or degree.
High School Transcript
- Award regular grades (A, B, C, D, F)plus or minus optional
- While not required, it is typical that the recorded high school grade matches the college grade
- Use a 3:1 ration to award high school credit. 3 college credits = 1 high school credit
- Choose between regular GPA weight (4.0 scale) or weighted GPA (5.0 scale)
