Advanced Education CommitteeAdvanced Education Committee
of Harrison Countyof Harrison County
This committee was formed in 2007 to address the needs of advanced education in Harrison County. Since its creation, we have identified goals and objectives; have offered incentives for teachers to teach advanced classes and are looking for more incentives for students to take advanced classes; developed an Advanced Placement brochure to help educate parents and students on the importance of challenging themselves; have participated in freshmen orientatations to educate parents and studentson the importance of having a rigorous curriculum; and have increased the number of Advanced Placement classes offered in the county.
We are currently planning on visiting each high school within the county to help educate all students of their options before scheduling for the 2008-2009 school year. We plan to hane an Advanced Placement representative in addition to having representatives from Dual Credit, EDGE, and the Center for Professional Development.
We invite you to read our web link and to contact us with questions, suggestions, or criticisms. We also ask that you communicate with your child and encourage him/her to enroll in advanced classes. Ultimately, they will be better prepared and more confident to succeed in college.
A note of caution: many students and parents fear that advanced classes will lower the student's GPA and therefore choose to select an easier couse load. Let us explain how this hurts your child.
1. Advanced classes better prepare your child for college success.
2. Advanced classes will help your child perform better on his/her college entry exams.
3. Better exam results can help earn the Promise Scholarship and other merit scholarships.
4. College admissions offices will not be fooled with a 4.0 GPA if it doesn't include the rigorous classes that the high school has to offer. Most colleges and universities consider a rigorous curriculum very important in their admission process.
Goal: The committees goal is to educate parents and students on the importance of challenging motivated students to enroll in a rigorous high school curriculum.
What is the importance of a "rigorous curriculum?"
Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) classes better prepare students for college by offering challenging, college-level work.
Students perform better on college entrance exams (SAT and/or ACT).
Most college admission officers consider a rigorous high school curriculum a very important admissions factor when selecting in-coming students.
What is Advanced Placement?
AP courses are audeted and approved by the College Board. They must meet demanding couse requirements before being approved. They are taught by trained, motivated teachers and the curriculum is equivalent to college level work. National AP exams are offered in May. Students have the option of taking them, but is is highly recommended they do so. A passing grade of 3, 4, or 5 can earn college credits. Visit college websites to learn of each college or university's AP requirements.
What is Dual Credit?
As the name implies, students who successfully complete these classes can earn both high school and college credit. Currently there are two WVU classes available to juniors and seniors and several Fairmont State classes available to seniors. Class options and availability vary each year. Credits should transfer to most in-state colleges and universities. It is the student's responsibility to verify college course requirements.
Why take AP?
AP classes better prepare students for college success. Studies indicate that students who take two or more AP courses have a significantly higher chance of graduating in four years.
The curriculum helps the students develop better study habits to handle college-level work.
AP classes can improve writing skills and problem solving techniques.
AP courses will help to increase college entry exam scores. This is especially important when considering the Promise Scholarship. Currently, students must have a composite score of 22 on the ACT exam or a combined score of 1020 on the SAT exam to qualify for the Promise Scholarship.
A passing grade of 3, 4, or 5 can earn college credits. Each college or university determines AP eligibility.
Successful AP exam results can earn college credit, therefore, saving money.
Why take Dual Credit?
You can complete your college degree in less time.
You can enhance your preparation for college and increase chances for success.
You will adjust to a more advanced level of eduacation, making the transition from high school to college much easier.
You will save money.
The following Honors and/or AP classes are currently available at BHS:
Freshmen:
Honors English 9
Sophomores:
Honors English 10
Juniors:
AP English Language
AP Psychology
Seniors:
AP English Literatrue
AP Psychology
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Chemistry may be available in 2008-2009 if there is enough interest.
The following Dual Credit classes are currently available at BHS:
Written English I
Intro to Literature I
World Civilization I & II
Intro to Psychology I
Intro to Sociology
Italian I & II
Intro to Folklore
If you would like to contact the Committee, you may do so by emailing Barb Kornbrath at barbkornbrath@cebridge.net.
Testimonials:
"Every freshman at Harvard must take an expository writing course and only two students received A's. I was one of them. I attribute much of my success to the writing instruction that I received in honors and AP English courses. The academic rigor of AP math and English classes have prepared me for the course load I faced at the collegiate level."
Kathryn Lawrence
2005 Harrison County Graduate
Harvard University
"I can't express how much I enjoyed AP Language and AP Literature--the instruction, the rigor, the atmosphere of the other driven students. The practices that I learned in those two courses allowed me to perform better on my standardized tests in high school, receive college credit, and prepare for what I would face in my courses in college."
Bonnie Thomas
2005 Harrison County Graduate
West Virginia University
"Being in AP courses increased my knowledge of the subjects incredibly because they were challenging and ecnouraged me to think critically. Sometimes it was difficult, but this class is what helped me acquire the writing skills, test taking skills, and knowledge necessary to succeed in college. I encourage anyone who has a desire to attend college to take an AP course."
Jordan McCutcheon
2005 Harrison County Graduate
College of Charleston (South Carolina)