Academics
Curriculum
Advanced Placement
John Paul II High School is a college preparatory high school. All classes prepare students to matriculate to four-year universities, whether public or private. For the more advanced student, who is willing to perform at a more demanding level and pace, or who is able to handle college level work in high school, we offer two additional levels of courses - Honors and Advanced Placement (AP). Honors courses prepare students for matriculation into the AP courses. While there are exceptions to this rule, most Honors courses are 9th and 10th grades while AP courses are traditionally 11th and 12th grades.
Guidelines and requirements for enrollment in these courses include previous academic performance, successful completion of designated pre-requisite courses, ISEE and standardized test scores, and instructor recommendations. Honors courses in Foreign Language and in the Performing and Creative Arts are determined through auditions, reviewed work, and accomplishments in prior classes.
Both types of classes earn weighted grade points higher than the standard college preparatory classes. The Advanced Placement (AP) Program offers students the opportunity to pursue college-level studies while still in high school and potentially earn college credit. In comparison to traditional course work, AP courses take a more challenging approach and demand a higher level of performance by high school students. The College Board administers the Advanced Placement exams every May in each subject. By earning the score designated by individual universities, a student can earn college credit. AP courses challenge students and ease the transition to college.
Guidelines and requirements for enrollment in these courses include previous academic performance, successful completion of designated pre-requisite courses, ISEE and standardized test scores, and instructor recommendations. Honors courses in Foreign Language and in the Performing and Creative Arts are determined through auditions, reviewed work, and accomplishments in prior classes.
Our goal to offer our parents and students the most demanding Advanced Placement and Pre-AP programs possible includes a commitment to hiring College Board consultants, national trainers of AP subjects as well as readers, who grade the AP tests. We have six consultants and four readers on staff. Additionally, all of our Advanced Placement teachers must have nationally approved College Board syllabi which meet national criteria and must regularly attend national training in their subjects.
