Making School Easier For Your Kids

Making School Easier For Your Kids

3 Options If Your Child's High School Doesn't Offer AP Courses

by Laurie Ramirez

Do you have a teen who is a high academic achiever? Do they want to take AP courses so they can get a jump start on their college education? Taking AP courses is a popular option for many high school students. It allows them to get college credits under their vest while still in high school. That can allow them to graduate from college faster and it can save you money on tuition. However, not all high schools offer AP classes. If your student's school doesn't have AP classes available, you may be a little frustrated. Fortunately, there are steps you and your teen can take to get them access to AP credit:

Take a dual-enrollment class at a local college. Many colleges offer dual-enrollment classes for local high school students. These are actual college classes at the local university. Your teen would sit in the class with college students and do all the required courses and exam work. Should they pass the class, they'll get credit that they'll likely be able to transfer to any other accredited college. Also, your teen's high school may recognize the credit so they don't have to duplicate the work with a similar class at the high school level.

You may have to pay for your student to take the class. However, check with local universities and see if they offer discounts for high school students seeking dual enrollment credit. Also, your teen may need to do this in the summer as the class times could conflict with regular high school hours.

Take the exam without the class. Another option is for your teen to simply take the AP exam when they enter college even if they didn't take the class in high school. Many colleges offer freshman the opportunity to test out of certain subjects. Your student can take these exams during their first few weeks at school and, if they pass, they may be waived from taking certain requirements.

Also, your teen's school may be able to set up the opportunity for your teen to take an AP test at another area high school that does offer AP credit. Of course, your student would have to study on their own without the benefit of the course. However, if they're motivated and pass, they can get the credit and avoid college requirements.

Transfer to a private school. Finally, if you really feel like access to AP courses is important, you may want to look into sending your student to an area private school that offers such opportunities. If your student is a high achiever, there could be other benefits from going to private school. The private school may have better connections with college admissions offices, which could help your student get into a better school and even access scholarship money. Even though you may pay for private school tuition, you could make that up with scholarship money and AP credit.

For more information, contact private schools in your area. They can help you decide whether private school is right for your teen.

For a private high school in your area, contact a school such as International School of MN.


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About Me

Making School Easier For Your Kids

How much do you think your night-time habits affect your children's study habits? Although you might not feel like your late-night trips, or movie marathons, play in to your child's success in class, the environment that you create at home can really help or hurt your child. It isn't always easy to know how to make your home education-friendly, which is why I made this website. I want to change the way that you think about your home, so that your kid can study in peace. On my blog, you will find information on everything from how to help your child with their homework to how to set up a computer station.