What are Advanced Academics?
Students, while still in high school, may sign up for advanced academic courses which may lead to college credit. Students should meet with their high school counselors or teachers to obtain more information about these courses and support services.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Advanced Placement is a program by which you can take college level courses in high school and earn both high school and college credits. By taking an AP course and scoring successfully on the related AP Exam (either a 3, 4 or 5), you can save on college expenses: most colleges and universities nationwide offer college credit, advanced placement, or both, for qualifying AP Exam scores. These credits can allow students to save college tuition, study abroad, or secure a second major. AP can transform what once seemed unattainable into something within reach: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/home
Dual Credit (DC)
Dual credit classes are classes that you take in high school that also give you college credits in the state of Texas at the same time. This is a great opportunity for you because the dual credit program is completely free of charge! You could graduate from high school with up to 42 hours of college credit before even stepping onto a college campus! (That's over an entire year already completed)!
Dual Credit vs. Advanced Placement — Comparison Table
| Category | Dual Credit | Advanced Placement (AP) |
|---|---|---|
| Earning Credit | Finish course with a grade of 70 or higher. 99% of students enrolled in dual credit courses earn the credit. | Achieve a certain score on the end-of-year exam. Success rate varies by subject. |
| Records / Transcripts | Grade is posted on and is part of the permanent college transcript. Students request a transcript from Alamo Colleges to transfer credit to another college or university. | Students send AP exam scores to colleges to request credit. AP course grade does not appear on the college transcript. |
| Transfer Credit | Most public Texas universities accept transfer credit from Alamo Colleges. | Most U.S. colleges and universities offer credit for qualifying AP scores. All Texas colleges and universities offer credit for scores of 3 or higher (scores range 1–5). |
| Eligibility | Students must meet certain criteria and complete an application process. | Anyone may enroll, and there is no registration process. |
| Course Limits | Up to 5 classes per semester; up to 14 courses during high school. | Unlimited. |
| Cost | Free. | Course is free. Exam fee applies. |
AP and Dual Credit Course Guides
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
- No limit to how many AP courses a student can take at the same time.
- College credit is earned by passing the AP exam (score of 3 or higher).
- AP credits are accepted nationally but credit policies vary by college.
- Students should confirm credit transfer policies with individual universities.
| AP Course Name | Notes | High School Credits | College Credits Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCIENCE | |||
| AP Biology | Recommended for juniors and seniors. | 1 | 8 |
| AP Chemistry | Can be taken as a junior after successful completion of PreAP Chemistry. | 1 | 6–8 |
| AP Environmental Science | Recommended for juniors and seniors. Sophomores who completed AP Human Geography or PreAP Biology may take this while taking Chemistry. | 1 | 3–4 |
| AP Physics 1 | Recommended for juniors and seniors. | 1 | 6–8 |
| AP Physics C | Can be taken after AP Physics 1. | 2 | 6–8 |
| SOCIAL STUDIES | |||
| AP Human Geography | Freshman-level course. | 1 | 3 |
| AP World History | Sophomore-level course. | 1 | 3 |
| AP Government | Senior-level course. | 0.5 | 3 |
| AP US History | Junior-level course. | 1 | 6 |
| AP Macroeconomics | Senior-level course. | 0.5 | 3 |
| AP Psychology | Recommended for juniors and seniors; open to sophomores who have taken AP Human Geography. | 1 | 3 |
| AP European History | Recommended for juniors and seniors. | 1 | 3 |
| ENGLISH | |||
| AP English Lang (Eng. 3 AP) | Junior-level course. | 1 | 6 |
| AP English Lit (Eng. 4 AP) | Senior-level course. | 1 | 6 |
| MATH | |||
| AP Calculus AB | Taken after PreCal PreAP. | 1 | 4 |
| AP Calculus BC | Taken after PreCal PreAP or after Calculus AB. | 1 | 4–8 |
| AP Precalculus | May be taken any time after Algebra II. | 1 | 4 |
| AP Statistics | May be taken any time after Algebra II. | 1 | 4 |
| AP Principles of Computer Science | Freshman-level course. | 1 | 3 |
| AP Computer Science | Taken after Principles of Computer Science. | 1 | 3 |
| LOTE (Languages Other Than English) | |||
| AP Spanish Language & Culture (Spanish 4) | Taken after Spanish 3. | 1 | 6 |
| AP German Language & Culture (German 4) | Taken after German 3. | 1 | 6 |
| FINE ARTS | |||
| AP Music Theory | Recommended for juniors and seniors with music background (choir, band, orchestra, or classical training). | 1 | 3–6 |
| AP Art Drawing | Taken after Art I, II, and III. | 1 | 3–6 |
| AP 2-D Design | Taken after Art I, II, and III. | 1 | 3–6 |
| AP 3-D Design | Taken after Art I, II, and III. | 1 | 3–6 |
| ELECTIVES | |||
| AP Seminar | 2-year course recommended for sophomores through seniors. | 1 | College Specific |
Dual Credit (DC) Courses
- Students are not limited in the number of dual credit courses per year.
- Students may earn up to 14 college courses total through Dual Credit.
| High School & College Course Names | Notes | HS Credits Earned | College Credit Hours Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCIENCE | |||
| Biology AP/DC (BIOL 1406-Fall / 1407-Spring) | Recommended for juniors and seniors. | 1 | 8 total (4 per semester) |
| Environmental Science AP/DC (BIOL 2406-Fall & Spring) | Recommended for juniors and seniors; sophomores with AP Human Geography or Advanced Biology may take while taking Chemistry. | 1 | 4 |
| HISTORY | |||
| US History AP/DC (HIST 1301-Fall / 1302-Spring) | Junior-level course. | 1 | 6 total (3 per semester) |
| World History AP/DC (HIST 2322 World Civ.) | Sophomore-level course. | 1 | 3 |
| ENGLISH | |||
| English III AP/DC (ENGL 1301-Fall / 1302-Spring) | Junior-level course. | 1 | 6 total (3 per semester) |
| English IV H/DC (ENGL 1301-Fall / 1302-Spring) | Senior-level course for students who did not take English III Dual Credit or earn a 3+ on AP Lang. | 1 | 6 total (3 per semester) |
| English IV AP/DC (ENGL 2322-Fall / 2323-Spring) | Senior-level course for students who earned a 3+ on AP Lang or completed English III Dual Credit. | 1 | 6 total (3 per semester) |
| MATH | |||
| Statistics AP/DC (MATH 1442-Fall & Spring) | Taken after Algebra II. | 1 | 4 |
| College Algebra DC (MATH 1414-Fall & Spring) | Taken after Algebra II. | 1 | 4 |
| Pre-Cal DC (MATH 1414-Fall / 2412-Spring) | May be taken any time after Algebra II; earns College Algebra in Fall and Pre-Cal in Spring. | 1 | 8 total (4 per semester) |
| Calculus AB AP/DC (MATH 2413-Fall & Spring) | For students who earned DC credit for PreCal or earned 3+ on AP PreCal; earns credit for Calculus I. | 1 | 4 |
| Calculus BC AP/DC (MATH 2413-Fall / 2414-Spring) | For students who earned DC credit for PreCal; earns credit for Calculus I & II. | 1 | 8 total (4 per semester) |
| LOTE | |||
| Spanish III PAP/DC (SPAN 2311-Fall / 2312-Spring) | For students who completed Spanish I & II. | 1 | 6 total (3 per semester) |
| FINE ARTS | |||
| Theatre Appreciation (DRAM 1310) | Available at any level. | 1 | 3 |
| MISC | |||
| Business Management Dual | Recommended for juniors and seniors. | 1 | 3 |
| Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security Dual | Open to 9th–12th grade students. | 1 | 3 |
Sign Up for Remind: Stay Informed About Advanced Academics!
Important updates, information, and deadlines for Advanced Academics will be sent out through Remind.
Choose the option below that works best for you:
Option A: Smartphone – Get Push Notifications
If you have an iPhone or Android device:
- Open your web browser and go to: www.remind.com/join/87933f7
- Follow the instructions to sign up for Remind.
- You may be prompted to download the Remind mobile app.
Option B: No Smartphone – Get Text Notifications
If you prefer text-only alerts:
- Text @87933f7 to 81010.
- If you have trouble using 81010, text @87933f7 to (510) 479-9062.
(Standard text message rates may apply.)
Need email notifications instead?
If you don’t have a mobile phone, you can sign up for email alerts by visiting:
👉 www.remind.com/join/87933f7
Contact Information:
Azucena Zepeda
AP/Dual Credit Coordinator
- Email: azucena.zepeda@nisd.net
- Phone: 210-397-8256
- Office Hours: 8:15 AM – 4:45 PM
- Office Location: A138