Types of Advanced Academic Courses
Advanced/Honors | AP | Dual Credit | OnRamps |
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Advanced Academics includes Advanced Placement (AP) classes, Dual Credit classes, UT OnRamps classes, and the Alamo Academies. Some of these classes and programs require an application process for students to qualify.
Dual Credit students are simultaneously enrolled in their high school classes while also taking college classes through one of the Alamo Colleges. Most, although not all, Dual Credit classes are offered on campus and stacked with AP and Advanced classes so students can take advantage of the AP program as well. Dual Credit students earn college credit by completing their courses with a C average or higher. This credit is transferable to Texas public college/universities and some private.
Please reach out to the Academic Dean and/or Student Achievement Coordinator with any questions about Advanced Academics.
- Bernadette Gonzales, Academic Dean (bernadette.gonzales@nisd.net)
- Sarah Kohn, Student Achievement Coordinator (sarah.kohn@nisd.net)
What’s the Difference? | Dual Credit | Advanced Placement (AP) | UT On Ramps |
# of Courses | Max of 14 dual credit courses, recommend do not exceed 30 college hours to avoid affecting financial aid and students do not exceed 3 Dual courses a year (15 hours/semester) | There are no limits as to how many courses a student can take. | There are no limits as to how many courses a student can take. |
Eligibility | Students must apply and take the TSI (or PSAT exemption) to qualify for Dual Credit courses. | There is no pre-test or application required to qualify to take AP courses. | Must meet course prerequisites |
Earning College Credit | College credit is earned by passing each semester of the high school course (70 or higher). | College credit is earned by scoring a 3, 4, or 5 on the AP test administered in May. | UT professor awards college grades based on university work and assessments. |
Weighted Points added per Semester when calculating GPA/Class Placement | AP/DC- 8 Points DC Only- 5 Points | 8 Points | 8 Points |
Credit Transfer | College credit is transferable to other universities/colleges. Students should consult with their chosen college/university to inquire about transferability. | University determines course equivalency. AP scores of 3 or higher may qualify students for college credit nationwide. Each university determines score to course equivalency. | College credit is transferable to other universities/colleges. Students should consult with their chosen college/university to inquire about transferability. |
2026-2027 AP Exam Schedule
WEEK 1 | |
| Monday May 3rd | 8:00 a.m. Human Geography 12:00 p.m. Biology + |
| Tuesday May 4th | 8:00 a.m. US Govt. and Politics 8:00 a.m. Business with Personal Finance |
| Wednesday May 5th | 8:00 a.m. English Literature and Composition 12:00 p.m. Physics 1 + |
| Thursday May 6th | 8:00 a.m. World History 8:00 a.m. Physics 2 + 12:00 p.m. Chemistry + |
| Friday May 7th | 8:00 a.m. United States History 12:00 p.m. Macroeconomics + 12:00 p.m. Art 2D 12:00 p.m. Art 3D 12:00 p.m. Drawing Submission Deadline |
WEEK 2 | |
| Monday May 10th | 8:00 a.m. Calculus AB + 8:00 a.m. Calculus BC + 12:00 p.m. Music Theory + |
| Tuesday May 11th | 8:00 a.m. Precalculus + |
| Wednesday May 12th | 8:00 a.m. English Language 12:00 p.m. Art History |
| Thursday May 13th | 8:00 a.m. Spanish Language 12:00 p.m. Environmental Science |
| Friday May 14th | 12:00 a.m. Psychology |
Warren HS Advanced Placement Courses
Freshman:
- Human Geography AP
- Spanish Language AP
- Music Theory AP
- Drawing AP
- Art 2-D AP
- Art 3-D AP
- Art History AP
- Business with Personal Finance AP
Sophomores:
- World History AP
- Environmental Science AP
- Psychology AP
- Biology AP
- Spanish Language AP
- Music Theory AP
- Drawing AP
- Art 2-D AP
- Art 3-D AP
- Art History AP
- Business with Personal Finance AP
Juniors:
- United States History AP
- English Language and Composition AP
- Precalculus AP
- Calculus AB AP
- Calculus BC AP
- Physics 1 AP
- Environmental Science AP
- Psychology AP
- Biology AP
- Spanish Language AP
- Music Theory AP
- Drawing AP
- Art 2-D AP
- Art 3-D AP
- Art History AP
- Business with Personal Finance AP
Seniors:
- United States Government and Politics AP
- Macroeconomics AP
- English Literature and Composition AP
- Precalculus AP
- Calculus AB AP
- Physics 1 AP
- Physics 2 AP
- Environmental Science AP
- Psychology AP
- Biology AP
- Spanish Language AP
- Music Theory AP
- Drawing AP
- Art 2-D AP
- Art 3-D AP
- Art History AP
- Business with Personal Finance AP
Opportunities to Register:
Monday, September 14th - Thursday, October 8th in A105 with Ms. Leija.
8:15 am - 4:30 pm
Closed During 6th period lunch
Before AP Exam Registration begins, each student will receive a handout which will include a list of the AP Courses they are enrolled in and the total cost of their AP Exams.
Please bring this paper with you to register in A105.
Complete the registration form and make payment by cash or check made out to Earl Warren High School.
- $40 per AP Exam
- $10 per AP Exam for Economically Disadvantaged Students
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT MRS. KOHN A101 or
A102 during Career Center Office Hours
sarah.kohn@nisd.net
(210)-397-4225
To access Warren/CCA's Dual Credit Website, please click here.
What is Dual Credit?
Dual Credit at Northwest Vista
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 30 hours of college credit before even stepping onto a college campus! (That's one entire year already completed)!
How Do I Get Into Dual Credit?
In order to be eligible for Dual Credit courses, students must go through the application process, meeting ALL deadlines and requirements. It begins in November each school year. So, to take Dual classes in their Junior year, a student must begin the application process during their Sophomore year. The application opens up by November annually with the Apply Texas Application deadline being in February. (Apply Texas is the first step in the process). Please know that it is a lengthy process with multiple due dates. Northwest Vista College offers no exceptions for students that do not meet all deadlines. Luckily, if you follow the instructions below, you should be able to navigate the entire process easily; just make sure you do not wait until the last minute! Each deadline builds upon the previous deadline which is why missing any step ends your chance at taking Dual Credit courses for the next year.
How is Dual Credit different from AP?
- In Dual Credit Classes, college credit is earned upon completion of the class with a grade of "C" or higher (no additional test)
- In an Advance Placement (AP) class, college credit is not earned until a student takes and achieves a certain score on an AP test.
- AP Credit is not automatically transmitted on the college transcript: students must follow through with the admission procedure to have the credit posted on the college transcript.
- An AP course grade does not appear on a student's permanent college transcript.
- Dual Credit courses generally transfer to most Texas Public Universities (always check with the school, you want to attend about transfer credits)
- AP Scores are accepted at most colleges and universities across the Nation (qualifying scores may differ)
How does Dual Credit work?
- Students earn two sets of grades:
- one for the college which will be calculated into the overall college GPA and automatically transmitted on the college transcript
- one for the high school which will be calculated into the high school GPA and transmitted on the high school transcript
- DC courses are designed off a college curriculum and taught by high school teachers approved and hired as adjunct college instructors.
- If the student does not qualify for DC, they can still be enrolled in the course but can only earn AP credit
What are the advantages of Dual Credit?
- It saves money! Students can earn up to fourteen courses of college credit at no cost. It reduces the cost of tuition and textbooks resulting in thousands of dollars in savings.
- It gets many prerequisites out of the way.
- Students take on the responsibilities of being a college student, potentially easing the transition from high school to college.
Dual Credit Helpful Links:
Who should take Dual Credit?
- The Dual Credit Program is designed for high school juniors and seniors (and some sophomores) seeking to get a jump on their college careers.
- Students who have test scores that indicate they are ready to enter the program and who feel comfortable doing college level work should consider Dual Credit.
- Students are allowed to take up to 15 college hours per semester of Dual courses.
- Students can take up to 14 total courses in High School for Dual Credit! (Some classes count as two courses though; for example, English Three AP Dual at Clark is ENGL 1301 and 1302 at NVC.
Warren HS Dual Credit Course Offerings
| WHS COURSE NAME | COLLEGE COURSE NAME | TYPE | CREDIT HRS |
ENGLISH | |||
| English 3 AP/D | ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302 | Fall + Spring | 6 |
| English 4 AP/D | ENGL 2332 and ENGL 2333 | Fall + Spring | 6 |
| Eng 4 H/D | ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302 | Fall + Spring | 6 |
SPANISH | |||
| Spanish 3 Dual | SPAN 2311 and SPAN 2312 | Fall + Spring | 6 |
HISTORY | |||
| US History AP/D | HIST 1301 and HIST 1302 | Fall + Spring | 6 |
| World History AP/D | HIST 2322 | Year Long | 3 |
SCIENCE | |||
| Biology AP/D | BIOL 1406 and BIOL 1407 | Fall + Spring | 8 |
| Environmental Science AP/D | BIOL 2406 | Year Long | 4 |
MATH | |||
| College Algebra Dual | MATH 1314 | Year Long | 3 |
| Advanced Pre Calculus Dual | MATH 1414 | Fall | 4 |
| MATH 2413 | Spring | 4 | |
| Calculus AB AP Dual | MATH 2413 & MATH 2414 | Fall + Spring | 8 |
INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES | |||
| Instructional Practices | EDUC 1301 | Year Long | 3 |
OnRamps students are simultaneously enrolled in their high school classes while also taking college classes through UT Austin.
The high school teacher is responsible for evaluating and awarding the student's high school grade. The college instructor is responsible for evaluating and awarding the student's college grade.
Based on the grade received in the college course, students can accept college credit transferable to Texas public colleges/universities.
Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Information
Understanding TSI and College Readiness:
The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a legislatively mandated program designed to guide Texas public institutions of higher education in helping determine whether entering, non-exempt students are ready for entry-level college coursework in the areas of English Language Arts Reading (ELAR) and mathematics. Students are exempt from this program if they meet college readiness benchmarks on the SAT, ACT, STAAR English III or Algebra II EOCs, successfully complete the high school College Preparatory Course, among other ways (click here for a complete list of TSI exemptions).
Entering students who do not meet a TSI exemption will need to take the TSI assessment. Students who do not meet one or more of the established benchmarks of the TSI assessment are required to receive developmental education academic support as determined by the institution.
What is the TSIA 2 and do I have to take it?
The Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) is a series of placement tests for students enrolling in public colleges and universities in Texas. The tests help Texas schools determine whether you’re ready for college-level courses in the areas of reading, writing, and math.
What do I have to score on the TSIA 2 to be eligible for Dual Credit?
| ELAR Placement | Math Placement |
Passing: 945 or higher OR Diagnostic Level 5 or higher and Essay of 5 or higher | Passing: 950 or higher OR Diagnostic Level 6 or higher |
English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) Section - 30 items
Essay - Persuasive (350-600 words) | Mathematics (MATH) Section - 20 items
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Can I receive a TSIA 2 Waiver?
Students must score the following in order to be exempt from taking the TSI.
| ELAR Waiver | Math Waiver |
| PSAT score of 460 or higher | PSAT score of 510 or higher |
TSI Resources:
- Texas Success Initiative (TSI) College Board
- TSI at Northwest Vista
- Practice for TSI Accuplacer - College Board (Includes a Study App)
- Prepare for TSI Accuplacer- College Board
- NVC ELAR Practice Questions
- NVC Math Practice Questions
- NVC Essay Practice Questions
- TSIA2 Learning Resources- Click Enter Student Site to Begin