GLENOAK HIGH SCHOOL

CORE HONORS COURSE INFORMATION

2013-14 School Year

Why take honors courses?

Honors courses are excellent for students who desire a pathway of study that can lead to a competitive 4-year college/university. Students who plan on taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses later in high school (mostly during the 11th and 12th grade years) should consider enrollment in honors courses.

What honors courses can students take?

Honors Algebra IHonors Integrated Physical Science Honors English I & II

Honors Geometry Honors Biology Honors World Studies

Honors Algebra II Honors Chemistry

Honors PrecalculusHonors Spanish I, II & III

How are honors courses different?

While honors courses may include some additional content compared toregular courses, they also will teach the same content at a deeper and more rigorous level. For example, a regular English I course may teach the objectives associated with the ACT College-Readiness Standards within the ACT score range of 1 to 23 while the Honors English I course may teach the same objectives associated with those same College-Readiness standards but also include content that is connected with the standards that are in the ACT score range of 24 to 36 as well. As a result, students will learn the same concepts but will be applying them at a higher level. To access the ACT College Readiness Standards, go online to and click on the link on right side titled “College Readiness Standards.”

Who should take honors courses?

In order for students to experience success in honors courses, students should possess the following skills and/or characteristics:

•true love of learning in the particular content area(s) being considered

•desire to be challengedand a willingness to work harder than the average student

•above averagereading comprehension abilities

•excellent time management skills

•high level of academic motivation

•excellent study skills

Students who meet and/or demonstrate the following criteria will have a better chance of being successful in each of the following honors courses. It highly recommended that students meet the criteria below.

Honors English I

  • EXPLORE score of 18 or higher in English and 17 or higher in Reading in 8th grade
  • Earned a high “A” average in 8th Grade Language Arts or an average of “A” or “B” in Enriched8th Grade Language Arts
  • Possesses above average writing abilities and enjoys writing

Honors English II

  • Scored 159 or higher on English 9 ACT End-of-Course Exam
  • Earned a high “A” average in English I or an “A” or “B” in Honors English I
  • EXPLORE score of 18 or higher in English and 17 or higher in Reading in 8th grade
  • Possesses above average writing abilities and enjoys writing

Honors Algebra I

  • EXPLORE Score of 18 or higher in Mathematics in 8th grade
  • Earned a high “A” average in 8th grade math

Honors Geometry

  • Scored 152 or higher on Algebra I ACT End-of-Course Exam
  • EXPLORE score of 18 or higher in Mathematics and 17 or higher in Reading in 8th grade
  • Earned a high “A” average in Algebra I or an average of “A” or “B” in Honors Algebra I

Honors Algebra II

  • PLAN score of 22 or higher in Math(18 or higher on EXPLORE Mathematics if currently a 9th grader)
  • ACT score of 25 or higher in Math if ACT has already been taken
  • Scored 152 or higher on Algebra I ACT End-of-Course Exam
  • Scored 152 or higher on Geometry ACT End-of-Course Exam
  • High “A” average in Geometry or an average of “A” or “B” in Honors Geometry

Honors Precalculus

  • **Must score at least a 51 on COMPASS Algebra placement test (schedule through counselor)**
  • PLAN score of 23 or higher in Mathin during sophomore year
  • ACT score of 25 or higher in Math if ACT has already been taken
  • Scored 152 or higher on Geometry ACT End-of-Course Exam
  • Scored 152 or higher on Algebra II ACT End-of-Course Exam
  • High “A” average in Algebra II or an average of “A” or “B” in Honors Algebra II

Honors Integrated Physical Science

  • EXPLORE Score of 19 or higher in Science in 8th grade
  • High“A” average in 8th Grade Science
  • Participated in, enjoyed, and excelled in STEM class in 8th grade
  • Qualified to Mount Union Science Fair and/or State Science Day in 8th grade

Honors Biology

  • EXPLORE Score of 19 or higher in Science in 8th grade
  • Earned high “A” average in 9th Grade Science or an “A” or “B” average in Honors Science in 9th grade
  • Qualified to Mount Union Science Fair and/or State Science Day in 8th grade or 9th grade

Honors Chemistry

  • PLAN score of 22 or higher in Science (EXPLORE score of 20 or higher in Science if currently a 9th grader)
  • PLAN score of 22 or higher in Math(EXPLORE score of 20 or higher in Math if currently a 9th grader)
  • ACT score of 24 or higher in Science (if ACT has already been taken)
  • Earneda high “A” average in Biology or an “A” or “B” average in Honors Biology (or a high “A”

average in Honors Integrated Physical Science in 9th grade if considering taking Honors Chemistry as a

secondscience course in addition to a Biology course during the 10th grade year)

Honors World Studies

  • EXPLORE score of 18 or higher in English and 17 or higher in Reading in 8th grade
  • Earned a high “A” average in 8thSocial Studies
  • Possesses above average writing abilities and enjoys writing
  • Excelled in Ohio Model United Nations and/or Social Studies ALIVE in 8th grade
  • Excelled in National History Day Project competition in 8th grade

Honors Spanish I

  • Studied Spanish through Rosetta Stone during both 7th and 8th grade in middle school

Honors Spanish II

  • Earned a high “A” average in Spanish I and teacher recommendation
  • Earned an “A” or “B” average in Honors Spanish I

Honors Spanish III

  • Earned a high “A” average in Spanish II AND teacher recommendation
  • Earned an “A” or “B” average in Honors Spanish II

(Revised Feb. 2013/DP/KV)