AP, Honors & Dual Credit Programs
Advanced Placement (AP) Program
The AP program offers high school students the opportunity to participate in challenging college-level course work while still in high school. National committees in each discipline develop courses. The College Board sponsors this program, approves course content, and provides a national testing system for all AP courses each May. Students have the opportunity to receive college credit for AP courses at more than 2,800 colleges and universities. Each university sets their own standards, but credit can be given for courses in which students score a 3 or above on the national exam. Even universities who do not choose to issue advanced college credit recognize the additional rigor and challenge that an AP course represents.
Holy Trinity offers the following Advanced Placement courses:
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Computer Science Principles
- AP English Literature and Composition
- AP Physics 1
- AP Spanish Language and Culture
- AP Studio Art: Drawing
- AP U.S. Government & Politics
Registration in these courses is by teacher recommendation and through consultation with students and parents. Students may also choose to take an AP exam for which they feel prepared in another subject area. For example, a study group is available to students who choose to prepare for the AP World History exam.
Dual-Credit Program
Through our partnership with Benedictine University, Holy Trinity offers opportunities for our students to take college courses while in high school, earning both high school and college credit. Four of Holy Trinity’s faculty members serve as adjunct professors to Benedictine, allowing us to offer dual credit for some AP courses. Additionally, courses are offered that are taught by Benedictine faculty, with students participating online and with occasional campus visits. All public schools and many private colleges in Illinois will honor these credits.
PHYS 106 Astronomy: This course examines astronomical phenomena and concepts including the solar system, stars, galaxies, planetary motion and the evolution of the universe.
HIST 112 American History since 1865: This course covers the rise of the United States as a global power. We examine the economic, political and social dimensions of U.S. culture and policy in a global context. Several of the topics of the class include: reconstruction, industrialization, the rise of the labor movement, The Civil Rights Movement, the Cold War, and the War on Terror.
Honors Courses
Honors-level courses are available in core classes in English, mathematics, science, social studies, and Spanish. In a few instances, an AP course may be offered in place of an honors course. Academic department members review student performance, discuss the additional demands of an honors or AP course, and ask potential students for a commitment to the additional challenge and expectations. Because of the increased level of difficulty, honors and AP courses are more heavily weighted in calculating grade point average.
Honors Diplomas
Students who average of at least three core honors-level or AP classes each year, maintain a 3.5 weighted GPA, and complete a capstone project will be distinguished with an Honors Diploma at graduation. In addition, students are expected to be involved in some form of co-curricular activity, exhibit skills in leadership and actively participate in service. Students may be invited to join this program in fall of their junior year.
Students in the B-STEM Honors Program who maintain a 3.25 GPA and successfully complete the capstone requirement will receive a B-STEM Honors Diploma at graduation.