Academics

What are Advanced Placement (AP) Courses?

The Advanced Placement (AP) is a program created by the College Board to offer college-level curricula to high school students. AP courses culminate with a nationally-normed exam in May. Many American colleges and universities grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores on the AP exams. The AP curriculum for each of the AP subjects is created by the College Board by a panel of experts and college-level educators in that field of study.

Admission to Advanced Placement Courses

At NDP, admission to Advanced Placement (AP) courses is by standardized test scores and class grades. Advanced Placement courses are college level courses for academically capable students. At the end of each course, students take The College Board AP exam. At Notre Dame Prep, all students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the AP exam and are responsible for AP exam fees. If the course is a full academic year, students are expected to make the year-long commitment. College credit or placement may be awarded depending upon the college or university a student attends. AP courses are weighted an extra point toward GPA. Due to a greatly increased homework and study workload, students should communicate with teachers prior to enrollment for additional information.

AP Courses at NDP:

• Physics
• Environmental Science
• Calculus AB
• Calculus BC
• Statistics
• World History
• U.S. History
• U.S. Government and Politics
• English Language and Composition
• English Literature and Composition
• Spanish Language
• Spanish Literature
• Computer Science 
• Computer Science Principles
• Seminar

AP Exam Dates:

https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/exam-administration-ordering-scores/exam-dates

CLICK HERE to download our 22-23 Freshmen Planning 101 Book!

This Freshman guide has been created to help you navigate high school and prepare for the college admissions process. You will be using the information provided in this booklet to help you understand, organize, and track the high school experience.

Schedule Changes

Choosing an appropriate program of study is an important part of each student’s high school responsibilities and our process is student-centered through the counseling department. Parents are strongly encouraged to meet early in their child’s tenure and participate in the yearly process of selecting courses that fulfill the requirements for graduation and meet the needs of their son/daughter. Schedule changes are subject to course availability and require the approval of the teacher(s), parent/guardian, and the counselor and/or Assistant Principal of Learning Services.

● Students must submit a Course Change Request Form to request a schedule change.
● All students are allowed one schedule change per semester.
● All Course Change Request forms are due within the first 5 school days of the semester.
● Requests for an elective change are based on course availability and the number of students in classes. Requests to change an elective cannot result in a teacher change in a core class. Core classes include English, Math, Social Studies, Science, Theology, and World Language.
● Requests for a change from Honors/AP to Regular, or vice versa, are based on recommendation from the teacher and in coordination with the student, parents, and counselor.

Schedule changes outside of the parameters above will only be granted in the case of:
● Computer error
● Changes required by health (broken arm – cannot be in weight training)
● Completion of an approved summer school course
● Changes needed to satisfy graduation requirements

Here is an additional copy of our PROGRAM OF STUDIES for your reference. This contains important information regarding graduation requirements, the progression of classes, and descriptions of each class offered.

What are Dual Enrollment Courses?

Dual enrollment is an opportunity for eligible high school students who want to earn college credit taking high school classes. Students at Notre Dame Prep can earn Scottsdale Community College or University of Arizona credit for classes, and upon graduation, those credits will transfer to all Arizona universities and many out-of-state institutions.

University of Arizona: Introduction to Engineering and Design, Economics

Scottsdale Community College: Honors Pre-Calculus, Honors Calculus, Honors English 3, Honors English 4, Honors U.S. History, Honors French 3, Honors French 4, Music Theory, Guitar Orchestra, Rock Music and Culture.
 

Help your student get organized and budget his/her time. It’s important to schedule time to complete homework assignments, prepare for tests and quizzes, complete projects and still have time for social activities. Here are some great time management tools:

"Set to Go" Time Management Tools

Time Management Activity

Here are some tips and tricks our previous students have used to be successful at NDP while also managing the stress that comes with high school level courses.
● Find a quiet place and put the electronics away (Airplane mode)
● Concentrate with intention
● Set a study goal
● Vary your study activities
● Set up a system
● Take breaks
● Flashcards
● Set a timer
● Keep a planner
● Read chapters backwards
● Practice
● Use study skills for how you learn (visual, auditory)
● Create a study schedule
● Quiz yourself