Early Post Secondary Opportunities

Advanced Placement (AP) at AHS

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are taught at a college level with curriculum determined by The College Board. AP courses include extensive reading. Students in AP courses may earn college credit if they perform well on the national AP tests. To enroll in an AP course, students must be recommended by a prerequisite teacher, complete an application, and be approved prior to placement. For AP courses, teachers will add five (5) points to the final average of each grading period and each semester exam grade. The two nine-week grades and the semester exam grade will be used to calculate the semester average. Points are not added to the semester average. Students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses are expected to sit for the standardized AP exam. Students who fail to sit for the standardized AP exam will not be awarded the additional points attributed to the AP class. Quarter and semester grades received throughout the school year will be adjusted to reflect the student’s failure to sit for the standardized AP exam. 

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Why Take AP Courses?

Advanced Placement courses provide students with a great opportunity to:

• challenge yourself academically;

• set yourself apart in college admission; and

• earn college credit and placement with a successful exam score.

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Getting AP Credit and Placement for College

Entering college with credit you've already earned through AP can save you time and money-- for example, you might be able to skip introductory courses or even graduate early.

CollegeBoard Things to Keep in Mind and FAQs

AP Credit Policy Search (search by AP Course or College)

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Advanced Placement Costs

• Taking an AP course itself does not cost, however, there is a fee for the AP exam. 

Dual Enrollment at AHS

Dual Enrollment courses allow Juniors and Seniors to participate in college level courses conducted during the school day on the AHS campus. Dual Enrollment courses use University of Memphis, University of Tennessee at Martin, Tennessee College of Applied Technology or Southwest Community College curricula. Admission requirements and enrollment must be met in order to earn college credit. For Dual Enrollment courses, teachers will add four (4) points to the final average of each grading period and each semester exam grade. The two nine-week grades and the semester exam grade will be used to calculate the semester average. Points are not added to the semester average. *Please note a course is defined as a university/college course offered during a semester. Example: Students enrolled in Dual Enrollment English are enrolled in 2 courses at the University of Memphis. English 1010 during semester one and English 1020 during semester two. 

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Why Take Dual Enrollment Courses?

Dual Enrollment courses provide students with a great opportunity to:

• challenge yourself academically;

• set yourself apart in college admission; and

• earn postsecondary credit and high school credit simultaneously.

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What costs are associated with Dual Enrollment courses?

The Dual Enrollment Grant is one of the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarships and administered by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC). It provides grant funding for dual enrollment tuition and fees. Information on grant eligibility and participation requirements is available on the Tennessee Student Assistance Cooperation website.

The per credit hour award amounts for the first 5 dual enrollment semester hour courses, plus an additional dual enrollment access fee.

• Courses 6-10 award amounts will be determined by TSAC per semester hour.

• University of Memphis and University of Memphis at Martin both offer Match programs to award funds for courses 6-10.

For continued grant eligibility during second semester, students must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. If a student falls below the GPA requirement first semester, additional fees vary per post secondary institution. Cost of Dual Enrollment courses is dependent upon previous enrollment in dual courses.

Semester hours attempted under the Dual Enrollment Grant program grant shall not count toward the total semester hours attempted at postsecondary institutions for purposes of Tennessee HOPE Scholarship eligibility.

Dual enrollment courses attempted while in high school will not reduce the student’s HOPE Scholarship award amount in college.

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Do Dual Enrollment courses transfer to other institutions?

• It is the student's responsibility to contact colleges/universities they plan on attending to ensure that the courses will be accepted.

• Most public colleges/universities in TN accept DE coursework, but there are some exceptions (ex: private colleges, honors programs)

• Admissions offices are familiar with questions about DE! Please don't hesitate to reach out to contact a regional recruiter/Admission Office for more information. That information is also listed on the college admission website. 

Memphis Official Transcript Request Link

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What is the difference between dual enrollment and local dual credit?

• Dual Enrollment refers to students taking courses concurrently at two separate institutions, while Dual Credit refers to students completing a single course to earn academic credits that are recognized by two or more institutions

• Dual enrollment EPSO is earned by completing the course.

• Dual credit EPSO is earned by completing the course and attempting the exam. 

Industry Certifications at AHS

Industry certifications are earned through secondary and postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) programs and courses. High school students are encouraged to focus their elective credits on robust, career-aligned learning pathways. Robust learning pathways should culminate with the achievement of nationally recognized industry certifications, meaningful work based learning experiences, and/or attainment of postsecondary credit hours through early postsecondary opportunities. As it pertains to industry certifications, all department-promoted certifications are aligned with postsecondary and employment opportunities and with the competencies and skills that students should have acquired through their chosen programs of study.

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Why get industry certifications?

Industry Certifications courses provide students with a great opportunity to:

• obtain certifications to be workforce ready while in high school.

• show their knowledge and skills to demonstrate readiness for postsecondary pathways.

Industry Certifications offered at AHS

• Advanced Computer Apps: Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

• Coding II: CIW JavaScript

• Cybersecurity II: CompTIA IT Fundamentals

• Emergency Medical Services: Emergency Medical Responder and CPR

• Machining: Measurement, Materials and Safety (NIMS)

• Medical Therapeutics: OSHA 10

• Principles of Manufacturing: OSHA 10

• STEM I: OSHA 10

• STEM IV: Certified Solid Works Associate (CSWA)

• Unarmed Security Guard

• Welding: AWS SENSE LEVEL

Local Dual Credit at AHS

Local Dual Credit courses are high school courses aligned to a local postsecondary institution’s course and exam. Students who pass the exam earn credits that are accepted and/or recognized by the local postsecondary institution. Courses are taught by licensed high school teachers or certified college instructors approved by the school system and the postsecondary institution. For Local Dual Credit courses, teachers will add four (4) points to the final average of each grading period and each semester exam grade. The two nine week grades and the semester exam grade will be used to calculate the semester average. Points are not added to the semester average.

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Why take Local Dual Credit Courses?

Local Dual Credit courses provide students with a great opportunity to:

• challenge yourself academically;

• set yourself apart in college admission; and

• earn college credit with a successful exam score.

Courses offered at AHS

• Business Management (SWTCC)

• Lifetime Wellness (SWTCC)

• Personal Finance (SWTCC)

• Welding (TCAT)

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Local Dual Credit Cost

• Taking a LDC course does not cost anything for the student. The exam is also given at no extra cost to the student.

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What is the difference between dual enrollment and local dual credit?

• Dual Enrollment refers to students taking courses concurrently at two separate institutions, while Dual Credit refers to students completing a single course to earn academic credits that are recognized by two or more institutions

• Dual enrollment EPSO is earned by completing the course.

• Dual credit EPSO is earned by completing the course and attempting the exam.