EARN COLLEGE CREDITS IN HIGH SCHOOL

College credit policies differ from school to school, even within the same state.

Your College Map Mentor advisor will evaluate which of your classes will transfer and if they will be applied toward the General Education Requirements of your intended college as an elective or not at all. They will place this information into your College Map Mentor's Academic Organizer.

• • Remember...you should be actively using the College Map Mentor's Academic Organizer to keep track of classes taken/need to take, grades, awards, certifications, accolades, community service, clubs, sports, work, scholarships, and other research.

Research the transferability of each AP, AICE, IB, CLEP, or dual enrollment to the respective SUS college & general ed requirements for graduation.

Developed by CollegeBoard, a national education nonprofit, advanced placement (AP) classes prepare students for college-level tests in over 30 subjects. Learners who pass AP tests at the end of the year MAY receive college credits that are applicable at institutions in North America.

High schools with AP programs usually offer classes in key competency areas like English language and composition, US History, computer science, chemistry, and music theory. Exams occur in May each year. The exams are scored on a 1-5 scale. A score of 3 or higher is considered passing.

Credit MAY be earned for scores of 3, 4, or 5. However, credit and admission policies for AP students vary by college or university. Although CollegeBoard reports that most schools offer placement or credits for students with scores of three or higher, it's good to check with your intended school to get its exact policies.

For more information on the AP Program, please consult your dean, guidance counselor, or your advisor at College Map Mentor.

Students may earn college credits in high school by taking Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) classes. These courses cover over 50 subjects in four main groups: mathematics and science, languages, humanities and arts, and interdisciplinary subjects. The classes allow learners to explore their interests while gaining additional academic skills.

Universities worldwide recognize Cambridge AICE classes for their comprehensive rigor. Qualified learners can sit for advanced (A) or advanced subsidiary (AS) exams at the end of the year. Exams usually begin at the end of April, but there may be exams as late as June. A-level courses adopt a more extensive approach and typically take longer to complete than AS courses. Students can begin with an AS curriculum before extending to A-level classes.

Cambridge AICE grades classes on a scale from A (highest performance) to E (minimal performance). Exam outcomes result in a certain number of credits — more for A-level, fewer for AS-levels — and students with at least seven credits can receive the Cambridge AICE Diploma. Only a score of "U" is not considered passing.

All Florida schools accept and recognize both the AICE Diploma and many of the AICE classes as a potential college credit. Check with each college for their "credit by exam" policy.

Several out-of-state schools also recognize AICE classes for college credit. Please check each school's "credit by exam" policy.

Everyone is welcome to take a CLEP exam at any CLEP test center, including high school students, college students, adult learners, military service members and veterans, and professionals seeking continuing education credits.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams are a great way for motivated students with strong study skills to obtain college credits in high school. These tests are similar to AP exams, but they do not offer structured classes ahead of assessment. Instead, students prepare on their own, building their own college-level knowledge of key subjects.

Test-takers receive a scaled score for each exam, ranging from 20-80 points. According to CollegeBoard, the American Council on Education recommends that universities grant credit for scores of 50 or higher. Individual schools may set their own score thresholds.

CollegeBoard administers CLEP exams throughout the year at approved test centers and recently began implementing remote proctoring. Exams cost $95  (as of 11/17/2024) plus your test center or remote proctoring administration fee and cover composition and literature, world languages, history and science, business, and science and mathematics.

CLEP exams are administered year-round on a flexible schedule. 

Study guides are available on the College Board website for an additional cost of $10.

Unlike AP, IB, or Cambridge AICE options, (which all offer preparatory instruction intended for high school students), dual enrollment means you enroll in actual college classes while still attending high school. Students complete college-level assignments and receive credit that applies to both their high school diplomas and subsequent college degrees.

• • Make your dual enrollment class choices meaningful - take classes that will go toward your General Ed credits and your high school graduation requirements.

Available dual enrollment college options for Palm Beach County public school students are:

• • Florida Atlantic University

  • Palm Beach State College

  • University of Florida

As a part-time dual enrollment student, you may take up to 8 credit hours (or two classes) per semester, but it is recommended you choose ONE class per semester when starting out so as to not overload your current coursework.  

The grades you receive for dual enrollment classes count toward your college GPA and are also weighted on a 6.0 scale (similar to AP/AICE/IB).

SUMMER - You may take classes over the summer. These classes are usually taught in a 6-week shortened semester. This is a good option for some students to complete a class and figure out if they want to pursue dual enrollment in the fall. It is recommended you choose only ONE class during the summer. It is not recommended you take a science class with a lab.

Students interested in dual enrollment should consult their dean, dual enrollment coordinator, guidance counselor, OR College Map Mentor to learn about their options and determine which courses to pursue. 

NOTE: Dual enrollment needs to be taken seriously. The grades earned during dual enrollment ARE your first college grades.

NOTE: Withdrawals (W) or a grade earned of a D or an F are grounds for DISMISSAL from the Dual Enrollment program.

Before choosing classes, refer to the Florida Department of Education Dual Enrollment Equivalency List to see how many credits you will earn for high school and how the class is received by colleges.

Students can also gain college credits in high school by participating in dual enrollment or other summer programs. These programs prepare students for the college experience, allowing them to spend time meeting new people and exploring their academic interests in a college setting.

A typical summer college program offers for-credit courses in areas like computer science, economics, history, and the classics. Summer courses often only take six to seven weeks to complete, giving students extra time to make new connections, gain practical skills, or work on college applications.

Eligible applicants must be advanced high school students, and some programs require students to earn admission to the college to participate. Others offer online options to increase accessibility.