The Office of Advanced Academics

Advanced Academics includes:

• Honors (H), Accelerated, and Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP)
• Advanced Placement (AP)
• Dual Credit (DC) and Dual Enrollment (DE) courses
• Talented and Gifted Education Services (GT)

Advanced Academics supports the Office of Learning and Innovation with:

• Middle School Choice Academies (MSCA)

HONORS AND PRE-ADVANCED PLACEMENT (Learn More)

Honors and Pre-AP courses are an opportunity for students to challenge themselves and to expand their skills for college, career and military readiness (CCMR). Students are held to a higher expectation for homework, reading, writing, and attendance. 

• The purpose of Honors courses is to challenge students and to prepare them to take Pre-AP, AP, and Dual Credit courses. We currently offer:
  
  • Honors Math 7th
  • Honors Math 8th
  • Honors Accelerated 6th+7th Math
  • Honors Accelerated 7th+8th Math
  • Honors Algebra 2
  • Honors Pre-Calculus
  • Honors English Language Arts 6th
  • Honors English Language Arts 7th
  • Honors English Language Arts 8th
  • Honors Spanish

• The purpose of Pre-AP courses is to challenge students and to prepare them to take college level (AP and Dual Credit) courses in high school. We currently offer:
  • Pre-AP Algebra 1
  • Pre-AP Geometry with Statistics
  • Pre-AP English 1
  • Pre-AP English 2
  • Pre-AP Biology
  • Pre-AP Chemistry
  • Pre-AP Visual Arts

Honors and Pre-AP courses are open enrollment, meaning that there are no requirements for students to enter, with one exception. Students who wish to take Algebra 1 in 8th grade must enter an accelerated pathway in 6th grade. The following courses must be taken in order:

• 6th Grade Honors Accelerated Math (contains standards from 6th and 7th grade)
• 7th Grade Honors Accelerated Math (contains standards from 7th and 8th grade)
• 8th Grade Pre-AP Algebra 1

Each course on this list has the preceding course as a prerequisite. Students must choose to enter this pathway at the beginning of their 6th grade year. Students may exit this pathway of courses, but may not enter after the 6th grade without verification of their mastery of the prior course standards. The purpose of this accelerated pathway is to open students to additional math options in high school.

• Honors courses are offered at no cost to students.
• Pre-AP courses are offered at no cost to students, but enrolled students are expected to take Pre-AP exams.

South San ISD utilizes the College Board’s SpringBoard resources to prepare students for CCMR through Honors Math and ELA courses and as a resource for Pre-AP Math and ELA courses. Students will receive a consumable workbook for each Honors and Pre-AP course in which they enroll.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (Learn More)

South San’s Advanced Placement Program enables students to pursue college-level studies with the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school. Each AP course connects directly to a wide variety of college majors and careers. AP courses also help students transform the subjects they are enthusiastic about into a fulfilling future. By giving students the opportunity to explore what interests them the most, AP courses help them find and pursue their unique direction. Plus, eighty-five percent of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admission decisions.

Each AP course concludes with an opportunity for students to earn college credit with an AP examination.  The AP examinations are structured to measure three areas - depth of knowledge, completeness of thought, and synthesis of ideas.  Approximately 1,200 institutions award credit based on the student's AP examination scores. These examinations are graded on a five-point scale with college credit usually given for scores of 3 or higher. At South San, enrolled students are expected to participate in the examination process and sign an oath to do so at the beginning of each AP course.

Taking AP courses could give you an advantage in college by letting you:

• Earn College Credit - Your AP score could earn you college credits before you even set foot on campus. Use the College Board Tool to see what credits apply to the colleges you are interested in attending!
• Stand Out to Colleges - “AP” on your high school transcript shows colleges you’ve tackled college-level work. 
• Save Money and Time - Earning credit or placement can open up time on your college schedule by letting you skip introductory courses and can even let you graduate early.

Additionally, AP Courses give you a head start in high school. Research consistently shows that AP students are better prepared for college than students who don’t take AP. They’re more likely to enroll and stay in college, do well in their classes, and graduate in four years. Taking AP can help you:

Get a Taste of College - Get familiar with college-level work—and boost your confidence by tackling it.

• Develop College Skills - Time management, critical thinking, scholarly writing—AP courses help you hone the skills you’ll need in college and career.
• Discover Your Passion - Studying a subject in depth could give you new insights and even put you on the path to a career

DUAL CREDIT AND DUAL ENROLLMENT
Dual Credit courses are courses taught by a college instructor or a South San teacher approved as an adjunct instructor; all curriculum, resources and grades are controlled by the professor/instructor and the college department. The student earns credit for a high school course that is matched to the content of the college course.  Grades for the high school course and college course are typically the same.  Examples include: English, US History, Speech, Culinary, IT, Aerospace, or Construction.

Dual Enrollment courses are courses taught by a college instructor who determines all curriculum, resources, and grades for the college course in collaboration with a high school teacher who helps to facilitate the college course and who manages all curriculum, resources and grades for the high school course. Students may have the option to accept or deny the college hours/transcription for the dual enrollment course.  Grades for the high school course may differ from grades for the college course.

South San High Early College High School - South San Antonio Early College High School strives to inspire, empower, and educate students through mutual respect to foster ingenuity and compassion through a rigorous, supportive, and safe learning environment centered on high student expectations.


South San High Academy of Health Sciences - Through high-quality, rigorous instruction and engaging, real-world educational experiences and internships, the students of the Health Science Academy at South San Antonio High School will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to build a foundation for a successful career in Health Science.


West Campus High Early College High School - West Campus High School Early College High School strives to inspire, empower, and educate students through mutual respect to foster ingenuity and compassion through a rigorous, supportive, and safe learning environment centered on high student expectations.


West Campus Institute of Data Science and Cybersecurity (P-TECH) - Pathway in Technology Early College (P-TECH) is a high school plan that focuses on getting students ready for college and providing opportunities to earn college-level, credit-bearing coursework through Dual Credit classes. Students enrolling in P-TECH’s four- to six-year Cyber Security program as 9th graders can earn industry-based certifications, Level 1 and Level 2 certificates, and/or an associate’s degree or from Palo Alto College; all while completing their high school diploma requirements — at no cost (FREE) to their family.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOICE ACADEMIES (MSCA)

Advanced Academics supports the Office of Learning and Innovation with MSCA.

Dwight Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Academy - A Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math choice program focused on connecting students to high-demand jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Students will learn through a combination of project-based and personalized learning.

Kazen Architecture, Construction, and Design Academy - Students will be creative and learn to design and build using state of the art technology while enjoying the Architecture, Construction, and Design Programs.  Architecture, construction, and design are becoming more specialized to meet the needs of the industry, including new design and building methods. Students will learn general design concepts, as well as valuable skills integrating tools and materials through hands-on projects.

Shepard Fine Arts Academy - A choice program inspiring artistically talented students in a lifelong passion for learning, empowering them to achieve academic and artistic excellence. Students will learn through a comprehensive program in dance, music, theater and visual arts and a combination of project-based and personalized learning.

Zamora Health Science Academy - A career-themed choice program focused on connecting students to high-demand jobs in the field of health professions. Students will learn through a combination of project-based and personalized learning.