Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement classes are based on college-level courses. They teach higher level thinking skills and allow for the students to experience the atmosphere and the expectations of a college course. AP courses can also provide college credit, increase the chances of success in college, and help save money on college. For additional AP information go to the College Board website or contact your child's AP teacher.

According to research conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, the College Board, and Educational Testing Service, there is a strong correlation between participation in AP courses and student achievement, college readiness, and college completion. Researchers at the University of Texas concluded that students who successfully participated in one or more AP exams significantly outperformed their non-AP peers (Hargrove, Godin, and Dodd 2008).

• AP classes can save thousands of money in college costs.
• AP students may be granted sophomore standing or given credit in college courses.
• AP students improve their chances of being accepted by the college of their choice.
• AP grades are weighted in Gwinnett County by 10 points.
• Because students work at an advanced level and acquire higher reasoning skills, students normally score about 100 points higher on College Board tests than their peers.
• AP students outperform their non-AP peers in college.

Visit the link to the AP College Board website to read testimonials from AP teachers and students. 

Colleges want to see both. They want to see students excelling in higher level courses. Research shows that if you can be successful in an AP course then you are usually successful in college.

College Prep

General academic coursework that prepares students for college and/or post-secondary plans.

Honors & Gifted

Requires doing homework on a consistent basis, active participation in class, and reading and studying outside of class. Honors/Gifted classes have the same course standards. They are both higher level classes than CP. The work load is more. Because of this, colleges are looking for honors and gifted level courses on students’ transcripts. Gifted courses are available to students who meet specific eligibility criteria. You must be tested into the Gifted program. Duluth High School does not recognize Honors as a lower level from Gifted.

Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement courses are college-level classes. AP course-work is demanding and recommended for students who are mature with strong study skills. AP classes are writing intensive and rigorous. AP exams are administered for a fee (Your first exam is FREE; you will only be responsible for the $10 registration fee. Additional exams will be administered for a fee of $92) at the end of the school year. It is the expectation of Duluth High School that you take the AP exams for the AP courses in which you are registered. Many, but not all, colleges award credit for passing the exams or allow a student to be exempt from certain college courses. It is our hope at Duluth High School that every student consider taking at least one AP course during high school.

Learn more about AP classes on the College Board website.

• Yes.  A student can obtain a "Parent Request for Reconsideration of Placement" (formerly known as waiver) form in the Curriculum Office in the 100 building.
• The student must meet with their current teacher to discuss this request.  The teacher must sign the form either agreeing with the request or noting they still have reservations regarding the request. 
• Both the parent and the student must sign the form.
• The completed form is submitted to the Curriculum Office and the student will be given an AP Course Expectations document to complete electronically, if applicable.
• Once the document is signed and returned, the Curriculum office will send the signed document and a copy of the signed "Parent Request" to the appropriate AP teacher.  

Yes. All students are required to take the AP exam for each course which will be taken in May.  Students will take practice exams in class throughout the year.  Registration begins in November, and may be paid through MyPaymentsPlus.