Courses of Rigor - Springfield High School

Advanced Placement (AP), College Now (CN), and Honors courses help students acquire the skills and habits they’ll need to be successful in post-secondary education. Students will improve their writing skills, sharpen their problem-solving abilities, and develop time management skills, discipline, and study habits. Through AP college-level courses and exams and College Now courses, students can earn college credit, thereby standing out in the college admissions process, while learning from skilled, dedicated, and inspiring teachers at SHS.

Advanced Placement
From the moment students enter an AP classroom, students will notice the difference in the teacher's approach to the subject, the attitude of classmates, and the way they start to think. In AP classrooms, students engage in intense discussions, solve problems collaboratively, and learn to write clearly and persuasively. Springfield High School currently offers AP Calculus, AP Literature, AP Language & Composition, AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics.

Many four-year colleges in the United States and colleges in more than 60 other countries give students credit, advanced placement, or both on the basis of AP Exam scores. By entering college with AP credits, students save money in tuition, to move into upper-level courses, pursue a double major, or study abroad.

College Now
College Now courses provide students the opportunity to build their college transcript while completing core and/or career technical education courses at Springfield High School. Students completing College Now courses may earn advanced standing or placement at LCC or Oregon Public Universities. Springfield High School currently offers CN Political Science, CN History, CN Biology, CN Chemistry, CN Writing (115, 121, 122), CN Mathematics (Math 95, 105/106, 112/113), as well as every Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathway.

Expanded Options
For students ready to take it one step further, taking a class on the campus of Lane Community College or the University of Oregon is another exciting possibility. The Expanded Options program is designed to “expand” the core courses available to students. Any 11th or 12th grader in good standing may take a core class (science, history, math, English) not offered at SHS, at the UO or LCC. The school district pays for tuition for these classes when approved through Expanded Options. Families are responsible for the cost of books and transportation. To learn more about this program or to enroll, students should meet with their counselor to begin the process.

Advanced Placement

The Advanced Placement Program® is a cooperative educational endeavor between secondary schools and colleges and universities. Since its inception in 1955, the Program has provided motivated high school students with the opportunity to take college-level courses in a high school setting. Students who participate in the Program not only gain college-level skills, but in many cases they also earn college credit while they are still in high school. AP courses are taught by dedicated and enthusiastic high school teachers who follow course guidelines developed and published by the College Board. A variety of options exist for accelerated programs of study at Springfield High School. Students may pursue advanced coursework in College Now (CN) and/or Advanced Placement (AP) courses. In addition, we have RTEC and Expanded Options for students who require work beyond what is offered at Springfield High School.

Some of these options involve an additional expense for students. Students enrolled in accelerated programs can gain enhanced college level preparation, earn advanced placement credit, or earn college credit through a Community College.

All students are encouraged to select courses to help them achieve their maximum academic potential. Advanced Placement classes are taught at a college level. Students have the option of taking the AP test in May each year. Credit varies by college for students passing the AP test.

Advanced Placement courses are available in U.S. History, World History, Language and Composition, Literature and Composition, Economics, Micro Economics, and Macro Economics.

There is a cost to the student for each exam taken. Students who wish to take multiple AP courses need to discuss the rigorous schedule demands with their counselor.

Things to be Aware of When Taking AP

AP classes are college level classes. They are not high school honors classes
STEM highly recommends that students DO NOT take more than 3 AP/ CE courses in a semester due to the level of rigor required for each course. Parents may be asked to sign off a consent letter for students taking more than 4 AP/CE courses in a semester.

Advantages of Taking AP Course Work

AP courses show colleges that you are able to complete the most rigorous courses your high school offers.
Collegiate institutions recognize that applicants with AP experience are better prepared for the demands of college courses.
Most colleges and universities will offer college credit and/or advanced placement to students earning a high enough score on an AP exam.
AP students may be eligible for honors and other special programs in college.

More information regarding the AP program can be obtained from any AP teacher, your counselor, and the AP website.

AP Student Profile

We recommend that students undertaking Advanced Placement ® course work:

have a desire to undertake rigorous, in depth study of the course content;
have a history of satisfactory performance within the content area;
possess a strong work ethic and superior study skills;
demonstrate strong language skills (students should be able to read and write at or above grade level);
advocate and take responsibility for their own learning;
understand that the pace of Advanced Placement® instruction requires daily attendance;
meet the established prerequisites for specific courses;
have sufficient time management skills to balance academics, and activities
are mature, curious, and active learners who will contribute to classroom discussions and activities.
Do not take more than 3 AP/CE courses in a semester

AP Scholar Awards

Each year, the College Board recognizes high school students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through multiple AP courses and exams. Some of the awards and their requirements are as follows:

AP Scholar: students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams
AP Scholar with Honor: students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more on these exams
AP Scholar with Distinction: students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams
National AP Scholar: students in the U.S. who receive an average score of at least 4 on all AP exams taken and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams

College Now

College Now classes are Lane Community College (LCC) approved courses offered at Springfield High. Courses cover the same curriculum and typically use the same textbooks as specific LCC courses. Students earning certain grades in those classes earn college credit (LCC transcript) and Springfield High Credit (SHS transcript). College Now classes are offered in Language Arts, Second Language, Drafting, Mathematics Fine Arts: Ceramics, Auto Mechanics, Science, Business, Metals Welding, Social Science, Woodworking, and Health Sciences.

Research College Now courses available through Lane Community College.

Approved Courses

Subject	SHS Title	LCC Title	Course #	Credits
Applied Fine Arts	Auto 1	Engine Repair	AM145	2
Applied Fine Arts	Auto 2 A&B / Leadership 1	Steering and Suspension	AM147	2
Applied Fine Arts	Auto 2 A&B / Leadership 1	Brakes	AM143	2
Applied Fine Arts	Auto 2 A&B / Leadership 2	Diesel Electrical Systems	DS257	2
Applied Fine Arts	Auto 2 A&B / Leadership 2	Engine Performance	AM244	2
Applied Fine Arts	Auto 2 A&B / Leadership 2	Electrical and Electronic Systems	AM243	2
Applied Fine Arts	Intro to Woods Technology	Construction Orientation and Environment	CST111	2
Applied Fine Arts	Advanced Woods and Construction	Blueprint Reading 1	CST110	3
Applied Fine Arts	Welding Technologies	Shielded Metal Arc Welding 1	WLD121	1-2
Applied Fine Arts	Welding Technologies	Shielded Metal Arc Welding 2	WLD122	1-2
Applied Fine Arts	Advanced Welding	Wire Drive Welding 1	WLD143	1-2
Applied Fine Arts	Advanced Ceramics	Ceramics: Hand Building	ART250	3
Applied Fine Arts	Ceramics 2	Ceramics: Intermediate	ART253	3
Applied Fine Arts	Intro to Business	Introduction to Business	BA101	4
Applied Fine Arts	Computer Applications	Computer Fundamentals	CIS101	4
Applied Fine Arts	Spanish 2, College Now	Spanish, First Year	SPAN102	4
Applied Fine Arts	Spanish 3, College Now	Spanish, First and Second Year	SPAN103	4
Applied Fine Arts	Spanish 4, College Now	Spanish, Second Year	SPAN201	4
Applied Fine Arts	Spanish 5, College Now	Spanish, Second Year	SPAN202	4
Applied Fine Arts	French 2	French, first year	FR101	5
Applied Fine Arts	Beg. Theater, Adv. Theater, Acting Ensemble	Acting 1	TA141	3
Mathematics	Algebra 2 / Math 95	Intermediate Algebra	MTH95	5
Mathematics*	CN Math in Society 105	Math in Society	MTH105Z	4
Mathematics*	CN Math in Society 106	Math in Society 2	MTH106Z	4
Mathematics*	CN Pre-Calculus A	Precalculus 1: Functions	MTH111Z	4
Mathematics*	CN Pre-Calculus B	Precalculus 2: Trigonometry	MTH112Z	4
Language Arts*	College Writing 121	Composition 1	WR121z	4
Language Arts	Journalism	Composition 2	WR122z	4
Science*	CN Biology A	CN General Biology	BI101F	4
Science*	CN Biology A	CN General Biology	BI102D	4
Science*	CN Biology B	CN General Biology	BI103E	4
Social Studies*	CN Ethnic Studies 101	Ethnic Studies	ES101	4
Social Studies*	CN Political Science	Political Science 201	PS201	4
Other Subjects	Teacher Cadet	Intro to Teaching	ED100	3