Course Catalog - North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

Quality Points and GPAThe Quality Point value of courses is reflected in the NCSSM course numbering system:Course #300 – 349DescriptionIntroductory level courses that meet a core NCSSM graduationrequirement. Comparable to honors level courses at many high schoolsQuality Points Awarded By Letter GradeA+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D5.0 4.0 3.0 0.0350 – 399Meet one or more of the following criteria:• accelerated versions of classes at the 300 – 349 level• courses that require prerequisites taken at NCSSM• courses at a level higher than a typical high school honors course• courses that are for seniors only5.5 4.5 3.5 0.0400 – 449Courses at the level of introductory college courses and/or that helpprepare students to take an Advanced Placement examination6.0 5.0 4.0 0.0450 – 499Courses that deal with topics beyond those of introductory college courses6.0 5.0 4.0 0.0All NCSSM courses are at the honors level or higher. Physical Activity/Wellness courses, Student Life courses, Work Service, SummerService Learning and Mini-Term are graduation requirements. These courses, however, along with Special Study Options, carryno quality points and are not computed in the GPA.CLASS RANKThe school population is highly motivated and selected through a competitive process. Since the majority ofstudents are clustered near the top of the grading scale, it would neither benefit students nor clarify the characterof the academic program to rank students.NCSSM & the ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAMAdvanced Placement (AP) is a program of collegelevel courses and examinations that gives advanced,motivated students an opportunity to earn collegecredit, college placement, or both while they are stillin high school. NCSSM is committed to supportingstudents in their desire to take advantage of thecollege credit and placement opportunities affordedby the AP program.A number of NCSSM courses are designed to preparestudents for the AP examination in that subject. Suchcourses include “AP” in the course title. Some othercourses include concepts from the AP examination(see course descriptions for specifics). While studentswho master the material in these courses are generallyprepared for the AP examination in that subject,extra review materials are offered in many of thesesubjects for students who wish to further prepare. ForAP subjects that may not be covered extensively inthe regular curriculum, faculty members sometimessponsor interested students in a Special Study Optionto assist in AP preparation. Academic credit isavailable for such options (see Study Options andSpecial Programs, page 38). There is also a collectionNCSSM 2008-093of AP review and preparation materials in the NCSSMLibrary.In recent years, approximately 82% of eachgraduating class has taken one or more APexaminations. Of NCSSM students sitting for theexaminations, approximately 72% scored a 4 or 5(this compares with approximately 34% of all AP testtakers).Another 19% of NCSSM students sitting for APexaminations scored a 3 (see the NCSSM Profile).SPECIAL NOTICEThis catalog lists all of those courses that the Schoolis prepared to offer. Since the total enrollment ofthe School is relatively small, it may not be possibleor desirable to offer all courses every year. If facultyresources are not available, or if the enrollment for agiven course does not meet the minimum instructionalnumber of students, the course may not be offered. Inplanning their instructional programs, students shouldbe prepared to elect alternative courses if their firstchoice is not available.choice is not available.COURSE CATALOG