< Back to Advanced Academics

McKinney ISD is committed to the principle that all students deserve an opportunity to participate in rigorous and academically challenging curriculum. Because of this, students are highly encouraged to take AP courses when appropriate. According to research, by the time students enter college, the type of courses they took in high school is more important than test scores, class rank, or grade averages. Students participating in AP courses are significantly more likely to attain a college degree than those without an AP experience (Adelman, 1999).

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program of the College Board enables students to complete college-level studies as well as prepare for AP exams that give students the opportunity to receive college credit or placement for qualifying exam scores. AP courses encourage critical and creative thought, fine-tune analytical skills, enhance reasoning abilities, and serve as an “academic bridge” to help smooth the transition for students from high school to college.

When evaluating a student’s high school transcript, universities place a great deal of importance on the rigor and success of an applicant’s academic program in high school, particularly in the junior and senior years.The AP program in McKinney ISD is an inclusive program. A student may enroll in an AP class as long as the prerequisite courses (i.e., Eng II before Eng III) have been successfully completed, and the student is willing to accept the time and learning requirements of a college-level class. Each student signs a course agreement when enrolling in an AP course. The agreement and course description for each class outline in detail the requirements of the class. Successful completion of each AP course requires approximately six hours of individual study time per week.

The examinations are structured to measure depth of knowledge, completeness of thought, and synthesis of ideas. Approximately 1200 institutions of higher learning award credit based on a student’s AP examination scores. Exams are graded on a five-point scale with college credit usually given for scores of 3 or higher. The score requirement and number of college credit hours or placement credit awarded varies among universities and colleges. The exams are administered in May of each school year to students enrolled in AP courses. All McKinney ISD AP students are required to take AP exams.

Most AP courses are one-period offerings, the exception being Studio Art, which requires two periods due to the laboratory requirements of this course. The semester averages in AP courses are assigned weighted grade points (6.0).

Many of the core courses in the major academic disciplines offer advanced courses referred to as Advanced (Formerly Pre-AP). These courses lay the foundation for success not only in the AP program, but ultimately in college coursework. Advanced (Formerly Pre-AP) courses emphasize the same types of thinking skills and student expectations as the AP courses, although the course content is at the appropriate grade level. Students who elect not to take AP courses will still benefit greatly from the curricula and requirements of the Advanced (Formerly Pre-AP) course of study. The Advanced (Formerly Pre-AP) program in McKinney ISD is an inclusive program. A student may enroll in a Advanced (Formerly Pre-AP) class as long as the prerequisite courses (i.e., Eng II before Eng III) have been successfully completed, and the student is willing to accept the time and learning requirements of an advanced class. Each student signs a course agreement when enrolling in a Advanced (Formerly Pre-AP) course. The agreement and course description for each class outlines in detail the requirements of the class.

The semester averages in Advanced (Formerly Pre-AP) courses are assigned weighted grade points (5.0).

English/Language Arts

• English III- English Language and Composition

• English IV- English Literature and Composition

• GT English III- English Language and Composition

• GT English IV- English Literature and Composition

Foreign Language

• Spanish Language and Culture

• Spanish Literature and Culture

• French Language and Culture

• German Language and Culture

Social Studies

• World History: Modern

• U.S. History

• European History

• Human Geography

• U.S. Government & Politics

• Macroeconomics

• Psychology

Science/CTE

• Physics 1

• Physics 2

• AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism

• AP Physics C: Mechanics

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Environmental Science

• Computer Science A

• Computer Science Principles

Mathematics

• Calculus AB

• Calculus BC

• Statistics

Fine Arts

• Art Drawing

• Art 2D

• Art 3D

• Art History

• Music Theory