EXPLANATION OF COURSE LEVELS

Advanced Placement (AP) Level 5

Advanced placement courses are highly rigorous and move at a fast pace, culminating in a nationally standardized examination. AP courses try to replicate the challenge and higher-order thinking—synthesis, analysis, evaluation, and creation—required at the college level.

AP Exams are administered in the spring. It is expected that all students who enroll in an Advanced Placement course at Westborough High School will take the official exam in the spring.  Students desiring to take an AP exam who are not enrolled in an AP class need the recommendation of their teacher and approval of the department chair and administration. Students enrolled in AP courses who choose not to take the AP exam will be required to take the AP teacher’s local final examination.

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Accelerated Level 5

Accelerated courses demand much independent learning as well as critical, creative, and analytical thinking. These courses, too, are highly rigorous and move at a rapid pace. Students take them for Level 5 credit, as they serve to provide extreme rigor in places where WHS does not offer an AP equivalent.

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Honors Level 4

Honors courses require moderate to extensive independent work as well as ample outside preparation. These courses are designed to prepare students for college-level work. Students are assumed to be self-motivated.

College Prep Level 3

Level 3 courses offer students a balance of support and independence, with a push toward higher-order thinking skills such as synthesis, analysis, evaluation, and creativity. College preparatory classes move at a moderate pace. Students should expect a fair amount of outside preparation.

College Prep Level 2

Level 2 courses move at a pace that emphasizes skill development, enabling teachers to scaffold the learning and support the student in his or her quest toward academic independence. While outside work is required, much of the learning takes place in the classroom, using small group instruction, individualized attention, and varied instructional practices as supports. Level 2 courses prepare students for educational opportunities after the high school experience. Level 2 may NOT meet Division 1 or 2 NCAA eligibility for core courses. Further information can be found at https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3.