What ARE honor classes? (american people!!)?

Question

I'm from New Zealand and I was reading about how the grades I get here are changed into my GPA(American)

I know it translates higher if you're doing honor classes but I don't know what classes are considered 'honor classes'

Can someone tell me what classes they include?

Thanks!! :):)

Answer 1

honors classes are usually in the math and science field.  they may also be called AP classes (stands for advanced placement).  They basically are harder than the normal class and do more to prepare you for college/university.  My school had AP calculus, AP chemistry and AP biology and honors english.  Hope this helps

Answer 2

In my High School, honor classes had the title "honor" before them.  For example, "Honors English."  Honor classes are more difficult classes than regular classes, and allow you the opportunity to advance onto AP classes which you can earn college credit for while still in high school.

Answer 3

At my school honors classes make no difference in gpa, they are just more advanced and get you ready for harder classes, lets see, in my school i've taken honors science 9, honors biology, honors chemistry, but i know there are honors english classes too, but it really depends on what school you go to, some have more, some have none, it all depends on the school/district... and all honors courses start with the word "honors"

Answer 4

It's up to the individual high school to designate classes as Honors classes.

(It's similar, but not like AP and IB, which are internationally recognized, accepted, and approved entities.)

At my school, the only Honors classes were English classes (because our math and science departments sucked lol). It was just a way to separate the different students' priorities and abilities. Some students are more ambitious and/or gifted in a certain subject, while others may be apathetic and/or just doing it for graduation credit.

So, to keep the class at a harmonious and smooth-flowing pace, they just designate the Honors classes.

And, usually, you have to get some kind of teacher approval. And, usually, you don't get a GPA boost because of Honors classes -- but then again, I'm from Small Town America :)

Answer 5

In American schools (generally high schools) there are three levels of classes.  Regular classes, Honor classes, and Advanced placement classes.  

The grades themselves I would not expect to change but the weight they have when added in to your GPA may.  This is because honor classes are worth more than regular classes.

I'm not sure how to find out what your classes would count as on your own.  I would think the best way to find out is to ask the school you came from to find out for you, they'll probably be the most helpful.

I hope this helps in some way.  =)

Answer 6

In the US we have weighted and unweighted GPAs.  Weighted GPAs include the GPA boost from taking honors.  Since you are from New Zealand you wont have a weighted GPA.  Even in the US the way GPA is calculated depends on your state.

What I'm trying to say is that a class is considered honors if the US school calls it honors based on their state's standards.  You won't be able to take honors classes that will 'count' in New Zealand.

Answer 7

They often time's when you pick out your classes should say honors in some sort of context, what it basicly is, is an advance class in the regular subject's , english, history, reading, math ect, you get the picture. Beside's honor classes can be considered differently at most learning institution's.

Answer 8

well if your in college i dont know but at my high school in california, honor classes dont give us a higher GPA, they just look better on your transcripts for college applications.

These classes include honors biology, geometry, algebra 1 and 2, analytical chemistry, english, and many more

The AP (advanced placement) classes give us a higher gpa. they also give you college credits so you wont have to take that class once you get into college.

These classes include ap biology, environmental science, literature, calculus, foreign language, chemistry, us history, and world history. there are many more... but they just differ in different schools

If your not a highschooler this post wont matter

hope this answers your question :)

Answer 9

AP classes are only usually taken in 11th and 12th grades, by the most advanced of students. "Honors" are just accelerated regular classes that you don't get college credit for, and which give you the option to take the AP ones.

The only reason this might affect you is because both honors and AP classes usually give you a .5 GPA boost per final class grade. For instance, a B in honors is equivalent to a B+ in a regular class, GPA-wise, because they give you .5 for taking a difficult class. So your report card would read B+, even though you received a B.

My advice is - unless you received a similar grade boost for taking harder classes, then don't put down honors or AP for anything.

Hope this helps...

Also, check out this site:

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/test...

It lists the subjects of AP testing.