General Academic Information 2009-2010

(Updated: 11/13/09)

The academic program at Assumption is designed to meet the abilities, talents, aptitudes and interests of all students. The course of study is college preparatory for all students, although those in the academic level may need to enter the preparatory program of the college to which they are admitted.

• School Profile [PDF]: Facts and figures related to Assumption High School.
• Course Catalog [PDF]: Examples of courses offered at Assumption.
• Assumption Required Credits for Graduation
• AHS vs. KY Credit Requirements
• Course Selection Policy
• Block Scheduling
• Academic Levels
• • Advanced Placement (AP)
  • ACES (CP)

Assumption Required Credits for Graduation

Notes:

1. A full credit in AP Art History or AP Music Theory may replace Humanities and/or Fine/Performing Arts requirements
2. Choice of Art, Drama, Music; a full credit in AP Art History or AP Music theory meets the Fine Arts requirement, three full credits in fine arts exempts a student from the Humanities requirement

AHS vs. KY Credit Requirements

Course Selection Policy

Each spring, students select courses for the next school year with the help of their teacher advisor, the dean of studies, the guidance counselors, and teachers. Students are responsible for noting the prerequisites for courses, if any, and obtaining the necessary signatures on the on-line registration form. The printed AHS on-line registration form, signed by the parent/guardian and including any necessary teacher signature(s), the tuition selection form, and a $200 registration fee are due to the school office by Wednesday, March 12. Registration forms turned in after March 12 will be assessed a $250 fee. Registration forms turned in after March 19 will not be guaranteed placement.

Once a student submits her course selection form and fee, every effort is made to accommodate her requests and the master schedule is developed. For this reason, a student who changes her original schedule is assessed a $10 course change fee.

The school reserves the right to cancel a course for insufficient enrollment.

Block Scheduling

In 1996, Assumption implemented an innovative block schedule that effectively enhances classroom instruction and learning. Block scheduling provides students with opportunities for more in-depth study, better preparation for college and career, and greater academic success. This scheduling also allows time for more student-centered teaching methods, interactive lectures, and simulation labs.

View a sample freshman schedule for an example of block scheduling.

Academic Levels

Courses are leveled according to the degree of difficulty and the depth of subject matter as well as the requirements of the course. All levels are part of a pre-college curriculum.

AP - College Board approved course; students prepare to take AP exams. More on Advanced Placement.

CP - Dual credit college level course; credit may be earned through Bellarmine University. More on ACES.

AD - Accelerated college preparatory course for students capable of the most rigorous high school curriculum.

H1 - Honors 1; College preparatory course for students capable of in-depth consideration of concepts and more independent study and research.

H - Honors; College preparatory course based on standard high school curriculum.

AC - Academic; College preparatory course for freshman and sophomore students requiring emphasis on basic skills.

Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement courses are available to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors who meet the criteria required to take this college level program. Students who participate in AP courses prepare for the AP College Board exam. Assumption offers the following AP level courses:

• Art History
• Biology
• Calculus AB
• Calculus BC
• Chemistry
• English Language & Composition
• English Literature
• French Language
• Government & Politics
• Human Geography
• Microeconomics
• Music Theory
• Physics
• Psychology
• Spanish Language
• Statistics
• Studio Art: 3-D Design 
• Studio Art: Drawing
• US History
• World History

In 2008, 287 AP exams were taken by 165 students and 80% of the AHS students who took an Advanced Placement Exam through the College Board earned a 3 or higher.  (Most colleges award credit with a score of 3 or higher.)

2004 AP Scores Chart

2005 AP Scores Chart

2006 AP Scores Chart

2007 AP Scores Chart

2008 AP Scores Chart

ACES

The ACES Program, which stands for Advanced Courses for Early Success, offers dual credit through Bellarmine University. A student who meets Bellarmine's criteria for enrollment and pays the reduced tuition fee can earn both high school credit for the course as well as college credit as long as the student earns an "A" or "B".

Bellarmine approves courses and instructors for these classes, and students create Bellarmine transcripts just as if they were taking classes on Bellarmine's campus. A student who will attend another college after graduating from Assumption merely needs to check to see if that school accepts Bellarmine credits in transfer. Bellarmine requires that a student meet the following criteria for admission to the program:

• The student must be a junior or a senior who is actively pursuing a pre-college curriculum.
• The student must have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.25.
• The student must have a composite score of 23 on the ACT or a total score of 1080 on the SAT.

For more information, please refer to Bellarmine's ACES page.   http://www.bellarmine.edu/aces/