Advanced College Credit Courses
Why should students take advanced college credit courses?
Studies have shown that the academic rigor of a student's high school experience is the single best predictor of success in college. Enrolling in at least one advanced college credit course gives students the opportunity to experience rigorous learning in a supportive environment designed to help them succeed. We encourage our students to explore Klein Prep, Advanced Placement, Dual Credit, and International Baccalaureate courses. Check out the "student voices" section to hear from our Klein ISD students about their experiences in advanced courses.
Klein Prep Advanced Course Program
Klein ISD Klein Prep courses, offered to students in grades 6-11, are open to all students and are designed to prepare students to be successful in Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Credit, International Baccalaureate, and other advanced courses taken in high school. These courses provide students the opportunity to engage in college-level content and skills utilizing the College and Career Readiness Standards. Rigorous content, instruction, research, and assessment are aligned to the College Board and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programs' curricula.
Advanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement Program offers college-level foundational courses and exams that you can take in high school.
The AP program is an open-enrollment program (a qualifying test is not required) that provides rigorous academic coursework in the major subject fields with course content designed by national experts who teach at colleges and universities across the country. Courses are offered in English, social studies, science, world languages, math, and fine arts. A student enrolled in an AP course should preview the content of the course (see Explore AP Courses link below) and commit to taking the exam during the first two weeks in May annually.
Nearly all colleges and universities (91%) in the United States grant credit and placement for qualifying AP scores.
All Klein ISD AP course syllabi are approved by the College Board.
Dual Credit Program
The Dual Credit Program offers students an opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school. Upon successful completion of a Dual Credit course, a student will earn “dual credit” – high school and college credit – simultaneously. These courses provide advanced academic instruction beyond, or in greater depth than, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for a corresponding high school course.
International Baccalaureate Program
The International Baccalaureate Program (IB) is a comprehensive two-year advanced academic studies program that begins in a student’s junior year of high school. The program covers curriculum in six subject areas including English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Foreign Language, and the Electives. Students who pursue the IB diploma program have taken courses equivalent to first year college courses and may receive advanced standing and/or college credit for their work.
Klein Cain Honors College Program
The Klein Cain Honors College Program application is open to all Klein ISD 8th graders. The Honors College is designed to meet the needs of high-achieving students seeking a rigorous academic experience including challenging coursework provided across a broad range of disciplines. Students enrolled in the program have the potential to earn an Associates Degree from Lone Star College - University Park (Associate of Arts is an academic degree program preparing students to transfer to a Texas public college or university as a junior with the intention of declaring a major in the liberal or fine arts.
Vistas Early College High School
Vistas Early College High School is a partnership between Klein ISD and Lone Star - University Park to offer students an opportunity to complete a high school diploma and earn up to 60 college hours towards an Associate's degree at no cost to the student or their family.
Vistas ECHS provides a “seamless” pathway from high school to college by allowing students to gradually integrate into college coursework through a traditional high school degree plan plus dual enrollment. It is anticipated that the student body will be representative of the district’s demographic distribution with students from across Klein ISD .
More Accelerated College Pathways in Klein
Program Contact Information:
Director-Advanced Academic Services
832-249-4347
