GATE / Honors / Advanced Placement (AP)
GATE PROGRAM
The Kern High School District Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program services 9th and 10th grade students who have the potential for high achievement, as well as those students with demonstrated ability. GATE classes offer a different and enhanced approach to learning, not merely more work.
All students are individually evaluated for eligibility. Qualification for the GATE Program is based on STAR Renaissance Learning Reading and Mathematics Achievement Test results, GPA, and teacher evaluations. GATE applications are mailed to the homes of 8th grade students in January.
For program consideration, GATE applications must be completed and returned to the student's junior high or middle school office by the first Friday in February. All eligible students will be placed in the appropriate GATE classes before the beginning of the following school year. Parents will be mailed notification of acceptance by the end of June.
GATE classes offered at Stockdale: English 9, Geometry, Biology, English 10, and Advanced Algebra
HONORS COURSES
Honors classes are a step above college prep classes. They are more in-depth on a subject and usually move at a faster pace. Additionally, they are more demanding in terms of preparation, time, and studying. Teachers typically expect more out of students when they are taking an honors class. Students must have demonstrated a strong academic foundation prior to being enrolled.
Honors classes offered at Stockdale: Chemistry, Anatomy (seniors only), Spanish 3, French 3, Math Analysis, Pre-Calculus (seniors only - this is also a dual enrollment course with CSUB), and Computer Science
ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES
AP® enables students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Taking AP courses also demonstrates to college admission officers that students have sought out the most rigorous course work available to them. Students interested in taking AP courses must have demonstrated a strong academic foundation in order to be enrolled in an AP course.
Each AP course concludes with a college-level assessment developed and scored by college and university faculty as well as experienced AP teachers. Passing the AP test can result in college credit at a college/university upon graduation. More than 90 percent of four-year colleges and universities in the United States grant students credit, placement, or both on the basis of successful AP Exam scores. Visit http://www.collegeboard.org/ap/creditpolicy to view AP credit and placement policies at more than 1,000 colleges and universities.
AP courses offered at Stockdale: English Language (English 11), English Literature (English 12), Physics, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, World History, US History, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Government, Spanish, French, Music Theory, Psychology, and Art Studio
Students will be expected to register for AP Exams early in the Fall semester. Payment for the AP tests will also begin in the fall. Information regarding deadlines for fees, financial assistance, and AP registration on the College Board website will be shared with students at the start of the school year.
The AP tests will be administered the first 2 weeks in May.
