Academic Options & Programs
Academic Options & Programs
- Advanced Placement Tests (AP Tests)
- College Credit Plus
- Eastland Fairfield Career Technical School
- Global Scholars Program
- MOSAIC
- The Noble Academy at NAHS
- Ohio's Credit Flexibility Plan
- Transfer Credits
Advanced Placement Tests (AP Tests)
Advanced Placement Tests are given in the Spring or as determined by the College Board to students who have taken Advanced Placement course work in specific academic areas. The tests are scored from a 1 (low) to a 5 (high), and many colleges may grant credit for scores of 3 or better. A student should always check with the specific college in question to see if credit is granted. Registration for these assessments takes place in each Advanced Placement classroom. All tests are standardized and printed by the College Board Corporation.
AP Exam Information
Cost of AP Exams
The cost for each AP exam during the 2024-2025 school year is approximately $97.00 (subject to change).
The following AP courses are currently offered:
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3D Art and Design
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Biology
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Calculus AB
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Calculus BC
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Chemistry
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Chinese Language & Culture
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Computer Science A
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Drawing
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English 11 - Language
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English 12 - Literature
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Environmental Science
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European History
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French Language & Culture
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Microeconomics
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Music Theory
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Physics 1
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Physics 2
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Pre-Calculus
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Psychology
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Spanish Language & Culture
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Statistics
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United States Government & Politics
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United States History
2024 AP Exam Schedule
Benefits of AP Coursework
Acceptable AP scores enable students to earn college credit by demonstrating competence in freshman college-level coursework. Students who earn at least a score of a 3 on the AP test are guaranteed college credit at all Ohio Public Institutions of Higher Education. The number of credits and how they apply towards a degree vary depending on the test and the college. Be advised that students can only receive credit if they take the AP test in May. Private universities and universities outside of Ohio have specific policies in place for receiving credit that can be found on the institution's website.
AP is Recognized by Universities Worldwide, AP is a global credential. Universities around the world recognize AP when making admission decisions, course requisites, and awarding university credit. In fact, half of students entering four-year colleges are now starting school with some credit from AP courses.
Qualifying AP Exam scores earn university credit in nearly all universities in the United States and Canada and are recognized in 60 other countries worldwide. Scores of 3 or 4 on AP Exams fulfill admission requirements in many universities in the UK and Europe. Each college and university determines its own policies regarding AP Exam scores. Detailed information about the AP recognition policies of universities is available on the College Board Website.
More Than a Score
While 2 out of 3 AP students earn some college credit, success in AP is measured by more than exam results. We’ve recently confirmed what AP teachers have long known—students benefit from completing their AP course and exam, regardless of their score.
Research shows students who take AP courses and exams:
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Are more likely than their peers to attend college and graduate on time. Even AP Exam scores of 1 or 2 predict better college outcomes than academically similar college students who didn’t take an AP course and exam.
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And students who achieve an AP Exam score of 2 do significantly better in introductory college classes (compared to academically similar students who don’t take that corresponding AP Exam).
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Also, students who achieve AP Exam scores of a 1 or 2 often earn a higher score on the subsequent AP Exams they take.
College Credit Plus
College Credit Plus is a program that gives high school/middle school students in Grades: 7–12 an opportunity to enroll in high/middle school and college coursework simultaneously. Students must qualify academically, and New Albany-Plain Local Schools will pay the tuition. College Credit Plus replaces Ohio’s Post-Secondary Enrollment Options program (PSEO) and all dual enrollment programs.
Advantages of College Credit Plus
For the student who is eligible for College Credit Plus, they must be academically ready for college-level courses and be willing to follow the procedures outlined by the university while still in high/middle school.
Students will enjoy the following benefits:
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Students may earn (transcripted) college credit and high school credit upon successful completion of the course
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Accelerate the achievement of educational goals
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Eliminate duplication of high school and college course content
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Increase the rigor and challenge of course offerings while in high school
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May decrease the time and cost of an Associate's or Bachelor’s Degree
~CCP courses are considered “gifted services” for students who have gifted identification in superior cognitive ability or the corresponding specific academic area.
Potential Risks and Consequences
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Increased responsibility for learning
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Reduced opportunities for participation in high school activities
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Affects GPA (high school and college)
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Increased time for travel
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Potential scheduling conflicts between high school and college courses
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Potential Athletic Eligibility issues - must be scheduled for five credits per semester
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Increase potential for social discomfort
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Reduced parent involvement due to FERPA restrictions
Eastland Fairfield Career Technical School
Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical School District programs are open to all eleventh and twelfth-grade students within our district who demonstrate the ability and interest to attend. Students remain enrolled in and still graduate from this school and are encouraged to continue participation in our high school extracurricular activities.
With programs on two campuses and six satellite locations, Eastland Fairfield is closer than you think. Satellite programs are offered at Gahanna, Groveport Madison, New Albany, Canal Winchester, Pickerington North, and Reynoldsburg High Schools.
CONNECTING ACADEMICS TO REAL-WORLD SUCCESS
Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools allow students to immerse themselves in a career field or profession, spending a half-day with hands-on learning and gaining real-world experience. Classrooms and labs are equipped with the latest technology. Students have access to top-notch academics while being taught by teachers who are seasoned professionals in their career fields.
FAST TRACK TO A SATISFYING CAREER
The Eastland-Fairfield learning environment extends far beyond the classroom. Internships, job shadowing, community service, field trips, guest speakers, and cooperative education all provide valuable experience, connections, and practice in using technical and people skills.
JUMP START ON COLLEGE AND SAVING MONEY
Not only do Eastland-Fairfield programs prepare students for further study, but many also allow students to earn college credit or enter college with advanced standing. Students can earn college credits in selected programs, graduating with a college transcript that can be taken nearly anywhere.
Click here for additional information about
Eastland-Fairfield Career Technical School
Global Scholars Program
Beginning with the Class of 2022, New Albany HS students will be able to earn a graduation honor with a world focus: The Global Scholars Diploma (GSD). NAHS has partnered with the Columbus Council on World Affairs and numerous other schools around Central Ohio to offer this program.
In order to earn this distinction, students must complete 3 levels:
Year 1 (10th Grade): GSD Action Club
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Students attend four field trips throughout the year and complete a reflection activity after the event.
Year 2 (11th Grade): GSD Online Course
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Students complete an online course throughout the year, learning about various cultures worldwide.
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Students earn a ½ Social Studies elective credit.
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This is a blended course, and all work will be completed outside the classroom.
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Students attend four field trips throughout the year and attend required follow-up sessions.
Year 3 (12th Grade): GSD Take Action Project
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Students have the option to complete the Take Action Project (TAP) in conjunction with their Senior Seminar Project, or as a standalone project. Students who choose to complete their TAP as their Senior Seminar project will follow the GSD Standards.
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All Take Action Projects will have a central theme that can be explored from both a global and local perspective.
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In late March, Year 3 students will submit a portfolio of their work to the GSD Council for final approval. Students who Meet or Exceed project expectations are invited to attend the End of Year graduation celebration, where they will display their project with other Central Ohio Global Scholars. Year 1 and 2 students will also attend this event and will gain insight into the TAP from the new Global Scholars Graduates.
Click here for more information about the Global Scholars Program.
MOSAIC
Mosaic is designed for high school juniors and seniors who are:
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Independent, original thinkers
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Intellectually curious, creative, or unique
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Motivated by “real life” learning experiences
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Interested in the arts and creative expression
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Committed to having a voice and making a difference
The most successful candidates have a strong commitment to independent learning, are capable of assuming responsibility for self-direction, work well with others and have an interest in multicultural/global issues and/or the arts
The program operates on a set of guiding principles:
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We focus on projects, first-hand experience and papers rather than textbooks, lectures and tests.
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We are a relationship-based, small learning community focused on individual solutions rather than one-size-fits-all rules.
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We believe students learn best in a diverse setting, so we promote effective collaboration between students across racial, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds.
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We value learning for learning's sake rather than to “get the grade.”
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We believe that students deserve to be treated like adults and are capable of being accountable for that responsibility.
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We believe learning is a way of life and therefore provide students with a vast range of learning opportunities in class and beyond.
MOSAIC students will attend classes at both New Albany High School and MOSAIC campus in downtown Columbus. Students will be required to provide their own transportation to and from the MOSAIC campus
Students interested in learning more about the MOSAIC program or how to apply, should visit the MOSAIC Website or talk to their school counselor.
The Noble Academy at NAHS
The Noble Academy at NAHS provides a highly structured and personalized on-line college and career ready learning environment that supports each student individually in academic, elective, and social-emotional competencies.
- Curriculum specifically designed for grade 11-12 students who face challenges in the traditional school setting.
- Utilizes community and work study resources available with the local community.
- Requires student completion of an individual career-graduation plan.
- Creates an individual Social & Emotional Learning Plan.
Ohio's Credit Flexibility Plan
Ohio’s ―Credit Flex plan shifts focus from evaluating student learning based on ―"seat time" to assessing students’ demonstrated academic and skill level or performance. The plan does not eliminate Carnegie units or ―seat time‖ requirements altogether. Rather, it retains seat time as one option and expands the number of options for earning credit by adding demonstration of subject area competency and structures that support it irrespective of any time requirements. With Credit Flex, high school students can earn credit in three ways, or in a combination of these ways:
- By completing traditional coursework;
- By testing out or otherwise demonstrating mastery of the course content; or
- By pursuing one or more ―educational options‖ (e.g. distance learning, educational travel, independent study, an internship, music, arts, after school program).
Please see your school counselor for an application or more information. Applications are reviewed by a committee three times during the year.
Transfer Credits
Acceptance of High School Credit Earned Outside of NAHS
From NAHS Student Handbook:
All courses taken by a student at an approved outside accredited high school will be reflected on the transcript for course history purposes, but only NAHS courses will be used in the calculation of a student's grade point average. Grades earned from accredited high schools, approved education options such as home schooling, post-secondary enrollment, independent study, correspondence/online courses and summer school, will appear as a “T” for transfer on a student's transcript. This policy also applies for students who transfer into the district. Colleges and universities will receive transcripts from all schools that a child has attended. Eastland/Fairfield Career Center programs Mosaic are NAHS programs and these grades will be calculated into a student’s grade point average.
Now more than ever students have many options to earn high school credits outside of New Albany High School. Students will opt for these independent learning options to explore a subject not offered at NAHS, to open up their schedule, to take additional NAHS courses, to accelerate to the next level, or to build skills needed for future coursework. While it can seem like an easy way to get a credit, not all programs are quality nor do they all align with the curriculum at NAHS. Before registering for an online course, we suggest families weigh the pro’s and con’s as they read through the procedures and considerations.
Students can take coursework from any accredited high school institution. If that institution awards credit and provides official documentation (transcript, official grade report) reflecting the credit, that credit can transfer to NAHS. Families are responsible for any fees or costs for courses outside of NAHS.
NAHS does not have a suggested or preferred list of credit granting institutions. We have listed credit granting institutions some students have used in the past (below). The list doesn’t reflect if they are quality programs or quick credits. Each program varies in what they offer and how much they charge. Families are encouraged to conduct their own online search to find a program which best fits their needs.
Procedure for taking a high school class online and/or independent of NAHS:
- Research area summer schools, online schools, etc. to find the course you are hoping to take.
- Check to see if they have accreditation.
- Confirm that on completion of the course the credit granting institution will provide official documentation to NAHS.
- If you are using the course as a prerequisite for an NAHS course, consult the NAHS department chair. Provide them with the institution name, course name and course description for their review.
- If you are using the course to fulfill a requirement, provide the institution name, course name and course description to your high school counselor to confirm it will meet the requirement in question.
- Some institutions require students to have their exams proctored. The qualifications of the “proctor” vary depending on the institution. If the selected program requires a proctor, identify who that person will be, what is required of them and check their availability BEFORE registering for the course.
- Athletes: Many online and summer school courses are not approved through the NCAA Clearinghouse. If you are hoping to use the course for college athletic eligibility, consult Mr. Wildenhaus.
- Once the course is complete, request a transcript be sent directly to NAHS from the credit granting institution.
- When the official transcript is received, the course and credit will be placed on the NAHS transcript with a “T” for transfer and the transcript will be placed in the student’s file. It may take some time for transfer credits to be processed. We will do our best to expedite this process for seniors applying to college.
Considerations:
- Not all courses with identical names are identical in content. If you have questions, forward the Institution name, course name and description to the high school department chair to review.
- While a course independent of NAHS may fulfill a prerequisite for an NAHS course, it may or may not prepare a student for the curriculum in the NAHS class. Example: Online Spanish 2 may not cover all the material in NAHS Spanish 2, resulting in a student struggling in NAHS Spanish 3.
- What is the goal in accelerating? What is the desired end point?
- Do the colleges to which I may apply prefer a course to be experienced in a classroom environment rather than online?
Examples of schools used by past students:
- Apex Learning Virtual School
- BYU Independent Study
- Keystone School Online
- The American Academy
- Treca iCredit
- Treca Summer School