Studies show that students who complete a solid academic program in high school, including advanced courses, are more likely to be successful in college. All students are encouraged to take advantage of advanced course offerings and acceleration programs. For additional information, please contact a school counselor.

Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Program - AP Capstone™ is a College Board diploma that equips students with independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills that colleges increasingly value. It cultivates curious, independent, collaborative scholars and prepares them to make logical, evidence-based decisions.  AP Capstone comprises two AP courses — AP Seminar and AP Research — and is designed to complement and enhance the discipline-specific study in other AP courses.  Students typically take AP Seminar in Grade 10 or 11, followed by AP Research. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and four additional AP Exams of their choosing receive the AP Capstone Diploma™. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research but not on four additional AP Exams receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™.  For more information, visit https://advancesinap.collegeboard.org/ap-capstone/how-ap-capstone-works

Advanced Placement Program  - The College Board’s AP Program has more than 30 college-level courses and exams nationwide. Subjects range from art to statistics. Students who earn a qualifying grade of three or above on an AP exam can earn college credit. For additional information, visit https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/home.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) - Students with a strong content background in a subject area can earn credit through an examination program administered by their college. Candidates for the CLEP include students who have completed an AP course but did not take or earn a qualifying score on the AP exam. Other students who have taken several high school courses in one particular subject area may wish to take a CLEP exam. For more information on CLEP testing sites and dates, contact the admissions or registrar’s office at the postsecondary institution in your area.  For more information, visit https://clep.collegeboard.org/

Commonwealth Governor’s School (CGS) - Based on a school-within-a-school model, the half-day program at The Commonwealth Governor’s School of Virginia utilizes real-time interactive audio/visual technology, field trips, and team teaching to create a regional community of learners. The CGS curriculum is designed to challenge students in four major academic content areas through problem-based instruction appropriate for gifted and highly motivated learners and to focus on the community issues of environment, development, and service.  For more information, visit http://cgsva.org/.
CGS Pre-requisites: Students must complete one full year of Algebra I before entering the CGS program.

Dual Enrollment - Dual Enrollment allows eligible high school students to enroll in postsecondary courses. Students earn credit toward high school graduation while earning credit toward a college degree or technical certificate. Dual enrollment students take courses at a reduced price. In addition, textbooks for dual enrollment are provided to students free of charge. Dual enrollment courses are weighted the same as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses. Students should be aware that grades received through dual enrollment become part of the college and high school transcript.  For more information, visit http://www.germanna.edu/dual-enrollment/

Early College - The Early College program allows students to pursue college coursework leading to an associate’s degree or certificate while completing high school graduation requirements. Students can combine AP courses, Dual Enrollment, and/or IB courses with classes taught on the Germanna campus to earn the requirements. Students are required to take placement tests and complete a Germanna application. This program begins during the summer of sophomore/junior year. Students must work closely with their school counselor.

Gladys Todd Academy - The Gladys P. Todd Academy is designed for underserved Spotsylvania High School students to increase college preparation and completion, at least through an associate degree at Germanna Community College, concurrent with a high school diploma. The program also supports selected middle school students to succeed in their precollege performance in middle and high schools through mentoring, coaching, and academic and cultural enrichment activities. Tuition, fees, books, and program costs will be supported by the Sunshine Lady Foundation, the Germanna Community College Foundation, and community partners.  For more information, visit http://www.germanna.edu/gladys-todd-academy/

Industry Credentialing - Any high school student who enrolls in a career and technical education program or a career and technical school may earn an industry credential.  An industry credential is an approved Virginia Department of Education industry examination, licensure, or occupational competency assessment based on business and industry standards and achieved (passed) by students. Students may earn an industry credential while completing the last course in the required sequence of courses.  Industry credentialing exams are generally administered in the spring of the school year, allowing students as much time as possible to cover the curriculum in preparation.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Program - The IB Diploma Program is a rigorous pre-university course leading to internationally standardized tests. The program’s comprehensive two-year curriculum allows its graduates to fulfill the requirements of many different nations’ education systems. Students completing IB courses and exams from six subject groups are eligible for college credit. The award of credit is based on scores achieved on IB exams. For more information, visit http://www.ibo.org.
IB Prerequisites: Students must complete one full year of Algebra I and one year of a world language by the end of middle school.