Course Enrollment Information

Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM) is the process by which a school system can, based upon a body of evidence, award a student credit in a particular course. The CDM option was developed to provide an additional pathway for acceleration to students who have gained content knowledge through means other than traditional seat time. Thus, in order to attempt CDM, a student shall not have had seat time in the course in which they are attempting to test. “Mastery” is defined as a student’s command of course material at a level that demonstrates a deep understanding of the content standards and application of knowledge. CDM is a two-phase process that includes taking an assessment and completing an artifact or performance task.

Should students succeed at CDM, they are awarded the credit for the course as a “Pass” on their transcripts; CDM credits do not impact GPA.

The CDM window occurs three times each academic year at specific times in the spring, summer, and fall. It is available to all middle and high school students seeking credit for select high school courses taught in the district under State Board of Education policy CCRE-001, Section 8. For further information about CDM, talk with your school counselor or view more information in the Student Family Handbook.

• EDOPTIONS ACADEMY (EOA)

• NORTH CAROLINA VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOL (NCVPS)

EOA and NCVPS provide students with expanded academic options by offering online courses to GCS students at no cost to your student.

Through online course delivery, students have access to courses taught by NC certified teachers. The grades from the online course(s) will transfer to the students’ schools as part of their academic records. Students are registered for online courses by their school counselor.

A list of available courses can be found on the GCS Blended Learning Department website.

For more information about online courses, contact your school’s counseling office.

All high school students are expected to attend school on a full–time basis. Students who have advanced beyond all the GCS courses in specific content areas may request principal permission to attend classes on college campuses. Written approval from the principal must be obtained during the spring semester high school registration period. No approval will be granted after the end of the registration period. Fees, charges, tuition, books, materials, and transportation required of the student are the responsibility of the student and the parent or guardian.

The Career and College Promise program is designed to provide seamless dual enrollment educational opportunities for eligible NC high school juniors and seniors to accelerate the completion of college certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees that lead to college transfer or provide entry–level job skills.

GCS students may take community college coursework at Guilford Technical Community College in one of the following pathways:

•         College Transfer Pathway

•         CTE Pathway

College Transfer Pathway – Juniors and Seniors can earn tuition-free course credits that will transfer seamlessly to any UNC System or participating private college or university.

Many courses can be used to provide dual credit to meet both high school and college credits.

Career and Technical Education Pathway – Juniors and Seniors can earn tuition-free course credits toward a certificate, diploma, degree, or state or industry-recognized workforce credential.

For more information about the Career and College Promise program, including courses offered and eligibility requirements, please visit:

Career and College Promise webpage

Opportunities for academic challenge are offered to students through Honors level and Advanced Placement (AP) course options. The Honors curriculum and AP curriculum (as established by the College Board) are more demanding and rigorous than those of regular classes. Honors level courses must ensure differentiation of the standard level curriculum and instruction and must adhere to the state’s definition and guidelines for Honors Level Coursework. The AP program offers motivated and ambitious students an opportunity

to experience college–level coursework and prepare for a national AP exam, which is required of all students enrolled in an AP course. Many colleges grant college credit or advanced placement based on AP exam scores. Honors and AP courses receive weighted credit in computing GPA.

Each student is required to take the appropriate EOC assessment the first time the student takes a course, even if it is an Honors or AP course.

Students enrolled in Honors courses will be allowed to continue in those courses if they transfer from one high school to another within GCS. Students meeting the prerequisites have open access to AP courses.

AP Testing

The College Board coordinates the national administration of the AP exams during the month of May in the following areas: African American Studies, Art and Design – 2D, 3D and Drawing, Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Chinese Language and Culture, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, Economics – Macro and Micro, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Environmental Science, European History, French Language and Culture, German Language and Culture, Government & Politics – US and Comparative, Human Geography, Japanese Language and Culture, Latin, Music Theory, Physics 1 and 2, Physics C, Psychology, Precalculus, Seminar, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, Statistics, US History, and World History: Modern. AP Research is only available at select schools as a component of the AP Capstone Diploma program. The majority of AP exams are administered digitally or in blended format.

Families may sign their students up for non-credit driver's education courses for a $65 fee to cover the cost of the class.

Extended–day driver education classes will be available to students who are 14 1/2 by the starting date of the Driver Education Class.

Summer driver education will be available for students who will be 14 1/2 by the starting date of the Driver Education Class. These classes are offered through independent driving schools, which make information about their programs available to parents and students through the individual high schools. Schedules and registration information are available online at www.ncdrivingschool.com.

Under Dropout Prevention/Drivers License legislation passed in 1998, students under 18 who drop out of school or do not pass 70 percent of their courses are subject to having their permit/license suspended.

Communities in Schools (CIS) is a comprehensive public/ private partnership that offers school–aged children support and encouragement to attend school daily, make successful grades, and develop positive attitudes. The CIS partnership among the local business community, human service agencies, the school system, and volunteers works together to provide young people the support services necessary to stay in school until graduation and to become successful and productive young adults. In Guilford County, CIS is currently serving students at Ferndale Middle, Hairston Middle, Jackson Middle, Welborn Middle, Andrews High, Dudley High, High Point Central High, and Smith High. Interested students should contact the CIS Coordinator at their school to gain further information about the services and programs provided by CIS.