Academics
Where excellence is the standard, not the exception
CAHS offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate Programme, Individual International Baccalaureate Programme Courses and Advanced Placement courses. Within this section you will find information about each program.
CAHS IB & AP Exam Schedule
The CAHS IB and AP exams are scheduled for this upcoming May. Please do not schedule any vacations or trips during this time, as students will not be able to make up exams (except for emergencies). Save these dates with your student so they are prepared this Spring!
Advanced Placement Program
- What is AP?
- AP Courses Currently Offered at CAHS
- Register for AP
- Students: Joining Your AP Section
- Student View of AP Classroom
What is AP?
Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the United States created by the College Board which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students. Each course is one year long, designed to explore a subject in depth and to give students the experience of an intro-level college class while still in high school.
All AP courses culminate in an approximately 3 hour exam which allows students to demonstrate the knowledge and application skills they have developed throughout the year. American colleges and universities may grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores on the end of course examinations. AP exams are scored on a scale from 1-5.
Taking AP classes is a great way for students to challenge themselves academically and show colleges that they are serious about their studies in particular areas. An AP course on your transcript can signal stronger academic training.
At CAHS, any student who enrolls in an AP course will also automatically be enrolled in the AP exam. All exam registration fees are taken care of by the Columbus City Schools Gifted and Talented Office. This means that each student at CAHS has an opportunity to take AP courses, regardless of financial status.
All AP teachers at CAHS have been to official training for their coursework and abide by the regulations of the CollegeBoard.
Visit the CollegeBoard's website to access more information about the Advanced Placement Program.
AP Courses Currently Offered at CAHS
Register for AP
Students will register themselves for AP exams using this link. Your student may already have a CollegeBoard account if they previously took an AP course or the PSAT and looked up their scores afterward. If they do not already have a CollegeBoard account they will need to create one.
In order to successfully enroll in their AP course(s) they will have to enter a join code within their CollegeBoard provided by their teacher at the beginning of the year.
Students: Joining Your AP Section
Student View of AP Classroom
AP teachers can use AP Classroom to give you assignments using resources that help you learn AP content and skills and demonstrate your knowledge and capabilities. These resources include:
- AP Daily: Watch short, searchable mobile-friendly videos that cover the content and skills you’re studying in class and provide targeted support to help you build knowledge and skills.
- Topic questions: Your teacher can assign these questions that check your understanding to give you immediate feedback on any misunderstandings.
- Progress checks: Get real-time feedback on the topics and skills in each unit as your teacher unlocks progress checks. Use your results to pinpoint misunderstandings and create your own study plan.
- My Assignments: Bring it all together on one screen – view and take all your assignments, see what’s coming up, and view detailed results with links for further study.
The video below provides a brief walkthrough of AP Classroom to get an understanding of what the platform looks like on the student end and what support materials are available for preparing for AP Exams.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
- What Is IB?
- Curriculum
- Frequently Asked Questions
- IB Learner Profile
- IBS CAHS Handbook
- Additional Links for Info
What Is IB?
International Baccalaureate (IB) is a global program created to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who are motivated to succeed. The IB gives students distinct advantages by building their critical thinking skills, nurturing their curiosity, and their ability to solve complex problems. The IB strives to develop students who will build a better world through intercultural understanding and respect, alongside a healthy appetite for learning and excellence.
he IB Diploma Programme, which is what we offer at CAHS, consists of college-level courses that are rich in discussion, reflections, and deep thinking that occur during 11th and 12th grade. Each course is defined as either Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL), depending on the depth and breadth of content. Courses can be either one or two years in length and always consist of two assessment components: an Internal Assessment and an External Assessment.
Internal Assessments typically take the form of a project, essay, or presentation. External Assessments occur as end-of-course exams in most cases, split over the course of 2-3 days. This variety in assessment allows students to engage with their course content in different ways and demonstrate their own strengths in understanding. Students in IB receive a score from 1-7 based on the combination of these assessments. Colleges and Universities world-wide may grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores on the end of course examinations.
Students who choose to pursue the full IB Diploma Programme at CAHS will take all six of their courses through the IB (English, Social Studies, Math, Science, Language, and an Elective) and will also participate in what is called the IB CORE.
Taking IB classes is a great way for students to challenge themselves academically and show colleges that they are deep thinkers, well-rounded, and committed to learning. An IB course on a transcript can signal stronger academic training. Seeing the full IB Diploma Programme on a student's transcript can communicate to college admissions counselors that the student is knowledgeable, open-minded, and a risk-taker.
At CAHS, any student who enrolls in an IB course will also automatically be registered for the IB exam. All exam registration fees are covered by Columbus City Schools. This means that each student at CAHS has an opportunity to take IB courses, regardless of financial status.
All IB teachers at CAHS have been to official training for their coursework and abide by the regulations of the International Baccalaureate Organization.
Visit the IBO's website to access more information about the International Baccalaureate Programme.
Curriculum
Starting their Junior year, students at CAHS can take International Baccalaureate (IB) classes and with the correct qualifications, earn an IB Diploma.
Students who choose to pursue the full IB Diploma will take 6 IB courses and the IB Core. Please follow this link to view sample IB Diploma Candidate schedules as Juniors (Year 1) and Seniors (Year 2).
Frequently Asked Questions
IB Learner Profile
- INQUIRERS: We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.
- KNOWLEDGEABLE: We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
- THINKERS: We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.
- COMMUNICATORS: We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.
- PRINCIPLED: We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
- OPEN-MINDED: We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.
- CARING: We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.
- RISK-TAKERS: We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.
- BALANCED: We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.
- REFLECTIVE: We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.
