Options for Earning College Credit in High School

  • Union County Public Schools offers many resources to assist students with becoming college-ready. In addition, students are provided opportunities to earn college credit while in high school. An overview of these opportunities is provided below.

     

    Advanced Placement (AP)

    Career & College Promise (CCP)

    International Baccalaureate (IB)

    Schools Offering

    All

    All

    Marvin Ridge High School

    CATA* (for non-Marvin Ridge students, beginning with the class of 2026)

    Grade Levels

    9-12

    *Some courses are only available for certain grade levels. This can vary by school.

    9-12: CTE Credentialing Pathway

    9-12: College Transfer Pathway

    *There are state requirements to be part of this program. Check with the school counselor for more information.

    9-12

    *Rising 9th graders enter an informal IB Pathway cohort. Beginning with 11th grade, students are part of the IB Diploma Programme.

    Process for Earning Credit

    There is a national exam administered in early May. Students who score 3, 4, or 5 may be eligible to earn college credits. Each college has its own policy around awarding credit. All UNC system schools award some type of credit for a score of 3 or higher.

    Students who pass the course will earn credit. What that credit counts for in college will be determined by the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement.

    There is a national exam administered at the end of the year. Students who earn passing scores may be eligible to earn college credits. Each college has its own policy around awarding credit.

    Cost to Students

    The state of NC pays for the national exam. UCPS pays for textbooks. There is no cost for students.

    Students are required to pay for textbooks, access codes, or textbook-related fees. UCPS will reimburse currently enrolled UCPS students up to $50 per CCP course for approved textbooks and online access codes. Students facing financial hardship can contact their counselor for additional options.

    Tuition is paid for by the state of NC. There is no cost for students.

    The state of NC pays for the national exams. There is no cost for students.

    Effect on GPA

    Students receive one additional quality point for each AP course.

    Students receive one additional quality point for some CCP courses. Check with the school counselor to inquire about specific courses.

    Students receive one additional quality point for each IB course.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • *Central Academy of Technology & Arts (CATA) is a candidate school** for the Diploma Programme. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy- a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education- that we believe is important for our students.

    **Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP), or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.
    For further information about the IB and its programmes visit http://www.ibo.org.