Advanced Placement

Two of the most valuable post-secondary options VISD offers are Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Credit courses. These programs give students a head start on their college education while still earning high school credit.

Both AP and Dual Credit offer valuable experiences, but there are important differences to consider. AP courses follow a standardized international curriculum, while Dual Credit courses are aligned with Victoria College's academic departments. Additionally, while AP courses span two semesters (with exceptions like AP Economics and AP Government), Dual Credit courses are completed in one semester. Another key difference lies in college credit acceptance—AP exam scores are accepted internationally for scores of 3, 4, or 5. Colleges and universities determine the specific credit earned. Dual Credit hours transfer automatically within Texas public institutions. Both AP and Dual Credit courses offer weighted GPA benefits based on VISD policy, as they reflect the rigor of college-level curriculum.

Students can start taking AP courses their freshman year with AP Human Geography and AP Computer Science Principles. It is important to map out a student's high school plan during their 8th-grade year.

Middle School Pathway: Honors Courses

Students have the opportunity to enroll in Honors courses during middle school to prepare them for subsequent Advanced Placement (AP) or Dual Credit courses in high school. We offer the following middle school courses:

6th grade Honors ELAR	6th grade Honors Math	6th grade Honors Science	6th grade Honors Social Studies
7th grade Honors ELAR	6th grade Accelerated Math	7th grade Honors Science	7th grade Honors Social Studies
8th grade Honors ELAR	7th grade Honors Math	8th grade Honors Science	8th grade Honors Social Studies
9th grade Honors ELAR	7th grade Accelerated Math	Honors Biology	Honors World Geography
10th grade Honors ELAR	8th grade Honors Math	Honors Chemistry	Honors Art
Honors Art	Honors Algebra 1	Honors Anatomy & Physiology
	Honors Geometry	Honors Forensic Science
	Honors Algebra 2
	Honors Pre-Calculus

High School Pathway: AP Courses

The College Board AP Program offers college-level courses and exams students can take prior to graduating from high school. Nearly all colleges and universities in the United States grant credit and/or placement for qualifying AP exam scores.

According to College Board research, students who complete AP courses are:

• better prepared academically as they get familiar with college-level work before going to college
• more likely to specialize in stringent majors
• more likely to complete more college work in four (4) years
• found to perform slightly better than peers who did not take AP courses
• more likely to exercise leadership and development time management, critical thinking, and scholarly writing skills
• twice as likely to go into advanced study (Ph.D., medicine, law)

Although there is a cost for taking an AP exam, the cost is minimal compared to the average cost per credit hour/course at public or private universities. We encourage you to consider enrolling in one or more AP course which give you an opportunity to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Enrollment in AP courses is open to all students. After completing an AP course, VISD pays part of the exam fee for students to take the corresponding AP exam. Students with a qualifying score are eligible to earn college credit at the college or university of their choice. Colleges and universities determine the specific credit earned. Use the College Board Tool to see what credits apply to the colleges you are interested in attending!

Map Out Your AP Journey!

How to Pick AP Courses

Popular AP Courses by Grade

Connect AP to Majors and Careers

Victoria ISD has an open enrollment policy for all AP courses. These courses prepare students for success in high academic pursuits with their rigor. Choosing to enroll in an AP course is a mutual decision between the student, parent, and school. Each of these individuals is an important participant in this decision, but the student bears the responsibility of achieving success in the course. Victoria ISD Advanced Placement Guidelines and Agreement

VISD AP Score Summaries by Subject

2025 AP Exam Schedule

AP exam payments can be made to the bookkeeper at your student's campus to the campus by cash or check. When you go to pay, please tell the bookkeeper which AP exam you are paying for.

AP exams payments can also be made online through My School Bucks using a credit card or e-check. There is a convenience fee for paying online using My School Bucks. The directions to use My School Bucks can be found here: My School Bucks Account Directions and AP Test Payment.pdf

Week 1	Morning 8 a.m.	Afternoon 12 noon
Monday, May 5, 2025	Biology	European History Microeconomics
Tuesday, May 6, 2025	Chemistry Human Geography	United States Government and Politics
Wednesday, May 7, 2025	English Literature and Composition	Computer Science A
Thursday, May 8, 2025	Statistics	World History: Modern
Friday, May 9, 2025	United States History

Week 2	Morning 8 a.m.	Afternoon 12 noon
Monday, May 12, 2025	Calculus AB Calculus BC
Tuesday, May 13, 2025		Environmental Science
Wednesday, May 14, 2025	English Language and Composition	Physics C: Mechanics
Thursday, May 15, 2025		Computer Science Principles
Friday, May 16, 2025	Physics 1: Algebra-Based	Psychology