IB, AP, and Dual Credit are all programs that provide students with the opportunity to experience college-level work. AP focuses on credits gained from test, similar to IB, while college hours in Dual Credit can be obtained from passing the class. Each program, while distinct, offers a variety of advantages in preparing for college.

IB is a 2-year program, that starts your junior year and ends with the possible outcome of a diploma. Recently, IB had done away with the Pre-IB program and implemented AP classes to prepare for beginning of your IB experience your junior year. IB is like AP, however there are additional features that make it distinct. For example, IB requires the Extended Essay (EE), which is a 4,000 word essay in history or English. There are many other additional requirements in order to receive the diploma. Additionally, the classes are more rigorous and require full concentration.

“One of the major benefits is that you’re going through the transition to college your junior and senior year as opposed to being a freshman and being away from home…it truly prepares someone for the college type of writing, college type of assessments and it’s a true college prep you can take here at Coronado for free,” said IB coordinator Les Harris.

“The workload is definitely a lot, sometimes I feel like teacher give us more busy work than we need. We’re more focused on finishing the work than learning it. I think that’s one of the biggest cons,” said senior IB student Gianna Newberry

AP has similar aspects that are like IB, however IB has more of a workload. While IB is extremely stressful, AP is also tedious in homework. Mini-projects, such as the one embedded in AP US History, add on extra work. Also, classes like AP Physics and AP Spanish 5 are said to be more difficult, which can be a factor to consider when choosing which program is best for you.

“I think it’s [workload] is too much. It really depends on your time management. I’m not very good at managing my time so for me it’s probably a lot tougher,” said senior AP student, Damisola Adedaji.

However, AP provides students with education enrichment that prepares them for the future. In addition, it can also save them money while still in high school.

“With AP, you can potentially earn a semester or a year’s worth of college credit because of AP exams. I encourage kids that there isn’t one right answer. Kids should be using AP and even dual credit to save themselves time and money. It’s not unheard of to hear about a kid walking out of high school with the first year of college credits,” said AP coordinator Sharon Uribe.

Last but not least, Dual Credit shares features of AP and IB and narrows down the credits to a local level. For example, completing the class and passing may result in a transfer of credit from a Texas school. Dual Credit helps to obtain hours on a state-level while preparing students with rigorous classes in order to achieve the credit. Dual credit U.S. History, U.S. Government, and Texas State and Local Government are taught by Ruben Sandoval, who has over 30 years of experience teaching high school and college courses. Sandoval is also the coordinator for the dual credit program.

“The best part of the program is that classes are taught by experiences college professors students have the opportunity to engage in college level discussions and debate, and they gain college readiness,” Sandoval said.

“The workload is definitely better than AP or IB. The workload is necessary and regulated to the courses. It’s not too much and not too little. It’s the perfect amount to get the right lesson learned,” said junior dual credit student Amalia Cabrera.

All in all, AP, IB, and Dual Credit help prepare students for college in their own distinct ways. While the intensity of these programs vary, they help establish an academic foundation for college. Nevertheless, these special programs serve to enhance academic performance while in a high school environment. When it comes down to choosing the right path, carefully assess each program and decide what best fits you.

At the time this story was written, Sharon Uribe was the AP coordinator. This is a clarification if there is any confusion in regards to it.