Honor Courses

Certain courses, including all Advanced Placement courses (see below), have been designated as honors courses by their respective academic departments because the work requirements are both quantitatively and qualitatively above and beyond what is required in regular courses.

A student's placement in an honors course is based on his academic achievement in a prerequisite course and on his overall GPA. Honors placement is competitive, as the potential number of students may exceed the seats available in honors sections.

Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement (AP) is a program which allows high school students to participate in a college level course and possibly earn college credit while still in high school. As part of its regular audit procedure for secondary schools, the College Board has certified that all courses designated Advanced Placement at CHHS follow the various curricula established for such courses. All Advanced Placement courses at HAYES are also designated as honors courses. Assignment to Advanced Placement courses is effectuated according to the same criteria as those employed for honors courses. 

Students are given the opportunity to show mastery in college-level courses by taking the AP exam in May of each year. The College Board reports official AP scores to the colleges of the student’s choice. Scores on the AP exam range from 1 (no recommendation) to 5 (extremely qualified). Each individual college determines the scores to be accepted for credit, but most consider a score of at least 3. Colleges may award three, and sometimes six, hours of credit per test depending on their policy.

Cardinal Hayes offers the following AP courses

• AP African American Studies
• AP Biology
• AP Calculus AB
• AP Chemistry
• AP Computer Science Principles
• AP English Language and Composition
• AP English Literature & Composition
• AP Spanish Language
• AP US Government
• AP US History
• AP World History