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High School Advanced-level Learning and Research Opportunities

G/T and Advanced Placement (AP) Courses

Every high school offers G/T and AP courses in English, science, mathematics, social studies, computer science, world language, art, and research. Included in the high school course selections are AP courses. Students who score well on an AP examination at the end of the course may be granted AP status or college credit upon entering a college or university. Students enroll in G/T and AP courses based on course prerequisites. A detailed description of specific G/T and AP courses and prerequisites can be found in High School Program of Studies. The Guidance Department at each school can also assist in registration for these courses.

Advanced Research

Learn more about the Independent Research and Intern/Mentor Program

Art

Art II G/T, Art III AP, Art IV AP, Art History AP, Art Studio AP, Photography I G/T, Photography II AP, Photography III AP, Photo Studio AP

Business and Computer Management Systems

Advanced Data Structures G/T, Advanced Object-Oriented Design G/T, Computer Science A – AP, Principles of Java Programming G/T, Computer Science Principles AP

Dance

Dance Seminar: Education and Production G/T, Dance Company G/T, Junior Dance Company G/T

English

English 9 G/T, English 10 G/T, English 11 AP, English 12 AP, Humanities I G/T, Humanities II G/T, Humanities III AP, Humanities IV AP

Mathematics

Geometry G/T, Algebra II G/T, Business Calculus G/T, Calculus AB AP, Calculus C/Multivariate Calculus AP, Differential Equations G/T, Discrete Mathematics G/T, Linear Algebra G/T, Statistics AP, Precalculus G/T

Media

Video Production G/T

Music

Band-Wind Ensemble/Marching G/T, Chamber Choir G/T, Concert Choir G/T, Music Theory II AP, String Orchestra G/T, Vocal Ensemble G/T

Science

Biology G/T, Biology AP, Chemistry G/T, Chemistry AP, Environmental Science AP, Physics I AP, Physics II AP, Physics C: Mechanics AP, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism AP

Social Studies

United States History G/T, United States History AP, World History AP, Comparative Government and Politics AP, European History AP, Government and Politics AP, Human Geography AP, Humanities I G/T, Humanities II G/T/AP, Humanities III AP, Humanities IV G/T, Microeconomics/Macroeconomics AP, Psychology AP

Technology Education

Computer Integrated Manufacturing G/T, Digital Electronics G/T, Engineering Design and Development G/T

Theatre Arts

Theatre Arts II G/T, Theatre Arts IV G/T, Musical Theatre II G/T, Musical Theatre III G/T, Technical Theatre II G/T, Technical Theatre II G/T

World Languages

Chinese IV AP, French V AP G/T, German IV AP G/T, Italian IV AP, Latin IV AP G/T, Spanish V AP G/T (Language), Spanish V AP (Literature)

Advanced Research Courses

The Advanced Research courses provide opportunities for students to develop critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills as they engage in college-level coursework. All of these courses provided weighted elective credit.

While participating in the G/T Independent Research and Intern/Mentor courses at Atholton High, Liza Goldberg applied her passion for the environment to research conducted at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Biospheric Sciences Lab to help monitor forest change on a global scale. Watch her story here.

Independent Research I, II, III (G/T) (Grades 9-12)

In Independent Research G/T, students develop an understanding of research methods and apply that knowledge as they plan and conduct research in an area of interest. Through this inquiry, students deepen their critical thinking skills as they create a literature review, collect and analyze data, propose solutions to real-world problems, and communicate their findings.

See the G/T Research Class Essential Curriculum (PDF) for more details on the research class.

How to Enroll: G/T Independent Research interest forms are available in December and are due in January. Please see your school’s Advanced Research teacher for the due date and to obtain the online or print application in addition to submitting your course request in HCPSS Connect.

AP Seminar (Grades 9-12)

AP Seminar engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Students learn to investigate a problem or issue, analyze arguments, compare different perspectives, synthesize information from multiple sources, and work alone and in a group to communicate their ideas. This course serves as a prerequisite for AP Research, which is expected to be available starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

How to Enroll: To enroll in AP Seminar, please submit your request in HCPSS Connect.

Student Learning Conference

Each year, Howard County Public School System’s G/T Education Program sponsors an annual Student Learning Conference offering an array of scholarly presentations to showcase the college-level academic research pursued by students participating in the Advanced Research Program. Students from each high school participate in this professional conference to understand the role of research in the “real world” and gain knowledge from each presentation.

Beginning with a keynote address, students then attend concurrent sessions, listening to their peers synthesize their year of learning and contributions they have made to their various fields of study. The conference ends with a showcase of visual and performing arts to represent the multiplicity of students’ gifts and talents.

Intern/Mentor (G/T) (Grades 11-12).

Students study off-campus with a professional mentor in a self-selected area of interest. The Advanced Research teacher facilitates classroom and internship experiences, focusing on advanced-level research methodologies, college-level writing, and presentation skills. At the mentor site, students apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in an authentic, professional environment. This course includes the following requirements:

  • Acceptance via application and intake interview.
  • Knowledge or advanced-level skills in the mentor’s area of work.
  • Two recommendations from professionals who have taught or worked with the student in the related area of study and that support the student’s task commitment, responsibility, independence, and ability to work well with adults.
  • Reliable transportation for in-person internships.

Students intern in a wide variety of fields, including clinical medicine, law, business, engineering, education, computer science, humanities, mass communication, science research, applied arts, veterinary medicine, performing arts, and social activism.

How to Enroll: G/T Intern/Mentor applications are available in December and are due in January. Please see your school’s Advanced Research teacher for the due date and to obtain the online or print application in addition to submitting your course request in HCPSS Connect.

Students who wish to enroll in the G/T Intern/Mentor Program must meet the following requirements:

  • Prerequisite knowledge and coursework in the field of interest.
  • “B” average or above in the area of study.
  • Commitment to previous tasks in which responsibility, independence, and initiative were demonstrated.
  • Evidence of successful interaction with adults.

Following the submission of the application, the Advanced Research teacher will schedule individual interviews with applicants.

Interested in becoming a mentor? If so, email Debbie Blum.

High School G/T Resource Teachers

View the contact list for all high school G/T Resource Teachers.