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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)

G/T Independent Research and Intern/Mentor Programs

The G/T Research Program includes two college-level courses, Independent Research and Intern/Mentor, in which students design an original research study or creative production in a self-selected area of interest. Student research or creative production focuses on contributing new knowledge to the field of study.

The G/T Resource Teacher facilitates classroom and internship experiences, focusing on advanced-level research methodologies, college-level writing,and oral presentation skills. Students in the Independent Research course receive professional feedback from project advisors, while Intern/Mentor students apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in an authentic, professional environment.

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.

G/T Independent Research

Students interested in applying for the G/T Independent Research course should contact their school’s G/T Resource Teacher to obtain an application packet.

Applications are available in December and must be returned to the G/T Resource Teacher in January (please contact the school’s G/T Resource Teacher for the application deadline for this school year).

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

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 G/T 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.

G/T Intern/Mentor Program


Mentors provide students with expert professional guidance in a particular field of study. The mentor helps the student identify an authentic problem and guides the student with the development of discipline-specific skills needed to conduct the research.

Students are expected to develop an advanced product for presentation to an appropriate audience. Mentors offer guidance in specific disciplines, such as: Applied Arts, Behavioral Sciences, Business, Clinical Medicine, Computer Science, Education, Engineering, Humanities, Languages, Law, Mass Communication, Performing Arts, Science Research, and Veterinary Medicine.

Students who wish to enroll in the G/T Intern/Mentor Program apply through the G/T Resource Teacher at their schools and must meet the following eligibility 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.

Students interested in applying for the G/T Independent Research, G/T Intern/Mentor, or Math, Science, and Technology Research courses should contact their school’s G/T Resource Teacher to obtain an application packet. Applications are available in December and must be returned to the G/T Resource Teacher in January (please contact the school’s G/T Resource Teacher for the application deadline for this school year). Following the submission of the application, the G/T Resource 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.