AUS_HS_Handbook2016-17 rev 19 9 16 (3) (2)

1. Determining Final Grades
CURRICULUM & GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
American United School was founded on a basic principle. The American United School faculty, as
well as the curriculum and instructional model have been designed to give the support and
information to empower each student to find success, achievement and mastery of the skills,
attitudes and objectives in order to move on to the next grade level. As an American school, mastery
of Arabic and English is required from all students. The High School programs foster the development
of confident, capable and responsible students. We achieve our goals collaboratively, by establishing
rigorous standards, which engage learners in the thoughtful application of knowledge. American
United School aspires to instill the necessity of lifelong learning in all of its students.
1. Advanced Placement Courses:
American United School participates in the Advanced Placement (AP) Program sponsored by the
College Board in the United States. These AP courses are equivalent to freshman year, one semester,
university courses and are intended for students who have proven themselves able to handle the extra
workload and study requirements.
AP Students are required to take the AP exam from the College Board at the end of the year. These
exams are scored with a 1-5 mark. Scores of three or higher can result in the American universities
awarding credit, exemption from courses, or advanced standing. Students will be required to pay a
fee for this exam.
When selecting AP courses, students must carefully consider the extra time commitment to these
courses. They are very demanding and may involve extensive homework and self-directed study. AP
courses are offered based upon student interest. To enter an AP course, students must meet the
criteria of a grade of B in the prerequisite course and receive recommendation by appropriate
teacher.
If a student chooses not to take the AP exam or receive a grade of 3 - 5, the following steps apply:
• They are still required to pay for the exam as it was ordered for them.
• “AP” designation will be removed from their transcript.
• The AP weighting of grades will be removed from their transcript.
• The student will contact all universities they applied to and inform the school of their withdrawal
from an AP course.
• AUS will contact all schools the student applied to and inform the schools of the student’s withdrawal
from an AP course.
Prerequisites:
A prerequisite involves information required before a course can be taken. This may involve a
course, skill level, minimum grade, experience, or teacher recommendation. Prerequisites are
listed under the title of each course and should be noted by students when they select courses.
Pre-requisites are typically required in AP-level or accelerated, higher level courses. Some courses
21