AP, IB and dual credit: What to know about Corpus Christi ISD's college credit programs

As students reach the final years of their K-12 school experience in Corpus Christi ISD, they have the option to get ahead and challenge themselves with college-level courses. But there’s more than one way to do it.

Across CCISD, students can sign up for Advanced Placement, dual credit and International Baccalaureate courses.

Each of these programs can help prepare college-bound students for success after high school, giving students the chance to earn college credit at a much lower cost than the expensive tuition and fees that students would have to pay for the same credit as undergraduate students. 

But there are differences in the availability, costs and potential benefits of each type of course. The Caller-Times is outlining what students and families should know about AP, IB and dual credit options.

Continue reading for a glimpse at the main takeaways of the series. Or, visit Part I to learn about dual credit and Part II to learn about AP.

Each of the options offers students potential benefits, including college credit and a high-level learning environment.

“They’re all rigorous courses,” CCISD coordinator for advanced academics Vanessa Perez-Peterson said Perez-Peterson said. “I think dual credit’s rigorous, AP is rigorous, IB is rigorous, but I think the best option is going to be determined by what they perceived themselves doing after high school.” 

What are the options for college credit in high school?

CCISD, like many area school districts, partners with Del Mar College to offer virtual dual credit courses. If students pass these courses, they will earn both high school and community college credits. Most public colleges and universities in Texas will accept the credit.

Advanced Placement courses are rigorous classes that prepare students for AP exams. If a student can earn a high enough score on the test, most colleges and universities in the U.S. will give them some college credit.

The International Baccalaureate program is another academically rigorous program. If students complete the coursework to earn an IB diploma and score high enough on IB exams, they can earn at least 24 hours of college credit. The IB program is recognized internationally.

How much does each program cost?

CCISD partners with Del Mar College to offer dual credit. Del Mar College recently committed to eliminating the cost of dual credit for all students in school districts that partner with the college.

All CCISD students who take an AP class are required to take the corresponding AP exam at the end of the year. It costs $98 to take an AP exam, but the tests are free in CCISD for economically disadvantaged students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.

To earn an IB diploma, students must take IB exams. The current cost for all of the exams necessary for an IB diploma is $714.

For both AP and IB exams, the district offers additional scholarships for students who might struggle to afford the tests but do not qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Even without a scholarship, credit earned through AP and IB is less expensive than the cost of tuition and fees for the same courses at the college level.

What sort of credit can you get?

To earn college credit in a dual credit class, all a student has to do is pass the class. The credit is awarded through Del Mar College and is accepted by many public colleges and universities in Texas.

The district’s early college high school program also operates through a partnership with Del Mar College at Collegiate High School and the Harold T. Branch Academy. Through this program, students can earn up to 60 hours of college credit, including many career and technical education programs. 

To earn college credit through AP, a student has to earn a high enough score on the AP exam. The colleges and universities themselves decide exactly how much credit to offer. AP credit is generally recognized across the U.S. at public and private colleges and universities.

For example, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will offer six credits for a score of three out of five in AP United States History. Baylor University offers six credits, but you have to earn a four out of five on the exam. 

But not all students who take an AP exam earn a high score. A student could pass an AP class, but still not earn credit. During the 2022-23 school year in CCISD, only 22% of AP core content exams were scored at a three or higher, the minimum score to earn credit at many colleges.

Through the IB diploma program at Ray High School, a student who completes the requirements, passing the necessary exams and courses, can earn at least 24 hours of college credit. IB credit is recognized internationally.

How do students sign up?

Any student can sign up for an AP class if it is offered at their school. But they do have to commit to taking the AP exam at the end of the year. Carroll, Veterans Memorial, Ray, Miller, Moody and King high schools all offer AP courses.

To qualify for dual credit, students have to pass the Texas Success Initiative Assessment, which determines if a student is ready for entry level college course work in reading, writing and mathematics.

Students in the advanced math pathway can take the TSIA in eighth grade. The test is available year-round in the high schools, where students can request to take it when it is offered about once a month. All algebra II students and English III students also take the TSIA, typically in their junior year. 

Students at Carroll, Veterans Memorial, Ray, Miller, Moody and King high school can sign up for dual credit courses. Students can also apply to enter the early college high school programs at Collegiate High School and Harold T. Branch Academy.

The IB program is only offered at Ray High School. It is the only IB diploma program in the Coastal Bend and students who live outside of CCISD can also participate.

Students must apply to enter the IB diploma program during tenth grade, but many enter the IB diploma pathway earlier through IB programs at Windsor Park Elementary School and Baker Middle School for younger students.

What to know about dual credit programs in Corpus Christi ISD

What to know about AP courses in Corpus Christi ISD

What to know about Corpus Christi ISD's IB diploma program

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: A guide to CCISD's college credit programs