Advanced and Dual Credit Courses

Fishers High School offers 33 Advanced Placement (AP) courses. These courses are college level courses, and the curriculum is designed and monitored by The College Board. Students in these courses are expected to participate in the Advanced Placement Testing Program implemented in May of each year. Students in these courses have the opportunity, through the Advanced Placement test results, to earn college credit for coursework completed in high school. The academic rigor of these courses necessitates somewhat restrictive recommendations for enrollment.

We believe that all college-bound students should complete at least one Advanced Placement course prior to graduation from Fishers High School.

Students and parents, therefore, should plan to enroll in Honors courses preceding Advanced Placement courses in the subject of interest. The student's guidance counselor is a valuable resource in this planning process.

If you have questions about the AP Program or Exam Registration, please contact Kyle Goodwin.

Take courses that count for both high school and college credit. We have opportunities from Ivy Tech, IU, Purdue, Ball State, and more! Talk to your academic adviser for more information

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma is a rigorous pre-university course of studies, leading to examinations, which meet the needs of motivated secondary school students between the ages of 16 and 19 years.  Designed as a comprehensive two-year curriculum enabling graduates to fulfill requirements of various national and international education systems, the diploma model is based on the pattern of no single country but incorporates the best elements of many.  The program offers special features in addition to the traditional strengths of a liberal arts curriculum.
 
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a required interdisciplinary course intended to stimulate critical reflection upon the knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom.  TOK challenges students to question assumptions about knowledge, to be aware of subjective and ideological biases, and to develop a personal mode of thought, using analysis of evidence expressed in rational argument.  A key element in the IB’s educational philosophy, TOK seeks to develop a coherent approach to learning which transcends and unifies the academic subjects and encourages appreciation of other cultural perspectives. 
 
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) is a key requirement of the diploma curriculum.  Students are required to earn hours among these three elements in order to develop awareness, concern, and the ability to work cooperatively with others. Students actively work with and for the communities in which they live.
 
The Extended Essay is another requirement for diploma candidates who must undertake original research and write an essay of 4000 words. Universities particularly favor this component of IB, as it replicates students’ real-life experience on the collegiate level.
 
Coursework in for International Baccalaureate involves a two-year program that contains six academic areas.  Subjects are studied concurrently, and students are exposed to the two great traditions of learning:  the humanities and the sciences.  Diploma candidates are required to select one subject from each of the six subject groups.  At least three and not more than four are taken at Higher Level (HL), the others are Standard Level (SL).  HL courses represent 240 teaching hours; SL courses cover 150 hours.  By arranging work in this fashion, students are able to explore some subjects in depth and some more broadly over the two-year period.

Students may also opt to take individual specific IB courses only, with the aim of earning individual course IB Certificates for each course. All courses offered with the diploma are also available for certificates, though integrated Core components (the most highly-respected components recognized by university programs) are omitted. Certificate coursework for IB still involves Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) course options. HL courses represent 240 teaching hours; SL courses cover 150 hours.

The following list of FHS courses represents the course pathways available within each discipline to meet IB Programme requirements successfully. Please contact IB Coordinator Jennifer Gabbard with any questions.

10 Reasons to take IB - Why the IB Diploma Programme (DP) is ideal preparation for university.                               
IB learner profile - The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people...    
IB Diploma Programme flyer - Learn even more about IB.
IB Information Night Presentation ~ October 2019
Parent Handout from IB Information Night ~ October 2019
IB Information and Course Pathways