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Welcome! This program will be recorded and posted on the Madison website by January 16.

AP & Dual Enrollment� Information Session

James Madison High School

Starts at 7:00pm

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Understanding the Difference

Advanced Placement (AP)

Dual Enrollment (DE)

  • Curriculum: Standardized by College Board
  • Transfer Credit: based on AP exam score taken in May (score of 3+, depends on college)
  • Cost: FCPS pays for six AP exams during student’s career; additional test fee is $99/test this year
  • Access: Open Enrollment
  • Curriculum: Standardized by NVCC/college awarding credit
  • Transfer Credit: based on course grade** (C or better); depends on course content
  • Cost: NVCC-based courses at no cost; courses available through other colleges do have cost
  • Access: Additional Registration Process Required; Many Courses Require HS GPA of 3.0

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Why Take Advanced Courses?

Cost Savings: Earn college credits for no/low cost

College Readiness: Develop college-level skills and work habits

College Applications: Shows academic curiosity & challenge.

Many students report wanting to take AP/DE courses because they are weighted in the GPA calculation (+1.0). This should not be the sole reason for selecting these courses.

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AP Courses Available at Madison

2026-27 School Year

English: Seminar: English 10, English Language & Composition, English Literature & Composition

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Social Studies: Human Geography, World History, US History, US Government, Macro/Microeconomics, Psychology, African American Studies

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Math: Precalculus AB, Precalculus BC, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Computer Science Principles, Computer Science A

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Science: Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics 1, Physics 2, Physics C: Mechanics

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World Language: French, Latin, Spanish (Chinese available at Marshall Academy)

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Career & Technical Education: Cybersecurity, Business

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General: Seminar, Research (AP Capstone Diploma)

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DE Courses Available at Madison

2026-27 School Year

English: English 11 DE Composition, English 12 DE Composition

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Social Studies: US/VA History DE, US/VA Government DE

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Science: Geospatial Analysis DE (credit available through JMU)

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Career & Technical Education: Entrepreneurship 1 DE, Entrepreneurship 2 DE

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Fine/Performing Arts: Studio Art & Design 3 DE, Studio Art & Design 4 DE, Theatre Arts 3 DE

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Additional DE opportunities may be available through FCPS Online Campus, Academies or directly through NVCC.

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AP Exams

  • Timeline: May 4th - May 15th with May 18th- 22nd being late make up testing

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  • Fees: FCPS covers the cost of a student’s first six AP exams taken for FCPS courses in which they are also enrolled for high school credit. Students taking AP exams beyond the six FCPS-funded, have been charged $99 per test.

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  • AP Score: Students may earn college credit depending on their score. Every college is different so be sure to check the colleges you are interested in/applying to!

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AP Registration

  • For the class: students will talk to their teachers and counselors and may select an AP course to be in their schedule next year.

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  • For the Exam: students will automatically be registered for the exam in the fall unless they choose to opt out.

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    • Opting out: student may opt to not take an AP exam. These forms are given to students during advisory in the Fall and must be returned by the deadline. If a student decides they do not want to take an AP Exam after the opt out deadline, they can talk with their counselor and myself, AP Coordinator

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DE Information

  • Gradebooks and grading policies -
    • Different grade books because FCPS grading policies differ from college or university grading policies
    • Policy differences may include those impacting assignment/assessment retakes, extended assignment due dates, and/or the lowest possible score on the grading scale

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DE Information

  • DE Registration Process
    • For any dual enrollment course affiliated with NVCC, students must apply first to NVCC before they will be able to register for the course in the MyNOVA portal
    • Reference the JMHS Academic Advising site for more information and/or speak with your school counselor when you meet for your advising appointment

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Insights from Faculty

Faculty Panel Members

  • Christina Palo, Social Studies Teacher (AP Academic Coordinator)
  • Erin Kennedy, School Counselor (DE Coordinator)
  • Mallory Bacalis, School Counselor (AP Coordinator)

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Questions?

Post Questions in the Q&A

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Additional Resources: