Navigating the DHS Pathways
Ms. Karina Green, Ed.S.
DHS AP/IB Coordinator
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“There are a hundred paths up the mountain, so it doesn't matter which path you take.
The only one wasting time is the one who runs around and around the mountain telling everyone else that his or her path is wrong.”
~ Hindu Teaching
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Hello everyone,
I’m Karina Green!
DHS
AP/IB Coordinator
They/Them
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DHS Counseling Team
Mrs. Kiana Wills Dept Co-Chair | Dr. Ken Jackson Dept Co-Chair IBDP Lead | Dr. Jazzmon Parham | Ms. Shadiqa White-Points | Ms. Latonya Taylor |
A - De 10th-12th | Df-J 10th-12th | K-Re 10th-12th | Rf-Z 10th-12th | A-Z All 9th |
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CSD has released new course progressions for DHS, and the purpose of this presentation is to highlight the key changes and areas for further consideration as you plan your path to graduation
Why this presentation?
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Coursework Changes by Subject Group
New Program - AP Capstone
New for 11th graders - 2026-2027 school year:
Students must take:
Can take as many AP courses as would be beneficial to the student
Science
New for 2026-2027 school year:
Coming soon:
English & Language Arts
New for 2026-2027 school year:
Coming Soon:
Social Studies
New for 2026-2027 school year:
Coming Soon:
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So what does this mean for DHS students?!?
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More advanced pathways to graduation!
IB Diploma Programme
AP Capstone
IB Career-related Programme
Dual-Enrollment
DCA Career Pathways & Work-Based Learning
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DHS Graduation Requirements:
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What you want to achieve.
Who you want to be–now and later.
As you prepare for course selection…
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Things to consider if an IB Diploma is your goal:
You must take a certain combination of courses
You must take IB Theory of Knowledge as your 3rd period course
The EE is completed over the summer between junior and senior year
Potential Conflicts with Graduation Requirements
3 Higher Level and 3 Standard Level IB courses are required, with certain standards of passing to obtain the IB Diploma.
You will only have one course space available for an elective
This, along with CAS and the EE, are required components to obtain your IB Diploma.
TOK is a credit-earning course and you may not miss it for additional WIN time
You will not be registered with IB as an IB Diploma Programme candidate in good standing if your EE is incomplete as of the exam registration date = removal from the IB DP programme
If you choose to take AP Government in 9th grade, instead of Civinomics, you will not have met your graduation requirement of taking Personal Finance/Econ.
You will either have to use your elective spaces to take it, take it on your own over the summer, or take it online through GAVS
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Things to consider if AP Capstone is your goal:
You must take a certain combination of courses
Rigor of AP Capstone
Course Rollout
Potential Conflicts with Graduation Requirements
Students must take AP Seminar and AP Research
plus
Pass FOUR AP Exams with a score of 3 or higher
Students would have to take a combination of 10 AP/IB courses to match the level of rigor of the IB Diploma Programme.
Students would have to take a combination of 5 AP/IB courses to exceed the level of rigor of the IB Career-related Programme.
Only 11th graders will be allowed to register for AP Seminar for the 2026-2027 school year.
Advanced 10th graders will have the necessary prerequisites to register for AP Seminar starting in the 2027-2028 school year.
If you choose to take AP Government in 9th grade, instead of Civinomics, you will not have met your graduation requirement of taking Personal Finance/Econ.
You will have to take the GA required course at some point prior to graduation.
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Things to consider if an IB Career-related Diploma is your goal:
You must take a minimum of two IB courses
You must take IB Personal & Professional Skills as your 3rd period course
The RP is completed in the spring of your junior year
Career-Related Studies (your CTE pathway)
Two IB courses are required, with certain standards of passing to obtain the IB Career-related Diploma.
You must pass both IB exams as well, so we recommend taking more than the minimum.
PPS is a credit-earning course and you may not miss it for additional WIN time
You will not be registered with IB as an IB Career-related Programme candidate in good standing if your RP is incomplete as of the exam registration date = removal from the IB CP programme
MUST begin a CTE Pathway in 9th or 10th grade
Applicable Pathways: Computer Science, Convergence Media/Audio-Visual Technology Film, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Education, Architectural Drawing and Design, Furniture Design, Graphic Design, Teaching/Education as a Profession
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Rigor
Course Structure
Fit
IB Diploma Programme students take 6 two-year IB courses (basically 12 college level courses).
AP Capstone only requires that students take AP Seminar and AP Research in addition to four additional passing AP exam scores. Students would have to take a combination of 10 AP/IB courses to match the level of rigor.
The AP Capstone program emphasizes the development of research and presentation skills, allowing students to select additional AP courses quite freely from a variety of subjects.
Conversely, the IB Diploma Programme offers a comprehensive, well-rounded education that covers six core subjects, focusing on writing, critical thinking, and global awareness.
Both AP Capstone and the IB Diploma Programme will benefit students in their college admission journey. The choice between AP vs. IB will depend on a their academic goals, learning preferences, and future educational and career plans. Whether your focus is on refining in-depth research skills via the AP Capstone program or pursuing a globally conscious education through the IB Diploma Programme, either pathway can guide you towards academic excellence.
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Dual Enrollment at DHS
Does everyone get in?
Will my DE courses count as both DHS & college credit?
Cost
DE covers tuition, mandatory fees, and required textbooks. DE will pay for up to 30 semester hours (~ 10 college courses). Students withdrawing two or more times will no longer qualify for paid DE courses. Families are responsible for some academic courses (science, foreign language) which typically have lab fees of $50 per class. Technical courses like cosmetology, welding, etc have materials fees of ~$400.
Yes and No. Your DE courses will count for DHS credit. DE grades earned at a University System of GA (USG) school are guaranteed to transfer to any other USG school. Many public schools outside of GA will accept transfer grades from USG schools as well. If you are looking to attend a private or out of state public/private college, your DE credits may or may not count towards your college degree.
Dual Enrollment is a nationwide program that allows high school students (typically 11th and 12th graders) to simultaneously earn high school & potential college credit while working on their high school diploma. The Dual Enrollment program in Georgia covers tuition, mandatory college fees (but not course related fees) and required textbooks.
Coordinator: Beth Lewis; elewis@csdecatur.net
Each college sets their own application guidelines, some colleges are more rigorous and selective than others. GSU expects 3.0 to 3.4 or higher from CORE curriculum. PSAT/SAT/ACT/Accuplacer test scores may be required. GPTC requires a 2.5 for academic classes & 2.0 for most career tech classes.
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Let’s connect!
Share your contact information.
This can be your work email, your LinkedIn profile, your phone number – wherever you want team members to reach out.
We are a team!
Please consult with your counselor if you have any questions.
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For more detailed information:
To find out more about AP & IB at DHS, please consult the website.
To find out more about DCA, Dual Enrollment, and Work-Based Learning, please consult the website.
For access to all school-related information, including links to these sites, the Decatur High School website is the hub.
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Thank you!
We look forward to supporting you and your family as you navigate your high school pathway towards graduation!
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