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English 12: Academic vs. AP vs. DE

Academic	AP or DE
Focus: Reading, Writing, Research, Vocab SOL competencies Basic writing skills are reinforced	Focus: Reading, Writing, Research, Vocab SOL competencies Mastery of basic writing skills is assumed (students advance to complex writing skills) Increased rigor & faster pace More independent learning
GPA Bump: N/A	GPA Bump: 1.0
Homework: ~30 minutes per class	Homework: ~1.5-2 hours per class
Normal Summative Assessments	Normal Summative Assessments AP Exam at end of year DE Page Requirements (15-20 per semester)

Other considerations: Do you like English, writing, &/ reading? What is your level of motivation? How difficult is your overall course load?

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AP Literature & Composition (AP Lit) �OR �Dual Enrollment English 12 (DE)�

Which is for me?

Let’s Compare D/E & AP Lit.

Dual Enrollment English 12	AP Literature & Composition
Community college course with high school & college credit	College-level course
Enrollment: May require passing a community college entrance test	Enrollment: Open (Did your English 11/AP Language teacher recommend you for this course?)
Focus: Semester 1: Analyze types of writing Compose a variety of written works ranging in length� Semester 2: Argumentative writing Analyze nonfiction and some fiction Critical reading of texts Close reading	Focus: Analyze fiction, poetry, drama Close reading Literary analysis Exploring literary forms & terms
Read & write frequently. More time is spent writing than reading.	Read & write frequently. More time is spent reading than writing.

Let’s Compare…

Dual Enrollment English 12	AP Literature & Composition
Homework: ~1.5 hour per class	Homework: ~2 hours per class
College Credit: earns 6 credits at college no requirement to pay or pass an exam for credit	College Credit: opportunity to earn college credit based on AP exam score (not guaranteed)
GPA Bump: 1.0	GPA Bump: 1.0

Colleges may not give college credits for both AP Lang & Dual Enrollment!

Questions to Ask Yourself

Is literature a passion for you?
Do you do well in your AP classes now?
Do you think the colleges in which you are interested would prefer another AP class on your transcript?
Are you willing to take the chance of not receiving college credit if you don’t do well on the AP test?

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Is writing a passion for you?
Do you do well in Honors English but worry about the amount of reading in AP?
Are you planning to take other AP classes next year that will monopolize your time?
Is a guaranteed college credit more important to you than an AP-level classroom experience?

If you answered “yes” to some questions…

AP Literature

might be the right choice for you!

Dual Enrollment

(Focus similar to AP Language)

might be the right choice for you!

Still Not Sure?

Discuss it with your current English teacher. They may be able to give you some insights and advice.

Review the additional resources on the HHS English Website (“Advanced Classes” page)

Access the NOVA Dual Enrollment Articulation Agreements (Which schools will take these credits?)

Questions to Ask Yourself for

2025 -2026 SRs w/IB Offerings

Is language or literature a passion for you?
Did you take IB HL or SL in your jr. year?
Do you think the colleges in which you are interested would prefer IB on your transcript?
Are you willing to take the chance of not receiving college credit if you don’t do well on the IB external assessments?

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Is writing a passion for you?
Do you do well in Honors English but worry about the amount of reading in IB?
Are you planning to take other AP classes that will monopolize your time?
Is a guaranteed college credit more important to you than an AP-level classroom experience?

If you answered “yes” to some questions…

might be the right choice for you!

Dual Enrollment

(Focus similar to AP Language)

might be the right choice for you!