Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Honors Programs at High Schools in Chicago: Comparing and Contrasting

Many high schools in Chicago utilize one of three main advanced programs in order to help their students learn: Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Honors programs. While all three aim to challenge students and prepare them for college, they differ in structure, goals, and flexibility. Below, Test Prep Chicago discusses the similarities and differences between these three programs.

Advanced Placement (AP)
The AP program, created by the College Board, lets students take college-level courses in high school. Chicago Public Schools (CPS) offers AP classes in more than 100 schools across subjects like English, history, math, science, and world languages. Each course concludes with a national exam, and high scores can earn students college credit or advanced standing at many universities. AP courses are very flexible; students can take a single AP class or several, depending on their interests. Some examples of schools that have Advanced Placement programs in Chicago are St. Ignatius, Walter Payton, Noble Academy, Latin School of Chicago, and Jones College Prep.

International Baccalaureate (IB)
The IB Programme emphasizes global perspectives, inquiry-based learning, and interdisciplinary study. Students enrolled in the full IB Diploma Programme take a set of required courses, complete an extended essay, engage in community service, and take part in the Theory of Knowledge course, which promotes critical thinking. Chicago has one of the largest networks of IB schools in the country, including Back of the Yards College Preparatory High School, which offers the IB Diploma Programme, and the Lycée Français de Chicago, where students can pursue an IB track alongside the French Baccalaureate. IB programs are more structured than AP programs, requiring a multi-year commitment and a balanced course load across disciplines. Some examples of schools that have IB programs in Chicago are DePaul College Prep, Curie High School, St. Ignatius, Curie High School, and Latin School of Chicago.

Honors Program
Honors classes are designed to be more rigorous than standard courses, offering faster pacing and deeper exploration of material. Unlike AP or IB, however, Honors courses are not standardized nationally; instead, they are defined by individual schools or districts. Many Chicago high schools offer Honors classes starting in ninth grade as a way to prepare students for AP or IB coursework later on. At Mount Carmel High School, for example, students who complete four years of Honors or AP courses can graduate with an Honors Diploma. Some examples of schools that have Honors programs in Chicago are Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center High School, Northside College Prep, Latin School of Chicago, Lincoln Park High School, and Loyola Academy.

In Chicago, many schools offer a combination of these programs, which some offer only one. There are a variety of advanced programs available, and choosing among them depends on a student’s academic goals, learning style, and interest in global or college-level study.\

If your child is looking to improve their standardized test scores for High School Entrance Exams to be admitted to a program with an AP, IB, or Honors program, Test Prep Chicago can help. TPC still has one day workshops (click here) and individual tutoring offerings (click here) available for students preparing for the HSPT for Catholic High Schools and the ISEE for Independent High Schools.

An Overview of Amundsen High School

Nestled between Andersonville and Lincoln Square, Amundsen High School has been a part of the CPS district since 1929. It was named after the famed arctic explorer, Roald Engelbregt Gravning Amundsen, who is known for leading the first expedition to the South Pole in 1911, as well as being the first to sail through the Northwest Passage. The school’s student to teacher ratio is 15:1, and its student to counselor ratio is one of the best in the CPS district. Amundsen has a diverse student population as well (84% minority enrollment).

Amundsen is also an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, offering the IB Diploma Program since 1999, and the Middle Years Program since 2003. About 22% of students participate in IB programs and classes, and the school has had a 70% pass rate on the IB Exam for the last four years. Students that take part in these programs are guaranteed college credit in all Illinois public colleges and universities. Amundsen states “The IB Program offers students an opportunity to have a well-rounded and rigorous college preparatory curriculum in a neighborhood school. The IB Program provides students with the discipline and skills necessary to take on future endeavors. Besides an excellent academic education that prepares them for post-secondary study, the IB Program gives students an opportunity to build character and perseverance to become future leaders in the community.”

Beyond the IB programs, Amundsen also offers a Career and Technical Education Program (CTE). This intense training program allows students to make the leap from in-school learning to applicable industry problem-solving. It also has some truly unique concentrations, including Web Design, Game-Programming, and even an Apple-designed program to develop apps on their systems.

Over the years, Amundsen’s facilities have also undergone significant improvements and changes. The gymnasium, on-site pool, and computer and science labs have all benefited from the $20 million in renovation. Amundsen students also have immediate access to Winnemac Park’s softball, soccer, and baseball fields. The football stadium, Jorndt field, was also recently renovated, and seats over 1,000 people.

For more information on Amundsen High School, visit their website at https://www.amundsenhs.org/

Nate Hall, Tutoring Coordinator
nate@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266