Course Procedure for Advanced Classes

All students registered for Advanced Academics classes do so with the intent on pursuing one of our Advanced Academics programs: AP--Advanced Placement; DC--Dual Credit through Lone Star--Montgomery; IB--International Baccalaureate. These students usually read on or above grade level, ideally score Meets or Masters on State Assessments and are High Achievers--they want to perform well on assessments, projects, and assignments and are also willing to put forth extra effort on these assignments. These students are also independent learners who demonstrate a hunger for knowledge. 

 These courses are designed to prepare students for the academic challenges that lie ahead in any of our Advanced Academics course offerings for potential college credit. As a result, students may find themselves struggling more than expected and may potentially risk losing credit. 

In order to ensure a student has an opportunity to gain credit for the course, if a student earns a failing (below 70) Fall Semester Average in an Advanced Academics class, the student will be placed in an on-level course at semester to provide an opportunity to gain credit towards graduation. 

Course Procedure for AP/IB Classes

All students registered for AP and/or IB classes do so with the intent on sitting for the appropriate AP exam and fulfilling all assessments, both IAs and EAs in IB coursework.  These students usually read on or above grade level, ideally score Meets or Masters on State Assessments and are High Achievers--they want to perform well on assessments, projects, and assignments and are also willing to put forth extra effort on these assignments. These students are also independent learners who demonstrate a hunger for knowledge. 

These courses are designed to prepare students for success on the specific course assessments that lie ahead in order to gain college credit. As a result, students may find themselves struggling more than expected and may potentially risk losing high school credit. 

In order to ensure a student has an opportunity to gain credit for the specific course, if a student earns a failing (below 70) Fall Semester Average in an AP or IB class, the student will be placed in an on-level course at semester to provide an opportunity to gain credit towards graduation. The student will be ineligible to sit for an AP/IB examination in that subject area.

Students may submit a drop form to the counseling office during the following drop windows:

August 11th - September 3rd

Note: Drop forms for Advanced/AP/IB courses that do not have a level equivalent must be received by August 22nd. Please see the back of this form for a list of these courses. 

October 22nd - 29th

January 7th - 14th

March 18th - 25th

When dropping to a level equivalent course, the student loses the Ranking (weighted) GPA associated with the Advanced/AP/IB course. The student is also no longer eligible for UIL academic waivers. The grade the student holds in the class in which they intend to drop follows them to the level equivalent course. 

Drop forms can be obtained from the counseling office in room 1501.

The first step when a student or parent is frustrated with something related to one of their Advanced Academic courses is to discuss the concern with the teacher. 

After attempts to satisfy the concern with the teacher have been exhausted, a student or parent should contact the Assistant Principal over the department or the Dean of Advanced Academics.

The first contact should always be the teacher. 

Eligibility for many of these activities is governed by state law and the rules of the University

Interscholastic League (UIL), a statewide association overseeing interdistrict competition. If a

student is involved in an academic, athletic, or music activity governed by UIL, the student and parent are expected to know and follow all rules of the UIL organization. Students and parents can access the UIL Parent Information Manual (https://www.uiltexas.org/athletics/manuals) online. A hard copy can be provided by the coach or sponsor of the activity on request.

Generally, a student who receives a grade below 70 at the end of a grading period in any

academic class may not participate in extracurricular activities for at least three school weeks.

Advanced academics are an exception to the “70 or above” eligibility rule since courses identified by the Texas Education Code 33.081 (d)(1) as honors classes may be waived for eligibility purposes for students in MISD involved in extra-curricular activities during the 2023-2024 school year. 

Advanced placement classes in Magnolia ISD include two areas:

• International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and Advanced Placement (AP) courses for all disciplines; and
• Advanced and Dual Credit courses in the following content areas: English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Sciences, Social Studies, and Languages Other than English.

Please note that students scoring less than a minimum grade of 60 for a grading period in the above identified courses will only qualify for a waiver with both teacher and principal approval.

• A student who receives special education services and who fails to meet the standards in the individualized education program (IEP) may not participate for at least three school weeks.
• An ineligible student may practice or rehearse but may not participate in competition until eligible.
• A student is allowed in a school year up to 10 absences not related to post-district competition, a maximum of 5 absences for post-district competition prior to state, and a maximum of 2 absences for state competition. All extracurricular activities and public performances, whether UIL activities or other activities approved by the board, are subject to these restrictions.
• An absence for participation in an activity that has not been approved may be counted against a student or parent for compulsory attendance purposes.
• Students assigned to Discipline Alternative Education Program (DAEP) are not eligible for extracurricular activities during the time assigned.
• If a student is enrolled in a state-approved music course that participates in UIL Concert and Sight reading Evaluation, and the student receives a grade below 70 in any course at the end of a grading period, the student may perform with the ensemble during the UIL evaluation performance, but is ineligible for other extracurricular activities for at least three weeks.

In addition, the following applies to all extracurricular activities:

• A student who receives special education services and who fails to meet the standards in the individualized education program (IEP) may not participate for at least three school weeks.
• An ineligible student may practice or rehearse but may not participate in any competitive activity.

It is expected that all students in an AP class take the associated AP exam for that class. 

• Registering for AP Exams
  • AP exams are ordered through a student’s enrollment in the AP Classroom associated with their course. Students use their College Board account to enroll into AP Classroom. 
  • Each AP Classroom course has a unique join code which the teacher of that course distributes. AP Classroom enrollment is typically facilitated during class time. 
    • For instance, if a student is in 3rd period AP Psychology, the AP Psychology teacher will give 3rd period students a join code for that particular 3rd period AP Classroom.
  • If a student does not enroll in the AP Classroom of the AP course they are taking, an AP exam will not be ordered for them. 
  • The link for AP Classroom may be found here: AP Classroom
• Paying for AP exams
  • Payment for AP exams is a different function than Registering for AP exams. 
  • Thanks to district support, AP exams cost students ___. AP exams cost ___ for students who receive Free and Reduced Lunch. 
  • The link for AP exam payment may be found here: ___
  • Paying for an AP exam does not order the exam! AP exams are only ordered through a student’s enrollment in AP Classroom. Please see Registering for AP Exams above.
  • The deadline for AP exam payment is ____. College Board imposes late payment fees for not paying before the deadline. 
• AP Exam Schedule
  • The May 2026 AP Exam schedule may be found here: May 2026 AP Exam Schedule

Questions related to AP testing may be directed to Mrs. Herrmann, who can be reached at rherrmann@magnoliaisd.org

It is expected that all students in an IB class take the associated IB exam for that class. 

• IB Exam Registration and Payment
  • The link for IB exam registration and payment may be found here: ___
  • Thanks to district support, IB exams cost students ___. IB exams cost ___ for students who receive Free and Reduced Lunch. 
  • The deadline for IB exam payment is ____. The IB imposes late payment fees for not paying before the deadline. 
• IB Exam Schedule
  • The May 2026 IB Exam schedule may be found here: May 2026 IB Exam Schedule

Questions related to IB testing may be directed to Mr. Finley, who can be reached at mfinley@magnoliaisd.org