Honors/A.P./College in the High School Application Process

Current Gonzaga Prep Non-honors Students

Incoming Freshmen

To be considered for Honors English placement for freshman year, Gonzaga Prep evaluates the best course placement for student success by administering an Honors Placement Exam that is evaluated with the other application materials students submit for admission. The exam is a 60-minute, paper-and-pencil test. The format is as follows:

Multiple-choice reading comprehension based on a text excerpt
Literary response writing sample based on a text excerpt
Narrative writing sample based on a narrative essay question

If placed in honors, students must complete the summer reading assignment (contact Mr. Nick Serres at [email protected] for this assignment if you did not receive it via e-mail).

If not placed in honors as a freshman, students may demonstrate academic readiness in their freshman year English grades and apply again for Honors English at the end of freshman year (see below Current Gonzaga Prep Non-honors).

Current Gonzaga Prep Non-honors Students

Students may enter or leave the Honors/A.P./College in the High School track at any time during their four years at Gonzaga Prep. If you are not currently in an Honors/A.P./College in the High School English class, you may be considered for Honors/A.P./College in the High School English if you meet all of the following criteria:

Have an A- or higher English grade for your first-semester grade and be on track for an A- or higher for the second semester.
Do assigned homework and classwork on time.
Attend class regularly and make up any missed assignments in a timely fashion.
Be able to handle the added stress of Honors/A.P./College in the High School coursework.
Participate actively in discussions and class activities.
Be courteous and respectful toward others and yourself.
Show consistent effort throughout the year (no "blowing off" a quarter and then "scraping by" with a last-minute flurry of solid grades at the end of a semester).
Complete any outside/summer readings.
Demonstrate a desire to be in the English class.

Note: The English Department reserves the right to revoke any placement into Honors/A.P./College in the High School if your status concerning any of the criteria changes before the start of the next school year (e.g., your grade for the second semester drops below A-).

Current Gonzaga Prep Honors Students

If you are currently in an Honors/A.P./College in the High School English course at Gonzaga Prep, you will be automatically placed into honors/A.P./College in the High School English for the subsequent year if you meet all of the following criteria:

Maintain an A- or higher grade in English for both semesters.
Do assigned homework and classwork on time.
Attend class regularly and make up any missed assignments in a timely fashion.
Be able to handle the added stress of honors/A.P./College in the High School coursework.
Participate actively and constructively in discussions and class activities.
Be courteous and respectful towards others and yourself.
Show consistent effort throughout the year (no "blowing off" a quarter and then "scraping by" with a last-minute flurry of solid grades at the end of the semester).
Complete all outside/summer readings.
Demonstrate a desire to be in the English class.

For those who do not meet all of these criteria, a teacher recommendation is needed to be placed in an honors/A.P./College in the High School course.

Transfer Students

If you are transferring to Gonzaga Prep from another school, you will be evaluated by the Academic Vice-Principal on an individual basis concerning your current academic standing, teacher recommendations, caliber of former school and coursework, etc.).