Advanced High School Programs

We offer Advanced Placement (AP) classes at Kamiakin and Southridge high schools. If you are planning to go to college, you should consider taking advantage of the opportunity. The successful completion of Advanced Placement classes has benefits during both the college application process and undergraduate life.

Reasons to take AP classes:

• Develop college-level academic skills
• Save money
• Choose a major sooner
• Take more elective classes in college
• Add a minor or second major more easily
• Impress college admission counselors

AP courses are taught by highly qualified high school teachers who use the AP course descriptions to guide them. The course description for each discipline outlines the course content, describes the curricular goals of the subject and provides sample examination questions. While the course descriptions are a significant source of information about the course content on which the AP exams will be based, AP teachers have the flexibility to determine how this content is presented. 

The AP examinations are administered each year in May and represent the culmination of college-level work in a given discipline in a secondary school setting. Rigorously developed by committees of college and AP high school faculty, the AP exams test students' ability to perform at a college level.

To find out more about AP classes and which classes are offered, contact your high school counselor.

Links:

AP Central 

College in the High School is a dual credit program in which an approved high school teacher offer a college course on their high school campus. 

Students in grades 10-12 are eligible to enroll. Students earn credit for both the high school and the college courses.

The IB program is recognized as one of the most academically rigorous college preparatory programs in the world. The highly respected two-year curriculum focuses on classical liberal arts and sciences. Founded in the 1960s to serve international students, the IB program is now available in more than 1,460 schools around the world. This challenging educational program is designed to prepare students for a wide variety of life options, especially success in college.

The IB program at Kennewick High is a four-year course of study with two phases: Pre-IB and IB. Students begin with Pre-IB honors courses in the ninth and 10th grades. These classes prepare students for the rigor and critical thinking required in the official 11th and 12th grade IB courses.

IB curriculum subject areas:

• Math
• Science
• English
• Social studies
• World language
• Electives: Music, visual art, computer science and a second science or a second world language

Kennewick High School students may pursue the internationally recognized IB Diploma by taking IB classes in six subject areas, the IB Scholar designation with four subject areas, or IB Certificates through individual courses. The IB program is also open to all interested Kennewick School District students, as well as transfer students from the surrounding area. 

For more information about the IB Program, contact:

David Piper
(509) 222-7100
(509) 222-5905
Email

The International Baccalaureate Website

Juniors and seniors in Kennewick high schools can get a head start on their future by working toward their high school diploma and college degree at the same time through the Running Start Program. 

With Running State, students in grades 11-12 can attend Columbia Basin College or Washington State University Tri-Cities tuition-free. The students take classes at the college, and the credits count for both high school and college credit for these classes, accelerating their educational journey.

Students should contact their school counselor to learn more about enrolling in Running Start.

Columbia Basin College

• Columbia Basin College Running Start Information 
• Columbia Basin College Transfer & High School Information
• Colubmia Basin College Running Start Graduation Plan

Washington State University Tri-Cities

• Running Start at Washington State University Tri-Cities

• OSPI Washington State Running Start
• Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges - Running Start
• RCW 28A.600.300 Running start program