“Professional Pathway” careers include doctors, lawyers, CPA’s, teachers, nurses, any career that requires a Bachelors Degree or more and specific licensing examinations. HHS has nine honors classes (three each in English, math, and science). Eleven classes are offered for Advanced Placement credit. There are eight dual credit classes.

Advanced Placement Credit: Highland High School offers advance placement classes in:

American History
Art Portfolio (independent work 10th through 12th grades)
Biology
Calculus
Chemistry
Economics (Macro and Micro)
English IV (Literature)
European History
Human Geography (one semester)
Government (US and Comparative)
Music Theory (one semester)

Students take AP exams at HHS in May on nationally scheduled dates. Generally speaking, students who earn a 3, 4, or 5 on an exam will receive from three to six hours of college credit from the university where their scores are sent. The cost for each exam is $82.00. (AP Information Sheet)

College-Level Examination Credit: College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests are used to earn credit for a variety of general education college classes. CLEP tests have been around for 30 years and are recognized at 2900 participating colleges. There are 34 CLEP exams available. Some of these exams may match courses taken at Highland High School with general education classes taken in the first two years of college. The CLEP exams are given at several locations in the region with a variety of dates. Each CLEP exam costs $50.00 plus a test-center service fee of $15.00.

Dual Credit: Southwestern Illinois College and Highland High School are currently offering the following opportunities:

Greenhouse Management - 3 semester hours
Introduction to Marketing - 3 semester hours
Jobs for Illinois Graduates - 4 semester hours
Medical Occupations I - 1 semester hour
Public Speaking - 3 semester hours
Spanish IV - 4 semester hours
Welding I - 6 semester hours
Welding II - 5 semester hours

SWIC credit is earned in addition to the one or one-half high school credit earned.
(Dual Credit Information Sheet)

College/Career/Tech Prep Pathway

"College/Career/Tech Prep Pathway" careers include human service workers, computer engineers, computer systems analysts, correction officers and jailers, residential counselors, amusement and recreation attendants, paralegals, accounting, child care services, drafting, electronics, horticulture, hospitality/food service management, office administration and technology and welding. Some of these careers require certification, all require post secondary training. HHS has Articulation Agreement Credit with Southwestern Illinois College and Ranken Technical College.

Articulation Agreement Credit: Southwestern Illinois College has an agreement with Highland High School in designated classes that students who have a 3.0 grade point average (gpa) with a 3.5 in required courses who earn a C or better and score a 70% on competency test will receive 3 to 6 hours of college credit upon completion of 12 semester hours including the next highest course in the program. Programs included are:

• Welding
• Electronics
• Drafting
• Horticulture
• Office Administration & Technology
• Hospitality/Food Service Management
• Accounting, and Child Care

Tech Prep: This is a program that puts education to work for a student's future. It combines academic and technical education to give students the skills they need for both entry level jobs and advanced positions. Businesses are seeking a technically qualified work force that has skills in communication, computation, problem solving, and critical thinking. Tech Prep provides students the opportunity to apply classroom learning and discover how it can work for them.
(Tech Prep Information Sheet)

Highland High School offers several sequential programs for students who wish to prepare for:

1. entry level positions in business or industry in the local area
2. admission to 1- and 2-year vocational programs at business and technical schools
3. admission to 2-year career programs at SWIC
4. option to continue on at a four year college.

Special Education Department: The Special Education Department offers a full range of academic courses. Students must be tested by the School Psychologist to be eligible to enroll in Special Education classes.