High School Graduation Requirements

Approximately 40 honors, college in the high school and Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered at ECHS each year. College credits are possible by achieving specific scores on AP exams, Seattle University’s Matteo Ricci in the High School Integrated Social Science and Humanities course and University of Washington in the High School courses. Counselors, faculty and administration are available to help advise students in course selection but students and their families ultimately decide on levels of rigor, certain decisions regarding course sequence and decisions on elective courses. All students are encouraged to consider enrollment in one or more AP or honors courses during each academic year.

Advanced Placement Courses* Students taking an AP course are required to sit for the AP exams in the spring. Families will be billed directly from Eastside Catholic School for AP exam fees. Students may earn credit and/or placement at many colleges and universities in the United States and in more than 60 other countries through qualifying AP exam scores. At many of these institutions, students may earn up to a full year of college credit (sophomore standing) by acquiring the required number of qualifying AP exam scores.

Individual colleges and universities, not the College Board nor the AP Program, grant course credit and placement. Because policies vary by institution, students should obtain a college’s AP policy in writing. Students can find this information in the institution’s catalog, on its website or by using the AP Credit Policy Info search.

Colleges that have received an AP score report will generally notify the student during the summer of any placement, credit and/or exemption the student has earned. Students may also contact the college’s Admission Office to determine the status of their AP credit and/or placement.

Seattle University’s Matteo Ricci in the High School* Senior students who successfully complete Integrated Social Sciences and Humanities (Block) earn high school requirements in social studies and religious studies. To earn the five credits of Humanities (HUMT 150: Composition, Language and Thought - Freshman Composition) and five credits of Social Science (CISS 120: Poverty in America) from Seattle University’s Matteo Ricci, families are responsible for fees related to these college credits. Students earn an official Seattle University transcript for these courses. Transcript requests and the payment and fees associated with these courses need to be arranged directly by families. Transcripts will be sent directly from Seattle University, not Eastside Catholic.

University of Washington in the High School* Through the University of Washington in the High School (UWHS) program, high school students can complete University of Washington courses at Eastside Catholic. Students and teachers use UW curriculum, activities, texts, tests and grading scales. Students earn a final grade over time; a grade does not depend on one exam. The program is open to all high school students but only students in grades 10, 11 and 12 can earn college credit. To earn University of Washington college credit, families are responsible for fees related to these college credits. Students may receive recognition for their UW work at most public and many private institutions. Transcript requests and the payment and fees associated with these courses need to be arranged directly by families. Transcripts will be sent directly from the University of Washington, not Eastside Catholic.

Workload for Honors and AP Courses

Under course listings, we have included information regarding “homework assigned” to provide students and families with a snapshot of what they might expect from each honors/AP/College in the High School course. These numbers are only estimates. Time spent on homework varies by student and by week.

*Course Fees: Some courses have additional fees for materials. Examples of course fees include but may not be limited to: fees for travel in DECA, music, speech and debate, and fees for materials in certain art classes.