Advanced Opportunities
Bonners Ferry High School is happy to offer Advanced Opportunities to our students while partnering with our state colleges and universities.
ID Dept. of Education - Advanced Opportunities Website
The goal of Advanced Opportunities, provided by the Idaho State Department of Education, is to offer students more choice in their education. This is accomplished through the Fast Forward program and the Early Graduation Scholarship.
Because every students' needs and desires are unique, your school counselor can help to customize a personalized plan that takes advantage of this program and or scholarship. Whether your student wants to take dual credit college courses, Advanced Placement tests, or overload courses, the Fast Forward program has you covered.
Fast Forward provides every public school student grades seven through twelve, $4,625 to use towards these advanced opportunities.
Dual Credit Classes
Multiple colleges and universities offer high school students access to their classes, in order for that student to earn both college and high school credit by taking a college-level course. This is a great option for students planning on attending college after high school. It is imperative that BFHS students who are interested in taking dual credit classes set up a meeting with Mrs. Pinkerton, our dual credit coordinator, prior to application deadlines.
Advanced Placement (AP) Classes
Offering more than 30 subjects, the College Board’s AP program enables students to pursue college-level studies—with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both—while still in high school.
AP courses can be highly beneficial for high school students. Not only does it show college admission committees that students are challenging themselves and can perform at a higher level of instruction, it can also give students a head start on college credit, saving them time and money. AP courses can also prepare students for the types of classes and workload they will experience in college.
BFHS currently offers six AP courses. These courses are taught at an accelerated pace and at an advanced level of instruction, requiring a greater time commitment to homework and study than non-AP high school courses.
Because our BFHS Advanced Placement, teachers have been audited and approved by CollegeBoard, all BFHS AP courses are weighted 5 points on a 4 point scale and are designated as AP on the high school transcript.
Testing, Cost & Registration
While not required, AP exams for each course are offered in the spring. A score of 3, 4, or 5 can earn a student college credit, depending on what the institution’s AP credit policy is. Over 2600 colleges worldwide offer college credit for AP scores. These credits give students a head start, allowing them to save time and money while in college. Colleges and universities all have different policies on whether or not they accept AP credit and what kind of credit they will give for a certain AP test score. The current cost of an AP Exam is $94.00. Juniors and seniors with existing “Advanced Opportunity” program funds may apply it toward the cost of the exam(s). Students will register for these exams online in their AP courses. Assistance will be provided in the classroom concerning available funds and balance due. Deadline is October 31st.
Students wishing to sit for an AP Exam offered at Bonners Ferry High School must contact Melinda Brinkman, AP Coordinator, at 208-267-3149 ext. 1115 or email melinda.brinkman@mail.bcsd101.com
