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Northstar Academy

A fully accredited private online
Christian school for grades 4-12

Questions? 1.662.892.4380

As your student progresses through high school, you may hear about advanced academic options like Honors, AP® (Advanced Placement®), and Dual Credit courses. These terms sound impressive — and they are! But they also come with important distinctions.

At NorthStar Academy (NSA), we’re committed to helping families make informed, confident decisions about their student’s academic journey. Let’s break it down:

📘 1. Honors Courses

What they are:
 Honors courses are advanced versions of standard high school classes. They move at a faster pace, include more in-depth assignments, and are designed for students who are ready to go deeper in a subject.

Why choose them:

  • Great for students who are strong in a subject and want more challenge
  • Builds academic confidence and critical thinking
  • Looks impressive on a high school transcript

Consider if your student:
✅ Excels in a subject area
✅ Wants to prepare for AP® or Dual Credit later
✅ Enjoys digging deeper into topics

🧠 2. AP® (Advanced Placement®) Courses

What they are:
 Offered through the College Board, AP® courses are college-level classes taught in high school. They prepare students to take an AP® exam at the end of the year. High scores may qualify for college credit or advanced placement — depending on the college.

Why choose them:

  • Demonstrates academic rigor to colleges
  • Potential to earn college credit
  • College-level challenge with high school support

Consider if your student:
✅ Is highly motivated and organized
✅ Wants to earn potential college credit
✅ Is planning to apply to competitive colleges

📌 Note: AP® credit is awarded based on your student’s exam score and the college’s policy.

🎓 3. Dual Credit (DC) Courses

What they are:
 Dual Credit courses allow students to earn both high school and college credit at the same time. At NSA, our DC classes are taught by qualified instructors in partnership with Christian colleges.

Why choose them:

  • Earn guaranteed college credit upon successful completion
  • Experience real college coursework
  • May shorten time (and cost) in college later on

Consider if your student:
✅ Is ready for true college-level expectations
✅ Wants a smoother transition into college
✅ Is interested in a faith-based higher education track

📌 Note: Always check with your future college to ensure transferability of credits.

🤔 So…Which Option is Right for Your Student?

The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer — and that’s a good thing! Each pathway serves a different purpose, and many students benefit from taking a mix.

Here’s a quick guide:

Your Student…Try This
Wants more challenge but not college-level rigor yetHonors
Is aiming for a competitive college & ready for a challengeAP®
Wants guaranteed college credit nowDual Credit

🛠️ How NSA Helps You Decide

At NSA, your student’s success is our priority. Our academic advising team can help assess course load, strengths, goals, and future plans to recommend the best mix of courses — including our many Honors, AP®, and Dual Credit options.

📚 200+ Courses Available
 🌍 Flexible Online Options
 🧑‍🏫 Certified, Christian Teachers
 📝 Custom Course Planning Support

🎯 Final Thought

Whether your student is building a competitive transcript, earning college credit early, or simply wants a challenge, NorthStar Academy has the tools to help them thrive — all within a Christ-centered, globally connected environment.

👉 Explore our Advanced Courses
👉 Explore our Dual Credit Class

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