Guide: Build a High School Honors and AP Plan

Every student’s path through high school is unique, and so is the strategy to prepare them for college and beyond. With more course options available than ever before, including Honors courses and Advanced Placement® (AP) classes and electives, students have the opportunity to build a customized academic plan that aligns with their goals, interests, and ambitions.

This guide from Apex Learning is designed to help you create a personalized high school plan that strikes a balance between academic rigor and flexibility. We will walk through key components of an effective plan, explore tips and tools, and highlight how advanced-level courses can support college admissions, scholarship opportunities, and lifelong learning.

Potential Benefits of Honors Courses and AP Classes

Honors and AP classes play a central role in customized high school planning because they elevate a student’s academic profile. These advanced courses offer:

• Increased academic rigor that prepares students for college-level coursework
• Bonus grade points that can improve their weighted GPA
• Opportunities to earn college credit through AP exam scores
• A competitive edge in the college admissions process

In 2025, Apex Learning’s virtual students took AP exams across 14 different subjects. AP® Psychology and AP® Microeconomics had the highest participation among these students, demonstrating Apex Learning's high-quality focus on essential future careers in business, healthcare, and public policy.

The broader view shows that more than 1.2 million students took at least one AP exam in 2024, and more than 60% earned a qualifying score of 3 or higher. Data found that students who score a 3 or above are significantly more likely to graduate from college within four years. 

So how can students turn these opportunities into long-term success? It all starts with planning. By approaching high school with a clear academic strategy, students can align their coursework with college goals and make the most of Honors and AP enrollment opportunities.

To put that strategy into action, students should follow a series of intentional steps that guide their academic and personal growth throughout high school. These steps not only help in building a competitive college application but also foster habits and skills that contribute to long-term success in higher education and beyond. Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Set Academic Goals Early

Before selecting courses, you should establish short- and long-term goals. Some key considerations include:

• What level of academic rigor is the student aiming for (e.g., highly selective universities, such as an Ivy League school or moderately selective colleges)?
• Which specific subjects spark the student’s interest or align with their career goals?
• Does the student want to follow a faster pace or graduate early?
• Are GPA targets or bonus grade points needed for scholarships?

Setting academic goals early helps shape the best combination of courses, whether regular classes, Honors programs, or AP courses, and ensures a strong foundation for college preparation.

Step 2: Build a Four-Year Plan

Creating a semester-by-semester academic plan for all four years of high school helps students visualize their path and remain focused. This plan should include:

• Core subjects (English, math, science, social studies)
• Honors and AP courses in various subject areas of strength or interest
• Electives for creativity and career exploration
• Graduation requirements and any district programs
• College admission requirements (e.g., specific courses, minimum GPA, or standardized test expectations)

Many high-achieving students begin AP or advanced-level courses by their sophomore year. A well-balanced mix includes rigorous coursework without overloading any one semester.

Step 3: Choose the Right Mix of Courses

Balance is key to ensuring a rewarding high school experience without burnout. While academic excellence is important, balance, well-being, and extracurricular involvement matter, too.

Tips for course selection:

• Pair AP courses with a lighter standard curriculum to manage stress
• Choose Honors courses or AP subjects that align with passions or intended majors
• Mix core classes with electives to maintain variety and motivation
• Avoid too many challenging courses in one term. Try to spread them out

For example, a student might take AP Biology and Honors English in 11th grade, followed by AP English Literature in 12th grade.

Step 4: Use Planning Tips and Tools

Effective academic planning requires both strategy and the right tools. Consider:

• Use a digital or printed course planning grid to visualize four-year plans
• Visit the College Board website and AP Central to learn about AP offerings and corresponding AP exams
• Make a plan with school counselors or virtual academic advisors and schedule regular check-ins
• Track completed and upcoming requirements for college admissions

Apex Learning also provides planning tools tailored for students pursuing Honors and AP classes, making it easier to match course sequences with academic goals.

Step 5: Explore Electives to Broaden Your Learning

Electives allow students to explore interests beyond specific subjects and discover new passions. Whether it's art, coding, psychology, creative writing or business, these courses encourage creativity, critical thinking, and personal growth. 

A well-chosen mix of electives can enrich a student’s academic profile and demonstrate intellectual curiosity, qualities that colleges highly value.

What to Look for in a Four-Year High School Academic Plan

Mapping out a four-year academic plan can help students stay on track, make informed course selections, and avoid last-minute surprises when applying to college. While every student’s path will look different based on goals, interests, and school offerings, the following is a general example of what a strong academic plan might include.

Here’s an example of a high school plan that blends Honors courses, AP courses, and electives:

• 9th Grade:
  • Honors English I
  • Algebra I
  • Biology
  • World History
  • Art or Career Exploration Elective
• 10th Grade
  • Honors English II
  • Geometry
  • Chemistry
  • AP Human Geography
  • World Language I
• 11th Grade
  • AP English Language
  • Algebra II
  • AP Biology
  • U.S. History
  • World Language II
  • Elective (e.g., Psychology or Computer Science)
• 12th Grade
  • AP English Literature
  • Pre-Calculus or AP Calculus AB
  • AP Environmental Science
  • Government/Economics
  • Elective course

How Advanced Coursework Supports College Admissions

Colleges want to see that students are intellectually prepared for college-level coursework. In fact, 79% of institutions attributed “considerable importance” to grades in college-prep courses in NACAC’s State of College Admission report.

So, what are colleges looking for? They seek students who not only meet academic standards but also demonstrate curiosity, commitment, and the potential to contribute meaningfully to campus life. Specifically, colleges are interested in:

• Honors courses, AP exam scores, or qualifying scores
• Consistent enrollment in advanced courses
• Evidence of academic rigor and perseverance
• Balanced plans that include standardized curriculum, extracurricular activities, and passion-driven electives

Set the Stage for Success

A customized academic plan empowers students to achieve their academic goals while preparing them for life beyond high school. By blending Honors and AP classes, and purposeful electives, you can create a plan rooted in academic excellence, personal growth, and college readiness.

With the support of a trusted online provider like Apex Learning, students gain the flexibility and structure they need to succeed while earning high scores, college credits, and confidence in the process.

Student Testimonials: Success Stories with Apex Learning

Real students. Real results. Read how Apex Learning helped students take control of their education, accelerate their goals, and unlock new opportunities for college and beyond.

“The Apex Learning courses were awesome. They make it very easy to learn, and I was able to reference nearly everything for the AP exam directly from the course. I would recommend Apex Learning AP courses to anyone interested in advanced coursework.”

— Ryan Q., Apex Learning Student

“With our busy lives, Apex Learning offered the flexibility to complete the course with less impact and pressure on us.” — Shahriar P., Apex Learning Parent

“I was pleasantly surprised that even though the class was online, I still got to talk to a teacher.” — Jonathan E., Apex Learning Student

“The best part of learning through Apex Learning was that the material was really easy to understand and comprehend.” —  Apex Learning Student

These student stories are a powerful reminder that with the right planning, support, and resources, success is within reach. Whether it's through challenging coursework, engaging electives, or a thoughtfully structured academic plan, students can shape a high school experience that prepares them for college and beyond. Now is the time to take charge of that journey. One step, one class, one goal at a time.

Explore Apex Learning’s catalog of NCAA and UC-approved AP Courses designed to allow students to excel academically with the support needed to succeed.