What If My High School Doesn't Offer the AP Course I Want?

Not every high school offers every AP subject. A student may be interested in an AP course that is unavailable at their school, conflicts with another class, or cannot be offered because of scheduling or staffing limitations.

That does not necessarily mean the student has to give up on the course.

In some situations, students can take an individual AP course through another school while remaining enrolled at their current high school. This can give students access to greater academic challenge without requiring them to transfer schools.

Why Doesn't Every High School Offer Every AP Course?

Schools make course offerings based on many factors, including student demand, teacher availability, scheduling, enrollment, and available resources.

As a result, one school may offer an AP subject that another school does not.

This can be frustrating for students who are academically prepared for a particular course or who want to explore a subject related to their future college interests.

For international students, access may be even more limited if their local school offers only a small selection of AP courses.

Can I Take an AP Course From Another School?

In some cases, yes.

Students may be able to enroll in an individual AP course through another school while continuing to attend their current high school.

This can be especially useful when:

• The student's current school does not offer the desired AP subject

• A scheduling conflict prevents the student from taking the course

• The student wants access to a broader range of advanced coursework

• The student is studying internationally and has limited local AP options

• The student wants additional academic challenge in a particular subject

Students should understand the outside school's enrollment requirements and how the course will be documented before enrolling.

Do I Have to Transfer High Schools?

Not necessarily.

Taking one course from another school does not always require a student to become a full-time student there.

Some schools allow students to enroll in individual courses on a part-time basis.

At Solomon International School, students can take individual AP courses without enrolling in the SIS U.S. Full-Time Program.

This allows students to remain at their current school while adding selected AP coursework through SIS.

Will the AP Course Appear on a Transcript?

Students should determine which school will issue the academic record for an outside course.

At Solomon International School, students who successfully complete an SIS AP course receive official SIS course credit documented through Solomon International School.

Students should also check with their current school if they want the outside course to be recognized or incorporated into that school's academic record, because policies for accepting external coursework can vary by school.

Can I Take an AP Course Online?

Yes, AP coursework can be offered through online learning.

However, students should look beyond whether a course is simply labeled “online.” They should understand who provides the instruction, who evaluates their work, how they receive academic support, and which school maintains the official course record.

At SIS, AP courses may be available through Teacher-Led Live or Self-Paced learning, depending on the course and availability.

Teacher-Led Live

Students attend scheduled online classes taught in real time by SIS teachers.

This format may be appropriate for students who prefer a structured schedule and regular live instruction.

Self-Paced

Students have greater flexibility in when they complete their coursework within the course timeline.

Lessons are recorded by SIS teachers, and students are assigned an SIS teacher who provides academic oversight, grading, feedback, and support.

Self-Paced students can also access live academic support through SIS Teacher Connect during designated support hours.

How Should I Choose an Outside AP Course?

Before enrolling, students and families should consider more than the course title.

Important questions include:

• Which school provides the course?

• Who teaches and grades the coursework?

• Will the course appear on an official transcript?

• What learning format is used?

• What academic support is available?

• Does the course fit the student's existing school schedule?

• Is the student academically prepared for the subject?

• Does the student's current school have policies regarding outside coursework?

These questions can help students determine whether an outside AP course fits appropriately into their overall high school program.

Should I Take an AP Course Just Because My School Doesn't Offer It?

Not necessarily.

The fact that a course is unavailable locally does not automatically mean a student should take it elsewhere.

Students should choose AP courses based on academic readiness, genuine interest, future goals, and their ability to manage the additional workload.

A student interested in engineering, for example, may want additional advanced mathematics or science coursework. Another student interested in history, government, languages, or the arts may benefit from advanced study in those areas.

The best choice depends on the individual student rather than simply the number of AP courses on a transcript.

Does Taking an AP Course Guarantee College Credit?

No.

Completing an AP course does not automatically result in college credit.

College credit or advanced placement may depend on the student's AP Exam score and the policies of the college or university the student eventually attends.

Because policies vary by institution, students should review the AP credit and placement policies of colleges they are considering.

Expand Your AP Options With SIS

If the AP course you want is not available at your current school, Solomon International School offers a wide range of individual AP courses that can be taken without transferring from your current school.

Students can choose coursework that fits their academic interests and goals while continuing their regular high school education.

EXPLORE AP COURSES →