VIS is authorized by the College Board to provide AP (Advanced Placement) courses. The following article is from the official College Board website. The below will let us know how to take your high school classes to the next level

VIS 為美國大學理事會（College Board）正式認證學校，經授權可開授AP課程。以下文章出自於美國大學理事會 College Board 官網，提供中文翻譯給學生家長參考，讓我們一同來看看如何從高中接軌世界頂尖大學 
 

Original source 原文出處:   https://reurl.cc/yr8OZq

How to Take Your High School Classes to the Next Level

從高中接軌世界頂尖大學

Taking challenging classes in high school is a great way to build new skills. And it will serve you well when you get to college, because you’ll be more prepared for the work. In a recent survey of college freshmen, more than half of the students surveyed said that they wish they had worked harder in high school.
想要鍛鍊新知技能、順利接軌留學生涯的最好辦法，就是在高中選修有挑戰性的課程。這樣的超前部署，在你申請世界頂尖大學時也絕對有幫助。最近在一項針對大學新鮮人的調查中發現，有超過一半的學生表示，他們早該在高中的時候就該多努力在課業上。

Challenging classes, such as honors and college-level courses, also help you get into college: They are exactly what admission officers like to see on applications.
菁英計畫課程、大學程度的先修課程等等，都可以幫助你在申請留學時加分：審核申請的人員在找的就是這樣的學生。

Honors and college-level courses are valuable for other reasons too. In the survey mentioned above, most of the students who took college-level courses as part of the Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate programs said that these classes were more worthwhile and more interesting than others.
菁英計畫課程、大學程度的先修課程也有別的重要價值，前段提到的大學新鮮人調查中，調查對象若有選修大學先修 AP 課程（Advanced Placement）或是國際文憑 （International Baccalaureate）課程，都表示這些課程比起別的課程更有價值也更有趣。

Experience a Different Approach
體驗不同的課程、為留學申請加分

Honors and college-level courses differ from regular classes in various ways. Here is a brief overview of some of the classes that may be available to you:

• Honors classes usually cover similar material as regular classes but at a faster pace or more deeply than regular classes
• The College Board’s  AP Program  offers college-level classes that help students develop and apply skills such as reading critically, solving problems analytically and writing clearly. There are more than 30 classes available.
• The IB program offers college-level classes that stress developing your thinking skills and an awareness of global issues.
• You may be able to take college courses while still in high school, either at your school or on a college campus.

菁英課程與大學先修課程跟一般課程比起來有許多不同。以下列出部分課程概況，可做修課參考：

• 菁英課程通常會囊括一班課程的範圍，但是節奏更快、難度也較深較廣
• 美國大學理事會的先修課程（ AP Program ）提供許多大學程度課程，可以幫助學生發展批判性閱讀、分析式解決問題、清晰寫作技巧等等。有超過 30 堂課程可以選擇。
• 國際文憑課程（ IB program）則提供大學程度的課程，強調思考技巧以及培養全球性問題的意識。
• 你也可以在高中時就直接上大學課程，可以在原本學校環境中接觸或是到大學校園裡上課。

Find Your Passion
找出你的熱情、爲申請國際頂大衝刺

Courses like these can introduce you to topics and ideas that are not covered in the regular classroom. For example, AP courses include Chinese Language and Culture, Environmental Science, and Psychology. This range of subjects allows you to explore your interests and develop new passions. You may even discover the subject that will become your college major or the focus of your career.
以上列出的課程，可以讓你了解一般課程裡不會接觸的主題和思考。例如，AP 課程就包含了中文與文化、環境科學以及心理學，這樣的科目可以讓你探索興趣、發展新的熱情。你甚至有機會發現你想要在大學選擇的主修、或是未來生涯裡想要發展的重點。

Build Important Skills
培養申請世界頂大的關鍵能力

Honors and college-level courses can help you learn the skills and habits you'll need for success in college and beyond. They will allow you to develop:

• Stronger writing skills
• Problem-solving abilities
• Time-management skills
• Discipline
• Good study habits

菁英課程與大學先修課程可以幫助你習得在大學生涯、甚至更久以後成功所需要的技能與習慣，你得以發展出以下的能力：

• 更強的寫作技巧
• 解決問題的能力
• 時間管理技巧
• 自律
• 良好學習習慣
   

Prepare for College
為申請世界頂尖大學做足準備

Showing that you're willing to push yourself by taking rigorous classes in high school can help when you're applying to college. In fact, the level of courses you take now is one of the first things colleges look at.
留學世界頂大的申請過程中，你若曾修習嚴謹的課程，就能展現你是個積極進取的學生。你現在修的課，就是申請大學時會被審視的重點。

In addition, college courses, IB classes and exams, and AP Exams may lead to college credit and advanced placement in college. This means you may be able to skip some basic college courses and move directly into interesting advanced classes. This also may allow you to free up enough time to pursue a double major or to study abroad.
此外，大學的課程、國際文憑與考試以及先修課程考試，也會影響大學學分。這表示你可以略過某些基礎課程，直接晉級到更有取的進階課程。也讓你更有機會有時間可以選擇雙主修或是留學海外。
 

Take the Plunge
爲申請世界頂大下定決心

Once you've decided to challenge yourself with honors or college-level courses, talk with your school counselor, a teacher or the school principal. He or she can help you get information about a course's workload, any preparation you might need and the way to sign up for this type of class.
在你決定參與菁英課程或是大學程度的課程，請跟學校的升學輔導老師、科任老師、導師或是校長談談。他們可以幫助你了解課程的難度，告訴你需要做什麼樣的準備、要如何註冊課程等等。提前準備、爲你申請留學世界頂大鋪路。

If you would like to discuss college options further, please make an appointment with our college counselor Rosalyn Shih ( collegecounseling@vis.tp.edu.tw ) to find out more.
如果VIS同學們想進一步討論如何選擇海外的大學，請與VIS的升學顧問 Miss Rosalyn Shih ( collegecounseling@vis.tp.edu.tw ) 預約晤談以了解更多資訊。