English and Math and Science and Social Studies and Spanish Placement Guidelines - Last Updated 2/21/20

Sep 15, 2026

English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish placement guidelines define course eligibility and recommended class placement using performance benchmarks. Thresholds reference standardized assessments such as FSA, HSPT, PSAT, and SAT, along with grade averages for Honors and AP tracks. Graduation requirements specify that students must complete multi-year coursework in each subject area, including required prerequisite sequencing for science and AP options. Final recommendations also consider committee input, teacher recommendations, work ethic, and motivation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

English Placement Guidelines

Placement thresholds and honors/AP criteria

Math Placement Guidelines

Placement thresholds and graduation requirement

Science Placement Guidelines

Course sequencing, prerequisites, and AP criteria

Social Studies Placement Guidelines

World/U.S./Psychology/Geography and graduation requirement

Spanish Placement Guidelines

Placement criteria for Spanish I-IV and AP Spanish

English Placement Guidelines English I English II English III AP Language (11) English IV AP Literature (12) College Prep Minimum 3 on the FSA 1-3 on the essay score Minimum score on HSPT Minimum score on PSAT Passing grade in English I Minimum score on PSAT Passing grade in English II N/A Minimum passing percentile on the SAT/PSAT Passing grade in English III N/A Honors 4 or above on the FSA 5-6 on the FSA essay 80% tile on HSPT 80% tile on PSAT 90% average in Honors English I 96% average in English I >Grade Equivalent on HSPT English 80% tile on PSAT 90% average in Honors English II 96% average in English II >Grade Equivalent on HSPT English N/A 80% tile on the SAT/PSAT 90% average in Honors English III 96% average in English III >Grade Equivalent on HSPT English N/A AP N/A N/A N/A 85% tile on PSAT 92% average in H English II N/A 85% tile on the SAT/PSAT 95% average in Honors English III 90% average in AP Language *Percentile averages in Reading and Writing *Recommendations for class placement are also based upon committee recommendation, work ethic and motivation. Graduation Requirement: Must take English all 4 years attending SJN Department Head: Denise Szedelyi, [DSzedelyi@sjnceltics.org](DSzedelyi@sjnceltics.org) Last Updated: 2/21/20 Math Placement Guidelines High School Algebra I Geometry Algebra II H Pre-Calc H Statistics College Algebra College Algebra/Trig AP Calculus (AB) AP Calculus (BC) College Prep Graduation Requirement Passing grade in HS Alg I Passing grade in Geo N/A N/A Passing grade in Alg II 85% average in Alg II N/A N/A Honors 90% average in 8th grade 80% average on HSPT >60% on SJN Math Placement Test 90% average in HS H Alg I 95% average in HS Alg I >Grade equivalent of 10.0 on HSPT 88% on SJN Math Placement Test 90% average in H Geo 95% average in Geo 85% tile on PSAT (Math) 85% average in H Alg II 85% tile on PSAT (Math) 80% average in H Alg II 90% average in Alg II N/A N/A N/A N/A AP N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 85% average in H Pre-Calc 85% tile on PSAT (Math) 85% average in AP Calc AB Score of 3 on AP exam Graduation Requirement: Must take Math all 4 years attending SJN Note: Teacher recommendations, work ethic, and motivation will also be considered. Department Head: Paula Roberts, [PRoberts@sjnceltics.org](PRoberts@sjnceltics.org) Last Updated: 2/21/20 Science Placement Guidelines Biology (9) Chemistry (10) Physics (11, 12) Marine Forensics Anatomy & Physiology AP Environment (11, 12) AP Biology (11, 12) College Prep Graduation Requirement Graduation Requirement Passing grade in Bio Graduation Requirement Passing grade in Chem Passing grade in Chem Passing grade in Chem N/A N/A N/A Honors 90% average in 8th grade 85% tile on HSPT 90% average in H Bio 95% average in Bio 85% tile on PSAT 90% average in H Chem 95% average in Chem 85%tile on PSAT 85% average in Chem 80% tile on PSAT (Read) N/A 90% average in Bio & Chem 85% tile on PSAT N/A N/A AP N/A 90% tile in PSAT (Read & Math) 90% average in H Chem 95% average in Chem 90% average in previous Science 90% tile on PSAT (Math) N/A N/A N/A 90% average in previous Science 90% tile on PSAT (Read) 90% average in previous Science 90% tile on PSAT (Read) Graduation Requirement: Must take 3 years of Science *Biology and Chemistry required for graduation *Additional credits of Science recommended for college entrance AP prerequisites: Students must take Biology and Chemistry before taking a science AP course Note: Teacher recommendations, work ethic, and motivation will also be considered. Department Head: Felecia Sotilleo, [FSotilleo@sjnceltics.org](FSotilleo@sjnceltics.org) Last Updated: 2/21/20 Social Studies Placement Guidelines World History (9, AP: 10, 11, 12) U

FAQs

How are students placed into English courses, Honors, and AP programs?

English placement uses passing grades and benchmark scores on assessments such as FSA, HSPT, PSAT, and SAT, alongside grade averages for Honors and AP tracks. Committee, work ethic, and motivation are also considered.

What math placement benchmarks determine eligibility for Honors and AP Calculus?

Math placement relies on course passing grades and specific average/percentile thresholds tied to prior achievement and tests like HSPT and PSAT (Math). AP Calculus options use AP exam score requirements where specified.

What science prerequisites and graduation requirements apply for AP science courses?

Science requires completing three years and specifies that Biology and Chemistry are required for graduation. For AP science courses, students must take Biology and Chemistry before enrolling in an AP science course.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by นรินทร์