Here is a list of terms that appear in Texas School Guide that may be confusing or new to parents. Please contact us to let us know if you find any other terms confusing and we will be happy to consider defining them in future editions.
- Advanced Placement Courses (AP): These rigorous courses are a part of the Advanced Placement Program (AP Program) and are offered at many high schools. AP Courses are taught by highly qualified teachers, offer college-level curriculum, and culminate with an AP Exam. Some colleges accept high scores on AP Exams to fulfill college course credits.
- Charter School: Charter schools are public schools that operate independently of local school districts. They are tuition-free and open to any student within a specified region that wishes to apply, but frequently use a lottery system for enrollment due to high demand.
- Early Education (EE): The Texas Education Agency reports the grade levels that are represented at each school. Early Education (EE) is a grade level for students between the ages of zero and five who have not been placed in pre-kindergarten (PK) or kindergarten (KG). This includes students in Head Start programs who do not meet the requirements for state funds.
- International Baccalaureate (IB): The IB Program is a rigorous, focused curriculum for juniors and seniors in high schools. It offers advanced coursework and, similar to AP, involves subject tests leading to the IB Diploma. The IB Program is recognized by many universities throughout the world.
- Magnet Schools / Programs (Programs and Schools of Choice): Magnet programs have curriculum that is aligned to a particular focus area, such as Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM), performing arts, leadership, or certain career paths. These programs require an application, and may be selective or use a lottery system. In Fort Worth ISD these schools and programs are called Programs and Schools of Choice.
- Montessori: Montessori refers to a particular teaching method that focuses on bringing out the natural interests of a child, in contrast to a more uniform teaching method.
- Nontraditional Public School: For the purpose of this guide, the nontraditional public school label includes schools that offer a specialized curriculum or are designed to meet the needs of a special student population. This includes alternative schools and programs.
- Post-Secondary Education: Post-secondary education refers to various educational tracks a student can engage in after high school, including two-year colleges, career and technical, trade schools and four-year universities and colleges.
- Traditional Public School: For the purpose of this guide, the traditional public school label includes all district (i.e., non-charter) schools that offer “traditional” coursework to the general student populations. Traditional public schools include schools that house magnet programs. These schools are typically “neighborhood schools” that students are zoned to based on their home addresses.