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Honors Academy

Honors Academy Information

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Students that are interested in challenging themselves academically and want to pursue a college education should consider the Honors Academy. It is an excellent addition to college applications, and a requirement is to complete 5 AP level courses that will potentially save you a semester of college tuition or more. Additional information about the Honors Academy is listed below or click here to download the Honors Academy Application Brochure.

 

Honors Academy Field Trip to Nichols College 

On April 14, 2026, the Honors Academy students had a great field trip at Nichols for their first college campus experience and tour.  

The students visited the Athletics Center, Old Fieldhouse, a green room where podcasts are made, dry erase tables in the International Student and Study Abroad Center, visited the library and media center as well as all of the other buildings and dorms.  

A large group of people, mostly young adults, standing together in a gymnasium with a banner that reads %22The Herd%22 displayed on the wall behind them.
A large group of people, mostly young adults, gathered in front of a modern building with a distinctive architectural design, under a clear blue sky.
A group of people, both adults and children, are gathered in a large indoor sports facility with a basketball court and high ceilings.
The image shows a group of people standing in front of a large green screen, with various film equipment and lighting setups visible in the background.
A classroom setting with students seated at tables, some engaged in activities, and various decorations and displays visible on the walls.
A group of people, mostly young adults, are gathered in a hallway with wooden paneling and trim, waiting in line for what appears to be an event or activity.
A group of people, likely students, gathered outside a brick building with a columned entrance, surrounded by trees and a grassy area.

What is Honors Academy?

  • A program designed to provide students with support, added incentives and a pathway to succeed
  • A group of strongly motivated students who are willing to challenge themselves to take multiple AP level courses during high school to get a jump start on college
  • Access to thousands of dollars in scholarships

Who can participate?

  • Incoming freshmen to SHRHS with a 3.2 GPA (87 average in grade 7 & 8)
  • Students in good standing academically
  • Students with no disciplinary record
  • Students interested in applying to the program

What do students gain?

  • Students will have access to cohort-specific study halls
  • Students will receive a subsidy on their first AP exam
  • Students will receive an Honors Academy certificate upon graduation and it will be evident on their college transcript
  • Students will be eligible for academic scholarships
  • Students will be invited to breakfast clubs which will help them focus on building their college resume and making important contacts within the school community

I'm interested! Now what?

Speak to your guidance counselor or reach out to SHRHS Honors Academy Program Coordinators, Mr. James Laliberte, Guidance @ jlaliberte@dcrsd.org or Mrs. Cynthia Piehl, Math Department Coordinator @ cpiehl@dcrsd.org.

What are the requirements?

In addition to the required SHRHS courses for high school graduation, students:

  1. May choose to enroll in a specific pathway - see guidance for specifics
  2. Must complete a minimum of 5 AP level courses by graduation
  3. Must maintain a 3.2 GPA to remain in good standing
  4. Must maintain good attendance
  5. Maintain a clean disciplinary record

Earn College Credit and Placement!

Your AP score could earn you college credits before you even set foot on campus. In fact, most AP students who enroll in 4 year colleges start school with some credit. 

Current AP Offerings at Shepherd Hill Regional High School

  • AP Biology
  • AP Calculus AB
  • AP Calculus BC
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Computer Science Principles
  • AP Computer Science A
  • AP English Lang and Comp
  • AP English Literature
  • AP Environmental Science
  • AP European History
  • AP Music Theory
  • AP Physics
  • AP PreCalculus
  • AP Research
  • AP Seminar
  • AP Spanish
  • AP Statistics
  • AP US History

Questions? Or need more information?

Contact the SHRHS Honors Academy Program Coordinators, Mr. James Laliberte, Guidance @ jlaliberte@dcrsd.org or Mrs. Cynthia Piehl, Math Department Coordinator @ cpiehl@dcrsd.org.