Charlottesville High School

Credit for Transfer Work: Charlottesville High School accepts credits towards graduation received from a Virginia public school or a Virginia nonpublic school accredited by one of the approved accrediting constituent members of VCPE. 

Charlottesville High School may accept standard units of credit toward graduation from all other schools, including home instruction.  The academic record of a student transferring must be evaluated by Charlottesville City Schools to determine the number of verified units of credit needed to graduate in accordance with 8VAC20-132-60.

Students must complete the Request to Take a Non-CHS Course Form and submit it to the building principal for approval in order to take college-level courses at local colleges and universities. Courses will only be added to the student’s transcript if they are replacing a course that is required for graduation.

AP classes are high school-level classes where students can earn college credit based on scores that they receive on end-of-year AP tests. Charlottesville City Schools pays for each AP exam for students who are enrolled in the corresponding AP course at CHS by the registration deadline (November 14) and who take the exam on the regularly scheduled date in May.

Students who register late, cancel an exam, or do not take the exam will be charged a $40 fee per exam. All outstanding fees must be paid before registering for future exams.

Like honors classes, AP classes are rigorous and require a significant time commitment outside of class. It is recommended that 9th grade students take no more than one AP class, 10th grade students take no more than two AP classes, 11th grade students take no more than four AP classes, and that 12th grade students take no more than five AP classes within one year. 

The University of Virginia and Piedmont Virginia Community College occasionally allow accelerated high school students to enroll in courses at their institutions during the regular academic year. In general, these special students have exceeded the offerings of the high school in a particular discipline, e.g., completed AP Calculus BC in the junior year and wish to continue studying mathematics beyond that level. The credit from the college is only placed on the Charlottesville High school transcript when it is used to satisfy a graduation requirement.

A student enrolled in a dual credit course must follow the college guidelines for course credit. Prior to admission to the community college, the student must take community college placement tests. Prior to registration, a student must receive permission from his or her counselor, and the principal, and must complete an application provided by the college. Application materials are available in the Counseling Department. All charges for tuition, books, labs, and supplies are the responsibility of the student.

Students must supply their own transportation to and from the college. Students are strongly encouraged to consider all of the curricular and co-curricular offerings available at CHS before enrolling in a course at the University of Virginia or at Piedmont Virginia Community College.

The articulation agreement is a formal written document between the high school and community college that identifies specific course competencies that must be successfully completed in order for the student to receive credit for the course at the community college. The course is offered at the high school during the regular day.

Acceptance by the community college for successfully completing an articulated course does not mean that the course will transfer to any other institution of higher learning. Prior to admission to Piedmont Virginia Community College, the student must take the community college placement tests.

The PVCC Dual Enrollment program allows eligible high school students to earn college and high school credits simultaneously.  Students can save money toward higher education since dual enrollment classes in high schools are offered at no cost to the student.  A student enrolled in a dual enrollment course must follow the community college guideline for course credit.  The course will be identified on the transcript as a college level course.  The student will receive a letter grade.  Teachers must meet Southern Association of Colleges and Schools educational and professional preparation requirements.

Prior to enrollment in a PVCC Dual Enrollment course, students must complete a PVCC admissions application, have at least a 3.0 high school cumulative GPA (or sufficient PSAT/SAT/ACT scores), have completed at least Algebra I level of math, and receive permission from their parent/guardian and CHS counseling director/principal to take the college-level course.

PVCC’s  English and Mathematics Placement document.

For more information, contact your CHS school counselor.

*Cumulative GPA may be weighted or unweighted and may be self-reported.

To qualify for the Early College Scholars program, a student must have a “B” average or better, be pursuing an Advanced Studies or Advanced Technical diploma, and complete at least 15 transferable college credits while enrolled in high school. The Governor’s Early College Scholars Agreement must be signed by the student and their parent or legal guardian and returned to the School Counseling office prior to January of the student’s senior year.

College credits can be earned through Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, Dual Credit, and/or Tech Prep courses. Most often, one high school credit equals 3-8 college credits, depending on the course. Students who meet the terms of the agreement are recognized as Early College Scholars and receive a certificate of recognition from the Governor of Virginia.

For more information, see:

DOE Virginia Early College Scholars

The UCGS is a one-year college program in which all courses are transferable and satisfy lower-division general education requirements at any Virginia public institution of higher education. The UCGS consists of seven course blocks.  To satisfy the UCGS, students are required to complete the appropriate number of courses in each block as described below.

Core requirement courses along with the elective courses in the major requirement area, allow a student to gain the minimum 32 credits required to earn the certification.