The Nogales High School Honor's Curriculum includes classes in English, Fine Arts, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages, and Science. We offer these courses to all students, but we recommend them for our most highly motivated students because of the quality as well as quantity of work we expect from them in these classes.

The NHS Honor's Curriculum revolves around two programs. One is the widely-acclaimed International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which offers a core curriculum of six subject areas and other requirements, leading to the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma. Students who do not choose to pursue the complete diploma may sign up for individual classes and take exams for certificates. Students with both the IB Diploma and the IB Certificates can earn college-level credit.

We also offer Advanced Placement (AP) classes in many subject areas. We teach these classes at the college level and include exams that also earn college credit. In addition, students that complete the IB Diploma and Certificate and pass the AP Exams earn college credits.

We encourage students to consider and try at least on Honors course. By choosing the Honors course, students make a decision to commit themselves to the requirements and responsibility.

Since the 1997 – 98 school year, Nogales High School has offered two types of Honor's Diplomas. Candidates for the IB Diploma are also eligible for the NHS Honor's Diploma.

Honor's Diploma Requirements

Students must meet several criteria to earn an Honor's Diploma.

NHS Honor's Diploma Requirements

• Honors Course Hours

  • 15 honors courses

  • 3.5 GPA on a non-weighted 4.0 scale for all classes

• External Exams

  • Four or more

  • SAT II subject exam

• 100 Documented Community Service hours during Junior and Senior years

• Students must attend NHS during the 7th and 8th semesters to qualify for the Honor's Diploma

  • GPA will be determined at the end of the 7th semester

Along with other requirements, all seniors are required to complete and pass a Senior Exhibition before they can graduate

*NHS offers Spanish and French

Other NHS graduation requirements

• Senior Exhibition – Research Paper, Project/Portfolio, Speech

• Civics Test

• Extended Essay is written and presented in lieu of Senior Exhibition for students who are declared IB Candidates

Grades in Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses for freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior students are on a weighted system as follows:

• A = 5

• B = 4

• C = 3

• D = 1

• F = 0

Points for all other courses are as follows:

• A = 4

• B = 3

• C = 2

• D = 1

• F = 0

This process encourages student enrollment in academically rigorous courses and influences overall high school GPA and class rank. Students taking college prep coursework beyond the minimum admission standards will:

• Strengthen preparation for college admission exams

• Develop strong academic and study skills

• Have a higher probability of acceptance into competitive college majors

• Have a better rate of success in college

For admission, universities recalculate GPA on a 4.0 scale with grades in the 16 core requirement classes.

For further information, please make an appointment with Mrs. Jennifer Valenzuela at Email Mrs. Jennifer Valenzuela, IB/AP Honors Coordinator, at (520) 377-2021 ext 2505.