Accelerated high school classes — more demanding than regular, less than AP/IB.
Honors courses cover material faster and deeper than standard classes but do not follow a national curriculum like AP or IB. They are a step up in rigor and usually add +0.5 to your weighted GPA. Most schools offer honors in core subjects (English, Math, Science, History).
Why it matters
Honors courses are the "floor" of academic rigor at competitive high schools. If your school offers honors and you skip them, colleges will notice. They are especially important in 9th and 10th grade before AP/IB courses become available.
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