college admissions, questions & answers

All about academic decile: A key to student success

By College Raptor StaffPublished on May 13, 2026

Key takeaways An academic decile groups data into 10 equal parts to compare and group academic performance of students within a school. In the U.S., deciles are often used for class rank in college admissions. In some countries, like New Zealand, deciles may be used to decide how much money schools get. While informative for …

college admissions, questions & answers

What is a Master of Public Health (MPH)?

By College Raptor StaffPublished on May 12, 2026

Key takeaways A Master of Public Health is a graduate degree that allows students to specialize in public health issues, including how to address and prevent them. Earning an MPH typically takes 18-24 months to complete, with 42-80 credit hours required. Those with an MPH may work as an epidemiologist, health policy analyst, biostatistician, health …

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Charter vs. public school – what’s the difference?

By College Raptor StaffPublished on December 2, 2025

Key takeaway Both charter and public schools are publicly funded and don’t require tuition Charter schools have more flexibility in their instruction and school size. Public schools receive funding from and are managed by the government. Charter schools operate independently under a state-approved charter and often seek additional private or grant funding. While charter schools …

college admissions, questions & answers

All 40 AP Classes Ranked by Difficulty

By College Raptor StaffPublished on August 4, 2025

Key Takeaway AP class difficulty will vary by student and school, but we can look at the 2025 AP exam pass rates to get a helpful glimpse into which classes are generally more or less challenging. The “easiest” AP classes include: AP Research, AP Chinese Language and Culture, AP Seminar, AP Spanish Language and Culture, …

college admissions, questions & answers

How to Graduate High School Early

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on July 16, 2025

Key Takeaway Graduating early can be a smart move for some students as it can allow them to start college sooner, enter the workforce, or begin their next chapter. There are many reasons students choose to graduate early: academic readiness, personal goals, financial reasons, or looking for more flexibility. While it’s possible to graduate high …

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Game On: Making Learning Stick With These 7 Classroom Games

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on July 16, 2025

Key Takeaways Implementing classroom games in a high school setting is a refreshing way to improve classroom learning, increase motivation, and get students collaborating. Depending on the needs of your students and the content you are teaching, opt for the type of game that works best: academic, digital, physical, or creative. Below we’ve listed seven …

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Back-To-School Activities for High School Students

By College Raptor StaffPublished on May 20, 2025

Key Takeaway Looking for icebreakers and team-building exercises that students will actually love participating in? We’ve put together 10 back-to-school activities that can help establish a positive classroom environment for the year ahead: Two Truths and a Lie School Scavenger Hunt Human Knot Human Bingo Meet and Greet Event Beach Ball Toss “This or That” …

college applications, questions & answers

Accommodations for Students and How to Get Them

By Hilary CairnsPublished on February 5, 2025

All colleges and universities in the United States offer accommodations to students with disabilities. They can vary from advanced course selection to additional time on exams, depending on the individual’s needs. Some conditions that qualify for accommodations include learning disabilities, blindness, hard of hearing, and chronic medical conditions. You can learn more about accommodations at …

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10 Winter Break Camps for High School Students

By Hilary CairnsPublished on January 13, 2025

Winter break camps are an excellent way for high school students to stay active during and after the holidays! Even busy high school seniors can reap benefits of these unique opportunities. Below, we explain what a winter break camp is, their benefits, and give a few examples of camps you might want to check out. …

college applications, questions & answers

How Much Do Grades Matter in High School?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on April 28, 2025

Key Takeaways Despite the ongoing debate about whether or not grades should be given, they are still important in high school. While grades don’t represent the whole picture of who you are, they do play a role in what classes you’re placed in, what colleges accept you, and how much financial aid you may receive. …