A
curriculum track in
high school designed to
prepare a
student for the rigors of study at a
college or
university. Usually consists of more
math,
science,
english, and
history courses than the
average student takes. Contrast with
general education and
vo-tech.
Also, at many high schools, college prep courses are weighted such that it is well-nigh impossible for gen ed or vo-tech students to make it into the top ten or to valedictorian or salutatorian. You also end up with people getting GPAs of 4.75 on a 4.0 scale.