Only 1 Honors class because of school program - should I explain it in additional info box?

Applying to College
1

<p>I was in a magnet program specializing in global affairs and world languages. Because of this I took the required classes for the program and I could not take honors classes (I took Global Literature instead of Honors English, for example). As a result I only have 1 honors class throughout my whole high school career. I think this looks really bad, should I explain the reason behind it in the Common App's additional info box? Some of the colleges I am applying for ask for the number of honors classes I took and I feel like an idiot putting down 1. </p>

<p>And for a class to be considered honors, it has to have "honors" explicitly in the course title, correct? Thanks. </p>

2

<p>First talk to your guidance counselor and see if 1) that information is already on your school profile which is sent to colleges along with your transcript and 2) see if he/she has included that in the guidance counselor recommendation. If the school has no other way to get that information, then I’d include it on your application. I’d put in a brief sentence describing the benefit of the program/why you did it along with the information that it precluded you from taking some classes.</p>