@me29034 I don’t know what the difference is from school to school or even within my own child’s school only that honors classes as far as I know, are doable and not nearly as difficult as people make them out to be. You’ve given good advice in terms of talking to teachers and inquiring about the differences between the two if concerned.
I was a concerned parent when my child’s first high school counselor freshman year insisted on my child taking all honors and AP because of her middle school record. I was worried and thought she should ease in and gain some confidence in high school first. She was going to major in a stem subject at the time so why honors english etc. Turns out the counselor was right about challenging her. She quickly adjusted and did very well. Her writing improved tremendously which impacted her entire high school career in a positive way and definitely improved her odds for scholarships and selective college acceptances.
Either way and whatever OP decides, he/she will be fine.