ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES
Through College Board’s AP college-level courses and exams, students can earn college credit and advanced placement, stand out in the admission process, and learn from some of the most skilled, dedicated, and inspiring teachers. From the moment students enter an AP classroom, they notice the difference—in the teacher’s approach to the subject, in the attitude of their classmates, in the way their peers start to think. In AP classrooms, the focus is not on memorizing facts and figures. Instead, students engage in intense discussions, solve problems collaboratively, and learn to write clearly and persuasively. With a variety of AP courses to choose from, including Environmental Science, Psychology and Economics, students will be able to explore interests and discover new passions. In AP classes, students study fascinating topics and ideas that just might become the foundation of their future college major or career. AP courses can help acquire the skills and habits needed to be successful in college. Students improve writing skills, sharpen problem-solving abilities, and develop time management skills, discipline, and study habits. Because of the demands of AP courses, the student should choose courses wisely and deliberately based on their personal passions and time commitments.
Most four-year colleges in the United States and many colleges in more than 60 other countries give students credit, advanced placement or both on the basis of AP Exam scores. By entering college with AP credits, students may have the time to move into upper level courses, pursue a double major or study abroad. Multiple research studies have shown that AP students who earn credit and advanced placement for the corresponding introductory college course:
- Perform well in subsequent courses within the same discipline
- Take more, not fewer, courses in the discipline for which they’ve received AP credit
- Tend to earn higher GPAs than non-AP students.
- Are more likely to graduate from college in four or five years
Talk to an AP teacher or a counselor about the course you want to take. It is crucial that the student and parent discuss the course’s workload, prerequisite courses, and any additional preparation students might need. AP courses require planning and preparation by the student through the appropriate course selection and counseling services. Students planning to take AP courses in the future are strongly encouraged to enroll in Honors for prerequisite coursework.