INFORMATION NIGHT INFORMATION NIGHT Stone Bridge High School

What is AP? The Advanced Placement (AP) is a program created by the College Board offering college-level curriculum and examinations to high school students. American colleges often grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores above a certain number on the examinations. The Advanced Placement (AP) is a program created by the College Board offering college-level curriculum and examinations to high school students. American colleges often grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores above a certain number on the examinations.

Why take AP courses? Confidence: develop better study habits, improve your writing skills and sharpen your problem solving abilities. Confidence: develop better study habits, improve your writing skills and sharpen your problem solving abilities. Credit: Entering college with AP credits gives you time to move into upper-level courses in your field of interest, pursue a double major, or study/travel abroad Credit: Entering college with AP credits gives you time to move into upper-level courses in your field of interest, pursue a double major, or study/travel abroad College Success: Research consistently shows that students who are successful in AP typically experience greater academic success in college than similar students who do not participate in AP. College Success: Research consistently shows that students who are successful in AP typically experience greater academic success in college than similar students who do not participate in AP.

A few words from our SCA students…

First experience with AP First experience with AP Balance Balance Considerations Considerations Reality check Reality check Benefits Benefits

Considerations Work Ethic Work Ethic Maturity Maturity Organizational Skills Organizational Skills “Passion” for Subject “Passion” for Subject Rigorous Pace Rigorous Pace Taking Initiative—seeking assistance Taking Initiative—seeking assistance Independent Work Independent Work Cooperative Learning Cooperative Learning

More Considerations Realistic Time Commitments Realistic Time Commitments Balance Balance Grading Grading Learning Curve Learning Curve AP Exam AP Exam

Questions for students? for example… How many AP’s should I take? How many AP’s should I take? How much time will I need to study for each AP course? How much time will I need to study for each AP course? What’s the hardest AP class? What’s the hardest AP class? Is AP English Lit harder than AP English Language? Is AP English Lit harder than AP English Language?

Breakout Sessions EnglishWorld Languages ScienceMath Social Sciences Auditorium Stage

AP Weighting 1.0 added to quality points 1.0 added to quality points C = 3.3 C = 3.3 Exam should be taken Exam should be taken $83 exam fee $83 exam fee

Plan of Studies

High School Plan of Studies Personal Finance & Economics

Social Sciences Advanced Placement Program Goals Inclusion Inclusion Communication/Awareness of the Community Communication/Awareness of the Community Academic Rigor: Complex, Ambiguous, Provocative, Emotional Academic Rigor: Complex, Ambiguous, Provocative, Emotional Preparation of Students Preparation of Students

World History Examination World History Examination Three Hours and Five minutes long Three Hours and Five minutes long Section I: 70 Multiple Choice Question: 55 minutes Section I: 70 Multiple Choice Question: 55 minutes Section II: Three Essays in this 130 minute free response section—compare/contrast, change over time, document based question (DBQ). Graded on a 1-9 Rubric. National average for essays usually around 3.0! Section II: Three Essays in this 130 minute free response section—compare/contrast, change over time, document based question (DBQ). Graded on a 1-9 Rubric. National average for essays usually around 3.0!

Historical Thinking Skills The AP World History curriculum emphasizes specific historical thinking skills. Crafting Historical Arguments from Historical Evidence Crafting Historical Arguments from Historical Evidence Chronological Reasoning Chronological Reasoning Comparison and Contextualization Comparison and Contextualization Historical Interpretation and Synthesis Historical Interpretation and Synthesis

Course Themes : AP World History highlights FIVE overarching themes 1. Interaction between Humans and Environment 2. Development and Interaction of Cultures 3. State Building, Expansion, and Conflict 4. Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems 5. Development and Transformation of Social Structures

Stone Bridge + AP World History For the seven years the exam has been given in Loudoun County, over 70 % of SBHS students have passed the exam with a score of 3, 4, or 5. National average pass rate hovers approximately around % with a low of 48%. For the seven years the exam has been given in Loudoun County, over 70 % of SBHS students have passed the exam with a score of 3, 4, or 5. National average pass rate hovers approximately around % with a low of 48%.

Sample Essays *Compare and contrast Han China and Imperial Rome in terms of the political control that they exercised over their respective populations. *Analyze the cultural and political changes and continuities in ONE of the following civilizations during the last centuries of the classical era. Chinese, 100 CE to 600 CE Roman, 100 CE to 600 CE Indian, 300 CE to 600 CE

Math Progression

Geometry Students MUST have a strong grasp of Algebra I concepts! Students MUST have a strong grasp of Algebra I concepts! Students MUST realize “Geometry is like a language!”… Students must recall and apply vocabulary! Students MUST realize “Geometry is like a language!”… Students must recall and apply vocabulary! Math may not be the passion for the students who enroll in this course. Math may not be the passion for the students who enroll in this course.

Functions, Algebra, and Data Analysis This course is a bridge between Algebra I and Algebra II. This course is a bridge between Algebra I and Algebra II. Students looking to strengthen Algebra I skills should enroll. Students looking to strengthen Algebra I skills should enroll.

Algebra II Students MUST have a strong grasp of Algebra I concepts! Students MUST have a strong grasp of Algebra I concepts! Math may not be the passion for the students who enroll in this course. Math may not be the passion for the students who enroll in this course.

Algebra II/Trigonometry Students MUST have a passion for mathematics Students MUST have a passion for mathematics and be self-motivated! Students MUST have a strong grasp of Algebra I concepts! Did students earn “A”s on their midterm and final exams to demonstrate long term retention/comprehension? Students MUST have a strong grasp of Algebra I concepts! Did students earn “A”s on their midterm and final exams to demonstrate long term retention/comprehension? If a student is enrolled in this course, he/she should be enrolled in higher science courses as well. If a student is enrolled in this course, he/she should be enrolled in higher science courses as well. This course has a common county-wide assessment.

Advanced Functions and Modeling This course is a bridge between Algebra II and Advanced Algebra/Precalculus. This course is a bridge between Algebra II and Advanced Algebra/Precalculus. Students looking to strengthen Algebra II skills should enroll. Students looking to strengthen Algebra II skills should enroll. Students will be exposed to real world mathematics by completing labs. Students will be exposed to real world mathematics by completing labs.

Advanced Algebra/Precalculus Students should have a passion for mathematics, a STRONG grasp of Algebra II concepts, and intentions to enroll in Calculus at some point! Students should have a passion for mathematics, a STRONG grasp of Algebra II concepts, and intentions to enroll in Calculus at some point! Students MUST have a strong grasp of Algebra II concepts! Did students earn “A”s on their midterm and final exams to demonstrate long term retention/comprehension? Students MUST have a strong grasp of Algebra II concepts! Did students earn “A”s on their midterm and final exams to demonstrate long term retention/comprehension?

Prob Stats/Discrete Math These courses span all disciplines. These courses span all disciplines. Students will enhance creative problem solving ability through verbal and written communication. Students will enhance creative problem solving ability through verbal and written communication. Students will learn to think differently. Students will learn to think differently. Discrete Math Topics include: Discrete Math Topics include: Code breaking Code breaking Voting Methods Voting Methods Fair Division Fair Division The Mathematics of Apportionment The Mathematics of Apportionment Methods of Best Path (Traveling Salesman Problem) Methods of Best Path (Traveling Salesman Problem) Graph Theory Graph Theory Fractal Geometry Fractal Geometry

Mathematical Analysis Students MUST have a passion for mathematics Students MUST have a passion for mathematics and be self-motivated! Students MUST have a strong grasp of Algebra II and Trigonometry concepts! Students MUST have a strong grasp of Algebra II and Trigonometry concepts! If a student is enrolled in this course, he/she should be enrolled in higher science courses as well. If a student is enrolled in this course, he/she should be enrolled in higher science courses as well. This course has a common county-wide assessment.

Advanced Placement Calculus AB Students MUST have a passion for mathematics Students MUST have a passion for mathematics and be self-motivated! Students MUST have a strong grasp of Algebra and Precalculus concepts! Students MUST have a strong grasp of Algebra and Precalculus concepts! Students MUST be able to justify their solutions by applying mathematical language. Students MUST be able to justify their solutions by applying mathematical language. If a student is enrolled in this course, he/she should be enrolled in higher science courses as well. If a student is enrolled in this course, he/she should be enrolled in higher science courses as well.

Advanced Placement Calculus BC Students MUST have a passion for mathematics Students MUST have a passion for mathematics and be self-motivated! Students MUST have a strong grasp of Algebra and Precalculus concepts! Students MUST have a strong grasp of Algebra and Precalculus concepts! Students MUST be able to justify their solutions by applying mathematical language. Students MUST be able to justify their solutions by applying mathematical language. If a student is enrolled in this course, he/she should be enrolled in higher science courses as well. If a student is enrolled in this course, he/she should be enrolled in higher science courses as well.

Multivariable Calculus Students MUST have a passion for mathematics and Students MUST have a passion for mathematics and be self-motivated! be self-motivated! Stone Bridge may offer this course in Stone Bridge may offer this course in

Advanced Placement Statistics This course incorporates a lot of reading and writing as well as lab applications. This course incorporates a lot of reading and writing as well as lab applications. Students MUST be self- motivated, enjoy real-world applications, and be able to reason word problems. Students MUST be self- motivated, enjoy real-world applications, and be able to reason word problems. Colleges report most majors require a stats class. Taking the AP can give students credit or a head start. Colleges report most majors require a stats class. Taking the AP can give students credit or a head start.

Computer Mathematics & Advanced Placement Computer Science A These courses span all disciplines. These courses span all disciplines. Students will enhance creative problem solving ability. Students will enhance creative problem solving ability. Students will learn to think differently. Students will learn to think differently. These courses are beneficial These courses are beneficial for students pursuing Math, Engineering, and Science degrees or careers.

Math Progression

AP English Lit. vs. Lang. READING: Novels – 6 in total Plays – 1-2 (Shakespeare) Poetry Selection Skills in reading to consider effect of literary techniques on meaning WRITING: In class time essays Creative writing Focus on how language contributed to meaning – Multiple Choice Skills (reading critically) Analysis – of form and content Essays – formal, timed, writings Focusing on analysis READING: Non-Fiction Focus 3 longer texts Various essays, speeches and letters Focus on Rhetoric – the art of persuasion - technique WRITING: In class time essays Writing in the various modes (Exposition, narrative, persuasive etc.) Emphasis on Argumentation AP Literature AP Language

Honors English Students Should: be able to comprehend grade-level texts be able to comprehend grade-level texts engage in reading outside of class engage in reading outside of class command a wide range of writing strategies command a wide range of writing strategies possess a spirit of inquiry, be curious possess a spirit of inquiry, be curious make connections between text and real life make connections between text and real life apply analysis skills to new texts apply analysis skills to new texts

Honors English Students Should: be capable of fresh interpretations of old texts be capable of fresh interpretations of old texts be able to develop and articulate questions be able to develop and articulate questions be able to adapt an assumption when confronted with new information be able to adapt an assumption when confronted with new information demonstrate originality of thinking demonstrate originality of thinking show diligence show diligence be independent searchers of information be independent searchers of information

Honors English Students Should: have the ability to build on what happens in class outside of class have the ability to build on what happens in class outside of class be thinking at a higher analytical level be thinking at a higher analytical level have curiosity in the English discipline have curiosity in the English discipline engage in the ongoing reading of novels, blogs, nonfiction engage in the ongoing reading of novels, blogs, nonfiction demonstrate a willingness to write demonstrate a willingness to write engage in deep revision engage in deep revision

AP Science AP Biology Co-requisite: Chemistry AP Chemistry AP Physics Co-requisite: Calculus

Stone Bridge High School 2013 AP Exam Schedule Morning Session 7:45 AM Afternoon Session 12:45 PM Monday, May 6ChemistryPsychology Tuesday, May 7Computer Science A Spanish Language Wednesday, May 8Calculus AB Calculus BC Thursday, May 9English LiteratureLatin Friday, May10English LanguageStatistics Studio Art (portfolios due) Monday, May 13BiologyPhysics C: Mechanics Tuesday, May 14Government & PoliticsGovernment (Comparative) French Language Wednesday, May 15German Language U.S. History Thursday, May 16Macroeconomics World History Microeconomics Friday, May 17Human Geography