Welcome to WCHS Advanced Placement (AP) Night May 13, 2014 The Value Behind the Program What is Advanced Placement (AP)? Why take AP Courses? What AP Courses do we offer at WCHS/ISD? Advise and a Plan for Success for parents AND students that accept the challenge of AP The AP Commitment

What is Advanced Placement (AP)? *It is a cooperative effort between secondary schools and colleges/universities to offer rigorous courses/college like - that provides a means for colleges… -to grant credit -to grant placement in, -or both ….to students who have applied themselves in more rigorous courses AND +successfully earned a 3, 4 or 5 on their AP test.

Why take AP Courses? 3 P’s 1.Preparation 2.Practicality 3.Predictor

Why take AP Courses? 1. Preparation for College Studies show that regardless of their grade in the course or the score on the exam….. AP students are…. +better prepared for college through proper time management and +more academically prepared with experience of a more rigorous curriculum ….. than those students who choose/have not taken AP courses.

Why take AP Courses (cont)? 2. Practicality Most of the country’s colleges and universities grant credit, placement or both for qualifying AP exams. $85 vs $800 plus / The AP Payoff +Earning college credit but avoiding college tuition. Require a 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Test.

Why take AP Courses (cont)? 2. Practicality (cont.) *GPA Benefits (w/ a 3, 4 or 5 on AP Test) GradeUnweigh*WeightedPre-AP A B C D

Why take AP Courses (cont)? 3. Predictor of Success Students who take AP courses and the AP exam more easily adapt to college-level assessments….essay exams, thesis development and argumentation. The US Department of Education states, –AP courses are a stronger predictor of success in college than…. test scores or grade point average.

What Colleges look at when recruiting and eventually accepting prospective students (ranked in order of importance) Participation in college-prep/AP courses Admission test scores Grades in all subjects Class rank Essay/writing sample Counselor recommendation Teacher recommendation Interview Work/extra-curricular activities

What AP Courses Do We Offer? 15 AP Courses AP Language and Comp AP Literature and Comp AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Environmental Sci AP Statistics AP World History AP European History AP US History (APUSH) AP American Govt AP Music Theory AP 2 D Design/Photo AP Studio Art: Drawing Portfolio AP Studio Art: 2 D Design Portfolio AP 3 D Design Portfolio ************************* 6 Pre-AP Courses Pre-AP English II Pre-AP Bio Pre-AP Chemistry Pre-AP Science Pre-AP Geography Pre-AP Studio Art

Advise and a Plan for Success for Parents AND Students Commit….. Summer Prep…. –Many AP courses (especially history and English) require summer reading. –Make sure the reading is completed. –Initial grades will consist of work from this summer reading.

Advise and a Plan for Success for Parents AND Students (cont.) *Time Management You will need to evaluate interests, priorities and find a BALANCE for it all to co-exist……. Work Clubs Extra-curricular Activities Church Social Life Relaxation Hobbies

Advise and a Plan for Success for Parents AND Students (cont.) Adopt a “You Can Do It” Attitude….. *Expect several hours of homework each night….. + two hours each night for the average senior *Even if there is no homework from the course, review the reading or notes….study as you go. +it will pay off in the long run and reduce stress levels for everyone. *Complete all optional assignments. *Form study groups that focus on studying. +Collaboration! *Ask for help from your teacher…..

Advise and a Plan for Success for Parents AND Students (cont.) First Week of School / “AP Anxiety Week” Parents, when your student comes home the first day from school with their AP course expectations… REMAIN CALM! You will hear…. I can’t…I made a mistake.... It is too much…I have to change now…. Is he/she serious….I want to enjoy my senior year and not work hard!

Advise and a Plan for Success for Parents AND Students (cont.) Review slides 12 & 13, then slides 5-8…..

The AP Commitment Form You have already signed the form at enrollment….. We ask you to continue that commitment to take AP class(es)…. through May 23 through the Summer through 1 st day back on August 12th through anxiety week….. through to the finish……May 20, 2015.

QUESTIONS?