The Advanced Placement Program ® Great Bridge High School Presented by: Donna Weingand Assistant Principal for Instruction

Advanced Placement Program ® (AP ® ) courses give students a head start for college. Taking AP courses and exams sends a powerful message to colleges and universities that students are prepared for serious academic work. Students can gain admission, college credit, and placement into advanced courses.

Prepare Now to Succeed in College A recent U.S. Department of Education study found that the strongest predictor of college graduation is the preparation students do in high school before they go to college. The most rigorous, college-level courses in high school are AP courses. Clifford Adelman, Answers in the Tool Box: Academic Intensity, Attendance Patterns, and Bachelor’s Degree Attainment (1999), U.S. Department of Education.

AP and College Success ™ According to a recent study.. College students who have taken an AP course have a 33% chance of completing a Bachelor’s Degree College students who have completed (taken and passed the exam) one AP course have a 59% chance of completing a Bachelor’s Degree College students who have completed two or more AP courses increase to more than a 76% chance of completing a Bachelor’s Degree Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely than their peers to complete a bachelor’s degree in four years or fewer. Source: Camara, Wayne (2003). College Persistence, Graduation, and Remediation. College Board Research Notes (RN-19). New York, NY: College Board.

What’s the difference between AP and Honors? AP courses are not just a level above honors courses – they are completely different courses that are designed and updated annually to reflect what is being taught in college courses. Students receive an external evaluation— the AP Exam—which is scored by both college and highly qualified high-school faculty from around the world who verify that the student has mastered college-level work.

Why take the AP Exam? Most of the nation’s colleges and universities, plus colleges and universities in 24 other countries, grant students admission, credit, and/or placement for qualifying AP exam grades. At most universities students can use qualifying AP exam grades to: Graduate in three or three-and-a-half years Fulfill general education requirements Enter upper-level courses

What’s the difference between credit and placement? Some colleges award credit for qualifying AP exam grades. This means the student earns credit towards a college degree. Other colleges award advanced placement. This means students can skip introductory courses, enter higher-level classes, and/or waive general education requirements.

What are some other advantages of taking AP exams? Stand out in the admissions process Students who have taken AP courses show maturity and higher readiness for college AP students demonstrate a commitment to hard-work A “strong schedule” makes students a great sell for college admissions Earn academic scholarships and awards Experience college-level exams Qualify to be an AP Scholar – a lifetime award (score of 3 on at least 3 AP exams) Qualify to be an AP National Scholar – GPA of 4.0 in 8 AP courses

Earn Academic Scholarships or Awards Some of the most competitive scholarship awards value AP exam grades: “Having the AP exam grade can make the difference when it comes down to awarding precious scholarship dollars.” —Edwina Harris Hamby, Dean of Admission Fisk University

Suggested Requirements to Take AP Courses Solid skills: PSAT scores are highly correlated to success in AP courses Solid preparation in Honors courses (though not an absolute requirement) A 3.0 GPA – Students generally need appreciably higher to be successful A conscientious work ethic, student motivation, and student commitment The ability to read well (AP textbooks can be difficult to read) A willingness to make preparation for AP courses a priority (homework, reading load, studying) Support at home

Plan Ahead for AP Coursework Students wishing to take advantage of AP coursework at Great Bridge High School should plan ahead! Prerequisites needed Consider doubling-up on Math and Science Use the four-year planning chart in your scheduling book.

AP Courses: Science AP Biology – Ms. Barbara Bates (FY) AP Chemistry – Mrs. Carol Gonyo (FY) AP Physics I – Mr. David Herman (S1) AP Physics II – Mr. David Herman (S2)

AP Courses: Mathematics AP Calculus AB – Mrs. Kathy Cannon (S1) AP Calculus BC – Mrs. Kathy Cannon (S2) AP Statistics – Mr. Bruce Mayhue (S1/ S2)

AP Courses: English AP Language and Composition, Grade 11 - Mrs. Cathy Ireland (FY) AP Literature and Composition, Grade 12 – Mrs. Marjorie Guzik (FY)

AP Courses: Social Studies AP European History, Grades 10 or 12 – Mrs. Jennifer Hamilton (FY) AP US History, Grade 11 – Ms. Melissa Bailey (FY) AP US Government, Grade 12 – Mr. John Conner (S1/ S2) AP Psychology, Grades 11 or 12 – Mrs. Lindsay Smith-Ingram (S1/ S2)

AP Courses: Foreign Language AP French – Ms. Sarah Lucas (S2) AP Spanish – Mr. Brian Auten (S2) Note: Students interested in AP Foreign Language courses typically take Level 5 and AP over the course of one year

AP Courses: Fine Arts AP Music Theory – Mr. James Sanders (S2) AP Art History – Ms. Sarah Lucas (S1/ S2) AP 2D Studio Art – Mrs. Julie Bailey (S2) AP 3D Studio Art – Mrs. Stacey Grieff (S2)

Dual Enrollment: College Composition I and II Satisfies the requirement for English 12 Satisfies the requirements for both English 111 and English 112 at TCC (6 credits) Utilizes a 10-point grading scale Does require an application, placement test OR minimum score on the SAT, purchase of a textbook, and tuition (about $45.00 per credit hour = $ for the year)

Dual Enrollment: Environmental Science Weighted elective (.05 added to GPA) Three credit course through TCC Utilizes a 10-point grading scale Does require an application, placement test OR minimum score on the SAT, purchase of a textbook, and tuition (about $45.00 per credit hour = $ for the course)

AP Coursework and Virtual Virginia Additional courses may be offered through the Virtual Virginia program, including: AP Environmental Science AP Computer Science AP Macroeconomics AP Comparative Government Others

AP Credit and Placement Policy Information Colleges and universities throughout the world offer credit and/or placement for qualifying Advanced Placement Exam scores. Information about AP credit and placement policies at many colleges and universities is now available on the College Board’s web site:

1.Go to 2.Type in the name of the college or university whose AP policy you want to view (or browse by letter of the alphabet). 3.You will see two items for each school that has provided its AP credit policy info: A link to the college’s own web page that details its AP credit and placement policies. A statement by the college or university about its AP policy. AP Credit and Placement Policy Information

Q & A Speak to the AP teachers here tonight!