1. AP/Pre-AP Program
Los Lunas High School

2. The Basics
Advanced Placement Program (AP) courses are college-level courses offered in high school. AP courses reflect what is taught in top introductory college courses.
At the end of course, students are expected to take AP Exams (paid for by the student) – standardized exams that measure how well students have mastered college- level course work.
Students who pass AP Exams can earn credit and/or placement into advanced courses in college.

3. AP Helps Students graduate on time…
Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely than their peers to complete a college degree on time.
Only one in four students who enter college complete a bachelor’s degree in four years.*
A recent study** showed that students taking AP courses and exams were much more likely to earn a college degree in four years.
For example, AP English Literature students had four-year college graduation rates that were 62% higher than students that had not taken AP English Literature.
* Of the remaining 73% of students who do not complete a bachelor’s degree in four years, approximately 25% earn a bachelor’s degree in 5 or 6 years, approximately 25% drop out or take more than 6 years to earn a bachelor’s degree, and approximately 23% transfer to another college or university, with typically lower graduation rates than students who do not transfer.

4. What are ap courses like?
AP courses demand more of students than regular courses.
Classes tend to be fast-paced and cover more material than typical high school classes.
More time, inside and outside of the classroom, is required to complete lessons, assignments and homework.
Many AP courses require summer reading.

5. How can families help support their students?
Encourage time management
Remind them to prioritize
Recommend they form study groups
Designate specific areas for homework and studying

6. What are pre-ap courses like?
The goal of Pre-AP courses is to prepare students for high academic standards and college preparation.
Pre-AP courses prepare students for the challenge of AP courses.
Summer reading is required in some Pre-AP courses.

7. Los Lunas high school courses for 2018-2019
English III Language
English IV Literature
Psychology
U.S. History
Macro Economics
Government/Politics
Physics 1
Physics 2
Biology
Environmental Science
Chemistry
Spanish IV
Calculus AB
Statistics
Art

8. Pre-Ap Courses for 2018-2019 English I English II World History
Geometry
Algebra II/Trigonometry
Biology I

9. English – Recommended pre-requisites:
Pre-AP English II:
Summer Reading Required
Recommended: Pre-AP English I with a semester grade of A or B
Recommended: English I with a semester grade of A
AP English III:
Recommended: Pre-AP English II with a semester grade of A or B
Recommended: English II with a semester grade of A
AP English IV:
Recommended: AP English III with a semester grade of A or B
Recommended: English III with a semester grade of A

10. Math – Recommended pre-requisites
Pre-AP Geometry:
Recommended: Algebra I with a semester grade of A or B
Pre-AP Algebra II/Trigonometry:
Recommended: Pre-AP Geometry with a semester grade of A or B
Recommended: Geometry with a semester grade of A
AP Calculus AB:
Recommended: Pre-Calculus with a semester grade of A or B
Or Teacher Recommendation
AP Statistics:
Recommended: Algebra II, Math Analysis, Pre-Calculus or Calculus with a semester grade of A or B

11. Social studies – pre-requisites
AP World History:
Summer Reading Required
Recommended: New Mexico History with a semester grade of A or B
AP U.S. History:
Recommended: Pre-AP World History with a semester grade of A or B
Recommended: World History with a semester grade of A
AP Macro-Economics & AP Government/Politics
Students must take both courses
Recommended: AP U.S. History with a semester grade of A or B
Recommended: U.S. History with a semester grade of A

12. Science – recommended pre-requisites
AP Biology:
Science Fair Project Required
Recommended: Pre AP Biology with a semester grade of A or B
Recommended: Biology with a semester grade of A
AP Chemistry:
Recommended: Biology & Chemistry with a semester grade of A or B
Recommended: Algebra II with a semester grade of A or B
AP Environmental Science:
Recommended: Biology I with a semester grade of A

13. Science – recommended pre-requisites (continued)
AP Physics I:
Science Fair Project Required
Recommended: Algebra II with a semester grade of A or B
Recommended: Biology I with a semester grade of A or B
Recommended: Physics I with a semester grade of A or B
AP Physics 2:
Recommended: AP Physics I with semester grade of A or B

14. Electives – Recommended pre-requisites
AP Spanish IV:
Summer Reading Required (Text in Spanish)
Recommended: Spanish III with a semester grade of C or higher
Recommended: Or Teacher Recommendation
AP Art:
Recommended: Art III with a semester grade of B or higher
Recommended: Teacher recommendation
AP Psychology:
Summer Reading Required
Recommended: Previous AP or Pre-AP classes

15. Ap exam
If you sign up for AP courses, you are expected to take an AP Exam.
In the past, most of the fee has been covered by GearUp and the State of New Mexico.
We can’t guarantee funding will be available next year. However, we will help make sure the cost is not a barrier to any student wanting to take the class or sit for the exam.

16. Don’t forget, one of the graduation requirements is…
1 credit in one from any of the following choices:
Advanced Placement AP
Recommended pre-requisite courses and grades
Most have summer reading or additional project requirements
Pre Advanced Placement (Pre-AP)
Dual Credit
High School GPA requirement to register, most have online requirement, must complete application process thought the college
Distance Learning
Requires counselor approval

17. Choosing a pre-ap/ap course…
Students need to make sure they are choosing a Pre-AP/Ap course for the right reasons.
Student is prepared for the rigor & challenge of the courses.
Student is prepared for the workload outside of class time.
Student is committed to reading the required books over the summer.
The last reason should be to fulfill the graduation requirement.

18. What if I’ve changed my mind…
If a student wants to get out of a Pre-AP or AP course, they need to see Mrs. Saiz or Mrs. Selisky in the front office, Room 111 or 109.
Student have until April 27th to get out of a Pre-AP or AP class.
After that time, students will not be able to transfer out of a Pre-AP or AP course…this includes when students pick up their schedules in August.

19. Agreement & syllabus information
Families/student need to pick up a copy of syllabus for each AP/Pre-AP course student registered.
In person orientation may pick up syllabus at the meeting
Families viewing this online should pick up the syllabus from Ms. Selisky
The syllabus does not need to be signed and returned.
Families/student will complete one agreement regardless of how many AP/Pre-Ap courses they signed up for.
AP/Pre-AP agreements must be completed in Naviance Family Connection.

20. Ap/pre-ap course agreement
Go to LLHS webpage
Click on School Info
Then click on Counseling Department

21. Finding the Ap/pre-ap course agreement
Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Click on Naviance Family Connection.
Your Naviance username is your Student ID.
Your student should know the password.
Have your student ask their counselor if they do not know their password.

22. Ap/pre-ap course agreement:
Click on the “About Me” tab
Look to the left side for a link called “AP/Pre-AP COURSE AGREEMENT”
Complete this agreement with your student
Your AP/Pre-AP Agreement is due by April 1
Students who do not have an agreement on file will risk being removed from their AP/Pre-AP courses.

23. We appreciate your time and commitment to helping your student.
Thank you!