1. Introduction to AP and Honor Courses
Canyon High School

2. AGENDA What is AP? What are the benefits of an AP course?
AP courses versus Honors courses
Is the AP test required?
How many AP/Honors courses should I take?
How do I find out about summer work?
How to sign up for courses
Testimonial from a Canyon Student
Where to learn more about specific classes

3. THE FRESHMAN MYTH

4. College Readiness vs. College Eligibility
What is the difference between Readiness and Eligibility?
Today’s high school diploma certifies college eligibility via specified courses taken and grades received.
Graduation Requirements
A-G Requirements
College eligibility is not the same as college readiness.
-Educational Policy Improvement Center, David Conley

5. COLLEGE READINESS: READINESS 1- willingness to do something
“Jason is ready to start driving.”
2- the state of being fully prepared for something

6. College and Career Readiness Indicator
Measure
Primary Requirement
Additional Requirement
(Primary plus ONE of these) A
Complete a CTE Pathway*
-Score at least a 3 in ELA and 2 in Math on the CAASPP
-Score at least a 2 in ELA and 3 in Math on the CAASPP
-Complete one semester of Dual/Concurrent Enrollment* B
Score at least a 3 in ELA and Math on the CAASPP test C
Complete two semesters of Dual/Concurrent Enrollment* D
State Seal of Biliteracy
Please see back of this page. E
Complete 2 years of ROTC F
Score at least a 3 on two AP Exams G
Complete the A-G requirements*
-Score at least a 3 on one AP Exam

7. What is Advanced Placement?
“The Advanced Placement, or AP, program is the national standard for academic rigor and college readiness, providing high school students with the opportunity to take college-level courses in a high school setting. AP courses provide the level of rigor that best prepares students for post- secondary success.”

8. What are the benefits of taking an AP course?
Studies show that students who took one or more AP courses and exams had higher college GPAs, earned more credit hours and were more likely to graduate in 4 years or less.
Students can earn college credit if they score above a 3 on the AP exam and skip introductory courses in college.
Studies show that AP courses lead to college majors (or not!)

9. What is the difference between an AP and Honors Course?
Both classes are weighted and give an extra point in the GPA for a grade of C or higher.
Both allow students to take advantage of a more rigorous course with a focus on a greater depth of knowledge.
Only the AP course allows the option of college credit based on scoring of the end of year testing.

10. How Does The Weighted Grade Impact GPA?
No Honors/AP
Honors/AP
English 11 A 4 pts
Algebra 2 B 3 pts
Hu Anatomy C 2 pts
US History D 1 pt
Spanish 3 A 4 pts
Sports Med A 4 pts
18 pts
18 pts divided by 6 classes
GPA: 3.0
AP Language A 5 pts
H Alg 2/Trig B 4 pts
H Hu Anatomy C 3 pts
US History D 1 pt
Spanish 3 A 4 pts
Sports Med A 4 pts
21 pts
21 pts divided by 6 classes
GPA: 3.5

11. What AP classes are offered at Canyon?
American Government
Art History
Biology
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Chemistry
Computer Science Principles
Computer Science Java
Economics
Environmental Science
European History
French
Human Geography
Language and Composition
Literature and Composition
Psychology
Physics 1
Spanish Language
Spanish Literature
Studio Art
United States History
Music Theory
* Subject to change

12. APstudent.collegeboard.org

13. APstudent.collegeboard.org

15. Do students HAVE to take the AP test?
Cost of the test is approximately $98. The cost goes up each year. There is a reduced fee for students on free and reduced lunch.
Colleges have said that it can be viewed negatively if a student takes the course but doesn’t take the corresponding AP Test.
You can check to see if the schools you are interested in award college credit for AP scores.

16. APstudent.collegeboard.org

17. HOW DO COLLEGES VIEW AP AND HONOR COURSES?

18. Which counts more in admission decisions--grades or test scores?
A: GPA--combined with the quantity and level of your high school courses--is of primary importance (a strong GPA, for instance, on an academic program that lacks honors level courses or does not include courses well beyond those that meet the basic UC subject requirement, will not likely result in admission). That being said, test scores are still an important element.
First and foremost, you should take the most challenging courses you are able to handle. This is also the best way to prepare for your standardized tests. It is also a good idea to be prepared to take the tests more than once--in other words, don't wait until your senior year. That way, if you do not perform your best on some tests, you have a chance retake them in the fall of your senior year.
We also find academic strength in AP exams with scores of 3 and above (and IB exams with scores of 5 and above).
It should be noted, however, that because UCLA does not use a mathematical formula when evaluating applicants, there is no fixed numerical weight attached to either GPA or test scores.

19. How many AP courses should be taken?
The College Board, and Canyon teachers, recommend that students do approximately ONE HOUR of study each night for EACH AP course.
Keep in mind that when UC schools calculate the weighted GPA they do not count 9th grade, only allow two courses in 10th grade, and a total of 4 classes or 8 semesters TOTAL to be a part of the weighted GPA.
For the 2018 accepted Freshman Class at UCLA:
62% had 21 or more semesters of Honors/AP courses
33% had 10-20
4% had 10 or below

20. Start What You Finish:
If you choose to take an AP course, you should be willing to commit for the full year.
As a senior, if you drop out of your AP course during the second semester it can impact your acceptance to schools. You must notify every school you applied to.

21. Summer Work for AP Courses- Library

22. Taking Courses at College of the Canyons:
Can be taken the summer after the 10th grade year.
This begins the college transcript, so students need to have strong study skills to consider.
There are classes offered on the COC campuses as well as high school campus during the school year.
Students that are attending high school do not pay tuition for classes, but they are required to pay for college fees.
The steps to enroll in COC classes can be found on the Canyon website under counseling.

23. Experience of a Canyon Student:
Kevin Childs
9th grade: H English, H Biology, H Geometry, sport
10th grade: AP European History, AP Physics, H Algebra 2/Trig,
H English, sport
11th grade: AP Language , AP Computer Science, AP Physics 2,
H Pre-Calculus, sport
12th grade: AP Calc BC, AP Chemistry, AP Lit & Comp,
H App Dev
College of the Canyons: Hist 111, Hist 112, Span 102,
PoliSci 150, Econ 201

24. How do you sign up?
When you meet with your counselor for registration, let them know which AP/Honor classes you are interested in.
Some of the AP/Honor classes have pre- requisites. You can ask your counselor, or check out the class in the curriculum guide.
The Curriculum Guide can be found on the school website:

25. Curriculum Guide

26. Curriculum Guide for AP European History

27. Final Questions? This presentation can be found on the school website:
Counseling Tab
Presentations