AP, or Advanced Placement, courses are rigorous, college-level courses taught at the high school level. Students are taught a rigorous curriculum with depth and breadth that follows the College Board required elements for each course. The purpose of the AP program is to enable students to be competitive with other students throughout the nation on challenging AP exams, which all AP students take in May. All AP classes provide a weighted grade based in a 5.0 A. Parents and student should review the CollegeBoard web site for more details about AP.
AP Night – March 3, 2010 @ 6:30 pm AP Program information was presented on AP Night to prospective AP students and parents. View the PowerPoint Presentationthat contains the topics and details that were covered.
What does rigorous mean?
•Math problems requiring higher level thinking
•Essays demonstrating the ability for developmental thinking
•Exposure to diverse literature that challenges students to analyze and synthesize material
•Assessments ask students to apply concepts learned rather than just recall facts
Why should students consider taking AP courses?
A study by the National Center for Educational Accountability showed students who earned a 3 or better on one or more AP Exams in the areas of English, mathematics, science, or social studies were more likely to graduate from college in five years or less compared to non-AP students, even after controlling for prior academic achievement and other student-level and school-level demographic characteristics. So, AP prepares students for the rigor they will get in college and helps them develop the skills they will need to be successful in college. Over 90% of 4-year colleges and universities provide credit and/or advanced placement for qualifying scores. Scores of 3, 4, or 5 can result in college credit, depending on college. Each university has a specific AP credit policy.These can be found on their websites and on the CollegeBoard web site.
What does it take to be successful in AP?
Desire to learn and be challenged
A strong interest in or passion for subject
Strong reading & writing skills
Time management & organizational skills
Efficiency/ability to be focused and get it done
“Do it on time” mentality (can’t procrastinate)
Motivation & willingness to work hard
Summer Assignments
Some AP courses require students to complete an assignment over the summer in order to prepare for the rigor of AP level work. These assignments are included as part of the grading process and must be completed before the course begins. See the links below for descriptions of those assignments.
•English Literature – Bill Madigan (Course Syllabus) (Summer Assignment – Go to the AP Central web site and answer the Multiple Choice and at least one of the English Literature free response sample test questions)
AP exams are $86 this year.A discount is provided for multiple tests:
AP Exam Discounts - 2010
# of testsdiscount Price before discountPrice after discount Price per test
6$42 off total cost$516 $474 $79.00 each
5$35 off total cost$430 $395 $79.00 each
4$25 off total cost$344 $319 $79.75 each
3$15 off total cost$258 $243 $81.00 each
Exams can be purchased on the Web Store(this includes students taking the multiple test discount). Service charge to use the Web Store is a flat fee of $5 regardless of how many exams are purchased.
If a student has been approved for Free/Reduced Lunch they notify the Finance Office when purchasing and get their test for $56.00 per exam/no other discount can be taken.This is not available on the Web Store.
Low-income students can take test for only $5 at SteeleCanyon if they meet the following criteria:
Must qualify for free/reduced lunch
Must submit an Eligibility Verification Form with tax returns to Mr. Love
Must meet low-income level based on # in family (scale provided by Mr. Love)
