Bishop Allen Academy

Bishop Allen Academy The Congregated Advanced Placement Program For Highly Motivated Students

What is the Advanced Placement (AP) Program? The Advanced Placement (AP) Program is: • An internationally recognized program of study with the option of achieving several levels of certification, including the AP International Diploma (APID) • Students write AP exams while in high school to earn university credits

AP Exams • Students write exams in the last year of the AP course (Grade 11 or 12, depending on the course) • Exams are sent out to be marked externally • Exams are administered in May at the same date and time world-wide. Our students write at Bishop Allen

History of the AP Program • Began with a study 50 years ago by three universities: Harvard, Yale and Princeton • The intent was to facilitate students’ transition from high school to university by enriching the high school curriculum • Today, the AP program is sponsored by the College Board, a national nonprofit educational association of universities and high schools

International Appeal • AP exams are recognized by universities throughout Canada, United States, Europe and Asia • 35 courses are offered in 20 subject areas • In 2005, 2.1 million AP exams were administered worldwide

Why is the AP Program valuable? • Provides university credits or advanced placement for examinations successfully taken while still in high school • Offers excellent curriculum • Increases students’ confidence in their ability to achieve at an internationally recognized level • Prepares students for success in university

Research about AP students shows AP Students: • Take additional courses in the academic areas of their AP exams in university • Enroll in more courses at university than their peers • Achieve higher grade point averages • Go on to graduate school at a rate double that of their non-AP peers

Models of Delivery of AP in Ontario Many schools in Ontario use one of the following methods in preparing students for the AP exams: • The AP Coordinator at the school provides material so that students can prepare for AP exams on their own. • Teachers work with students on AP material in small groups before and after school • AP students are grouped in classes with regular academic students • AP students are grouped in dedicated AP classes

Special Program at Bishop Allen Academy In April 2004, the TCDSB Education Council approved Congregated Advanced Placement as a Special Program of the board, offered at Bishop Allen Academy

Model of Delivery at Bishop Allen Academy Bishop Allen offers a full complement of congregated, enriched Pre-AP and AP courses covering both the Ontario and the AP curricula from Grades 9 -12

AP Scholars in progress!

Benefits of this Model of Delivery • Enrichment – Students enjoy studying with like-minded peers in an enriched setting dedicated to Advanced Placement • Flexibility – Students can choose degree of involvement in the program. They can prepare for as few or as many AP exams as they wish

Range of AP course at Bishop Allen Academy • The range of pre-AP and AP course offerings at Bishop Allen allows students to achieve the following AP distinctions by providing students with dedicated AP classes in all the required subject areas: • AP Scholar • AP Scholar with Honour • AP Scholar with Distinction • AP National Scholar • AP International Diploma (APID)

Pre-AP courses in the Grade 9 Program at BA Grade 9 program of study at Bishop Allen: * English * Math * Science * Geography * Extended French/ * French Immersion Core French Music, Art or Drama Phys Ed or Technology Religion * Congregated Pre-Advanced Placement classes are offered in these courses Flexibility – Students can opt for one or more of these courses

06-07 Pre-AP and AP Courses at Bishop Allen Academy • In 06-07, 48 classes of pre-AP and AP courses are in progress • These classes encompass a wide range of subjects from grades 9-12 • The program continues to expand. In 06/07, we have added AP Psychology and AP World History based on student interest ___

Who should take pre-AP/AP Courses? • Demonstrated work ethic • Strong academic performance • Intellectual curiosity • Positive peer interaction • Collaborative learning style

Bishop Allen is a leader in the implementation of AP in Ontario • Bishop Allen is a founding member of the Council of AP Schools in Ontario (CAPSON) • Bishop Allen staff members have been invited to speak to administrators and educators from across Ontario on the implementation of congregated AP classes • Bishop Allen staff members have provided in-service for new AP schools, both public and private • Almost half of the Bishop Allen staff has used personal time to pursue AP professional development in the past 5 years (week-ends and week-long summer institutes)

Bishop Allen AP Results: Outstanding! • Globally: 59.6% of students receive 3, 4 or 5 on AP exams • In Ontario: 72.7% of students receive 3, 4 or 5 on AP exams • At Bishop Allen: Over 80% of students receive 3, 4 or 5 on AP exams

AP Ready! • Oles Zhulyn received a 5 on his four AP exams (AP exams are marked on a 5 point scale) • His scholarship at University of Toronto was augmented, even before he knew his results • He is happily using his AP exams for credits at University of Toronto

AP Finished! • Katy Farrell before and after her 5 AP exams

Bishop Allen Academy