Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement AP can change your life!

Why Participate? • Rigorous coursework is the best way to be prepared for college and to improve SAT scores. • Students have the opportunity to earn credit or advanced standing at most of the nation’s colleges and universities. • Both the district and school have improvement plan goals to increase participation in AP courses.

Advanced Placement Gain the Edge in College Preparation • Get a head start on college-level work. • Improve your writing skills and sharpen your problem-solving techniques. • Develop the study habits necessary for tackling rigorous course work.

College Eligible, Not College Ready Only 33 % of high school graduates meet basic admissions requirement of 4-year colleges and universities: African American 20% American Indian 14% Hispanic 16% White 37%

AP and College Success Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely to Complete a bachelor’s degree in four years or less.

Advanced Placement Stand Out in the College Admissions Process • Demonstrate your maturity and readiness for college. • Show your willingness to push yourself to the limit. • Emphasize your commitment to academic excellence. • Being admitted to competitive colleges/universities is becoming more and more difficult. Most college expect to see AP courses on the transcript.

What is the economic value of AP? • No tuition fees ($1800-$3300/course) • HVJ purchases all books ($150-$200/course) • Currently, SCCPSS pays for all tests ($92 each) Each course can save you $2000!!! (not including room & board)

AP Scholar Awards These awards provide an additional opportunity to make you College application shine! • AP Scholar: Granted to students who receive grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams • AP Scholar with Honor: Granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams • AP Scholar with Distinction: Granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams • State AP Scholar: Granted to the one male and one female student in each U.S. state and the District of Columbia with grades of 3 or higher on the greatest number of AP Exams, and then the highest average grade (at least 3.5) on all AP Exams taken • National AP Scholar: Granted to students in the United States who receive an average grade of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams

Advanced Placement Herschel V. Jenkins High School offers 16* Advanced Placement courses providing students the opportunity to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. * Not all classes are offered each year.

Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement What is the Format of the Exams? • All AP Exams contain an essay or problem-solving section as well as a multiple-choice section, with the exception of Studio Art, which consists of a portfolio assessment. • The foreign language exams also contain a performance section that includes the recording of students’ oral responses. • Exams range from two to four hours in length.

Advanced Placement When are the Exams? First two weeks in May according the the schedule outlined by College Board. Morning session 8-12 Afternoon session 12-4

Advanced Placement Who Creates AP Exams? • AP Course Descriptions and AP Exams are prepared by College Board Development Committees comprised of college and university faculty and experienced AP teachers from around the world.

Advanced Placement How are the Exams Graded? • The multiple-choice section of the exam is scored by computer. • The free-response booklets are evaluated by faculty consultants comprised of selected college professors and AP teachers.

Advanced Placement The AP Grading System • Each AP Exam is given an overall grade on a 5-point scale: • 5—Extremely well qualified • 4—Well Qualified • 3—Qualified • 2—Possibly qualified • 1—No recommendation

Advanced Placement Who Receives AP Exam Results • AP Grade Reports are sent in July, by the College Board, to each student’s home, high school, and any college(s) designated by the student. • At the time of the exam, students can indicate if they would like a college to receive their grade.

Advanced Placement What Are Exam Costs? • The fee for AP Exams ($92) is set by the College Board • SCCPSS student take AP exams FREEif testing criteria is met.

AP classes improve your chances for college acceptance and success • Competitive colleges expect to see AP classes on your transcript. Taking AP classes is the best way to make your transcript more valuable in the admissions process. • AP experience improves your chances of being successful in college once you have been admitted.

Advanced Placement AP & 5-year College Graduation Rates

Advanced Placement Are you ready for the AP Challenge? • Meet with AP Teachers for information specific to each course prior to pre-registration • AP Chemistry students must the screening test. This will be arranged with Dr. Thompson. • Most AP classes have summer assignments. Make sure you get these before leaving for the summer. • Completed AP Contracts must be turned in to Mrs. Herrington prior to AP courses being finalized on the student’s schedule.

Advanced Placement