What is AP? Advanced Placement (AP) is a series of courses designed by the CollegeBoard and taught by high school teachers. Through AP's college- level courses and exams, high school students can earn college credit and/or advanced placement, which in turn, will allow them to stand out in the college admission process. College Credit - Students will receive college credit for a corresponding course offered by the college. Students will then be able to take the next sequential course in that subject area. Advanced Placement – Students will not receive college credit for a corresponding course, but will be able to take the next sequential course in that subject area. Note: Individual colleges and universities, not the CollegeBoard nor the AP Program, grant course credit and placement

In AP classes, students will study fascinating topics and ideas that just might become the foundation of their future college major or career. AP courses can help students acquire the skills and habits necessary to be successful in college. They’ll improve their writing skills, sharpen problem-solving abilities, and develop time management skills, discipline, and study habits. Ultimately, this will give students the confidence to tackle the academic challenges that one can expect in college. Most four-year colleges in the United States and colleges in more than 60 other countries give students credit, advanced placement or both on the basis of AP Exam scores. By entering college with AP credits, students will have the time to move into upper level courses, pursue a double-major or study abroad. Research consistently shows that students who are successful in AP typically experience greater academic success in college than similar students who do not participate in AP. At Riverside High School, students in AP courses receive an additional weight to their G.P.A. A = 4.50, B = 3.50, C = 2.50

Currently at Riverside High School for the school year, we offer the following AP courses: American Government 1 Biology 2 Calculus 2 Chemistry 2 English 4 3 Physics 4 Psychology 1 – Students will take the United States Government and Politics Exam 2 - Students will take the Calculus AB exam 3 - Students can take both the English Literature and Composition exam & the English Language and Composition exam 4 - Students will take the Physics B exam

New for 2013 – 14 : U.S. History AP - This course will be available to 10 th graders in place of U.S. History Honors. We will also be splitting the current 12 th grade AP English course. 11 th graders will be able to take English Literature AP. This course will replace English 3 Honors. 12 th graders will be able to take English Composition AP. AP courses by grade 10 th Grade – U.S. History AP 11 th Grade - English Literature AP, Psychology AP, Chemistry 2 AP or Biology 2 AP 12 th Grade – English Composition AP, Calculus AP, United States Government AP, Physics AP

Test Schedule – Every year, AP testing is usually scheduled during the 1 st two full weeks in May. The College Board sets the time of day and the dates for each exam. See back cover of the Bulletin for AP Students and Parents for this years schedule. Registration Process – Every year, usually the last week in March, the guidance counselors visit each AP course and we distribute to each student a copy of the Bulletin for AP Students and Parents and discuss the registration process. This includes information on the fee (see below) and materials students should and should not bring with them to the exam. Fees - The cost of each exam in 2013 is $89. We usually ask for a $13 deposit for each exam that a student registers for. The balance is due no later than the morning of the exam. The deposit is nonrefundable because the CollegeBoard charges $13 for each exam that is ordered, but not taken. Students qualifying for financial need may receive a reduction in the exam fee. At this date, the reduction amount has not been set for the 2013 tests.

Scores Your AP Exam score is a weighted combination of your scores on the multiple-choice section and on the free-response section. Although colleges and universities are responsible for setting their own credit and placement policies, AP scores offer a recommendation on how qualified students are to receive college credit and placement. The final score is reported on a 5-point scale: 5 = extremely well qualified 4 = well qualified 3 = qualified 2 = possibly qualified 1 = no recommendation The AP Program conducts studies in all AP subjects to compare the performance of AP students with that of college students in comparable college courses. These studies help set the “cut points” that determine how AP students’ composite scores are translated into an AP score of 1 to 5. AP Exam scores of 5 are equivalent to grades of A+ and A in the corresponding college course. AP Exam scores of 4 are equivalent to grades of A-, B+ and B in college. AP Exam scores of 3 are equivalent to grades of B-, C+ and C in college. You control which colleges (if any) receive your AP Exam scores.

How do colleges view AP scores? Each college (university) has their own criteria for awarding either advanced placement or actual college credit for high school AP courses. To see the AP Policy for a specific college (university), click the following link: Course Descriptions - AP AP Course and Exams Course Descriptions Questions about the AP program at Riverside High School: Scott Bailis – Director of Guidance (440) x 4311

Riverside High School will be hosting a Career Day on Friday March 15 th. 1. We are looking for people who would like to talk with our 8 th & 9 th graders about their job/career. 2. Career day will take place during 1 st & 2 nd period. 1 st period: 7:18 – 8:00 2 nd period: 8:06 – 8:55 3. The presenters will speak to two separate classes (about 25 students in each class). 4. If you are interested in presenting your career, please see me after this meeting.