Advanced Placement (AP) Program Stivers School for the Arts April 14, 2011

History of AP Courses 1950s initiative Top high schools partnered with top colleges Goal: eliminate repetitive coursework for motivated, academically promising students 34 College Board AP courses College-level courses, college-level expectations

History of AP at Stivers Class of 2000: less than 10 students took AP courses (Calculus and Music Theory) 2001-present: added AP courses in all academic content areas 2005: Partnership with College Board Targeted student recruitment (PSAT scores, teacher recommendation, student initiative)

AP at Stivers Today 12 courses 142 students will take a total of 225 exams All AP teachers received training All AP teachers’ syllabi approved by College Board

AP Benefits College admission ◦Strength of curriculum highly valued by selective schools ◦Stivers students have been admitted to Brown, Dartmouth, Juilliard, Princeton, Barnard, New York University, Spellman, Cornell, Howard, Bucknell, Tulane, George Washington, Skidmore, Wesleyan, Case Western, Northwestern College credit More likely to graduate from college More likely to graduate in less than 5 years

AP Exam Scores 5 to 1 (5 highest, 1 lowest) Passing scores: 3, 4, 5 Credit for scores varies by university—see link below editpolicy/appolicy.jsp?collegeId=3736&ty pe=qfs&word=georgetown

Questions? What is the difference between an honors course and an AP course? What are the advantages to taking an AP course? The challenges? Are study materials available (in addition to what teachers provide in class)? What characteristics does a successful AP student have? Any others?

How to Take an AP Class Access for All (with advisement) Request course(s) on scheduling form— have signed by teacher of course and/or of pre-requisite course Attend AP Expectations Meeting (May 13) and return Expectations Agreement ( by May 20) Complete ALL summer assignments