1. Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program
Socorro Independent School District
Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program

2. What is Pre-Advanced Placement?
Courses taught by the College Board trained teachers.
Courses that allow students to participate in college preparation courses leading to college level AP courses offered in high school
Provides rigorous courses in grades 6 -10
Develops the skills, habits of mind, and concepts students need to succeed in college
Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program

3. Pre-AP Beliefs All students can perform at rigorous academic levels
Courses will prepare every student for higher intellectual engagement by the development of skills and acquiring of knowledge as early as possible
Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program

4. Why should my student take Pre-AP classes?
Pre-AP strengthens the skills students need to think critically and analyze problems – much like any college level course.
Students are prepared to deal with the rigors of an Advanced Placement course in high school.
College Admissions Counselors recommend students for admissions based on a rigorous high school course transcript.
Students who succeed in Pre-AP courses are college ready.
Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program

5. A Pre AP student… …is highly motivated, mature, and disciplined.
…enjoys learning
…has a strong foundation in core academic areas.
…possesses good speaking, writing, reading and listening skills.
…contributes to class and group discussions.
…completes all work consistently and independently.
…can manage their time well.
Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program

6. How do Pre-AP classes compare to other school courses?
Curriculum and instruction will be presented at a rigorous academic level.
Pace is accelerated and teachers can delve deeper into the content.
More project based learning in which students will be expected to meet deadlines.
Late work will not be accepted.
Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program

7. Late Work/Redo Policy Late work will not be accepted.
Redos will be allowed for failing scores. An average of the first and second scores will be entered into the gradebook.

8. Pre AP Courses Available
6th Grade
Honors 6th Grade
Spanish I (Native)
7th Grade
Pre AP ELAR
Pre AP Math
Pre AP Science
Pre AP Social Studies
Spanish II (Native)
8th Grade
Pre AP ELAR
Pre AP Math
Pre AP Science
Pre AP Social Studies
Algebra I

9. Pre AP Application Teacher Recommendation (1 per content area)
Personal Narrative (1 per applicant)
Signed student/parent Pre AP Agreement

10. Where to access Application Packet?

12. General Application
Personal Narrative Sheet
Parent/Student Agreement
Summer Assignments

14. 7th Grade Math and Algebra I
A District created qualification test for 7th Grade Pre AP Math and Algebra I will be given after the STAAR Exam. Those scores will be included at the bottom of the Teacher Recommendation page.

15. Personal Narrative Writing Prompt (Choose 1)
What was the worst mistake or decision you have ever made in life? What could you have done differently?
Write about something you now know that you wish you knew earlier in your life? How could this knowledge have helped you?
What 5 traits do people first notice when they meet you for the first time?

17. Pre AP Student/Parent Agreement

18. All Pre AP students will be expected to…
…complete the summer assignment for each course enrolled.
…maintain an average above 80% in all Pre AP courses.
Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program

19. If a Pre-AP student does not maintain an average above 80% at…
3 weeks, student will meet with teacher and academic committee member to discuss strategies for improvement.
6 weeks, academic committee member will speak with parents to discuss whether or not the student is in the proper academic setting.
9 weeks, counselor in charge of grade level will call parent to discuss removal of student from Pre AP and placement into a regular education setting.

20. Application Due Date
All applications will be due to Mr. McDonald or Mrs. Bustamante no later than May 16th.

21. Upon Acceptance
Students will receive an acceptance letter indicating which courses they qualified.
Students will receive codes for to join groups in Edmodo for each of the courses they are qualified

23. Summer Assignments 6th Grade
The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

24. 7th Grade Summer Assignments
ELAR – When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr
Science - Science Project Research Paper
SS - Indian Chiefs by Russell Freedman
Math - Buying a Car

25. 8th Grade Summer Assignments
ELAR - Malcolm X by Any Means Necessary by Walter Dean Myers
Science - Science Project Research Paper
SS – The Real Importance of Christopher Columbus
Math – Mathematical Scrapbook
Algebra I – Famous Mathematicians

26. Where to purchase books

27. Questions? Frank McDonald SCEI Coach fmcdon@sisd.net
Liz Bustamante SCEI Coach
School Phone:
Discovery Lab
Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program