1. Northern Burlington County Regional High School
Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) Program

2. Our Goal
Ensure that each Northern student is enrolled in the most challenging academic schedule in which he/she can be successful.

4. Honors Courses English - I,II,III and IV
Math - Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus
Science – Biology, Chemistry
Social Studies – World History
US I
US II
Gifted and Talented Class
Technology Capstone Material Design and Engineering

5. Why take on the challenge of Honors and AP Courses?
Impact on Students
Learn more and enjoy school
Develop advanced academic skills
Increase confidence
Prepare for college success

6. Impact on Learning June 2015 Extensive Study
Students who take AP Courses and Tests Earn Higher ACT scores.
“We also believe that these results show the importance and benefits of the AP program for high school students hoping to go to college. Our MMW-S analysis provides the best quasi-experimental evidence available that students’ ACT scores increase as a result of participation in the AP program.”
The Journal of Educational Research
“The Impact of Participation in the Advanced Placement Program on Students' College Admissions Test Scores”
Russell T. Warnea, Ross Larsenb, Braydon Andersona & Alyce J. Odassoa
a Utah Valley University
b University of Virginia
Published online: 26 May 2015.

7. Impact on College Admission
“Grades in college preparatory courses, strength of curriculum, admission test scores, and grades in all courses are the most important factors in the college admission decision.”
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION COUNSELING 2009
Strength of a student’s curriculum is of considerable importance to 82% of the highly selective colleges while 65% of the least selective colleges view this as considerably important.
85% of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admission decisions.

8. 2014 Admissions Survey Results
% of Colleges that consider these factors to be of considerable importance.

9. Impact on College Success and Experience
Research Results:
Impact on College Success and Experience
AP students who placed into advanced college courses do as well or better than students who have taken introductory courses at the same college.
Students who perform well on AP tests have more flexibility in college scheduling allowing for study abroad and other opportunities while still finishing in college in four years

10. Impact on Cost of College
Most students take 5 or 6 years, and sometimes even longer, to earn their bachelor’s degrees at public colleges and universities
A 2008 study found that AP students had better four-year graduation rates than those who did not take AP.
For example, [four-year] graduation rates for AP English Literature students were 62 percent higher than graduation rates for those who took other English courses in high school.

11. Honors vs AP at Northern
Honors courses – More challenging
Locally designed
Increased rigor
Weighted +7 points to GPA
AP courses - Most challenging
Curriculum approved by College Board
Equivalent to entry level college course
National end of course exam each May
May earn college credits or advanced placement in college
Weighted + 10 points

12. NEW THIS YEAR - AP Capstone Program
Northern is one of only 11 school districts in New Jersey currently approved to offer this program.
AP Seminar/US History - Students utilize study of US history as an area of focus to develop academic research, writing and presentation Skills.
(US History Credit)
AP Research - Students will apply skills learned in Seminar to create, present and defend in depth academic research.
(Tentatively planned to be offered as Social Studies elective credit.)
Recognition
Students who earn qualifying scores in these two courses are awarded an AP Capstone Certificate by the College Board
Students who earn qualifying scores in these two courses and four other AP courses are awarded an AP Capstone Diploma by the College Board.
Each college will determine the academic credit awarded for success in these courses.

13. The Advanced Placement Exams
Not required but expected
Registration and fees – February
Tests - May
Scored on scale of 1-5
Colleges set policies for credit

14. AP Honor Roll - Four Consecutive Years (One of only four NJ districts to achieve this recognition four years in a row.)

15. 2016 AP Program Results 201 Students took over 394 exams
75% - scored 3 or higher on one or more exams
49 students earned AP Scholar awards

16. Questions? Contact Mrs. Courtney McNeely NBC AP Coordinator Or Joe Coleman NBC AP Department Leader