1. PRESENTED BY STEPHENIE MILLER JANUARY 29, 2015

2. AP stands for Advanced Placement. AP stands for Advanced Placement. Governed and audited by the College Board, the same body who administers the SAT. Governed and audited by the College Board, the same body who administers the SAT. All AP courses are first-year college-level material, but taught at the high school campus by highly- qualified instructors. All AP courses are first-year college-level material, but taught at the high school campus by highly- qualified instructors. All AP Courses have an optional end of year exam which could earn the student college credit or placement. All AP Courses have an optional end of year exam which could earn the student college credit or placement. Simply put, students in AP are taking a college course at the high school without paying for the college course. Simply put, students in AP are taking a college course at the high school without paying for the college course.

3. AP is not the same as Honors. Students must qualify for the GATE program to take Honors courses – AP has an open enrollment policy. AP is not the same as Honors. Students must qualify for the GATE program to take Honors courses – AP has an open enrollment policy. Each AP course has slightly different requirements to ensure that students enrolled will be successful – check the blue paper for recommended prerequisite courses and grades. Each AP course has slightly different requirements to ensure that students enrolled will be successful – check the blue paper for recommended prerequisite courses and grades.

4. By the time you are a Sophomore, Junior and/or Senior, you could be ready for AP. By the time you are a Sophomore, Junior and/or Senior, you could be ready for AP. Depending on what subjects you love, you could take multiple AP courses by the time you graduate from Alta Loma High School. Depending on what subjects you love, you could take multiple AP courses by the time you graduate from Alta Loma High School.

6. 1) Better chance of getting into the college or university you’ve got your eye on.  Colleges and universities want serious students.  Serious students are more likely to graduate and make that college/university look good.  Successfully completing any AP course, especially earning a 3, 4, or 5 on the test, shows colleges you are up for the challenge that their coursework will present.

7. 2) Better chance of GRADUATING from that college or university you got accepted to.  Studies have shown that students who took at least one AP course in high school had a 25% greater chance of graduating college in four years.  If they took both the course AND the AP Exam for that course, the student had a 40% greater chance of graduating college in four years. What does that mean to you? Less time in college = less money you pay for college and the sooner you will be employed! Less time in college = less money you pay for college and the sooner you will be employed!

8. 3) Improve Your Skills Students that successfully complete ANY AP course improve their writing and problem solving abilities. This means you’ll be more prepared to think like a college student when you get to college!

9. 4) Possible College Credits Many colleges will award students who pass the AP exam with college credits, reducing the number of classes you have to take while at the institution, helping you to graduate sooner. 4) Possible College Credits Many colleges will award students who pass the AP exam with college credits, reducing the number of classes you have to take while at the institution, helping you to graduate sooner. ALHS Exceptional Graduate: Katie ALHS Exceptional Graduate: Katie  Katie took 7 AP exams while at ALHS and passed all seven exams. She earned six 4’s and one 5.  She began her freshman year at UC Santa Barbara with 40 credits. This was only 5 credits shy of being a sophomore!!

10. College Placement Colleges may not grant you any units (or credit) but instead start you at a higher level course. College Placement Colleges may not grant you any units (or credit) but instead start you at a higher level course. Katie, Part 2 Katie, Part 2  I was exempt from taking the university’s introductory writing classes because of my 4s on the English tests. My calculus AP test got me out of a math class, and I ended up only having to take one year of math here, so I’m done with math classes now. The rest of the tests knocked out a lot of GE requirements, meaning I have a lot more room in my schedule for classes of my choosing. I intend on taking more English classes and earning a minor in English.

11. Only ones you are truly interested in. Only ones you are truly interested in.  Each course comes with a great deal of time commitment. Minimum of one hour of home study per hour spent in class. Keep in mind that full-time college students take 4 courses in a week, but you take 6 every day…plus cheer, sports, band, clubs, etc. Keep in mind that full-time college students take 4 courses in a week, but you take 6 every day…plus cheer, sports, band, clubs, etc.

13. Now that you’re educated about the Who- What-Where-When-and-Why of AP, it’s time to make your move! Now that you’re educated about the Who- What-Where-When-and-Why of AP, it’s time to make your move! First, let’s take a look at how to complete the Application and the Statement of Student Agreement and Parent Consent. First, let’s take a look at how to complete the Application and the Statement of Student Agreement and Parent Consent.

14. ADVANCED PLACEMENT APPLICATION Complete once you’ve carefully read the reverse side. Student Name (Please print) _________________________________________ Year of Graduation______ Desired AP Course(s): In order of preference* 1)______________________________ Recommended Courses: _________________ Semester Grade: ______ _________________ ______ 2)______________________________ Recommended Courses: _________________ Semester Grade: ______ _______________________ 3)______________________________ Recommended Courses: _________________ Semester Grade: ______ _________________ ______ 4)______________________________ Recommended Courses: _________________ Semester Grade: ______ _________________ ______ *More than 4 courses require a counselor’s permission.

15. Statement of Student Agreement and Parent Consent: The demands of an AP course exceed those of a college preparatory course and require a serious commitment. The undersigned student agrees to the following with the consent of the undersigned parent. On average, I will commit up to two hours of home study for each hour spent in an AP course per week. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to keep up with my assignments and ask for help when needed.  I intend to take the AP exam in May.  There is a fee for AP exams I am committing to the class(es) for the entire year. The demands of an AP course exceed those of a college preparatory course and require a serious commitment. The undersigned student agrees to the following with the consent of the undersigned parent. Academic dishonesty (cheating) is defined as the act or attempt to use the work of another person or source claimed as your own OR the use of any dishonest, deceptive, fraudulent, or unauthorized means, including any form of technology in order to receive undeserved credit. Students caught in an act of academic dishonesty may be subject to, but not limited to, the following consequences: student/parent conference, student contract, class suspension, loss of course, and/or removal from the AP program. Creating the master schedule to accommodate Advanced Placement classes is an essential piece of the master scheduling process. Many students at Alta Loma High are accomplished students looking for rigorous academic challenges and Advance Placement (AP) classes were created to fulfill that challenge. The staffing for AP courses comes from the college preparatory classes, which results in the school having fewer seats available in the preparatory classes. It is important to understand when a student signs up for an AP class(es) and is granted the request, he/she is committing to the class(es) for the entire year.

16. STEP ONE: Talk to the AP Teachers about their course to see if it is really a course you can commit to for a full year. STEP TWO: Pick up an AP Application and fill it out properly. Make sure both you and your parents sign the agreement. STEP THREE: Turn in your SIGNED application to Julie Thams in Guidance NO LATER THAN February 2nd.

17. Thank you for your time and attention.  If you are a Sophomore or Junior, Teacher sessions will begin at 7:15.  If you are a Freshman, Ms. Owen will present on AP World History shortly.  I will be here to answer questions throughout the night.

18. AP is a college level course that you commit to for one full year. AP is TOUGH, but for those who work hard, it can help you get into college, be successful once you get to college, and save you money. Refer to the website: www.collegeboard.com/apcentral to learn more.www.collegeboard.com/apcentral Applications are due to Mrs. Thams in Guidance ASAP! By signing below, I am verifying that I have read and understand the obligations and commitments to taking AP courses while in high school. Student Signature: ________________ Parent Signature: ___________________