Advanced Placement Opportunities Junior High and High School What is AP?
Advanced Placement
Program provided by the College Board in cooperation with local schools Began in 1955 Rigorous college-level courses offered beginning during junior high End of course test allows students to earn college credit while still in high school Who can take AP classes?
Any student can enroll in AP Just need a parent’s signature We want students of all income levels, races and backgrounds to take AP classes Why take AP classes? AP students perform better during college and are more likely to complete a degree on time Improve college admission chances— AP kids are better prepared and AP offers a standardized measure Improve your writing and critical thinking skills Earn college credits and save money Earn higher ACT/SAT Scores Admission Survey says… What do admissions professionals value most? 1. Grades in All Courses (overall GPA) 2. Grades in College Prep Courses (Honors, Acc, AP, IB) 3. Admission Test Scores (SAT, ACT) 4. Strength of Curriculum 5. Essay or Writing Sample 6. Counselor Recommendation 7. Student’s Demonstrated Interest in the College 8. Teacher Recommendation 9. Class Rank 10. Extracurricular Activities 11. Subject Test Scores (AP, IB) Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2017-2018 Advanced Placement in Utica Community Schools What AP courses are available?
Arts AP Art History AP Music Theory AP Studio Art: 2-D Design AP Studio Art: 3-D Design AP Studio Art: Drawing What AP courses are available?
English AP English Language and Composition AP English Literature and Composition What AP courses are available? History & Social Science AP Comparative Government and Politics AP European History AP Human Geography AP Macroeconomics AP Microeconomics AP Psychology AP United States Government and Politics AP United States History AP World History What AP courses are available?
Math & Computer Science AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Computer Science A AP Computer Science Principles AP Statistics What AP courses are available?
Sciences AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Environmental Science AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism AP Physics C: Mechanics AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based What AP courses are available?
World Languages & Cultures AP Chinese Language and Culture AP French Language and Culture AP German Language and Culture AP Italian Language and Culture AP Japanese Language and Culture AP Latin AP Spanish Language and Culture AP Spanish Literature and Culture What AP courses are available? AP Capstone AP Research AP Seminar AP Courses Offered in UCS Junior High Schools
Social Studies AP World History AP Human Geography AP Computer Science Principles (MST/CSI)
Availability at each junior high depends upon sufficient student enrollment UCS Junior High School Accelerated, Honors, and Advanced Placement Courses
7th Grade 8th Grade 9th Grade English 7 English 8 English 9 Accelerated English 7 Accelerated English 8 Honors English 9
Geography US History World History Accelerated Geography Accelerated US History AP World History Human Geography Elective AP Human Geography Math 7 Math 8 Geometry Advanced Math 7 Algebra I Accelerated Geometry Algebra I Accelerated Geometry Accelerated Algebra II
Physical Science 7 Environmental Science Physical Science C/P Biology (can take as an elective) Exploratory Language World Language Year One World Language Year One World Language Year Two UCS Seal of Global Language
Grade Course
8th World Language Year 1
9th World Language Year 2
10th World Language Year 3
11th World Language Year 4
12th Advanced Placement World Language Learn more at… https://apstudent.collegeboard.org AP Test Information
Testing occurs in May each year Cost of test is currently $98 Reduced cost for students who receive free or reduced lunch at school Families can apply for free or reduced lunch at lunchapp.com AP Test Scoring
The final score is reported on a 5-point scale as follows: 5 = extremely well qualified 4 = well qualified 3 = qualified 2 = possibly qualified 1 = no recommendation University A.P. Exam Score Credit for Credits Money Saved World 100 Level U of M 5 or 4 4 $2,448 History History Human Geography U of M 5 or 4 3 $1,836 Geography Departmental World 5, 4, or 3 HST 140, 150 8 MSU $3,856 History 2 Waive Above 0 Human 5 or 4 GEO 151 3 MSU $1,446 Geography 3 Waive Above 0 World Oakland 5 or 4 HST 2010 4 $1,719 History Human Oakland 5 or 4 GEO 2000 4 $1,719 Geography World Hope 5 or 4 HIST 208 4 $4,213 History Human Hope 5 or 4 GES 100 4 $4,213 Geography World MCC 5,4 or 3 HIST 1500 4 $400 History Human MCC 5,4 or 3 GEOG 2000 4 $400 Geography UCS Grade Bump for AP Classes AP Awards Available
College Board offers AP Scholar Awards, starting with students who earn a 3 or higher on 3 or more AP Exams. These are nationally recognized awards. The Big Question:
Is it better to take the AP class and get a B or a regular class and get an A? The most selective colleges will say take the AP class and get an A.
A Better Question:
Do you want your child to get into college or do you want your child to get out of college? The most powerful predictor of college graduation is the rigor of a student’s high school curriculum. Ready for College? 70% of college students say they would have taken higher-level or more challenging courses during high school given what they know now about the expectations of college
(SOURCE: ACHIEVE NATIONAL SURVEY 2014) Our AP Teachers Say Their Most Successful AP Students Have… Enthusiasm for the subject area. Growth mindset. Independent Minded. Collaborative thinker! Not afraid to fail in order to grow! Our AP Teachers Say Their Most Successful AP Students Have… A desire to be challenged! Strong reading and writing ability in the subject area. Organizational ability or willingness to learn! Hard working and responsible. What if AP is too hard for me?
Talk your current teachers and parents—see if they think you are ready Counselors are also available to help you with decision making Don’t be afraid to take a risk and give it a try AP courses are tough, but the pay off is worth it!