What
is AP?
The Advanced Placement
(AP) Program is a cooperative educational endeavor between secondary
schools and the colleges and universities. It allows high school students
to undertake college-level academic learning in AP courses, and gives
them the opportunity to show that they have mastered the advanced
material by taking AP exams. Students can receive credit, advanced
placement, or both from thousands of colleges and universities that
participate in the Advanced Placement Program.
The AP Program has been
administered since 1955 by the College Board. As in other College
Board programs, AP procedures are determined by representatives of
member institutions (public and independent schools, colleges, and
universities). AP’s operational services are provided by Educational
Testing Service (ETS).
Currently 33 AP Examinations
in 19 academic disciplines are administered each May. Approximately
13,000 high schools in the United States, Canada and overseas teach
AP courses and offer the annual examinations. About 3,000 colleges
and universities grant credit and advanced placement to entering students
whose AP grades meet their requirements (Source: collegeboard.com
December, 2000).
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What
Advanced Placement programs are offered at BHS?
Boulder High School prepares
students for 27 different AP Examinations
| Mathematics |
Language
Arts |
World
Languages |
| Calculus AB |
English Language |
French Language |
| Claculus BC |
English Literature |
French Literature |
| Statistics |
|
German Language |
| |
|
Spanish Language |
| |
|
Spanish Literature |
| |
|
Latin |
| |
|
Latin Vergil |
| |
|
Japanese |
| |
|
|
| Science |
Social
Studies |
Computer
Science |
| Biology |
European History |
Computer Science A |
| Chemistry |
U.S. History |
Computer Science AB |
Physics B |
Human Geography |
|
| Physics C |
World History |
|
| Environmental Science |
United States Gov't |
|
| |
Macroeconomics |
|
| |
Psychology |
|
| The
Arts |
|
|
| Music Theory |
|
|
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Is
an AP diploma available?
Yes. Boulder High offers
an AP diploma to students who meet diploma criteria. Any such students
will be awarded the diploma at their graduation ceremony.
This program is intended
to encourage students traditionally under-represented in AP courses
to commit to a rigorous course of study for their high school years.
Diploma Requirements:
1.
Students must take five year-long AP courses (or the equivalent) in four subject areas. The subject areas are Music, Computer Science, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts and World Language.
2. Students must complete these five AP courses with no grade lower than a B.
3. Students must take the AP test in each AP course that counts as a subject area requirement.
4. Students must submit an application for the Boulder High AP Diploma in the year in which they intend to graduate. Applications are available in the counseling office
mid-April.
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What
is an AP Scholar, and how many AP Scholars does BHS have?
The AP Scholar Program
recognizes high school students who have demonstrated outstanding
college-level achievement through AP courses and exam grades. AP Scholar
Awards are given to students who receive grades of 3 or higher on
at least three full-year AP exams, or the equivalent. AP Scholar with
Honor Awards are bestowed on students who receive grades of 3 or higher
on at least four full-year AP exams, or the equivalent, and have an
average exam grade of at least 3.25. AP Scholar with Distinction Awards
are for students who receive grades of 3 or higher on at least five
full-year AP exams or the equivalent, with an average exam grade of
3.5 (Source: A Secondary School Guide to the Advanced Placement Program,
1996). BHS Total AP Scholars by Year:
1996-----28
1997-----38
1998-----31
1999-----57
2000-----68
2001-----73
2002-----89
2003-----105
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How
to BHS students perform on AP exams?
At BHS last year, approximately
400 students took 689 AP exams in 24 subject areas. 87% of the students
who took AP exams scored 3 or above. Nationally, only 64% of students
taking AP exams scored 3 or above. The Boulder Valley School District
average was 79%. In addition, BHS had more students take AP exams
than any other high school in the District.
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How
do students get college credit for AP classes?
Students in AP courses
learn as much or more than students taking the same courses in college,
so students who do well in AP should receive college credit. When
the evidence of that achievement is a satisfactory grade on a rigorous
national examination, the case for credit is even stronger. Many colleges
and universities give credit to students transferring from other colleges,
usually crediting courses in which students have a grade of C or better.
An AP grade of 3 or higher is better validated and probably represents
a higher standard than these transfer grades.
The Advanced Placement
Program meets strict credit/placement criteria of selective colleges
and universities on the basis of rigorous national examinations. The
evidence of AP students’ achievement is not only a teacher’s
grade, but also the results on a carefully designed national examination.
AP exams are prepared by committees of college faculty and AP teachers,
and are graded by other college and AP teachers, who ensure that the
content and skills that are required reflect college-level achievement
(Source: A Secondary School Guide to the Advanced Placement Program,
1996).
AP Grade Reports are sent
in July to each student’s home, high school, and any college(s)
designated by the student. At the time of the exam, students can indicate
on their answer sheet if they would like a college to receive their
grade. After the exam, they can write to the AP Program and request
that the grade be sent to other colleges as well. Students may also
cancel or withhold a grade by contacting the AP Program by June 15
of the testing year (Source: Facts about the AP Program, 2000).
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Do
AP teachers receive special training?
Yes. All Boulder High
School AP teachers have participated extensively in AP teacher training.
AP teacher professional development workshops of one day and up to
three weeks are offered year-round at sites in the United States and
abroad. They are organized and run by College Board offices and/or
independent educational institutions and funded by a combination of
participant fees and grants or donations. Each workshop focuses on
an AP subject, specialized training in a particular discipline, or
management of an AP course.
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How
do BHS students sign up and prepare for AP classes?
AP classes at Boulder
High School are open to any student who meets the necessary prerequisites.
Some AP classes have no prerequisites, such as AP Language and Composition,
AP English Literature and AP US History. Any student interested in
pursuing a challenging, rigorous, college-level course while in high
school can simply register for these classes. Other AP classes at
BHS have prerequisites that follow a logical content-specific sequence.
For example, students who wish to take AP Calculus must first successfully
complete precalculus. Students who wish to take AP Spanish 5 must
first complete Spanish 4. Most AP classes currently taught at BHS
are taken by juniors and seniors who, with adequate planning, can
take any AP class offered that they desire. Numerous advanced (honors)
classes are available for freshmen and sophomores planning to take
AP classes as juniors and seniors. These classes have weighted grades,
as do all AP classes. Check with your counselor about how to sign
up for AP classes.
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