Advanced Placement: What is it?
Guilford County Schools (GCS) invites high school students to discover their potential through Advanced Placement (AP®) courses. AP is a voluntary program that offers students the opportunity to take and earn college credit for college-level courses while still in high school.
AP courses provide students with the opportunity to prepare for college success through a rigorous classroom experience in high school. AP exams determine whether students meet a standard of learning equivalent to an early college-level course. AP exams are assessed on a scale of one to five, with three meaning, “qualified.” However, individual colleges and universities establish their own policies for granting credit. Those policies are available through the College Board’s Web site at http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/ colleges/setting_policy/34487.html.
Placement
Advanced
Guilford County Schools Office of Advanced Learning 120 Franklin Boulevard Greensboro, NC 27401 336-370-2316 www.gcsnc.com
In compliance with federal laws, Guilford County Schools administers all educational programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination because of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, color, age, military service, disability or gender, except where exemption is appropriate and allowed by law. Refer to the Board of Education’s Discrimination Free Environment Policy AC for a complete statement. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to the Guilford County Schools Compliance Officer, 120 Franklin Blvd., Greensboro, NC 27401; 336.370.2323.
AP Courses and Exams Available in GCS High Schools:
(Note: Not ALL courses are available at ALL schools. Please contact your school for additional course listings.)
Art History Biology Calculus AB Calculus BC Chemistry Music Theory Macroeconomics Microeconomics English Language and Composition English Literature and Composition Environmental Science French Language Spanish Language Spanish Literature German Language Comparative Government and Politics U.S. Government and Politics European History U.S. History World History Human Geography Chinese Language and Culture Latin Literature Latin: Vergil Physics B Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Physics C: Mechanics Psychology Statistics Studio Art (Drawing Portfolio) Studio Art (2-D Design Portfolio) Studio Art (3-D Design Portfolio)
“Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.” —Oprah Winfrey
WHY CHOOSE AP COURSES?
Students can discover their true potential by seizing the opportunity to take AP courses. Courses provide a stimulating alternative to the familiar high school routine. Students build success in the AP program through determination, working hard, thinking freely and accepting academic challenge. Courses taken during high school can be an important factor for colleges and universities in the application process. Schools want to accept students who choose demanding courses while in high school, and AP courses on a transcript can help demonstrate a student’s desire to learn. The experience of taking college-level courses in high school can also help a student be more prepared for difficult courses once they enter college. Taking AP courses now allows the student to get a head start on college while having a support system nearby.
IT’S COOL TO BE SMART
“Every summer, there is a fabulous moment at the Greensboro, N.C., ‘Cool to Be Smart’ celebration, for students who have passed five or more Advanced Placement exams – the moment when one of them selects a lucky key and wins a new car and balloons cascade from the ceiling.” – The New York Times, January 8, 2006 The Crown Automotive Cool to Be Smart Celebration gives students who earn a score of three or higher on five or more AP exams while in high school a chance to win scholarships, laptops and a new car. These students also receive an AP/IB Distinguished Scholars Diploma.
GCS ADVANCED PLACEMENT POLICIES
· AP courses are weighted on a six-point scale for
calculating GPA.
· All students enrolled in an AP course must take the AP exam.
IS AP RIGHT FOR YOU?
“There are no secrets to success: don’t waste time looking for them. Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure . . . and persistence.” —Colin Powell
AP is open to any student from any background, not just straight-A students or the “overly studious,” but it may not be right for everyone. AP is the right choice if a student has a healthy curiosity about a subject and is willing to work hard. Students who enjoy an academic challenge and want to learn alongside classmates who are enthusiastic about learning and growing should consider enrolling in an AP course.
· GCS covers the cost of AP exam fees for all students.
High school counselors can help students decide which AP courses are right for them by using PSAT scores, as well as student interest, motivation and post-secondary plans.