• The Advanced Placement Program is an academic program of college-level courses and examinations for high school students.  Advanced Placement (AP) allows students to complete college level studies while in high school. Advanced Placement courses are accelerated in rigor and pace. The curriculum of an AP course is challenging and goes into greater depth with the academic material than regular courses. AP courses require students to use analytical thinking, reading, writing, and problem solving skills. AP courses are taught using college level materials and teaching strategies. In order to prepare teachers to teach an AP course, beginning AP teachers are required to attend a summer College Board Training Institute.  More than 90% of four-year institutions in the United States grant credit, advanced placement, or both on the basis of qualifying AP exam scores. For more information visit the following website:www.collegeboard.com/ap/creditpolicy. Students enrolled in AP courses take the College Board AP Exam and have an opportunity to earn college credit and/or advanced standing in college based on their scores on the AP exam.

    According to the 10th Annual Report to the Nation, http://apreport.collegeboard.org/

    Students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically:

    • Earn higher GPAs in college.
    • Perform as well or better in subsequent college courses in the discipline than non-AP students who took the introductory class in college.
    • Take more—not less—college course work in the discipline.
    • Are more likely to graduate college within five years.
    • Have higher graduation rates
    • AP course experience favorably impacts admission decisions of selective colleges and universities. Advice From a Dean of Admissions on Selecting High School Courses
    • AP coursework increases scholarship opportunity and improves chances of college admission.
    • The cost of the AP exam is less than most college textbooks.
    • Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely than their peers to complete a college degree on schedule in 4 years. (An additional year can cost your family on average between $18,000 - $29,000). For more information visit www.collegeboard.com/research.
    • AP prepares students majoring in engineering, biochemistry and other STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) majors in college.
    • AP students perform better in their intermediate-level STEM coursework than students with the same SAT score who had taken the college’s own introductory course. “One of the best standard predictors of academic success at Harvard is performance on Advanced Placement Examinations.” - William Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid, Harvard University
    • It is highly recommended that students consult with college(s) of choice, as college credit may be earned by scoring a 3, 4, or 5 on the exam.
    • Careful attention should be given when selecting an AP course or courses as students will not be allowed to drop an AP course.

     Boaz City Schools has been in partnership with A+ College Ready since 2015 to expand AP offerings in our schools and to support more students in having access to AP courses.

    For students enrolled in an AP course, the GPA is weighted:

    • A = 5 points
    • B = 4 points
    • C = 3 points
    • D = 2 points
    • F = 0 points