AP Programs

The Advanced Placement Program is one of the two enrichment options available to students in Independent Schools.  The other is the International Baccalaureate Program .  It has been operated since 1955 by the College Board in New York. It allows students to take university courses while still in high school. Courses are provided by the school, however final exams are administered by the Canadian College Board in Victoria, BC.  If the student scores a minimum of four of a total of five points a university course credit is awarded to the student.  The implication is that the student may take fewer courses at the university level or extra credits in other courses of interest. AP tests are used by universities and colleges to exempt some students from certain entry level courses. Scores are put on a Bell Curve and graded in a unique 5 point system. In most cases, a score of 5 means “extremely qualified,” 3 means “qualified” and 1 means “not recommended.” However, each college’s use of the scores may be different.

Advanced Placement Programs need to be well planned by the school. Check into the school you are considering to find out how long they have been working with Advanced Placement or how much research they have done into implementing the program if they are relatively new to it. Universities have shifting credit offerings that can change from one year to the next. If you already have a university or universities in mind you may want to contact the Director of Admissions for each university to find out about policies specific to that school.

AP Courses are advised only for academically strong students.  The courses are demanding and may overwhelm weaker students. Advanced Placement Schools and the benefits of the Program Schools with the Advanced Placement program help to prepare children for life in college or university. The College Board offers a variety of services and programs that augment benefits of Advanced Placement.

AP Capstone is an innovative diploma program that provides students with an opportunity to engage in rigorous scholarly practice of the core academic skills necessary for successful college completion. AP Capstone is built on the foundation of two courses — AP Seminar and AP Research — and is designed to complement and enhance the in-depth, discipline-specific study provided through AP courses.

It cultivates curious, independent, and collaborative scholars and prepares them to make logical, evidence-based decisions. Students typically take AP Seminar in the 10th or 11th grade, followed by AP Research. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing will receive the AP Capstone Diploma™. This signifies their outstanding academic achievement and attainment of college-level academic and research skills. Alternatively, students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research will receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™ signifying their attainment of college-level academic and research skills.