Welcome to WCHSAdvanced Placement (AP) Night

May 13, 2014

The Value Behind the ProgramWhat is Advanced Placement (AP)?Why take AP Courses?What AP Courses do we offer at WCHS/ISD?Advise and a Plan for Success for parents AND students that accept the challenge of APThe AP Commitment

What is Advanced Placement (AP)?*It is a cooperative effort between secondary schools and colleges/universities to offer rigorous courses/college like - that provides a means for colleges…

-to grant credit-to grant placement in,-or both

….to students who have applied themselves in more rigorous courses AND

+successfully earned a 3, 4 or 5 on their AP test.

Why take AP Courses?

3 P’s1.Preparation2.Practicality3.Predictor

Why take AP Courses?

1. Preparation for College•Studies show that regardless of their grade in the course or the score on the exam…..AP students are…. +better prepared for college through proper time management and

+more academically prepared with experience of a more rigorous curriculum …..

than those students who choose/have not taken AP courses.

Why take AP Courses (cont)?

2. Practicality•Most of the country’s colleges and universities grant credit, placement or both for qualifying AP exams.•$85 vs $800 plus / The AP Payoff

+Earning college creditbut avoiding college tuition.

Require a 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Test.

Why take AP Courses (cont)?

2. Practicality (cont.)*GPA Benefits (w/ a 3, 4 or 5 on AP

Test) Grade Unweigh *Weighted Pre-AP A 4 5 4.5 B 3 4 3.5 C 2 3 2.5 D 1 2 1.5

Why take AP Courses (cont)?

3. Predictor of Success•Students who take AP courses and the AP exam more easily adapt to college-level assessments….essay exams, thesis development and argumentation.•The US Department of Education states,

– AP courses are a stronger predictor of success in college than….• test scores or • grade point average.

What Colleges look at when recruiting and eventually accepting prospective

students (ranked in order of importance)

• Participation in college-prep/AP courses• Admission test scores• Grades in all subjects• Class rank• Essay/writing sample• Counselor recommendation• Teacher recommendation• Interview• Work/extra-curricular activities

What AP Courses Do We Offer?15 AP Courses•AP Language and Comp•AP Literature and Comp•AP Biology•AP Chemistry•AP Environmental Sci•AP Statistics•AP World History•AP European History•AP US History (APUSH)•AP American Govt•AP Music Theory•AP 2 D Design/Photo

• AP Studio Art: Drawing Portfolio

• AP Studio Art: 2 D Design Portfolio

• AP 3 D Design Portfolio

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6 Pre-AP Courses• Pre-AP English II• Pre-AP Bio • Pre-AP Chemistry• Pre-AP Science• Pre-AP Geography• Pre-AP Studio Art

Advise and a Plan for Success for Parents AND Students

• Commit…..

• Summer Prep….– Many AP courses (especially history and

English) require summer reading.– Make sure the reading is completed.– Initial grades will consist of work from

this summer reading.

Advise and a Plan for Success for Parents AND Students (cont.)

*Time ManagementYou will need to evaluate interests, priorities and find a BALANCE for it all to co-exist…….•Work•Clubs•Extra-curricular Activities•Church•Social Life•Relaxation•Hobbies

Advise and a Plan for Success for Parents AND Students (cont.)

Adopt a “You Can Do It” Attitude…..*Expect several hours of homework each night…..

+two hours each night for the average senior*Even if there is no homework from the course, review the reading or notes….study as you go.

+it will pay off in the long run and reduce stress levels for everyone.

*Complete all optional assignments.*Form study groups that focus on studying.

+Collaboration!*Ask for help from your teacher…..

Advise and a Plan for Success for Parents AND Students (cont.)

First Week of School / “AP Anxiety Week”Parents, when your student comes home the first day from school with their AP course expectations…

REMAIN CALM!You will hear….

I can’t… I made a mistake....It is too much… I have to change now….Is he/she serious…. I want to enjoy my

senioryear and not work hard!

Advise and a Plan for Success for Parents AND Students (cont.)

Review slides 12 & 13, then slides 5-8…..

The AP Commitment Form

• You have already signed the form at enrollment…..

• We ask you to continue that commitment to take AP class(es)….

• through May 23 • through the Summer• through 1st day back on August 12th • through anxiety week…..• through to the finish……May 20, 2015.

QUESTIONS?