Advanced Placement Decatur Public Schools

What is Advanced Placement?

• AP courses allow students to take college level coursework in high school.

• AP exams are given at the end of each year. Most institutions of higher learning grant college credit for high AP exam scores.

What are the benefits of taking AP coursework and exams?

• Research shows that students who take AP courses are more likely to succeed in college. They enter college with the the experience of rigorous study, using college texts, and taking a test that is most like a college exam.

Benefits of AP

• Students who earn a score of 3 or better on a scale of 1-5 may earn college credit.

• For example, a student earns a “4” on an AP literature test and earns 4 hours of English college credit. This allows the student to take a higher level English class and move more quickly through required core courses to more advanced courses toward a major.

Benefits of AP

• Students who take multiple AP tests and score well could enter college as a second semester freshman--or even higher!

• This translates into dollars saved. One course may be equivalent to anywhere between $500 and $1500 of tuition.

Benefits of AP

• Students who take AP courses and exams are better challenged for the rigor of college.

Disadvantages of AP

• Can you think of any disadvantages of saving money, moving through college more quickly, and entering college with a fuller understanding of what to expect?

Disadvantages of AP

• It’s true that the challenge of AP may result in a student earning a lower grade—say, a “B” instead of the usual, easy “A.”

• On the other hand, AP courses can push students to perform at higher levels and earn better grades. Both scenarios are possible.

AP Revisited

• Did you know that academically competitive colleges are now beginning to compute GPA using their own formulas?

• GPA means more locally than nationally.

AP Revisited

• When college admissions officers review a transcript, they are looking for evidence that students have challenged themselves. They know these are the students most likely to succeed.

• GPA is important, but taking earning a “B” or “C” in a more challenging class carries more weight in the admissions game.

What is Important?

• Challenge -or- easy “A”

• Preparedness -or- sliding by

• Expanded knowledge -or- basic HS

• Confidence -or- doubt

Take the AP Challenge!

• In DPS 61, all students are encouraged to accept academic challenge.

• Sign up today for AP courses!