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ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES (AP)
The Advanced Placement Program is a challenging academic program designed to provide motivated high school students with college-level academic courses. Established in 1955 by the College Board, the AP Program is a partnership between secondary schools and colleges and universities. AP is considered a standard for academic excellence in the United States, where nearly 60 percent of secondary schools participate in the program. AP courses with qualifying exam grades are accepted for credit, advanced placement, or both, by most American colleges and universities. In addition, AP courses and exam grades are used in the admissions process in more than 400 universities the United States.
The mission of the Advanced Placement program in Westerville City Schools is to provide students with opportunities to acquire the skills and habits necessary for post-secondary success. Students will have the opportunity to earn college credit through increased academic rigor by engaging in intense discussions, solving problems collaboratively, reading critically from a variety of texts, and writing analytically in the fifteen AP courses offered in Westerville City Schools. It is the guiding principle of Westerville City Schools to provide equitable access to our AP classes to ensure that they reflect the diversity of our student population. Westerville City Schools provides all students with access to academically challenging work before they enroll in AP classes.
COURSES OFFERED AT WCS
| AP Biology | AP Calculus AB | AP Calculus BC |
| AP Chemistry | AP Comparative Government and Politics | AP Computer Science A |
| AP English Language and Composition | AP English Literature and Composition | AP Environmental Science |
| AP European History | AP Physics | AP Spanish Language |
| AP United States History | AP U.S. Government and Politics | AP World History |
*Other AP courses may be taken through a Credit Flexibility option.
*For additional Advanced Placement course and testing information, please visit The College Board website: www.collegeboard.org.
IS AP RIGHT FOR ME?
AP is open to all students. This class is self-selected. AP is geared toward preparing students for college, all students interested in attending a college or university should consider taking an AP course. The keys to success are interest, motivation, self-discipline, and academic preparation. However, students must decide on whether or not their schedules can accommodate the rigorous amount of time and dedication needed to take an AP course. AP classes move rapidly and cover lots of ground. Your record of accomplishment in other courses may provide a guideline for gauging your potential as an AP student. The time and commitment for AP work may include daily review, daily reading, projects outside of class, and assignments to be completed in the summer.
Students that take the PSAT will receive AP Potential data. That data will articulate how likely students are to score a 3 or higher on a given AP exam based on PSAT performance. AP Potential is rooted in a long line of research and is a strong predictor of students' AP Exam scores than the more traditional factors such as high school grades and grades in same-discipline course work. AP Potential is designed to help you increase access to AP.
EARN COLLEGE CREDIT and ADVANCED PLACEMENT
- Receive recognition from more than 3,600 colleges and universities that annually receive AP Exam scores. Over 90% of 4-year colleges in the U.S. provide credit and/or advanced placement for qualifying scores.
- Move more rapidly into upper-level courses in your field of interest, pursue more easily multiple majors or minors.
- Design a college experience that increases the flexibility to get the most out of your college years.
GAIN SKILLS FOR COLLEGE SUCCESS AND STAND OUT IN THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
- Improve communication skills and problem-solving techniques.
- Develop the study habits and time management skills necessary for tackling rigorous course work.
- Demonstrate maturity and readiness for college.
- Show willingness to take the most rigorous courses available.
- Emphasize commitment to academic excellence.