ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM

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ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM
McLean High School
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AP/Grade Performance

• Grading Data 2010-2011 2011-2012
• AP Exam Data Spring 2011 Spring 2012

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Number of Exams 2010-2012

• Number of exams taken by students in 2011 and
  2012
• 1 AP course exam 300 students (23.6 of AP SP)
• 2 AP course exams 343 students (27.0 of AP SP)
• 3 AP course exams 331 students (26.1 of AP SP)
• 4 AP course exams 171 students (13.4 of AP SP)
• 5 AP course exams 73 students (5.8 of AP SP)
• 6 AP course exams 32 students (2.5 of AP SP)
• 7 AP course exams 15 students (1.2 of AP SP)
• 8 AP exams or more 4 students (0.3 of AP SP)

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Scoring All 5s

• 63 students scored 5s on all exams in the same
  testing year.
• 2 exams 18 students (5.2 of population)
• 3 exams 27 students (8.2 of population)
• 4 exams 14 students (8.2 of population)
• 5 exams 3 students (4.1 of population)
• 6 exams 1 student (3.1 of population)

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Scoring 4 or 5 on all exams

• 286 students scored 4 or 5 on all exams (2 or
  more) in the same testing year.
• 2 exams 88 students (25.7 of population)
• 3 exams 116 students(35.0 of population)
• 4 exams 57 students (33.3 of population)
• 5 exams 20 students (27.4 of population)
• 6 exams 5 students (15.6 of population)

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Scoring 3, 4 or 5 on all exams

• 578 students scored 3, 4 or 5 on all exams (2 or
  more) in the same testing year.
• 2 exams 181 students (52.8 of population)
• 3 exams 222 students (67.1 of population)
• 4 exams 114 students (66.7 of population)
• 5 exams 42 students (57.5 of population)
• 6 exams 13 students (40.6 of population)

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Scoring 1 or 2 on exams

• 391 students scored 1 or 2 during AP testing.
• 2 exams 162 students (47.2 of population)
• 3 exams 109 students (32.9 of population)
• 4 exams 57 students (33.3 of population)
• 5 exams 31 students (42.5 of population)
• 6 exams 19 students (59.4 of population)

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What are Advanced Placement Courses?

• Rigorous academic courses
• Require dedication of time and individual effort
  beyond the school day
• Academic explorations and a body of knowledge
  beyond the standard course of study
• College-level courses

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Why would I be interested in Advanced Placement
Courses?

• The MOST significant factor leading to success in
  college is the rigor of the high school
  curriculum.
• These studies expand the students ability to
  read, write, and think analytically, and to build
  life skills in knowing how to approach
  challenging material.
• Many colleges grant credit for courses in which
  students scored high on AP examinations
• These courses have weighted grades which add to a
  students GPA.(1 point if they take the exam)

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What do I need to do to pursue Advanced Placement
Courses in high school?

• Read, read, and read.
• Advanced programs are open to all students
  motivated to learn.
• How to determine if you are a candidate for an
  advanced academic program
• Talk to your counselor
• Consider teacher recommendations
• Consider PSAT /ACT Explore scores
• Consider time commitments
• Use matrix
• Use reality check

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How Does AP Differ from Honors?

• Honors

• AP

• Accelerated
• Moderate amount of reading/writing required
• Independent work requires some new material to
  be learned outside of class
• Emphasis on building skills leading to
  independent learning

• Rapid
• Extensive amount of reading/writing required
• Independent work requires significant amount of
  new material to be learned outside of class
• Emphasis on independent learning

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AP Courses

• Courses are primarily for 11th and 12th grade
  students. World History is for sophomores only.
• The scores on exams are the basis for college
  credit consideration and do not change the course
  grade.

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Course offerings

• AP Subject Areas
• English
• Foreign Language
• Social Studies
• Science
• Mathematics
• Fine Arts

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Advanced Placement Program
Science Math Languages Social Studies Fine Arts
Biology Calculus AB English Language Comparative Govt. Politics Studio Art Drawing
Chemistry Calculus BC English Literature U.S. History Art 2D Design Art 3D Design
Environmental Science Statistics German Language World History Music Theory
Physics B Computer Science Latin Vergil Psychology
French Language European History
Spanish Language Macro/Micro Economics
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HOW FAR SHOULD I LEAP OR STRETCH WHEN I PLAN MY
SCHEDULE?
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QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE I LEAP?

• How many honors or AP classes did I take last
  year?
• How well do I read and comprehend?
• Is this just the next step or is it a new area of
  study?

• Do I have a job?
• How much time must I commit to after school
  activities?

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Who can help me decide?

1. Guidance Counselor
2. College requirements
3. Career center
4. Current Teachers of the course you are
   considering
5. Older students

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THINGS TO CONSIDER

• How much do you like the subject
• What courses do the colleges you like want you to
  have? Do a little research.
• College applications take time to write, can you
  do a good job if you are taking more than 3
  Advanced Courses?
• Time required to prepare for exams in April and
  May
• When exams start you may have two in a row or
  even two on the same day but you are still
  responsible for your other classes
• You will still have to take SOLs
• Schools want well rounded people you need to
  have time for sports, clubs, volunteer
  opportunities and to sleep.

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Advanced Academic Programs

• Paul Stansbery, Director of Student Services
• paul.stansbury_at_fcps.edu
• Helen Stephan, AP Coordinator MHS
  htstephan_at_fcps.edu
• More information at
• www.collegeboard.com