Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement

 The Advanced Placement program provides students with opportunities to pursue university-level studies while still in high school.  Students demonstrate their scholastic achievement on international exams, excel in their high school programming, improve their chances of being accepted by the university of their choice and gain exemption from some introductory course work at university. 

Value of Advanced Placement 

AP courses make substantial academic demands on students. Students are expected to do considerable outside reading and other assignments and to demonstrate the analytical skills and writing abilities expected of first year university students. This experience helps students develop the intellectual skills and self-discipline required in university in addition to providing students with university credits.  

History of Advanced Placement 

The AP Program has been administered since 1955 by the U.S. College Board. As in other College Board programs, AP procedures are determined by representatives of member institutions (public and independent schools, colleges and universities). AP’s operational services are provided by the U.S. Educational Testing Service (ETS). Currently, 29 AP Examinations in 16 academic disciplines are administered each May.  Approximately 11,000 high schools in the United States, Canada, and overseas offer AP courses and the annual AP Examinations.  About 2,900 colleges and universities grant credit and/or Advanced Placement to prospective students with AP grades that meet the particular requirements of the various participating universities. AP Exams consist of two or more sections. Each, with the exception of Studio Art, includes a multiple choice section, and a variety of free response questions based on essays, audio taped responses, the analysis of historical documents, extended problem solving, and case studies management. 

Cost of Advanced Placement 

AP courses are not publicly funded. Costs associated with AP courses are separate. Students are responsible for purchasing the texts on the Summer Reading List in addition to paying the cost of AP Exams in US funds. AP exams are marked by the U.S. College Board. 

AP Grades 

The judgments of faculty consultants on the essay and problem solving questions are combined with the results of computer scored multiple-choice questions, and the total scores are converted to AP’s 5-point grade scale:

AP Grade Qualification   

             5    Extremely Well Qualified
             4    Well Qualified
             3    Qualified
             2    Possibly Qualified
             1    No Recommendation 

Pre-Advanced Placement Program 

The Pre-Advanced Placement Program (Pre-AP) at St. Patrick High School gives students an opportunity to experience an enriched and challenging curriculum at the Grade 9, 10 and 11 level.  Courses are offered in subject areas in which AP courses are currently taught at the Grade 12 level.  In addition to the core Grade 9, 10 and 11 curriculums, Pre-AP courses provide considerable independent work, under teacher guidance, in preparation for Grade 12 AP courses.  Students willing to challenge themselves academically should consider Advanced Placement courses.The following chart outlines the Advanced Placement courses available at St. Patrick High School.  Course descriptors are provided within the curriculum areas in the pages that follow. 

Grade 9

English                             Pre-Advanced Placement                ENG1DP

Mathematics                     Pre-Advanced Placement                MPM1DP

Grade 10

English                             Pre-Advanced Placement                ENG2DP

Mathematics                     Pre-Advanced Placement                MPM2DP

Canadian History             Pre-Advanced Placement                CHC2DP

Grade 11

English                             AP Language & Composition          ENG3UP

Mathematics                     Pre-Advanced                                 MCR3UP

Grade 12 – Advanced Placement

English                             AP Literature                                   ENG4UP

Advanced Functions        Pre-Advanced Placement                MHF4UP

Calculus & Vectors           AP                                                   MCV4UP

 Links

www.tbcdsb.on.ca

www.collegeboard.com     (US)

www.ap.ca     (Canada)

Vice-PrincipalAP Co-ordinator  - Mrs. S. Ozbolt, Guidance Counsellor