The Advanced Placement (AP) program offers students the opportunity to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. It also gives them the opportunity to show they have mastered the advanced material by taking AP exams.

Benefits of AP

AP curriculum allows faculty to teach college-level courses to capable, motivated students.
Students successfully completing AP examinations offered by the College Board in May can qualify for college credit or become exempt from introductory college courses, permitting them to move more quickly into advanced classes.
AP exams are graded on a 5-point scale (the highest is 5). Most of the nation’s colleges and universities award credit and/or placement for grades of 3 or higher.
More than 1,400 institutions award a year of credit (sophomore standing) to students with a sufficient number of qualifying grades.
The College Board offers 29 AP Examinations in 16 subject areas, each consisting of multiple-choice and free response (essay or problem-solving) questions.
College admission personnel view AP experience as one indicator of future success at the college level. Taking an AP course offers an advantage to students wishing to attend a highly selective school.

Who can enroll in AP?

Students who enroll in these advanced classes need to be prepared. One of the best ways to develop the skills to be successful would be to take honors classes during freshman and sophomore years.
Participation and motivation are also important to AP success. Students’ academic records continue to be the best predictor of AP success, but the willingness to meet the daily demands of an AP class can result in success for students who are not among the best prepared.
Students should be:

Interested in ideas and relationshipso
Willing to risk being wrong
Willing to consider new perspectiveso
Competent in individual research skillso
Able to ask insightful questionso
Able to organize materials and work under pressure to meet deadlines
Able to make decisions for themselveso
Able to work productively with their fellow students

Requirements

AP courses make substantial demands on students. They are required to do considerable outside reading and other assignments and to demonstrate the analytical skills and writing abilities expected of first-year students in a strong college program.
Homework in AP courses resembles the intellectual challenge and workload expected in college courses.
Exams typically cost $83. Financial aid is available to students whose family income falls below that established by the government for some sort of assistance. A fee reduction waiver is also available. Students who qualify for free/reduced lunch typically pay only $5 per exam. A fee reduction form must be completed.
Students enrolled in AP courses can and do have lives. The increased academic load must be considered in light of other important factors including social life, extracurricular activities, athletics, jobs, and outside responsibilities.
Students must find balance. Time constraints and other responsibilities associated with AP can result in undue stress, emotional duress, poor grades, and feelings of failure and high frustration.

Other

It is important to understand the expectations for students in these classes will be high. The demands of jobs, extracurricular activities, and other difficult classes need to be considered when enrolling and will not be accepted as excuses for incomplete or missing assignments. Daily attendance is essential for success because of the fast pace and amount of material covered each day. Daily homework assignments will require approximately an hour each night of reading and note taking. Students are expected to come to class having read the material assigned for that day.
Students must keep in mind the selection process is competitive. Students will be evaluated on recommendations from teachers, grades from previous classes, responses to personal essays on applications, results of in-class writes (English only), and timeliness of application materials.
Students enrolling in AP classes will be expected to take the AP exam in that area in May. Failure to take the AP exam will result in the course title on the grade report and on the transcript being changed from AP to Honors.

Benefits of AP Document (PDF Format)

Advanced Placement (AP), a program developed by the College Board, enables high school students to study college-level material through enrollment in an AP course. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the subject by taking an AP exam in May. Based on these AP scores, colleges and universities may then grant credit, placement or both. Students can benefit from these courses by learning a subject in greater depth, developing skills critically important to successful study in college, and demonstrating their willingness to undertake a challenging course. Students interested in enrolling in AP classes will need to get an application packet from the class instructor. The Olympia Scholars Award is presented to graduating seniors who have taken a challenging course of study throughout high school and have demonstrated excellence in extra-curricular activities. For Olympia Scholar Award application requirements and forms, please go to: Olympia Scholar Program.

Advanced Placement Information from the College Board

AP and College Credit with CLEP

Testing and Assessment

Olympia High School Advanced Placement

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Benefits of Advanced Placement