YOU'VE GOT QUESTIONS? WE'LL TRY TO ANSWER THEM!
1. What is Advanced Placement?
Advanced Placement courses are designed to prepare students for success in four-year university courses. AP courses are taught by highly qualified high school teachers who use curriculum overseen by the College Board to guide them. Students who successfully complete the classwork must then take an AP exam in May for each course in which they are enrolled. Students who score 3 or higher can submit their score to the university of their choice. As always, it is up to the university to determine how that credit will be applied to their requirements just like they would a community college course.
2. Isn't AP only for the really smart student?
No. In fact, the purpose of the AP Academy is to help every student who takes AP classes learn the skills and habits necessary to successfully complete the course work and be successful at Alexander Central and beyond. Advanced Placement courses require more out of class reading and writing than a honors-level high school course. Students will be required to think critically, make connections between concepts and apply what they learn to new situations. This may be challenging at first because many students have become accustomed to teachers telling them what they should know and do. AP brings a collegiate academic experience to your high school with the opportunity to earn college credit at thousands of universities. More students are ready for AP than you’d think. Roll up your sleeves and find out what AP can do for you! Our goal for the AP Academy is to enroll a variety of students with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. AP Academy will provide support if you are willing to provide the work necessary to be successful.
3. Do I have to take every AP class offered?
No. This program requires that you successfully take and pass 7 AP courses. All ACHS students are welcome to take any AP class at any time! A student DOES NOT have to be in the AP Academy to take AP courses.
4. Do I have to take and pay for the AP exam?
The state of North Carolina recognizes that AP courses add to the readiness of high school students for their 4 year university experience. The state covers the cost for each exam given in May. We do expect students who are part of the AP Academy to take the exam at the end of every course. Keep in mind, while our goal is to help students place out of college courses the ultimate goal is to help students learn how to study, prepare for rigorous courses, think and apply learning at a higher level and walk into a college classroom prepared for the level of work that will be required. Even if a student doesn't pass every exam, the experience they will gain by being in a class each year at high school will be valuable as they enter their university setting.
5. So is there really an advantage to such a program?
In today's highly competitive college enrollment process - especially for programs like Duke, NC State, Wake, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, we believe participation in this program will help students have a better chance at being accepted as well as prepare students to be successful once they enter that collegiate environment.
6. Can I play sports and be in the AP Academy?
Yes. Many of our AP Academy students play one or more of the team sports the school offers.
7. Is it really possible for me to sing in chorus or play for the band and be in the AP Academy?
Yes. One of the great things about starting AP classes your freshman year, is that you can spread them out enough where you don't have to make a choice between AP and your talent.
8. How do AP credits work? Are they transferable to all 4 year colleges?
When you take an Advanced Placement classes, you take an exam for that class in May. Typically, if you earn a 3 or higher, you will be able to get 3 credits from the college you attend, while some classes can actually earn you up to 8 college credits for a high score (sciences and math). Different colleges accept different scores though, so you should always double check. The AP test used to cost money, but for the last 2 years, the state of NC has been taking care of the cost, so that it is free to students. Also, college admissions prefer to see the rigor of a schedule/transcript with AP classes in it, because it shows them that the student can handle the rigor of their college. Private and public universities across the country accept AP test scores for credit.
9. How many college credits can I earn through the AP Academy?
If you meet the minimum requirements of the AP Academy, you can earn up to 27 credit hours, but you can take more AP & community college classes to maximize the number of credits that you earn while in the Academy. So, the total number of credits will be up to you!
10. Will I get a special diploma or special distinction for graduating from the AP Academy?
Absolutely! This is an accomplishment to be celebrated. You will definitely have a special distinction for graduating from the AP Academy.
11. I heard there is a requirement for service hours within the AP Academy? What is this about?
The AP Academy seeks to strengthen the whole student and prepare students for success at a four-year university. For many universities and scholarship programs, community involvement is a large consideration for admission. Therefore, as part of a requirement for completion of the AP Academy, each student will participate in some service to their community for ten hours each year, with a minimum of 40 hours over their four years at ACHS.
12. Can students get out of the AP Academy if they find that it isn't a good fit for them?
While we would love for every student to stay in the AP Academy all four years because of the benefits they will receive from this program, we know that this program may not be the right fit for every student. If your student is wanting to drop from the AP Academy, they must meet with both Mr. Palmer and the AP Academy Director.
13. Do I have to be accepted into AP Academy to take AP Environmental Science as a freshmen?
Yes, if you want to take AP Environmental Science your 9th grade year, you will need to apply and be accepted to the AP Academy. After your freshman year, you are welcome to take any AP class at any time without necessarily being in the AP Academy.
14. If I did not apply for AP Academy my 8th grade year but I want to join now, what should I do?
8th grade registration can be overwhelming - there are so many choices which is a good thing! If you are interested in joining AP Academy after your 9th grade year, you will need to go the "Apply" page and follow the instructions to submit your application.
Advanced Placement courses are designed to prepare students for success in four-year university courses. AP courses are taught by highly qualified high school teachers who use curriculum overseen by the College Board to guide them. Students who successfully complete the classwork must then take an AP exam in May for each course in which they are enrolled. Students who score 3 or higher can submit their score to the university of their choice. As always, it is up to the university to determine how that credit will be applied to their requirements just like they would a community college course.
2. Isn't AP only for the really smart student?
No. In fact, the purpose of the AP Academy is to help every student who takes AP classes learn the skills and habits necessary to successfully complete the course work and be successful at Alexander Central and beyond. Advanced Placement courses require more out of class reading and writing than a honors-level high school course. Students will be required to think critically, make connections between concepts and apply what they learn to new situations. This may be challenging at first because many students have become accustomed to teachers telling them what they should know and do. AP brings a collegiate academic experience to your high school with the opportunity to earn college credit at thousands of universities. More students are ready for AP than you’d think. Roll up your sleeves and find out what AP can do for you! Our goal for the AP Academy is to enroll a variety of students with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. AP Academy will provide support if you are willing to provide the work necessary to be successful.
3. Do I have to take every AP class offered?
No. This program requires that you successfully take and pass 7 AP courses. All ACHS students are welcome to take any AP class at any time! A student DOES NOT have to be in the AP Academy to take AP courses.
4. Do I have to take and pay for the AP exam?
The state of North Carolina recognizes that AP courses add to the readiness of high school students for their 4 year university experience. The state covers the cost for each exam given in May. We do expect students who are part of the AP Academy to take the exam at the end of every course. Keep in mind, while our goal is to help students place out of college courses the ultimate goal is to help students learn how to study, prepare for rigorous courses, think and apply learning at a higher level and walk into a college classroom prepared for the level of work that will be required. Even if a student doesn't pass every exam, the experience they will gain by being in a class each year at high school will be valuable as they enter their university setting.
5. So is there really an advantage to such a program?
In today's highly competitive college enrollment process - especially for programs like Duke, NC State, Wake, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, we believe participation in this program will help students have a better chance at being accepted as well as prepare students to be successful once they enter that collegiate environment.
6. Can I play sports and be in the AP Academy?
Yes. Many of our AP Academy students play one or more of the team sports the school offers.
7. Is it really possible for me to sing in chorus or play for the band and be in the AP Academy?
Yes. One of the great things about starting AP classes your freshman year, is that you can spread them out enough where you don't have to make a choice between AP and your talent.
8. How do AP credits work? Are they transferable to all 4 year colleges?
When you take an Advanced Placement classes, you take an exam for that class in May. Typically, if you earn a 3 or higher, you will be able to get 3 credits from the college you attend, while some classes can actually earn you up to 8 college credits for a high score (sciences and math). Different colleges accept different scores though, so you should always double check. The AP test used to cost money, but for the last 2 years, the state of NC has been taking care of the cost, so that it is free to students. Also, college admissions prefer to see the rigor of a schedule/transcript with AP classes in it, because it shows them that the student can handle the rigor of their college. Private and public universities across the country accept AP test scores for credit.
9. How many college credits can I earn through the AP Academy?
If you meet the minimum requirements of the AP Academy, you can earn up to 27 credit hours, but you can take more AP & community college classes to maximize the number of credits that you earn while in the Academy. So, the total number of credits will be up to you!
10. Will I get a special diploma or special distinction for graduating from the AP Academy?
Absolutely! This is an accomplishment to be celebrated. You will definitely have a special distinction for graduating from the AP Academy.
11. I heard there is a requirement for service hours within the AP Academy? What is this about?
The AP Academy seeks to strengthen the whole student and prepare students for success at a four-year university. For many universities and scholarship programs, community involvement is a large consideration for admission. Therefore, as part of a requirement for completion of the AP Academy, each student will participate in some service to their community for ten hours each year, with a minimum of 40 hours over their four years at ACHS.
12. Can students get out of the AP Academy if they find that it isn't a good fit for them?
While we would love for every student to stay in the AP Academy all four years because of the benefits they will receive from this program, we know that this program may not be the right fit for every student. If your student is wanting to drop from the AP Academy, they must meet with both Mr. Palmer and the AP Academy Director.
13. Do I have to be accepted into AP Academy to take AP Environmental Science as a freshmen?
Yes, if you want to take AP Environmental Science your 9th grade year, you will need to apply and be accepted to the AP Academy. After your freshman year, you are welcome to take any AP class at any time without necessarily being in the AP Academy.
14. If I did not apply for AP Academy my 8th grade year but I want to join now, what should I do?
8th grade registration can be overwhelming - there are so many choices which is a good thing! If you are interested in joining AP Academy after your 9th grade year, you will need to go the "Apply" page and follow the instructions to submit your application.