SV offers 10 Advanced Placement Courses in the junior and senior year of high school. To enroll in these college level classes, students must meet prerequisite grade requirements in prior academic courses.
AP Art History AP Biology AP Calculus AP Language and Composition AP Literature and Composition
AP Precalculus AP Research AP Seminar AP Studio Art AP U.S. History
the benefit of taking AP courses
From: The Princeton Review
Prepare for College AP classes can be as challenging as introductory college courses. They are fast-paced, cover more material than regular classes, and require independent work like research and analysis. Getting a dose of a college-level curriculum early on could ease your transition from high school senior to first-year college student.
Stand Out in College Admissions Advanced Placement classes show admissions officers that you're ready for college-level work. Admissions counselors consistently tell us that good grades and academic rigor are the most important factors when schools evaluate applications. Even over standardized test scores! Strengthen your Transcript SV gives extra weight to AP grades when calculating your GPA. Taking an AP class and getting a B is often a better choice than getting an A in a regular course.
Earn College Credit By taking an AP course and scoring successfully on the related AP Exam, you can save on college expenses: most college and universities nationwide offer college credit, advanced placement, or both, for qualifying AP Exam scores. These credit can allow students to save college tuition, study abroad, or secure a second major.
The Bottom Line AP classes can boost your GPA and strengthen your college application. But the number of advanced courses you choose to take should depend on your academic interests and your schedule.
Advantages to taking AP exams
Challenge yourself – AP classes offer an opportunity to learn things not always taught in high school and to challenge your intellectually.
Arrive at college better prepared - AP classes sharpen students’ writing skills, teach them how to think critically, and improve their problem-solving abilities. AP students learn to navigate the academic expectations they’ll encounter in college courses.
Receive college credit - Depending on the school, a score of a 3, 4 or 5 will receive college degree credit. You can see what scores correlate to by searching the college on this database - This may allow students to take a lighter load during the semester and still finish in 4 years, or possibly graduate early. Recent studies conducted by the U. S. Department of Education and the College Board indicate that students taking more rigorous classes, such as those provided by the AP program, are more likely to complete their college education in four years or less. DATABASE ON HOW EACH COLLEGE ACCEPT AP CREDIT
Build your resume - Students may earn the status of “AP Scholar,” a level of special achievement in Advanced Placement which can enhance their academic transcript. There are many different awards and recognition a student can receive from their involvement and success in AP classes. See the College Board site at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/scholarawards.html .
College Admissions - Taking AP courses shows that you are able to handle college level work. Colleges currently rank “Grades in college prep courses” and “Strength of curriculum” as the two top factors in admission decision. Also, 85% of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admission decision. More than 3,200 colleges and universities offer credit or advanced placement for qualifying AP exam scores. This includes more than 90% of four-year U.S. colleges and universities.
Win scholarships. AP courses and exam scores help students qualify for scholarships. According to The College Board, 31 percent of colleges and universities look at AP experience when making scholarship decisions
Practice AP Exams are held at St. Vincent College Prep during two weeks in May. Students will register for AP exams online through College Board and will be charged through their FACTS account.