WHAT IS THE AP PROGRAM?

WHAT IS THE AP PROGRAM? The Advanced Placement (AP ) Program is a cooperative non-profit educational endeavour between secondary schools and post-secondary institutions. It provides high school students exposure to university-level material through enrolment in an AP course. Since the program s inception in 1955, over 9 million students have written AP examinations worldwide. AP exams are the hallmark of the program. Success on these exams earns students an AP transcript. The exams are set and marked externally by the College Board and is what helps to maintain the program s sterling reputation for excellence. Students committed to the program participate in the preparation and writing of a post-secondary calibre examination and assessment. These exams are a significant part of the AP Program but they are not the only part. Enriched AP courses, taught by dedicated and committed high school teachers, lay the groundwork for students to succeed on AP and post-secondary examinations. CHARTING ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES AT BISHOP GRANDIN The Advanced Placement (AP ) Program provides exciting and challenging educational opportunities for academically talented and motivated students. It allows high school students to undertake university level academic learning in high school and gives them the opportunity to show that they have mastered the advanced material by taking AP exams. Students can receive credit, advanced placement, or both from numerous universities and colleges. Grade 10 students may choose to register in any number of AP courses including the four core areas: Mathematics, Science, English and Social Studies. The recommended prerequisite for grade 9 students registering in AP course is a minimum grade of 75% and to be motivated and passionate about the subject areas and their learning. Grade 11 students may continue in the Advanced Placement Program; be it the full AP program or they can choose to focus on only select AP courses while maintaining a minimum of 75% in their pre-requisite course - and continue the regular stream for other areas. The course scheduling will depend on the number of AP courses and other specialized programs selected by students. Various course offerings can be found on the following chart. Please be aware of the following course requirements: AP Biology requires an additional 3 credit course, Biology 35 AP, to complete the AP curriculum. Students choosing AP Biology complete the courses and write the Alberta Diploma exam and the AP exam in their grade 11 year. French Language Arts AP and Social 30 AP also write their AP exams while in grade 11. In grade 12, students complete their Calculus AP, Chemistry AP, English AP, Physics AP, Spanish AP and Art AP exams. Chemistry AP requires an additional 3 credit course, Chemistry 35 AP, to complete the AP curriculum. There are now two AP exams available for Physics; students will write Physics 1 in May of their grade 11 year, and Physics 2 in May of their grade 12 year in both situations, there will be preparation tutorials and material available for students. 1 P a g e

AP exams are developed and sent to us from the College Board and are written by all AP students in early May. The cost to write an AP exam is approximately $130-$150 per exam. Registration and information about AP exams takes place in March. AP COURSE SCHEDULE a likely scenario Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 1 Semester 2 Math 10C AP Math 20-1 AP Math 30-1 AP Math 31 AP English 10-1 AP English 20-1 AP English 30-1 AP Social Studies 10-1 AP Science 10 AP Social Studies 20-1 AP Biology 35 AP (3 credits) Social Studies 30-1 AP Biology 30 AP Chemistry 20 AP Chemistry 30 AP Chemistry 35 AP (3 credit) Biology 20 AP Physics 20 AP Physics 30 AP French Language Arts 10-1 AP French Language Arts 20-1 AP French Language Arts 30-1 H Art 30 AP 2 P a g e Advanced Placement Courses Advanced Placement Sciences Science 10 AP is composed of four units; Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Environmental Studies. The grade 10 Science program is designed as a foundation course to prepare students to be successful in one or more of Chemistry 20 AP, Biology 20 AP and/or Physics 20 AP. Assessment that is done in Science 10 AP is identical to that which takes place within the regular Science 10 program. This is to ensure that student marks are not adversely affected as a result of taking Advanced Placement. Enrichment is done in the Chemistry Unit where students are introduced to Stoichiometry. In the Biology Unit, students complete three Advanced Placement inquiry labs. Inquiry labs will continue in the 20 level Science programs of study. The AP Biology Program has undergone a recent curriculum framework change. The key concepts and related content that define the revised AP Biology course and exam are organized around four underlying principles called the Big Ideas. The big ideas are evolution, cellular processes, genetics and biological interactions. A more studentdirected, inquiry-based lab experience supports the AP Biology course revisions and curricular requirements.

By maintaining an average of 75% or greater in Science 10 AP, students may continue in Biology 20 AP in second semester. In Grade 11, students enrol in both Biology 35 AP for 3 credits, which is accompanied by a field trip to the Bamfield Marine Centre, and Biology 30 AP for 5 credits. By May, students are prepared to write the AP exam, and in June, the Alberta Diploma Examination. Although this requires extra effort in Grade 11, it significantly reduces the course load in Grade 12 for AP students. The field trip to the Bamfield Marine Station on Vancouver Island is part of the Biology 35 AP program (additional costs). AP Chemistry is a general introduction to chemical principles, with emphasis on problems and methods in Chemistry. The goals of the course are: 1) to introduce students to concepts required for solving problems in Chemistry and understanding chemical reactivity; and 2) to develop analytical and critical thinking skills for potential science majors. Students who earn a mark of 75% or greater in Science 10 AP may register in Chemistry 20 AP. Chemistry 20 AP and 30 AP are full semester programs offered in Grades 11 and 12 respectively. Chemistry 20 AP begins with a microscopic description of the structures of atoms and molecules, including a description of electronic orbitals and their relationship to chemical properties. The properties of gases, liquids, solids and solutions are covered, along with basic equilibria and acids and bases. The topics covered in Chemistry 30 AP are chemical equilibrium, thermochemistry, electrochemistry, and organic chemistry. This program is completed first semester and students write their Diploma exam in January. During the second semester students enrol in Chemistry 35 AP (3 credits) where they take an in-depth look at thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, equilibria, electrochemistry, and prepare to write the AP exam in May. The Physics 20/30 program of studies in Alberta is a high standard curriculum. Students in this program are exposed to a number of first year post-secondary physics topics. The AP Physics program works to enrich these topics. Physics students are given the option of two AP exams which help to prepare them for the vigour and depth of post-secondary Physics studies. 3 P a g e Advanced Placement English In Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition, highly motivated students are exposed to great literature, and become discerning readers and writers. Students learn to read critically and comprehend some of the finest poetry, drama, novels, short stories and essays written at various historical times. They learn to discover meaning in literature through various techniques and strategies??????ç A????S?? authors use to evoke emotional responses from readers. Students are expected to justify their interpretations by making reference to details and patterns found in the text. Although knowledge of history is not the main goal of this AP course, students should learn about the eras in which the texts are written, enabling them to see an historical work in its original context as well as in the context of contemporary human experience. Students begin the Advanced Placement curriculum in their grade 10 year. Archetypes found in literature are the basis for the English 10-1 AP course. Students will be given opportunities to write both critically and creatively through various forms of text creation.

In their grade 11 year, English 20-1 AP students will learn to recognize prominent characteristics of style, tone and diction. In their grade 12 year, a major component of the English 30-1 AP course will be to use their knowledge to analyze various writers styles, and refine their responding skills in preparation for both the Advanced Placement exam and the Provincial Diploma exam. With successful completion of the AP exam in May, students can qualify for up to one year s credit in English at select colleges and universities. Advanced Placement Social Studies AP European History focuses on understandings equivalent to those in a university level introductory course. Emphasis is on the general narrative of European history from 1450 to the present time. The study includes an examination of the political and diplomatic, intellectual and cultural, and social and economic history of Europe. Students evaluate historical materials to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented by historical research, describe the social, intellectual and political modernization of Europe s changing position in the world, and analyze themes in modern European history. Social 10-1 AP plays an integral role setting the stage in preparation for Social 20-1 AP. In Grade 11, students are enrolled in a full-year Social 20/30 AP course. The two levels of Social Studies are blended so students can complete the AP curriculum and prepare for both the AP exam in May and the Alberta Diploma in June. Advanced Placement Mathematics The AP Mathematics program is intended for highly motivated and capable students and prepares them for post-secondary studies in mathematics. Mathematics 10C AP in grade 10 covers the objectives of the Mathematics 10C program of studies as outlined by Alberta Learning with some higher level questioning. Mathematics 20 AP in grade 11 covers the objectives outlined by Alberta Learning for the Mathematics 20-1 program and includes additional topics of the Binomial Theorem, Radical Functions and Function Operation. The program continues with Mathematics 30 AP and 31 AP Calculus (AB) in grade 12 and culminates in the Advanced Placement Calculus AB exam in May. The AP Calculus AB course is primarily concerned with developing the student s understanding of the concepts of calculus and providing experience with its methods and applications. 4 P a g e

Advanced Placement Art AP Studio Art is for highly motivated students who are seriously interested in the study of art. The program demands significant commitment including weekly tutorials offered outside the school day. During these tutorials students work on assigned projects for portfolio development, areas of concentration and complete in-class projects. In May students submit their portfolio to be reviewed by college, university and secondary school art instructors. Students achieving a favourable grade may be eligible to earn university credit and /or advanced placement while still in high school. Students who are planning a career in the arts must submit a general portfolio as part of the entrance requirements into art school. This program provides an excellent opportunity to do so under the guidance of the Art Department. Advanced Placement French Extended French students who achieve at a level of excellence in the French Language Arts program may choose the AP French Language Arts in their grades 10, 11 and 12 years. Students enrolled in this program will prepare for an exam that tests their: Ability to understand spoken French in various contexts. French vocabulary sufficient for reading newspaper and magazine articles, literary texts, and other non-technical writings. Ability to express themselves in an accurate, coherent, resourceful and fluent manner in both written and spoken French. Upon completion of the French 20 AP course, students will have completed the requirements in order to write the AP exam. Students may choose to continue working in an enriched environment to prepare for the Alberta Diploma examination in a French 30 Honours course. UNIVERSITY RECOGNITION OF ADVANCED PLACEMENT The AP Program is a global academic program offered in more than 100 countries around the world. More than 600 universities in more than 60 countries recognize AP exam scores for admission, credit and placement. In Canada alone, over 100 universities and colleges accept Advanced Placement exam scores for credit and/or advanced placement (check the AP Canada website www.ap.ca for a complete listing and specific details or the College Board website at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html). The University of Calgary The University of Calgary recently announced its newly opened AP+ Program. Students taking 4 or more AP courses and exams, with an early admissions average of 85% (or equivalent), may be eligible for the AP+ program. Benefits of this program include early course registration, discounts at the bookstore, a dedicated advisor to answer any questions you may have during the application process and extra scholarship opportunities. For more information, please visit the U of C website at http://www.ucalgary.ca/admissions/ap. 5 P a g e

AP students at the University of Calgary automatically receive credit or advanced placement in approved courses where they present grades of 4 or higher on the AP exam. In the case of advanced credit, a grade of "CR" will be recorded on the student's record. N.B. Official AP transcripts are required as part of the evaluation process. Advanced Placement courses approved for advanced credit or advanced placement are listed below: B.G.H.S. COURSES AP EXAMINATION U OF C EQUIVALENT Art 30 AP Art Studio (Drawing) Art 241/243 Biology 30 AP Biology Biology 243 Chemistry 30 AP Chemistry Chemistry 201/203 or Chemistry 209 (Engineering only) English 30 AP English Literature and Composition Half course junior English French Language Arts 30 AP French Language and Culture French 227 Physics 30 AP Physics 1 and 2 Half course junior Physics each Social Studies 30 AP European History History 201 Math 30/31 AP Calculus AB Math 249 The University of Alberta also has a similar system for awarding equivalencies. However, the U of A also uses Advanced Placement exam scores to calculate a student s admission average. See the information below from the U of A website (http://www.registrar.ualberta.ca/ro.cfm?id=1041) Admission Averages at U of A Students receive the following percentage grades for work completed in the AP program. Note that the University will use the higher results from either the AP course or the local course. For example, if a student presents both English AP and English Language Arts 30-1, the University would select the higher of the two results when calculating admissions and awards averages. AP Grade Conversion at U of A AP Result 5 96% 4 86% 3 76% 2 65% Percent Conversion 6 P a g e

Mount Royal University Applicants who successfully complete Advanced Placement (AP) courses with a minimum grade of '4' may use applicable AP courses for the purpose of admission and/or transfer credit. Applicants who complete both Advanced Placement courses and high school level courses, will be assessed on the grades which are most advantageous for you. This assessment will be based on an official AP transcript sent directly from the Advanced Placement program to the Admissions and Recruitment Office, Mount Royal University. BGHS Courses AP Exam Equivalence Mount Royal Equivalent Art 30 AP Art Studio (Drawing & 2-D design) Unspecified 1xxx (3 credit) Biology 30 AP Biology AP BIOL 1204 (3) Chemistry 30 AP Chemistry AP CHEM 1201/1202 (6) English 30 AP English Literature and ENGL 1xxx (3) Composition French Language Arts 30 AP French Language and Culture FREN 1xxx/11xx (6) Physics 30 AP Physics 1, Physics 2 N/A Social Studies 30 AP European History HIST 1101 (3) Math 30/31 AP Calculus AB MATH 2251 (3) *If an MRU course equivalency (university level) is awarded as shown in this chart, the course may be used as a high school equivalent course as noted in the MRU Group A or B column. Note: 1xxx = Junior Level Unspecified. See link below for more information from Mount Royal University. http://www.mtroyal.ca/cs/groups/public/documents/pdf/apcoursechart.pdf When applying to any university, one of your first steps should be to determine what their Advanced Placement policy is. More universities are developing AP policies each year as AP students are highly sought after as potential university students. BENEFITS OF ADVANCED PLACEMENT For students, AP can: - Permit them to take a university level course in an area of their special interest. - Motivate them to attempt more challenging courses in both high school and university. - Develop a sense of camaraderie with students in their classes who share similar interests and talents and who challenge each other to achieve their full potential. - Develop, in a high school environment, the study skills and habits they will need in university. 7 P a g e

- Bolster their confidence in meeting university requirements. - Provide university credits for courses and examinations successfully taken in high school. - Exempt them from introductory university courses, permitting students to move quicker into advanced classes. - Reduce university costs and time to obtain a Post-Secondary degree. Research on the efforts of taking Advanced Placement courses and examinations has demonstrated that when AP students reach university, they typically take additional courses in the academic areas of their AP courses, enrol in more courses than their peers, achieve higher grade point averages, graduate with double majors, and go on to graduate school at a rate double that of their non-ap peers. 8 P a g e COMPARISON OF AP AND IB Both the AP and IB programs are intended to provide enrichment opportunities for motivated and academically capable students. The AP Program began in 1955 as collaboration between North American Universities and high schools to provide high school students with the opportunity to earn university credit while still in high school. Because of this, AP curriculum development is driven by North American university standards. AP teachers must provide an audit document to the College Board in New York to be approved to call their course an AP course. All AP exams written will qualify a student for Advanced Placement or credit depending on how they perform on the exams. The greatest advantage the AP program offers to students is its flexibility. Students may register in as many courses as they feel comfortable with and still be involved in option courses and in extracurricular activities. At Bishop Grandin High School, our AP students are among the most actively involved students in the school, participating in activities such as Marching Band, Choir, Student Council, Robotics, Water Project, Athletics and many more. Two of our recently graduated National AP scholars have gone on to be part of their university's sports programs. Many of our AP students are also enrolled in our Extended French Program and still have time in their schedule to take other option courses. The IB Program was initially developed in Europe to provide the children of diplomats a consistent academic experience as they moved to diplomatic postings around the world. Only higher level IB courses are eligible to earn university credit. Also, the IB program prescribes additional courses and requirements as part of participating in the program which limits a student's ability to participate in option courses and extracurricular activities. AP IB Worldwide Schools with exams 16,500 1,100 Canadian Schools 500+ 100 # of countries 110 110 No. of exams 2,530,000 150,306 No. of students 1,460,000 52,016 University AP recognition in North America and globally far exceeds IB. Please see the handout IB and AP for a more detailed description and comparison of both programs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Does my overall average in grade 9 need to be 75% to register in Advanced Placement? No, registration for AP courses is considered on a course by course basis. For example, if your Grade 9 Math mark is 75%, but your Grade 9 Language Arts mark is 70%, you may register in Math 10C AP, but not English 10-1 AP. The AP program is recommended for students who have a strong interest in a subject, are self-motivated and are capable of covering the regular curriculum at an accelerated pace. How will I be graded in an AP course? Assessment in AP courses is based on Alberta curriculum outcomes; therefore students in a regular stream course and an AP course write the same major exams and are assessed at the same standard. The exceptions to this are Biology 35 AP and Chemistry 35 AP which only cover additional AP curriculum. It is important to note that the regular curriculum is covered at an accelerated pace to allow time to cover the AP curriculum. Are there any costs associated with taking an AP course? For most AP courses, the only extra fee is the fee for the AP exam. However, there is a cost for the trip to the Bamfield Marine Station on Vancouver Island in Biology 35 AP and some minor course fees for courses such as Studio Art that require extra supplies. Exact course fees will be provided on the registration information sheets. When are AP exams written? AP Exams are written in May and are administered by the College Board which is located in New York. The AP exams for Biology, Social Studies (European History), and French Language Arts are written in May of Grade 11. The AP exams for Studio Art, Chemistry, English, Math (Calculus AB), Physics and Spanish are written in May of Grade 12. How are AP exams scored? AP exams are sent to New York to be graded by the College Board. Exams are scored on a scale of 1 5. 5 Extremely well qualified (equivalent to a grade of A in the corresponding college course) 4 Well qualified (equivalent to grades of A-, B + and B) 3 Qualified (equivalent to B-, C+ and C) 2 Possibly qualified 1 No recommendation What is the cost of writing an AP exam? Depending on the exchange rate with the American dollar, it will cost approximately $130- $150 to write an AP exam. Given that a single university course may cost upwards of $700, this may result in significant saving for a student who achieves advanced placement or credit for an exam. Who will see my AP exam scores? You have control over which AP exam scores you wish to submit when you apply for university. 9 P a g e

What is the difference between Advanced Placement and credit? If a student receives a high enough score on their AP exam, (usually a 4 or a 5) they may be eligible to receive Advanced Placement, credit or both for the corresponding university course. If a student receives Advanced Placement, it means they will be allowed to register in a second year course without having to take the first year course. If a student also receives credit for a course, it means that the university will award credit for that course towards the student s degree. How do I apply to the AP Program? If you are currently registered in one of our feeder schools, you will register through your school counselor in the spring. If you do not currently attend one of our feeder schools, please contact the school at (403) 500-2047 to make an appointment with our school registrar. 1 2 3 4 Applying for Advanced Placement Maintain Your Grades As part of the application process, you must present good marks (75%+) in the subjects for which you apply. Your membership in Advanced Placement is determined in part by your final marks at the end of your Grade Nine year. Students whose marks have dropped may lose their eligibility to be part of Advanced Placement classes at Bishop Grandin. Apply To Bishop Grandin High School When you complete your registration form for high school, you need to select the appropriate AP course. For example, if you want to be registered in English AP, you must select English 10-1 AP on the registration form. Complete The Application You and your parents must complete the Advanced Placement application form. Your subject teachers must sign as well. Only those forms that are completed and returned to your counselor or to Bishop Grandin High School can be considered for selection. Please check with your school counselor for appropriate dates. Receive Confirmation Of Acceptance In late spring, all students who apply will receive a letter from the program coordinator. This letter will indicate whether you have been conditionally accepted to the program. After that, it is simply a matter of maintaining your marks and getting ready for a great educational experience. Please visit our school website for more information about our school and all of its programs. https://www.cssd.ab.ca/schools/bishopgrandin 10 P a g e