What is Advanced Placement?
Advanced Placement is a program of college-level courses and exams that gives high school students the opportunity to receive advanced placement and/or credit in college. The content of these college level courses is determined by the College Board.
Why take an AP class?
AP examinations offer students the following benefits:
The opportunity to sharpen academic skills, allowing them to enter college with the confidence that they can succeed
Exemption by the college or university from introductory courses and permission to take higher-level courses, enabling students to move ahead in areas of interest
An opportunity to demonstrate to colleges the ability to successfully pursue rigorous coursework
Academic credit that can give them a head start in college
Tuition savings - a year or more of credit may be granted for a sufficient number of qualifying AP grades
Time to explore undergraduate subject areas that they wouldn't otherwise be able to study, and time to pursue internships or to study abroad
The opportunity and satisfaction of meeting a challenge
Eligibility for collegiate honors and other special programs open to students who have received AP recognition
Are there other benefits?
In Kenosha Unified School District, all students who earn four or more Advanced Placement credits will receive a Diploma with Honors Distinction upon high school graduation. This is the only way to earn a Diploma with Honors Distinction. Please click here for more information on graduation requirements for Kenosha Unified School District.
How do AP exams work?
Every examination receives an overall grade on a five-point scale:
5- Extremely Well Qualified
4- Well Qualified
3- Qualified
2- Possibly Qualified
1- No Recommendation
Scoring 3, 4, or 5 on an exam is considered a "success score" because that is the score point that research finds predictive of college success and college graduation. Colleges typically place greater emphasis on AP exam results that have earned these scores. In addition, the College Board has an AP Scholar recognition program that honors those students who meet defined standards on AP exams.