Embedded Files
What is the NBHS AP Academy?
What is the NBHS AP Academy?
AP Academy is the name for North Brunswick’s Advanced Placement program. In this program, a variety of AP (Advanced Placement) courses are provided to students. These courses help to prepare students for college while also providing students with the opportunity to earn college credit when they pass the AP Exam in May.
If you have questions regarding your student's participation in AP courses and the AP Academy, please reach out to Kristen Hewett (khewett102@bcswan.net) as the AP Academy Coordinator or to your student's counselor.
BCS/NBHS AP Program Mission:
To broaden access and successful participation for willing, academically prepared students to pursue college-level work while in high school through Advanced Placement coursework.
To eliminate barriers that restrict access to AP for students from ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups that have been traditionally underrepresented.
To provide academically challenging coursework before students enroll in AP classes to prepare them for AP coursework.
Benefits of Advanced Placement Courses
Advanced Placement courses at NBHS offer challenging coursework and high expectations for students coupled with support to help prepare students for their future goals. NBHS is committed to providing an inclusive educational experience to help ensure that students are prepared for their post-high school goals. Here are some of the benefits of taking Advanced Placement Courses at NBHS:
Most AP classes are typically smaller in size and allow the teacher for form a unique relationship with students as they develop skills that include college level writing, test-taking strategies, and time management skills that will be vital for success at the university level. Advanced Placement teachers at NBHS will help your student succeed and become a great ally as they begin to navigate the path toward post-secondary education at the college level.
Students in the Academy will have the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school that is not only recognized by every public college in North Carolina, but the Advanced Placement program is also nationally and internationally recognized and is considered to be the standard in advanced course work at the high school level. Public and private universities from around the world seek students who challenge themselves with their participation in these rigorous courses.
College Admission officers look for these types of courses when evaluating potential applicants and offering admissions into the four-year college and university level.
Advanced Placement courses hold a higher weight than any other course at the high school level. Scoring well in these classes can make a dramatic difference in a student’s GPA over the course of several classes taken.
NC Academic Scholars Endorsement: Enrollment in AP Classes help support the requirements for the North Carolina Academic Scholars Program
AP students may earn recognition from the College Board for outstanding achievement on multiple tests with an AP Scholar with Distinction Award
For more information about AP and the benefits that it offers, please see the links below:
Which AP Classes can count as both a core high school graduation requirement AND a college credit?
AP English Language and Composition/English III
AP English Literature and Composition/English IV
AP Precalculus/4th Mathematics Credit
AP Statistics/4th Mathematics Credit
AP Calculus/4th Mathematics Credit
AP World History Modern/World History
AP United States History/American History
AP United States Government and Politics/Founding Principles: Civic Literacy
Other AP courses are coded as elective credits which are also required for graduation.
Reach out to our AP Teachers & Visit Their Course Websites
Cultural Arts
Stiofan Luitar (AP Studio Art) - sluitar@bcswan.net
English
Michelle Durocher (AP Language) - mdurocher@bcswan.net
Cheyenne Simonds (AP Literature) - csimonds@bcswan.net
Math
Laura Tadder (AP Statistics) - ltadder@bcswan.net
Tracey Weigold (AP Calculus & AP PreCalculus) - tweigold@bcswan.net
Ricardo Rios (AP PreCalculus) - rrios@bcswan.net
Science
Rachel Crawford (AP Environmental Science) - rcrawford@bcswan.net
Timothy Jones (AP Chemistry) - tijones@bcswan.net
Anna Micciulla (AP Biology) - amicciulla@bcswan.net
Social Studies
Jessica Fitzgerald (AP Psychology) - jfitzgerald@bcswan.net
Tracy Hall (AP US History) - trhall@bcswan.net
Kristen Hewett (AP World History, AP Human Geography) - khewett102@bcswan.net
Darren Willis (AP Government) - wwillis@bcswan.net
Recognition at Graduation
Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, graduating seniors receive special recognition for their involvement in AP Classes. Students who meet the criteria listed below for their graduation year will receive a special cord and will be noted in the Graduation Program.
2023-2024 SY - Successfully completed the course and participated in the AP Exam for 2+ courses
2024-2025 SY - Successfully completed the course and participated in the AP Exam for 3+ courses
2025-2026 SY and Continuing - Successfully completed the course and participated in the AP Exam for 4+ courses
Note: Beginning with the 2024-2025 SY students who have successfully completed and taken the AP exam for 6+ courses will receive additional recognition.
Will participation in AP Classes limit my student from being involved in other activities such as Sports, Band, JROTC, Clubs, BCC, or COAST?
Students in the AP Academy are still encouraged to participate in sports and other extracurricular activities as well as classes at BCC or COAST as applicable to that student's future academic plans. While there are increased expectations due to the nature of taking a college-level course, we encourage all AP Academy participants to grow as a student and a person by challenging themselves and crafting the all-important skill of time management and dedication to all of their pursuits. The majority of students who participate in AP Academy classes are also involved in one or more of the activities listed above.
Do students have to be identified as Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) to be enrolled in AP courses?
Students do not need to be identified as AIG to enroll in AP courses. Any student who meets the prerequisites is encouraged to take the leap and challenge themselves with these advanced classes. AP courses offer an exciting opportunity to grow academically, develop strong time management skills, and push personal limits. We welcome all students who are ready to embrace the challenge and thrive in a more rigorous learning environment!
Addressing common misconceptions about AP courses
Page updated
Report abuse