Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement is:

• recognized globally

• rigorous

• effective

• adaptable

• empowering

• innovative

Engagement in an AP program at DAAHS teaches students skills that are valuable across careers and lifelong learning:

• Short term and long term project development

• Time management and communication skills

• Balancing with individualized goals with networking and group-based skills

Students often ask if AP is "more work"; in some ways it is because we are dealing with university content. More importantly, however, AP - like any good teaching - is about learning differently, not simply more.

Many AP programs are for students who are self motivated and disciplined, as well driven to accept the challenge of a rigorous academic curriculum. At Dr. Anne Anderson, we offer an inclusive model for Advanced Placement, with entrance requirements being based on more than simply grades. All students are entitled to this challenge.

The Advanced Placement program was built from the ground up to offer flexibility and to empower choice for students, and these are key elements to our work as a staff at DAAHS, as well as key elements in the self-efficacy we develop in students.

Like any of our programs, a key factor in engaging the learning in AP courses is the teacher, their passion, and the learning opportunities provided. While AP certainly focuses on developing time management skills, a less steep learning curve in university, and an "extra shot" at getting a higher entrance mark, students also have incredibly knowledgeable, creative teachers who offer students authentic, intentional learning opportunities.

Students at Dr. Anne Anderson High School can take Advanced Placement Programming in English Language Arts, Social Studies, Sciences (Chemistry, Biology and Physics), Mathematics, Computing Sciences and Art. In addition to these courses, students may choose to take AP Capstone as part of their course plan.

AP Capstone

The Advanced Placement Capstone develops the key academic skills students need in post-secondary studies and beyond. Students become self-confident, independent thinkers and problem solvers.

• AP Seminar Capstone 25 - students develop competencies required to engage in both independent and collaborative academic research. Through an inquiry-based process, students learn to contextualize important issues, evaluate arguments and claims, summarize complex perspectives and ensure the credibility of sources. This course is open to any student who is interested in developing rigorous critical thinking skills. AP Research Capstone 25 is the prerequisite to AP Research Capstone 35.

• AP Research Capstone 35 - students deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest. Students design, plan and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question. Through this inquiry, they further the skills they acquired in the AP Seminar course by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices and accessing, analyzing and synthesizing information.

• Students will complete a Capstone project starting in Grade 11 with the AP Seminar course and continue in Grade 12 with the AP Research course.

• Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing receive the AP Capstone Diploma. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research but not on four additional AP Exams receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate. Students who earn either the Diploma or Research Certificate stand out to colleges in the application process through academic distinction.

Students may use AP exams scores as part of the application process to post-secondary institutions or for advanced credit for introductory-level university courses.

Agora Programming

Agora programming will be scheduled throughout the year as specialized learning opportunities, seminars, and conference experiences with a focus on developing our students’ capacity. All Dr. Anne Anderson students and faculty will benefit from this collective learning.

Students in our AP program will have programming tailored to support learning related to specific AP topics, scholarship and post-secondary application preparations, and career planning. This past year, we held Agora Days that focused on Indigeneous legacies, wellness, career pathways, anti-racism education, and more.

Portfolio of Experiences

We provide numerous opportunities for students to learn how to develop a curriculum vitae, resume or record of achievements. Sessions and workshops are provided for students to learn how to develop strong award and scholarship applications. For instance, many AP students like to dive right into research opportunities — while still in high school. The Festival of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (FURCA) invites AP students to present their research work, network with U of A students who are involved in exciting research across all disciplines on campus, and receive constructive feedback from scholars, policy makers, university peers and others.

Many of our faculty have received academic and other scholarly achievements, others sit on adjudication panels, this makes us well suited to support students

Finally, as we write the story of Dr. Anne Anderson High School, we honor the legacy of our namesake by promoting a culture of service through recognition and celebration of those who choose to give to others. Each year, DAAHS students have the opportunity to work towards and apply for an Amplify Award which recognizes individuals who have strengthened their community through acts of service.

At Dr. Anne Anderson High School, we define service work as any act done freely with the intention of uplifting a community and advancing the common good. Service work may include volunteering for a school or community event. While you may not always be in a leadership role while engaged in service work, by definition it is an active and intentional process. Creating a professional portfolio supports future applications for scholarships and job opportunities. AP students are truly well rounded individuals by the time they have completed their high school requirements.

AP opens doors to future careers. From a post-secondary entrance perspective, many institutions offer incentives to AP students as they engage in a variety of career pathways. Our AP students will have dual-admission advantage. This means that if you are completing AP exams in conjunction with our Alberta high school curriculum, the university will use the higher of either your AP score or high school grade for admission. For example, if you present both AP English and English 30-1, they will use the higher of the two English grades when calculating your admission average required for your program. You are never at a disadvantage for choosing to write an AP exam! Instead, the dual-admission incentive helps students use AP as an opportunity to get a head start on their future academic career.

AP students and their parents need to stay abreast of various post-secondary program requirements and deadlines, as well as admission policies for AP students. As we anticipate many of our Dr. Anne Anderson students will attend the University of Alberta, we are using the U of A as an example of what university recognition may look like. This is similar across Canada and the US, but again, students will be reminded that they need to take ownership for post-secondary planning and we will be able to support those plans at our school.