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What is Advanced Placement?
The Advanced Placement Program (AP) enables willing and academically prepared students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. The AP Program develops college-level courses that high schools can offer and corresponding AP exams that are administered each year in May.
Each high school in GCS offers Advanced Placement courses although the courses offered at each school vary by available staff and student interest. Please contact the school counseling department at your GCS High School for more information about AP course availability and registration.
AP Fast Facts
AP courses are available in seven subject categories.
Each AP course is modeled on a comparable introductory college course in the subject.
Each course culminates in a standardized college-level assessment.
AP Exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5 by university professors and experienced AP teachers.
Many U.S. colleges offer credit for AP Exam scores of 3 or higher.
AP Benefits
Build skills and confidence. AP students learn time management and study skills needed for college and career success
Boost your GPA. AP classes receive the highest credit possible on the SC Uniform Grading Scale.
Stand out to colleges. AP courses on high school transcripts show that students challenged themselves with rigorous coursework, and success on AP exams shows students are ready for college-level coursework.
Earn college credit and placement. Most four-year colleges and universities in the United States - as well as many institutions in other countries - grant students credit, placement, or both for qualifying AP exam scores.
Succeed in college. AP students typically experience greater academic success in college and have higher graduation rates than their non-AP peers.
Which Students Should Take AP Courses?
All students who are motivated and academically prepared to accept the challenge of a rigorous academic curriculum. Students should talk with their teachers and school counselors to decide which AP courses are right for them.
Students looking to earn admission to a college or university should consider AP courses. Additionally, students who are interested in applying to highly selective colleges should take multiple AP classes to bolster their applications and demonstrate they can handle challenging coursework.
Certain AP courses have prerequisite courses. If a student has completed the prerequisite course successfully, the student is eligible to take the AP course.
Non-GCS Students - AP Assessment Opportunity
Greenville County Schools will offer AP exams to non-GCS students who reside in the district’s attendance zone and are currently enrolled in an AP course. Proof of residency and course enrollement are required. Please see specific situational guidelines below:
If the desired subject is offered at the student’s home-zone school, the home-zone school should include the student in their exam order.
If the desired subject is NOT offered at the student’s home-zone school, but it is offered in another GCS school, the nearest GCS school offering the exam should include the student in their exam order.
If the desired subject is NOT offered at any school in GCS, Greenville County Schools will not be able to provide the exam for the student.
The student must pay the school directly for the AP exam - and the late registration fee, if applicable - prior to the school placing the exam order. The student must also provide 1) the name of the institution where he/she is enrolled in the AP course and 2) the name and contact information of his/her AP course teacher.
The school may opt to test the student during the make-up window depending upon the school coordinator and exam proctor’s availability.
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