What is AP?
Advanced placement courses are college-level courses available to high school students which are affiliated with the College Board. Thirty-eight AP courses are part of the program, seven of them are offered at Seward High School
What are the benefits of taking an AP class?
Students have the challenge of taking a college-level class, high school teachers find that AP courses enhance student confidence and academic interest, and college faculty report that AP students are better prepared for serious academic work. Students will gain the edge in college preparation, stand out in the college admissions process, and broaden their intellectual horizons.
What is the difference between “credit” and “placement”?
Colleges and universities formulate an AP policy appropriate to their institution:
Some award “credit,” meaning students actually earn points toward their college degree.
Others award “advanced placement,” meaning students can skip intro courses, enter higher level classes, and/or fulfill general education requirements.
**** It is up to the student to verify with the college/university they will be attending on how much placement or credit they will receive for a particular score!
Which AP classes are offered at Seward High School?
Biology Environmental Science
Calculus AB Statistics
Computer Science A Computer Science Principles
US History Human Geography European History
How are AP exams scored?
Exams are scored from 1 to 5 (5 being the highest). Students must receive a minimum score of a “3” on exams to be awarded credit or placement by most colleges/universities. Again, it is up to the student to verify with the post-secondary school the scores which will be awarded credit/placement.
5 - Extremely Well Qualified (college equivalent to a high A)
4 - Well Qualified (college equivalent to a low A, high B)
3 - Qualified (college equivalent to a low B, high C)
2 - Possibly Qualified (college equivalent to a low C, high D)
1 - No Recommendation
What are the AP exam test dates for Spring 2024?
Yet to be determined...
When do I register and how much does it cost to take an AP exam?
Students will register for the class online with test payment completed in February (specific dates available second semester). The cost for each 2023 AP exam is $97.
Fee reductions may be available to students with economic need.
Where can I find more information?
Your AP teacher
Seward High Counselor Center - Noelle Baker / Kevin Fields
Call AP at 888-CALL4AP
To verify credit/placement policies at various post-secondary schools - http:www.collegeboard.com/ap/creditpolicy/
Students at Seward High School have the opportunity to gain a jump start on college by enrolling in courses offered for both high school and college credit. We are pleased to have partnerships with Concordia University, Doane University, Nebraska Wesleyan University, and Southeast Community College to offer our students dual enrollment opportunities.
What does dual enrollment/credit mean?
Dual enrollment/credit means that if students and parents/guardians choose this option, credit will be earned towards high school and college as long as the student meets the college dual enrollment requirements and is willing to pay the cost of tuition (offered to our students at a discounted rate). These credits will be on the college/university transcript which transfers fairly easily to most other colleges and universities. It is up to the student to verify with the post secondary school they will be attending if that institution will accept these credits. It is strongly recommended that this is verified BEFORE paying the tuition!
What are the major pro’s and con’s?
The con is the immediate cost, although students pay much less than the regular cost of tuition. The pro is that as long as students meet the academic requirement for the partnering college or university, college credit is earned.
Other pros:
Students view their senior year not as an end but as a transition by realizing the expectations of college-level work and altering their academic practices.
Those who do not intend to pursue degrees in a given area may fulfill a general education requirement or elective credit.
Parents/Guardians save money and time and enable their student to avoid heavy load semesters, additional summer school, and additional semesters in college.
Early data indicates that dual credit students do better in college, drop out at a lower rate, earn higher GPAs and more often graduate on the expected timeline.
What questions do I need to ask my potential college(s) to verify if dual credits are accepted?
Do you accept dual enrollment credit?
If yes, how would you accept and transfer (course # and name) dual enrollment credit from (Concordia, Doane, SCC, and/or NE Wesleyan)?
For AP classes: If no, what score do I need to earn on the (AP course name) AP exam and what course credit or placement will I receive from your institution?
Will I be considered a freshman regardless of the number of credits I bring in? In other words, I want to make sure I am still eligible for all freshman scholarships, and will not be considered a transfer student.
Would the credits I bring in be counted against the overall length/amount of any scholarship that I might receive?
For AP math classes: Will Calculus and/or Statistics fulfill my math requirement?
What classes are potentially available for dual enrollment?
AP Calculus / College Algebra/ AP Statistics
AP US History / AP European History
AP Biology / AP Environmental Science
Writing/Research / World Literature
Music Theory
Spanish 4 / Spanish 5
EPIC with Doane University
DC Advantage with SCC / Career Academy options
How do I enroll?
Teachers will hand out the enrollment information to students at the start of the course. Students take the information and dual application home to share with parents/guardians, returning the completed application and payment to the main office.
Who do I contact for more information?
Seward High Counseling Center Kevin Fields/Noelle Baker (402)643-2988
Concordia University Megan Boggs (402)643-7480
Doane University Erin May (402)467-9071
Nebraska Wesleyan Krista Cox (402)465-2415
SCC Caleb Berg (402)228-3468
Click here to learn about SENCAP (Career Academy) courses offered and DC Advantage courses.
Click here to learn about Nebraska Now options for 10-12 graders.
Click here for an AP Credit Policy Search to know if your AP credit will count in college.