Advanced Placement
Discover Your Potential at St. Joan of Arc
In the Advanced Placement Program at SJA, students will have the opportunity to partake in a post-secondary experience while in high school. This experience will challenge, inspire and prepare students by developing the necessary skills to be successful in post-secondary and beyond. Students who write AP exams have the opportunity to earn credits in university and, more importantly, become comfortable with an enriched curriculum. Ultimately, this will lead to higher levels of confidence and greater academic success.
AP-Students Testimony.mp4AP Program Benefits
AP Mythbusters: Take the Test
- AP courses are only for students who get high grades.
MYTH!
AP courses are for students who are passionate and motivated to learn and they usually get high grades as a result! However, a strong desire to succeed and strive for excellence is what differentiates an AP student.
2. AP courses are more stressful. Students have to teach themselves.
MYTH!
AP courses are fast-paced, cover more material than regular classes, and require independent work like research and analysis but there is still teacher instruction and guidance. Your AP teacher will give you the support you need to learn and grow from each challenge.
Starting your AP preparation from grade 9 in pre-AP courses gives you more time to build your skills and engage in appropriately challenging tasks.
3. Only referred or recommended students can take AP.
MYTH!
Students who feel that they are mentally and academically ready to take on the challenge of the AP program can choose AP on the high school application form.
At St. Joan, our congregated AP program means that AP students are enrolled in Advanced Placement English, Science, and Math courses.
4. Taking AP could hurt my grades.
MYTH!
AP assessment practices at St. Joan will not disadvantage students' course averages.
5. In order to succeed, students must get a very high AP exam score.
MYTH!
Students who score a 3 or higher on AP exams typically have greater academic success in college. The AP exam score required to qualify for post-secondary credits also depends on each institution. See this list here.
It is also important to note that success in the program encompasses more than a high score. The challenge of striving for excellence can transform you.
Meet our AP English Teachers
Ms. Simone
Ms. Simone has been teaching at St. Joan of Arc CA for ten years. She has taken on various roles in Special Education and Student Success. In addition to teaching English, she has also been the Yearbook Teacher Advisor at St. Joan for the past five years.
Q. What is the most exciting thing for you about teaching AP?
Ms. Simone: "As an English teacher, I love seeing students open their mind to prose and poetry -- learning how to become better thinkers and pushing themselves to consider new thoughts and ideas. I strive to continually learn and challenge myself as an educator, and working collaboratively to develop the AP program at SJA has enabled me to do this."
Ms. Santiago
Ms. Santiago has been teaching at St. Joan of Arc CA for ten years in the English and French Department. She is also the Teacher-Librarian. For her, the best thing about teaching is being part of such a wonderful community dedicated to inspiring people to be the best they can be.
Q. How do you support students in meeting their goals?
Ms. Santiago: "By definition, 'challenges' like AP courses require perseverance and patience to overcome. Many students who seek these experiences need to know that they can make mistakes, risk not knowing, and still come out on top. I support them by anticipating gaps in their learning, giving them a safe space to grow, and empowering them to take chances."
