What is the Advanced Placement Program?

The AP Program is a voluntary program that offers students an opportunity to take one or more college-level courses while still in high school.  AP courses give students a head start on college while they are still in the supportive environment of a high school classroom. 

AP is not just for top students or those headed for college.  AP touches on a universe of knowledge that might otherwise remain unexplored in high school.  Each course is a unique learning experience in which students explore subjects from a variety of perspectives – including their own.  Any student from any background has the opportunity to participate in AP classes, but he/she must be willing to take on the challenge of rigorous coursework.

A number of studies show that students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely to succeed in college.  Recent research found that AP students earned higher college GPA's and had higher four-year college graduation rates than non-AP students.

What are Advanced Placement Courses?

AP courses are introductory college courses.  They are not easy; neither are they impossibly difficult.  AP courses demand discipline and tenacity.  A student will develop writing skills, problem-solving techniques, and study habits that are expected of successful college students.  Taking rigorous AP courses demonstrates a student's maturity, willingness to push their intellect, and commitment to academic excellence.

What are Advanced Placement Exams?

Each AP course has a corresponding exam.  AP exams contain multiple-choice questions and a free-response section (essay, problem-solving, oral response).  AP exams represent the culmination of AP coursework and are an integral part of the program.  As a result, the expectation of the school is that students who enroll in AP courses will go on to take the corresponding AP exam.

Why take an AP Exam?

Satisfactory scores on AP exams offer benefits that may enhance applications for college admissions, placement, and scholarships. A student may also receive college credit based on an AP score.  Each college decides how much credit to award for AP scores.  Credit can range from 3 hours to 15 hours of college credit, depending on the test and score.   More information can be found at the AP College Board website. 

What is the YPS AP Policy?

•  Any student in the Yukon Public School District has the opportunity to enroll in Pre-AP and AP courses.

• Once enrolled in an AP course the student is expected to remain in that course for the school year.

• Students may drop AP courses by making a request to their counselors after enrollment but before the end of the preceding school year.

• Once the AP class has begun, students may only drop the class by providing a written request to an appeal committee.  The decision of the committee is final.

For more information, please visit The College Board website. 

Yukon Public Schools recognizes that all students must read and comprehend a broad range of complex written, visual, and electronic texts. In addition, students must be able to craft written arguments, explain processes, and express themselves through writing and speaking to develop a strong academic foundation for lifelong learning and achieve success as 21st-century citizens.

Our goal is to provide the following foundation of resources for our elementary program:

• A comprehensive literacy program featuring a wide variety of engaging literature resources, targeted skill instruction in reading and writing, and support services including reading specialists, literacy coaches, and differentiated instruction.

• Ongoing assessment using Istation to ensure that classroom instruction is directed to specific skills that each student needs.

• Media centers support the total academic program through extensive collections of materials for students' use.

Helpful Links

OSDE Frameworks

ELA Blue Prints 

3-8 Assessment Materials

Oklahoma Academic Standards-English Language Arts

Reading Sufficiency Act

The Reading Sufficiency Act (RSA) was passed by the Oklahoma State legislature to support children in Kindergarten through third grade. The intent of this legislation was to ensure that all students are reading on grade level at the end of third grade.  Students who are found in need of intervention based on a state-approved RSA screener are placed on an individual program of reading instruction (IPRI).   This document is designed to document the student’s progress and reading interventions being used.  Students who meet the RSA requirements will be promoted to the fourth grade.  Please visit the Reading Sufficiency Act website for more information including the most current RSA Legislation. 

Yukon Public Schools is committed to providing opportunities that support the full development of the intellectual, academic, creative, leadership, and visual arts/ performing arts abilities of our students. We are committed to offering programming options that support a differentiated learning environment for students who have been identified as gifted and talented according to the guidelines set forth by the Oklahoma State Department of Education.  Students served in the Gifted and Talented Program will participate in lessons and activities focused on the following objectives:  

Objectives

• Develop high-level thinking skills, creative thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and decision-making skills.

• Strengthen communication skills.

• Expand students' interests and strengths through research.

• Promote self-esteem, self-direction, leadership skills, and group dynamics.

• Provide an environment conducive to the development of autonomous learning.

• Provide an environment conducive to the development of talent and creative ability.

• Develop an appreciation and understanding of different cultures, environments, values, thoughts, and philosophies.

If you would like to refer a student for testing, please complete the parent permission form/survey and return it to the gifted specialist at your child's school. Additional information regarding gifted and talented education can be found using the following links:  

Helpful Links

YPS Gifted Resources 

Oklahoma State Department of Gifted and Talented Education

Oklahoma Association of Gifted, Creative, and Talented

National Association of Gifted Education

Explanation of Standards

In 2020, the Oklahoma State Legislature approved the revisions for the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science.  These standards are coherently and developmentally appropriate standards for pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.  Each standard includes integration of Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas from Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth/Space Science.  These standards tell us what students are expected to learn and do at each grade level.  In addition, Yukon Public Schools uses these standards to guide curricular decisions.

Growth & Development

Yukon Public Schools provides Human Growth and Development Education to students in the 5th grade.  Boys and girls are split into two groups, and students learn about puberty and self-care from up-to-date, relevant health and scientific resources.  Parents can contact the school counselor to preview any instructional materials and may provide written permission to the school to opt out of the curriculum.

HIV/AIDS Education

In accordance with Oklahoma State Law, Yukon Public Schools provides AIDS Prevention Education to students in the 6th, 7th, and 10th grades.  Students learn about HIV/AIDS prevention through their science classrooms.  Yukon Public School uses an up-to-date curriculum from health and scientific resources, including the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Oklahoma State Department of Health, and Khan Academy.  

Parents and guardians have the right to review any curriculum materials to be used during HIV/AIDS education.  Each year, an informational parent meeting is held regarding the resources that will be used to allow parents an opportunity to preview those resources.  Parents can provide written permission to their student’s science teacher to opt out of the curriculum.

What is STEM and why is it important?

The acronym STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and is important because it influences every part of our lives on a daily basis. Science is found in our natural world, our agriculture, in the fuel that heats our homes and powers transportation. Technology is in our hands in the form of a smartphone or a computer. Engineering is the basic design of everything from roads and bridges to appliances and machinery. Math is encountered at the grocery store, the bank, and on tax forms. A curriculum that is STEM-based has real-life application.

Another compelling point is that STEM careers are the fastest growing, and most lucrative occupations available in a rapidly changing world. According to the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, STEM occupations are growing at 17%, while others are growing at less than a 10% rate. These STEM professionals are in charge of solving the complex problems of today's world and its future. STEM careers are hands-on problem-solving occupations that challenge people to find solutions. Therefore, it is imperative that all students have the opportunity to participate in a highly innovative, invigorating, and challenging STEM program.

Elementary STEM at YPS

Young students ask, on average, nearly 300 questions a day. They have a natural curiosity. They observe, investigate, and discover the world around them. They generate hypotheses and test them without even knowing. They take in information and use that information to guide their behavior. Yukon Public Schools understands the importance of this innate curiosity and strives to guide young children in their exploration, and identify natural learning opportunities through developing foundational STEM skills.

Currently, YPS has designated STEM instructors at three PreK-3 sites and at all three intermediate sites. All other elementary sites serve our students by bringing STEM into the regular classroom. YPS continues its efforts to build a strong STEM program at this level.

STEM websites for Elementary students

Code.org

STEM-WORKS

PBS Kids CYBERCHASE

Secondary STEM at YPS

Yukon Public Schools offers two transformative STEM programs at the secondary sites. Yukon Middle School offers numerous Project Lead the Way courses that engage their students in hands-on engineering experiences and real-life medical detective "crime scenes."  

Yukon High School incorporates three STEM pathways for our students.  Students in the computer science pathway can take computer essentials, computer science principles, computer science A and cybersecurity.  Students in the engineering pathway have 3 course options currently and the most recent pathway added is the aerospace pathway.  Students in this pathway will have an option to choose aviation courses for both manned and unmanned aircraft,  or can choose to enter an aerospace maintenance program. 

All secondary students may also participate in the Technology Student Association (TSA).  This organization provides opportunities for students to network, compete, and lead in a variety of programs such as VEX robotics, drones, architecture, and computer science.

Websites to visit

Technology Student Association

Project Lead the Way

Southern Regional Education Board

STEM Workforce websites

Oklahoma State Department of Education: STEM Education

Career Tech

Oklahoma Career Guide