AP Focus Program

What Is Advanced Placement?

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program is a cooperative educational endeavor between the secondary schools and the colleges and universities. It allows high school students to take college-level academic learning in the AP courses, and it gives them the opportunity to show that they have mastered the advanced material by taking AP exams. Students can receive credit, advanced placement, or both from thousands of colleges and universities that participate in the Advanced Placement Program.

The AP Program is administered by the College Board. As in other College Board programs, AP procedures are determined by representatives of member institutions (public and independent schools, colleges, and universities). AP’s operational services are provided by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Not all AP courses are offered every year.

Is an AP Cord Available?

Yes. The Boulder High School AP Achievement Recognition Cord is offered to students who meet the College Board criteria for their AP scholar awards. These students will be awarded the cord for the graduation ceremony. This program is intended to encourage students traditionally underrepresented in AP courses to commit to a rigorous course of study for their high school years. More information can be found on the Boulder High AP Achievement Recognition Cord Website

Do AP Teachers Receive Special Training?

Yes. All Boulder High School AP teachers have participated extensively in AP teacher training. AP teacher professional development workshops of one day and up to three weeks are offered year-round at sites in the United States and abroad. They are organized and run by College Board offices and/or independent educational institutions, and they are funded by a combination of participant fees and grants or donations. Each workshop focuses on an AP subject, specialized training in a particular discipline, or management of an AP course.

How Do Students Get College Credit for AP Classes?

Boulder High School students enrolled in AP courses learn as much, or more, than students taking the same courses in college, so students who do well in AP may receive college credit. When the evidence of that achievement is a satisfactory grade on a rigorous national examination, the case for credit is even stronger. Many colleges and universities give credit to students transferring from other colleges, usually crediting courses in which students have a grade of C or better. An AP exam score of 3 or higher is better validated and probably represents a higher standard than these transfer grades. Individual colleges award credit for AP classes in accordance to their own guidelines. Contact universities directly for more information.

The Advanced Placement Focus Program meets strict credit/placement criteria of selective colleges and universities on the basis of rigorous national examinations. The evidence of AP students’ achievement is not only a teacher’s grade, but also the results on a carefully designed national examination. AP exams are prepared by committees of college faculty and AP teachers, and are graded by other college and AP teachers, who ensure that the content and skills that are required reflect college-level achievement.

AP Grade Reports are sent in July to each student’s home, high school, and any college(s) designated by the student. At the time of the exam, students can indicate on their answer sheet if they would like a college to receive their grade. After the exam, they can contact College Board and request that the grade be sent to other colleges as well. Students may also cancel or withhold a grade by contacting the AP Program by June 15 of the testing year.

How are Boulder High Students Prepared for AP Classes?

AP classes at Boulder High School are open to any student. Some AP classes have no prerequisites, such as AP Language and Composition, AP Art History, and AP U.S. History. Any student interested in pursuing a challenging, rigorous, college-level course while in high school can simply register for these classes. Previous coursework or experience is essential for some AP classes. For example, students who wish to take AP Calculus must first successfully complete Pre-Calculus. Students who wish to take AP Spanish 5 must first complete Spanish 4.

Most AP classes currently taught at Boulder High School are taken by juniors and seniors who, with adequate planning, can take any AP class offered that they desire. Numerous advanced (honors) classes are available for freshmen and sophomores planning to take AP classes as juniors and seniors. These classes have weighted grades, as do all AP classes.