Mount Pleasant High School’s

1. Mount PleasantHigh School’s Mrs. Lauren Grelecki, AP Literature Mr. Michael Landers, AP English Language Mrs. Lauren Mauldin, AP Calculus (AB, BC) Mrs. Julie Love, AP Psychology Mr. Neil Pifer, AP Environmental Science Mrs. Melissa Eudy, AP Biology Mrs. Markl Kies, Assistant Principal of Instruction Mr. Jon LaChance, Principal Advanced Placement Program

2. About AP • From the moment you enter an AP classroom, you'll notice the difference—in the teacher's approach to the subject, in the attitude of students and in the way they start to think. In AP classrooms, the focus is not on memorizing facts and figures. Instead students engage in intense discussions, solve problems collaboratively, think critically, and learn to write clearly and persuasively.

3. MPHS’s AP Program • AP exams administered by year: • 2009: 71 • 2010: 95 • 2011: 98 • 2012: 175 • 2013: 240 • 2014: 104 • 2015: 183 (projected) Almost ¼ of our entire student population are enrolled in an AP curriculum.

4. Fast facts about AP Exams The AP Program offers more than 30 courses in a wide variety of subject areas. The majority of U.S. high schools currently participate in the AP Program. Except for the three Studio Art exams, which are portfolio assessments, AP Exams contain multiple-choice questions and a free-response section. Because the College Board is committed to providing access to AP Exams to all students—including homeschooled students and students whose schools do not offer AP—students do not have to take an AP course before taking an AP Exam. More than 3,800 colleges and universities annually receive AP Exam scores. Most four-year colleges in the United States provide credit and/or advanced placement for qualifying scores.

5. Exam Each AP exam costs $89.00 For the first time, the Department of Public Instruction is paying the entire cost of ALL AP exams for students in NC. Thanks to the state of North Carolina, $16,270 in test fees are no longer required to be paid by MPHS students this year.

6. Curriculum and Preparation • Each faculty member teaching an AP class is a highly-trained, specially certified teacher • Each AP teacher has submitted a syllabus and materials directly to the College Board and has been approved to teach a class with the “AP” designation • The entire course is designed around the objectives and standards outlined by the College Board, which far supersedes the basic standards of the NC curricula. • Each AP class is driven by an approved college curriculum – and success is indicated through the exam, which may result in the ‘advanced placement’ and / or credit earned at various colleges and universities. • Students must start to think and prepare like a college student in order to succeed. • This may include: better time management, planning, learning new study techniques, independence, doing assignments for the ‘learning’ and not just to get it ‘done’ or ‘for a grade,’ better use of group work, creation of outside study-groups and more conferencing with teachers outside of class.

7. ‘Preparation’ Continued… Each teacher will offer extensive review BEYOND what they cover in class. Important realization: The AP exam score is between the student, his / her parents, and the college of interest. Our faculty will work continuously right up until exam day inside and outside of school to ensure that your son / daughter performs to their highest capacity on the respective exams – giving the best shot at gaining college credit.

8. AP and the Cost of College • Research shows that your AP experience can benefit you in several important ways when you reach college: • AP students are more likely to graduate from college in four years - students who take longer to graduate at public colleges and universities can spend up to $19,000for each additional year. • AP helps students qualify for scholarships - 31 percent of colleges and universities look at AP experience when determining scholarships.

9. Getting College Credit You can earn credit and/or placement at most colleges and universities in the United States, as well as colleges and universities in more than 40 other countries, through qualifying AP Exam scores. At many of these institutions, you may earn up to a full year of college credit (sophomore standing) through a sufficient number of qualifying AP Exam scores. Individual colleges and universities, not the College Board or the AP Program, grant course credit and placement. Because policies vary by institution, you should obtain a college's AP policy in writing. You can find this information in the institution's catalogue or on its Web site, or by using the AP Credit Policy Info search. Colleges that have received your AP score report will generally notify you of any placement, credit, and/or exemption you have earned during the summer. You can also contact the college's admission office to find out the status of your AP credit and/or placement.

10. AP Scholar Awards • The AP Program offers several AP Scholar Awards to recognize high school students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through AP courses and exams. Although there is no monetary award, in addition to receiving an award certificate, this achievement is acknowledged on any AP score report that is sent to colleges the following fall. • Award Levels • AP Scholar • AP Scholar with Honor • AP Scholar with Distinction • State AP Scholar • National AP Scholar

11. Students with Disabilities If you have a documented disability, you may be eligible for accommodations on the AP Exams. Some examples include: extended time; Braille; large-type exams; large-block answer sheets; permission to use a Braille device, computer, or magnifying device; a reader to dictate questions; a writer to record responses; a written copy of oral instructions; as well as other accommodations. Contact a guidance counselor and Ms. Gandy (testing coordinator) asap.

12. AP Scores • During the exam ordering process, the student chooses potential colleges to which he / she wants the scores to be sent. • The College Board labels each scoring point based on how qualified a student is for the equivalent college class: • AP Exam scores are reported on a 5-point scale as follows:5  Extremely well qualified4  Well qualified3  Qualified2  Possibly qualified1  No recommendation

13. Exam Dates Environmental Science: 8am, Monday 5/4 Calculus AB BC: 8am, Tuesday 5/5 English Literature: 8am, Wed. 5/6 English Language: 8am, Wed. 5/13 Psychology: 12:00pm, Monday 5/4 Biology: 8:00am, Monday 5/11

14. Credits • Most of the information contained in this presentation was taken directly from the College Board’s web site: • www.collegeboard.com • Visit the site regularly and check out the useful tools and links they have to help your son / daughter get ready for college.