Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement classes are based on college-level courses. They teach higher level thinking skills and allow for the students to experience the atmosphere and the expectations of a college course. AP courses can also provide college credit, increase the chances of success in college, and help save money on college. For additional AP information go to www.college.board.com/APcentral or contact your child's AP teacher.

According to research conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, the College Board, and Educational Testing Service, there is a strong correlation between participation in AP courses and student achievement, college readiness, and college completion. Researchers at the University of Texas concluded that students who successfully participated in one or more AP exams significantly outperformed their non-AP peers (Hargrove, Godin, and Dodd 2008).

Colleges want to see both. They want to see students excelling in higher level courses. Research shows that if you can be successful in an AP course then you are usually successful in college.

• Because students work at an advanced level and acquire higher reasoning skills, students typically are more prepared for college coursework than their peers.
• Students who enroll in college level courses in high school often outperform peers who were not exposed to college level work in high school.
• If students do well on AP exams, students may earn college credit for these courses and that can result in saving saving money in college costs.
• Students taking college level coursework in high school often improve their chances of being accepted by the college of their choice.
• AP grades are weighted in Gwinnett County by 10 points.