Welcome to
Independence
The Independence High School
Advanced Academics Philosophy
● Open enrollment
● Student support
● Teacher preparation
What is PAP/AP?
● PAP = Courses designed to prepare students for AP
courses
AP = College-level courses measured by end of
year exams
• AP Exams provide students the opportunity to
receive college credit.
• All AP courses include the same curriculum across
the nation.
• Colleges understand the rigor of the program and
look favorably on the AP program.
• PAP/AP classes carry an additional GPA weight
Grade Point Average (GPA)
AP/PAP
Dual Credit
Regular
Grade Point
95
5.5
94
5.4
93
5.3
92
97
5.2
91
96
5.1
90
95
100
5.0
89
94
99
4.9
88
93
98
4.8
87
92
97
4.7
86
91
96
4.6
85
90
95
4.5
84
89
94
4.4
Benefits of the AP Program
• Students who take AP courses and exams are much
more likely to graduate in four years.
• Students who take longer to graduate from a public
university typically pay between $8,000 and
$19,000 for each additional year.
• Students gain college-level analytical and study
skills.
• Taking AP increases eligibility for scholarships and
makes candidates more attractive to colleges.
• Students gain academic confidence.
AP Potential Letters from IHS
“In October, ________ took the PSAT/NMSQT®. By
using AP PotentialTM, a program based on
PSAT/NMSQT scores, we are able to identify
students who may be ready for the challenge
of AP course work.”
What Counts in College Admissions
NACAC 2008
Recommendations
Essays
21%
27%
52%
Grades in ALL Classes
54%
SAT/ACT Scores
62%
Strength of Curriculum
Grades in Challenging
Classes
75%
Admission Trends: NACAC
Admission Trends Survey 2008
The Benefits of AP for Students
Down the Road
● You do not have to take the “weed out”
classes…..Freshman college classes are
typically very large.
● In many schools, teaching Assistants
teach entry level college classes.
● Rigorous coursework prepares you for
college and time requirements before you
pay ($$$).
PAP/AP vs. On- Level Classes
Students
Parents
How much more
work is it?
What do colleges want
to see?
Are they harder?
Can my child handle it?
Can I have a life?
How involved
should I be?
Responsibilities of AP Students
1. A willingness to actively engage with sophisticated
concepts.
- Desire to be challenged
- Ask questions during class
- Seek help when you need clarification
- Stay organized
2. A willingness to be judged by rigorous, collegelevel standards.
- More written vs. objective tests
- Open-ended questions
- Faster pace
- More depth
Responsibilities of AP Students
3. A willingness to complete longer and more
complex nightly assignments.
- 30-50 pages a week of outside reading
- 30 minutes to 1 hour of homework
4. A willingness to complete the Advanced
Placement Examination in May.
- Studying/meeting outside of class
- Accumulating knowledge and skills
Duty of AP Teachers
College Rigor
High School
Reality
BALANCE
Duty of AP Teachers
GROWTH
Aug
Aug
Jan
Jan
May
May
AP Examinations
● Administered in May
● Approximately 3 hours long
● Composed of multiple choice and free-response
questions
● Free-response questions scored by college
professors and AP teachers in June
AP Examinations
Interpretations of Scores
5 — Extremely Well Qualified
4 — Well Qualified
3 — Qualified
2 — Possibly Qualified
1 — No Recommendation
What scores do colleges accept?
AP World History – 10th grade course
College
AP Score
Course
Credit hours
UT Austin
4 or 5
HIS 306 N
3
Texas A & M
4 or 5
HIST 104
3
Texas Tech
3, 4, 5
HIST 2322 or
2323
3
TCU
4 or 5
HIST 10953
3
Rice
4 or 5
HIST 108
3
UCLA
3, 4, 5
HIST World
8.0 units
Harvard
4 or 5
None
none
U of Chicago
4 or 5
Electives
3 quarters
Other
Advancement
to higher levels
Exam Fees
● $89 exam fee. If you're in financial need, contact
your counselor concerning a fee reduction.
● FISD refunds $50 of the exam fee for students
that score a 3, 4, or 5.
● Cost of a 3 hr. course (tuition and fees)
UNT - $1091
UT Austin - $2059 (College of Liberal Arts)
What do IHS students
Think about PAP/AP?
1. Why did you decide to take PAP/AP?
2. How much time do you spend on homework per
class?
3. How do you handle the workload?
4. What was your biggest struggle, and how did you
overcome it?
5. What do you need from your parents to help you
succeed?
6. What advice would you give to someone interested
in enrolling in PAP/AP classes?
Supporting PAP/AP Students
1. Summer Orientation
2. PAP/AP CIT Committee
3. Study Groups / Peer Tutoring
The Advanced Placement Program ®
and Pre-AP™
It’s not just an Examination.
It’s not just a Course.
It’s An Opportunity to Write Your Own
Scholarship!
“A pupil from
whom nothing
is ever
demanded…
never does all
that he can.”
John Stuart Mill