GINA M. FRASCA
AP Coordinator

Pinelands Regional School District is committed to every student’s success.
We believe that access to rigorous coursework such as AP, plays an important role in a student’s success.

 The Advanced Placement Program began in the school year 1990-1991.
 At that time, there was only one class running, and it took 20 years to build up the program to include multiple AP classes.
 Only the top students were selected to take the AP classes, and very few passed the examination at the end.
 We have slowly opened up the accessibility to the AP classes so that any student interested in taking this type of class can be admitted into the program.

• AP courses are college-level courses offered in high school
• Courses reflect what is taught in introductory college courses
• Students take AP Exams at the end of the course, measuring their mastery of college-level work
• A score of 3 or higher on an AP exam can typically earn students college credit and/or placement into advanced courses in college

• Students learn rigorous college-level content and skills
• Taking AP is valued in the college admission process
• AP courses are interesting and rewarding academic experiences
• Opportunity to earn valuable credit and placement in college

• 85% of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admission decisions*
• Colleges rank grades in college-preparatory courses and strength of curriculum as the two top factors in the admission decision
• AP courses tell college admission officials that students are challenging themselves and preparing for the rigors they'll encounter in their college careers

• Taking an AP course helps students build critical thinking skills, confidence, and the essential time management and study skills needed for college success
• Nationally, research shows that students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically earn higher grade point averages in college and have higher graduation rates than their non-AP peers*

 Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely to complete a college degree on time.* Graduating in four years represents a significant savings on the cost of college.
• Only 1 in 4 college students completes a bachelor’s degree in
4 years.
• The average cost of college for a single year is $21,500** for instate schools (tuition, fees, room/board, misc. expenses).
 *College Outcomes Comparisons by AP and Non-AP High School Experiences, The College Board, 2008
**The College Board, Trends in College Pricing 2011, Figure 1

Correlation between Taking AP classes and Finishing College in
Four Years

 AP Exams are administered by schools worldwide on set dates in May each year.
• Exams are typically 2–3 hours and include:
•
Multiple-choice questions
•
Free-response items such as essays, problem response

5- Extremely well qualified
4-Well qualified
3-Qualified
2-Possibly qualified
1- No recommendation
***Gateway to Success in College***

 Each college and university has its own policies regarding AP ® credit and placement. The College
Board offers information about AP credit at thousands of college and universities at www.collegeboard.org/apcreditpolicy .

Myth
AP courses are for students who always get good grades.
AP courses are too stressful.
I don't think I will score high enough on the AP
Exam to get college credit.
Taking AP courses could hurt my GPA.
Reality
AP courses are for any students who are academically prepared and motivated to take college-level courses.
It's no secret that AP courses are challenging. But the support you receive from your classmates and teachers can help you manage the work load.
You don’t need to score a 5. Many colleges grant credit — and placement as well — based on a 3 or higher on an AP Exam.
Taking AP courses shows colleges that you’re willing to challenge yourself academically.
I can’t take AP because no one has recommended me.
If you think you’re ready to take an AP course, then you’re ready to advocate for yourself — just talk to a teacher or counselor.

Fees this year ~$91 per Exam
Free/Reduced Lunch~ $62 per Exam (reduced rate from the College
Board)
Federal Grant from the State of NJ
Free or Reduced Lunch~
( Awaiting information on this .. $20 per exam in 2013)
We will be launching our online ordering system this year!
AP EXAM FEES

Date Morning
Monday
May 4
AP Chemistry
AP Environmental Science
Afternoon
AP Psychology
Tuesday
May 5
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Seminar
AP Chinese Language and Culture
Wednesday
May 6
AP English Literature and
Composition
Thursday
May 7
Friday
May 8
AP Computer Science A
AP Spanish Language and
Culture
AP German Language and
Composition
AP United States History
AP Japanese Language and Culture
AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based
AP Art History
AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based
AP European History

Date Morning
Monday
May 11
AP Biology
AP Music Theory
Tuesday
May 12
AP United States Government and Politics
Afternoon
AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP Physics C: Electricity and
Magnetism
AP French Language and Culture
AP Spanish Literature and Culture
Wednesday
May 13
Thursday
May 14
AP English Language and
Composition
AP Comparative Government and Politics
AP World History
AP Statistics
AP Italian Language and Culture
AP Macroeconomics
Friday
May 15
AP Human Geography
AP Microeconomics
AP Latin

• AP information: apstudent.collegeboard.org
• College and Career Planning: bigfuture.org
• Personalized feedback, practice and college planning based on your PSAT/NMSQT ® results: My College
QuickStart™ www.collegeboard.org/quickstart
• AP credit policy information from colleges and universities: www.collegeboard.org/apcreditpolicy

Biology
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
English Language and Composition
English Literature and Composition
European History
Macroeconomics
Physics 2
Psychology
United States History

Mrs. Amy Martelli
Pre AP English Language Arts (10)
Mr. Jason Capelli
English Language and Composition (11)
Mr. Anthony Lupo
English Literature and Composition (12)

Ms. Liz Law
Biology
Dr. James Alletto
Physics 2
Mr. Greg Brown
Chemistry

Ms. Shannon English
European History
Mr. Mark Bradley
Macroeconomics
Ms. Arlene Mongold
Psychology
Mrs. Katherine Poerner
United States History

All students in the general population can succeed in an
Advanced Placement class in High School with the proper tools:
 A passionate teacher who is willing to go above and beyond the normal duties of a classroom. One who is an expert in his/her content area, but also has a passion for instilling the love of learning on their students.
 The resources needed to give students the proper tools (texts, technology, facilities) in order to learn their topic
 Support from the stakeholders ~the Board, Community,
Parents, and the entire Staff
 A shared vision that is communicated to the Stakeholders.

 Our program has expanded immensely over the last
8 years!
 We were recognized nationally by the College
Board as ~ AP District of the Year in 2011 and 2012
 Our high school has been recognized by the
Washington Post as on of Americas most challenging high schools!

 “I just wanted to write to let you know how beneficial your class was in getting ready for college…”
 “I’m helping a few people on my floor write essays…”
 Thank you again for everything!”

 Study sessions will be offered to the students as the exams approach. Each AP teacher is allotted 20 extra hours to work with their students.
 We will also have our
Fourth Annual AP PEP Rally

“Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own."
-- Nikos Kazantzak

Being the Pinelands Regional AP Coordinator has been one of the most rewarding professional experiences I have had thus far. From the moment these students enter into the program, until graduation day, I am committed to providing these students with the most rigorous and comprehensive program to prepare them for life in college and their careers.

“ You, the parent, are your child's first teacher and his best teacher.
It's an awesome responsibility, but one that brings immeasurable rewards."
-Jacquie McTaggart

Gina M. Frasca~-gfrasca@prsdnj.org
609-296-3106 x 2221
Secretary~ Mrs. Linda Getz~ lgetz@prsdnj.org
609-296-3106 x 2263
Please contact me or your son/daughter’s AP Teacher with any questions or concerns.

Reach Higher…
Learn Differently…
Find your Passion…
Imagine and Succeed…
Challenge Yourself…
Get the Credit You Deserve!!