OPEN ENROLLMENT
WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE A SOCIAL SCIENCES &
HUMANITIES ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) CLASS
AP courses are college level courses taught in a high school environment. This situation allows
for rigorous college work to be completed under the direction of a high school teacher who has
the time to individually assist students.
It is the belief of the Russellville High School Sciences & Humanities Department that most
students should take and can do well in an AP course. The Russellville High School
Social Sciences & Humanities Department further believes in an Open Enrollment concept
with regard to AP courses.
The Russellville High School Social Sciences & Humanities Department (RHS SSH Dept.)
believes that AP courses should be open to:
1. Students who have high GPAs and need more challenging coursework.
2. Students who have a deep interest in a particular course, regardless of prior academic
performance.
3. Students who are highly motivated, possess a strong work ethic and are self-disciplined.
4. Students of any academic background who want to try a highly challenging course and
understand the nature of the personal commitment needed for success in AP.
Research conducted by the College Board (the organization which administers AP courses and
exams) has shown that students who take AP classes perform far better in college than those
who do not take AP courses. For example, students who have taken AP courses finish college in
four years at a much higher rate.
The RHS SSH Dept. offers five AP courses:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
AP Economics (Macro) – offered to grades 11, 12
AP Human Geography - offered to grades 10, 11, 12
AP Psychology – offered to grades 11, 12
AP United States History - offered to grade 11
AP World History - offered to grade 12
The RHS SSH Dept. places a strong emphasis on preparing for the AP Exams. We expect all AP
students to take the AP exam in May. Qualifying scores (3, 4 or 5) on AP Exams gain college
placement and/or credit for the student. The state of Arkansas will pay the cost of the AP Exam.
Additionally, your AP course textbooks at RHS are provided free of charge.
The RHS SSH Dept. does not recommend students who have grade points below 3.00 take
MORE THAN ONE AP class. The fast pace, academic rigor and large amount of reading
assignments demand a great deal of attention from even the best student. The AP Teacher does
have final approval over a student being accepted or denied entrance to a particular source.
After several years with this policy in place the RHS SSH Dept. believes in Open Enrollment. We
currently have several students who would not have been admitted to an AP class under the old
system. These students have done well, made good grades in their AP class and have scored
well on the AP Exams.
AP SOCIAL SCIENCES & HUMANITIES CHALLENGE FORM
RUSSELLVILLE HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL SCIENCES & HUMANITIES
DEPARTMENT
The Russellville High School Social Sciences & Humanities Department believes in an
Open Enrollment concept with regard to AP courses. However, Open Enrollment does
not mean students are exempt from responsibilities.
By signing the AP Social Sciences & Humanities Challenge Form, the prospective AP student
agrees to:
1. Students who sign up for AP U.S. History or AP World History have a required
summer assignment. Students who do not complete summer assignments will
receive a zero for their first assignment score. STUDENTS WHO DROP AN AP
SOCIAL SCIENCES CLASS (after AUGUST 5th ) WILL CARRY THEIR SUMMER
WORK GRADE WITH THEM TO THE CLASS INTO WHICH THEY DROP.
2. Implement a strong work ethic
3. A willingness to read and comprehend large amounts of written material
4. Maintain regular attendance
5. AVOID ABSENCES ON TEST DAYS or when major assignments are due (except in
cases of emergency). If students do have to miss on a test day, they understand that
they can be given a DIFFERENT form of the exam.
6. Complete all reading and written assignments on time
7. Research, compile, construct and write independent projects
8. Spend the appropriate amount of time outside of class to complete assignments and
readings
9. Be an active classroom participant
10. Understand the fast-paced nature of an AP class
11. Understand that accommodations CANNOT be made with respect to College Board AP
academic requirements
12. Demonstrate a positive attitude toward the class & instructor.
13. Understand there is no place in an AP course for student discipline problems
14. Commitment to the pursuit of academic excellence.
15. Take the end-of-year AP Exam in May (required to receive the 5.0 grading scale)
The AP teacher can dismiss a student from an AP class for failure of the student to adhere to any
of the above conditions or other situations detrimental to the AP student or class.
The AP Teacher does have final approval over a student being accepted or denied
entrance into a particular course.
COURSE NAME______________________________________
___________________________ Student Name
Year
_______ Grade Next
___________________________ Student Signature
____________ Date
___________________________ Parent Signature
____________ Date
___________________________ Teacher Signature (notation for AP class entrance)