Advanced Placement is a challenging academic alternative to regular high school courses. This
program provides an opportunity for students to study at an accelerated pace and ultimately
learn at a first-year university level in high school. Using this advanced knowledge students are
often able to directly enter second-year courses at university and may, in some cases, receive
university credits for work done in high school. University credit is granted based on Advanced
Placement examinations written in the grade twelve year, although enriched preparatory
courses are offered in grades ten and eleven.
To be successful in this rigorous program, students should meet the following criteria:
 a demonstrated intellectual curiosity, and a keen interest in the subject area
 academic excellence, with a mark greater than 80% in the requested subject area
 have demonstrated self-motivation and commitment to scholarship
Students in Advanced Placement courses should be prepared to take the College Board
Advanced Placement examination for each course, in May of their grade twelve year. Each
exam costs approximately $100.
Students may register in any number of AP courses but the average is two or three. Students
need to consider their time management abilities, as well as their interest and ability in each
subject.
The following Advanced Placement courses are offered in Grade 10:
 Art 10AP
 Mathematics 10AP
 Computer Science 10AP
 Science 10AP
 English 10AP
 Social Studies 10AP
Students interested in AP courses should consult with their parents, subject teachers and
guidance counsellors to discuss the expectations and their suitability for the increased demands
of AP courses. Students and parents are welcome to contact Lord Beaverbrook to discuss their
concerns.
Students who are ineligible for, or do not choose to take, AP in grade 10 may apply for late entry
to AP in grade 11 provided they obtain greater than 80% and a teacher recommendation in
each AP subject. They may also be required to make up some material missed in the grade 10
course.
Students with marks between 75-79% who have an interest in the Advanced Placement
program should contact Ms. Conrad at Lord Beaverbrook to arrange an interview and discuss
their options.
Applications should be directed to:
Ms. Pamela Conrad
Lord Beaverbrook High School
259-5585
pconrad@cbe.ab.ca
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, MARCH 15th, 2011
Art
The Art AP program is set up to provide art students with an opportunity to prepare a broad
portfolio of work, which is useful for earning entrance into post-secondary institutions and, where
suitable, can merit a course credit equivalency. In order to complete the Advanced Placement
Art course by May of Grade 12, the candidates must have completed a portfolio of more than
twenty pieces of work. This work must be original, show technical and artistic competence, and
display both focus and breadth.
Successful students generally have:
 high interest/passion in art and artistic aptitude
 work which stands out “above the crowd” in concept and technique
 the ability to meet deadlines and show focus and commitment to work
 pride in doing quality work
 creative approaches accompanied by good hand-eye coordination and dexterity
 art college or art related career in mind for the future
By the end of their grade 12 year, AP students may have completed the equivalent of a first year
university Art course, and will have completed a portfolio suitable for admission interviews to
post secondary institutions.
Grade 10 students applying for Art 10 AP will be required to have their current portfolio
assessed by Art AP teachers for admission into the program. The Advanced Placement
Curriculum Leader will review all applications and the Art teachers will make appointments to
assess portfolios. Admission will depend on students’ qualifications, teacher recommendations
and availability of space in the courses.
Computer Science
Computer Science AP is intended to provide students with a programming background
equivalent to that of a generalized introductory university course. Computer Science AP is
taught as a sequence of four courses (2 grade 10 – 3 credit courses, and 2 grade 11 and 12 – 5
credit courses). While students may enter the Computer Science stream at any time, the four
courses must be taken in sequence.
Successful Computer Science AP students generally:
 have a strong interest in computers and demonstrate good work habits and time
management skills
 have a strong background in English and Mathematics
 enjoy working both independently and collaboratively with other students
 have a creative mind and excellent problem solving skills
While there is no standardized high school programming course, the content of Computer
Science AP is more challenging than would normally be expected at this level. Student work in
Computer Science AP is graded with this in mind; student achievement is characteristically
superior.
By the end of their grade 12 year, AP students will have completed the equivalent of a first year
university Computer Science course and they will be prepared for writing their AP exam.
Students applying to take Computer Science 10AP should have greater than 80% in grade 9
English and Math or evidence of achievement in junior high computer courses. More
information on prerequisites for the program is available from the AP Curriculum Leader.
English
The English Literature and Composition AP program covers the required Alberta senior high
school language arts objectives. In addition, to these requirements, AP English students also
study selected periods of English literary history.
AP English is not a creative writing course. Students interested primarily in creative writing
should consider enrolling in Creative Writing and/or Journalism after completing their English 10
or 10AP.
Students who enrol in English AP do more reading and writing than is required in regular
English classes but, because they have advanced skills in these areas, this should not create
undue stress. Students in AP English may also have summer reading assignments before grade
11 and 12. Students may be considered for late entry to English 20AP, but they should be
aware that this will require preparatory reading.
Successful English AP students generally:
 enjoy reading a wide variety of materials including novels, magazines, newspapers, and
on-line articles
 enjoy sharing their ideas and appreciate the ideas and writings of other people
 are interested in developing deeper understandings of subtle aspects of literature
including the impact of a writer’s style
 have an interest in history
 are interested in new ideas and new ways of expressing them
 like to explore their own ideas by comparing them with others
 respond positively to writing assignments and want their writing to be of high calibre
 have confident control of the mechanics of writing
By the end of their grade 12 year, AP students will have completed the equivalent of a first year
university English course, be prepared for the writing their AP exam, and will have written the
required Alberta Education Diploma exam.
For mark purposes, students will be evaluated with the same evaluation rubrics as students in
regular classes. These rubrics have been developed from those used by the Evaluation Branch
of Alberta Education. The Advanced Placement scale, developed by the College Board, is used
to measure student progress through the program; however, these marks are used for
information purposes only and are not included in calculating course marks.
Mathematics
Mathematics AP courses are designed for the student who is interested in mathematics, has
good work habits, learns quickly and enjoys a challenge. The teacher will give shorter
explanations and will include less drill and practice than a standard math course and will cover
areas that complement the regular curriculum. Since the teacher will cover part of the grade 11
curriculum in grade 10, late entry in grade 11 will require the students to cover some material on
their own. Students will have more challenging assignments or projects; and most students
participate in regular mathematics contests.
Students should note that grade 12 Math AP requires registration in Math 30AP and 31AP
concurrently in their grade 12 year and should plan their program accordingly.
Successful Mathematics AP students generally:
 demonstrate a strong aptitude in and enjoy problem solving with Mathematics
 master mathematical concepts quickly and with limited repetition
 have a personality well suited to an academically oriented class and are most
comfortable in that setting.
By the end of their grade 12 year, AP students will have completed the equivalent of a first year
university Calculus course, will be prepared for the writing their AP exam and will have written
the required Alberta Education Diploma exam.
For mark purposes, students will be evaluated with scales consistent with students in regular
classes. These scales have been developed from those used by the Evaluation Branch
of Alberta Education.
Science
Advanced Placement in Science is designed to provide students with the opportunity to study
scientific concepts and develop science practical and computational skills at the university level.
Sciences are presented with a holistic and analytical approach, with an emphasis placed on the
links between Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Science 10AP will cover the standard Alberta Education Science 10 curriculum as well portions
of grade 11 Biology, Chemistry and Physics content. Students applying for late entry to Biology,
Chemistry or Physics 20AP from Science 10 should consult with the appropriate teacher to
ensure they are adequately prepared for the course, by the completion of laboratories and / or
topics and units of additional work.
It is strongly suggested that Biology 20AP and 30AP be taken concurrently in a single year, and
students should plan their schedule so that they can complete both of the Biology courses in
either their grade 11 or 12 year.
Successful Science AP students generally:
 have keen interest and enthusiasm for science
 work well independently and in laboratory groups to solve problems
 understand concepts and relationships inherent in material that are not explicitly stated
 exhibit excellent reasoning ability and have strong mathematics skills
By the end of their grade 12 year, AP students will have completed major portions of lecture and
lab topics found in first year university Biology, Chemistry or Physics course, will be prepared for
the writing their AP exam, as well as writing the required Alberta Education Diploma exam.
For mark purposes, students will be evaluated with the same evaluation scales as students in
regular classes. These scales have been developed from those used by the Evaluation Branch
of Alberta Education. The Advanced Placement scale, developed by the College Board, is used
to measure student progress through the program; however, these marks are used for
information purposes only and are not included in academic transcripts.
Social Studies
Social Studies AP provides opportunities for students to explore general history but
concentrates on European history in order to prepare for the Advanced Placement – European
History exam.
Social Studies 10 AP covers standard Alberta curriculum for grade 10 and part of grade 11.
Social 20AP and 30AP focus on skill development and covers material from the remainder of
the grade 11 and 12 Alberta curriculum, as well as the AP European History curriculum.
It is strongly suggested that Social Studies 20AP and 30AP be taken concurrently in a single
year, and students should plan their AP courses so that they can complete both of the Social
Studies courses in either their grade 11 or 12 year. Students applying for late entry to Social
Studies 20AP from Social Studies 10 will be responsible for making up the extra material missed
in Social Studies 10AP.
Successful Social Studies AP students generally:
 have a strong interest in history and current affairs
 excel in English and enjoy reading non-fiction
 enjoy participating in investigating and discussing historic and contemporary issues
By May of the grade 12 year, AP students will have completed the equivalent of a first year
university History course and will be ready for the writing of their AP exam. They will also be
adequately prepared to write the Alberta Education Diploma exam.
For mark purposes, students will be evaluated with the same evaluation scales as students in
regular classes. These scales have been developed from those used by the evaluation branch
of Alberts Education. The Advanced Placement scale, developed by the College Board, is used
to measure student progress through the program; however, these marks are used for
information purposes only and are not included in academic transcripts.