INFORMATION
NIGHT
Stone Bridge High School
What is AP?
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The Advanced Placement (AP) is a
program created by the College Board
offering college-level curriculum and
examinations to high school students.
American colleges often grant placement and
course credit to students who obtain high
scores above a certain number on the
examinations.
Why take AP courses?
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Confidence: develop better study habits, improve
your writing skills and sharpen your problem solving
abilities.
Credit: Entering college with AP credits gives you
time to move into upper-level courses in your field
of interest, pursue a double major, or study/travel
abroad
College Success: Research consistently shows that
students who are successful in AP typically
experience greater academic success in college than
similar students who do not participate in AP.
A few words from our
SCA students…
First
experience with AP
Balance
Considerations
Reality check
Benefits
Considerations
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Work Ethic
Maturity
Organizational Skills
“Passion” for Subject
Rigorous Pace
Taking Initiative—seeking
assistance
Independent Work
Cooperative Learning
More Considerations
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Realistic Time
Commitments
Balance
Grading
Learning Curve
AP Exam
Questions for students?
for example…
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How many AP’s should I take?
How much time will I need to study for each
AP course?
What’s the hardest AP class?
Is AP English Lit harder than AP English
Language?
Breakout Sessions
Auditorium
Stage
English
World Languages
Science
Math
Social Sciences
AP Weighting
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1.0 added to quality
points
C+ 2.3 + 1.0= 3.3
Exam should be taken
$83 exam fee
Plan of Studies
Plan of Studies Worksheet
(2013-2014 Seniors)
Plan of Studies Worksheet
Name: _____________________________ Current Grade: _______ ID#: ______________
(2013-2014 Sophomores and Juniors)
Name: _____________________________ Current Grade: _______ ID#: ______________
Grade 7
Total
Credits
Grade 8
Grade 9
English 9
Grade 10
English 10
Grade 11
English 11
Grade 12
English 12
Math
Math
Math
Science
Science
World History/
Geography I
World History/
Geography II
Health/P.E. 9
Health/P.E. 10
(World
Language I)
(World
Language II)
_____
_____
Grade 9
English 9
Grade 10
English 10
Grade 11
English 11
Grade 12
English 12
(Math)
Math
Math
Math
(Math)
Science
(Science)
Science
Science
Science
(Science)
U.S. History
U.S. & Virginia
Government
World History/
Geography I
World History/
Geography II
U.S. History
U.S. & Virginia
Government
Health/P.E. 9
Health/P.E. 10
Personal Finance
and Economics
(World
Language I)
(World
Language II)
(World Language III
or another World
Language)
_____
_____
(World Language III
or another World
Language)
Grade 7
(Second Year of
another World
Language)
Total
Credits
_____
_____
Grade 8
_____
_____
_____
(Second Year of
another World
Language)
_____
_____
_____
Diploma Requirements
Diploma Requirements
Standard Diploma
Advanced Studies Diploma
Minimum of 22 Credits Required
Credits
English
History/Social Science
Math
Science
Health & Physical Education
World Language, Fine Arts
or Career & Technical Educ.
Electives (at least two
4
3
3
3
2
sequential electives)
Total
*Student Selected Test
Standard Diploma
Verified
Credits
2
1
1
1
1
Credits
English
History/Social Science
Math
Science
Health & Physical Education
World Language (3 of one or 2
4
4
4
4
2
each of two)
Fine Arts or Career &
Technical Education
Electives
6
22
Minimum of 24 Credits Required
*1
6
Verified
Credits
2
2
2
2
3
Credits
English
History/Social Science
Math
Science
Health & Physical Education
World Language, Fine Arts
or Career & Technical Educ.
Economics
Personal Finance
4
3
3
3
2
Electives (at least two
1
Advanced Studies Diploma
Minimum of 22 Credits Required
sequential electives)
24
*1
9
For course descriptions, access the 2013-2014 Program of Studies on the LCPS website.
http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/cms/lib4/VA01000195/Centricity/Domain/1/Program%20of%20Studies%20hs%202
013%20English.pdf
Total
* Student Selected Test
2
1
1
1
2
Credits
English
History/Social Science
Math
Science
Health & Physical Education
World Language (3 of one or 2
4
4
4
4
2
Fine Arts or Career &
Technical Education
Economics
Personal Finance
Electives
4
22
Minimum of 26 Credits Required
each of two)
.5
.5
2
Total
Verified
Credits
*1
6
Verified
Credits
2
2
2
2
3
1
.5
.5
3
Total
26
*1
9
For course descriptions, access the 2013-2014 Program of Studies on the LCPS website.
http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/cms/lib4/VA01000195/Centricity/Domain/1/Program%20of%20Studies%20hs%202
013%20English.pdf
High School Plan of Studies
Personal Finance
& Economics
Social Sciences
Advanced Placement Program Goals
 Inclusion
 Communication/Awareness of the
Community
 Academic Rigor: Complex, Ambiguous,
Provocative, Emotional
 Preparation of Students
World History Examination
Three Hours and Five minutes long
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Section I: 70 Multiple Choice Question: 55
minutes
Section II: Three Essays in this 130 minute
free response section—compare/contrast,
change over time, document based question
(DBQ). Graded on a 1-9 Rubric. National
average for essays usually around 3.0!
Historical Thinking Skills
The AP World History curriculum emphasizes specific
historical thinking skills.
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Crafting Historical Arguments from
Historical Evidence
Chronological Reasoning
Comparison and Contextualization
Historical Interpretation and Synthesis
Course Themes:
AP World History
highlights FIVE overarching themes
1. Interaction between Humans and
Environment
2. Development and Interaction of Cultures
3. State Building, Expansion, and Conflict
4. Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of
Economic Systems
5. Development and Transformation of Social
Structures
Stone Bridge + AP World History
For the seven years the exam has been
given in Loudoun County, over 70 % of
SBHS students have passed the exam
with a score of 3, 4, or 5. National
average pass rate hovers approximately
around 50-55 % with a low of 48%.
Sample Essays
*Compare and contrast Han China and Imperial Rome
in terms of the political control that they exercised
over their respective populations.
*Analyze the cultural and political changes and
continuities in ONE of the following civilizations
during the last centuries of the classical era.
Chinese, 100 CE to 600 CE
Roman, 100 CE to 600 CE
Indian, 300 CE to 600 CE
Math Progression
Geometry
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Students MUST have a
strong grasp of Algebra I
concepts!
Students MUST realize
“Geometry is like a
language!”… Students
must recall and apply
vocabulary!
Math may not be the
passion for the students
who enroll in this
course.
Functions, Algebra, and Data Analysis
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This course is a
bridge between
Algebra I and
Algebra II.
Students looking
to strengthen
Algebra I skills
should enroll.
Algebra II
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Students MUST
have a strong
grasp of Algebra I
concepts!
Math may not be
the passion for
the students who
enroll in this
course.
Algebra II/Trigonometry
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Students MUST have a passion
for mathematics
and be self-motivated!
Students MUST have a strong
grasp of Algebra I concepts!
Did students earn “A”s on
their midterm and final exams
to demonstrate long term
retention/comprehension?
If a student is enrolled in this
course, he/she should be
enrolled in higher science
courses as well.
This course has a common county-wide
assessment.
Advanced Functions and Modeling
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This course is a bridge
between Algebra II and
Advanced
Algebra/Precalculus.
Students looking to
strengthen Algebra II
skills should enroll.
Students will be exposed
to real world
mathematics by
completing labs.
Advanced Algebra/Precalculus
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Students should have a
passion for mathematics, a
STRONG grasp of Algebra II
concepts, and intentions to
enroll in Calculus at some
point!
Students MUST have a
strong grasp of Algebra II
concepts! Did students earn
“A”s on their midterm and
final exams to demonstrate
long term
retention/comprehension?
Prob Stats/Discrete Math
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These courses span all
disciplines.
Students will enhance creative
problem solving ability through
verbal and written
communication.
Students will learn to think
differently.
Discrete Math Topics include:
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Code breaking
Voting Methods
Fair Division
The Mathematics of Apportionment
Methods of Best Path (Traveling
Salesman Problem)
Graph Theory
Fractal Geometry
Mathematical Analysis
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Students MUST have a
passion for mathematics
and be self-motivated!
Students MUST have a
strong grasp of Algebra II
and Trigonometry
concepts!
If a student is enrolled in
this course, he/she
should be enrolled in
higher science courses as
well.
This course has a common county-wide
assessment.
Advanced Placement Calculus AB
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Students MUST have a passion
for mathematics
and be self-motivated!
Students MUST have a strong
grasp of Algebra and
Precalculus concepts!
Students MUST be able to
justify their solutions by
applying mathematical
language.
If a student is enrolled in this
course, he/she should be
enrolled in higher science
courses as well.
Advanced Placement Calculus BC
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Students MUST have a passion
for mathematics
and be self-motivated!
Students MUST have a strong
grasp of Algebra and Precalculus
concepts!
Students MUST be able to justify
their solutions by applying
mathematical language.
If a student is enrolled in this
course, he/she should be enrolled
in higher science courses as well.
Multivariable Calculus
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Students MUST
have a passion for
mathematics and
be self-motivated!
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Stone Bridge may
offer this course
in 2012-2013.
Advanced Placement Statistics
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This course incorporates a
lot of reading and writing as
well as lab applications.
Students MUST be selfmotivated, enjoy real-world
applications, and be able to
reason word problems.
Colleges report most majors
require a stats class. Taking
the AP can give students
credit or a head start.
Computer Mathematics &
Advanced Placement Computer Science A
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These courses span all
disciplines.
Students will enhance creative
problem solving ability.
Students will learn to think
differently.
These courses are beneficial
for students pursuing Math,
Engineering, and Science
degrees or careers.
Math Progression
AP Literature
AP English
Lit. vs. Lang.
READING:
READING:
Novels – 6 in total
Plays – 1-2 (Shakespeare)
Poetry Selection
Skills in reading to
consider effect of literary
techniques on meaning
WRITING:
In class time essays
Creative writing
AP Language
Non-Fiction Focus
3 longer texts
Various essays, speeches and
letters
Focus on
how language
contributed to
meaning –
Multiple Choice Skills
(reading critically)
Analysis – of form
and content
Essays – formal,
timed, writings
Focusing on
analysis
Focus on Rhetoric – the art of
persuasion - technique
WRITING:
In class time essays
Writing in the various modes
(Exposition, narrative,
persuasive etc.)
Emphasis on Argumentation
Honors English
Students Should:
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be able to comprehend grade-level texts
engage in reading outside of class
command a wide range of writing strategies
possess a spirit of inquiry, be curious
make connections between text and real life
apply analysis skills to new texts
Honors English
Students Should:
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be capable of fresh interpretations of old texts
be able to develop and articulate questions
be able to adapt an assumption when
confronted with new information
demonstrate originality of thinking
show diligence
be independent searchers of information
Honors English
Students Should:
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have the ability to build on what happens in
class outside of class
be thinking at a higher analytical level
have curiosity in the English discipline
engage in the ongoing reading of novels, blogs,
nonfiction
demonstrate a willingness to write
engage in deep revision
AP Science
AP Biology
Co-requisite: Chemistry
Janet.cascio@lcps.org
Swapna.karandikar@lcps.org
AP Chemistry
Robert.mandes@lcps.org
Aaron.dobbs@lcps.org
AP Physics
Co-requisite: Calculus
Timothy.gresh@lcps.org
Stone Bridge High School
2013 AP Exam Schedule
Morning Session
Afternoon Session
7:45 AM
12:45 PM
Monday, May 6
Chemistry
Psychology
Tuesday, May 7
Computer Science A
Spanish Language
Wednesday, May 8
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Thursday, May 9
English Literature
Latin
Friday, May10
English Language
Statistics
Studio Art (portfolios due)
Monday, May 13
Biology
Physics C: Mechanics
Tuesday, May 14
Government & Politics
Government (Comparative)
French Language
Wednesday, May 15
German Language
U.S. History
Thursday, May 16
Macroeconomics
World History
Friday, May 17
Human Geography
Microeconomics