The AP program is a challenging academic program designed to provide motivated high school students with college-level academic courses. The AP program is a cooperative educational endeavor between secondary schools and colleges and universities and is considered a standard for academic excellence in the U.S. AP provides a challenging educational program that prepares students for selective universities and colleges. AP is a rigorous program dedicated to educational excellence with a long-standing history in the United States.

Mission

College Board reaches more than 7 million students a year, helping them navigate the path from high school to college and career. Our not-for-profit membership organization was founded more than 120 years ago. We pioneered programs like the SAT® and AP® to expand opportunities for students and help them develop the skills they need.” “AP gives students the chance to tackle college-level work while they're still in high school. And through taking AP Exams, students can earn college credit and placement.

Courses

Individual teachers develop their own curriculum based on established course requirements and AP standards that must be approved by the College Board as part of the AP Course Audit process. University professors review the course syllabi for rigor and content to match college standards. AP courses are instructed over one year, and are the equivalent of a one semester college course (3 hours) and others are the equivalent of a two semester college level course (6 hours). FCPS offers a total of 39 different AP courses in all of their AP schools.

Diplomas and Recognition

Students may enroll in as many individual AP courses as they wish based on academic strengths and interests. The College Board recognizes students with exceptional performance in the Advanced Placement program as follows:

• AP Scholar - 3 or higher on 3 exams
• AP Scholar with Honor – Average 3.25 with a 3 on at least 4 exams
• AP Scholar with Distinction – Average 3.5 with a 3 on at least 5 exams
• State AP Scholar -3 or higher on the greatest number of AP Exams and then the highest average score (at least 3.5) on all AP Exams taken
• National AP Scholar – Average of 4 on all exams with a 4 on at least 8

Examinations

Students sit for an examination at the end of the AP course. AP Exam scores are a weighted combination of student scores on the multiple-choice and free-response section. The final score is on a five-point scale (1-5):

All examinations are graded by a group of AP readers. Many FCPS teachers are AP readers.

Types of Assessments

Examinations include multiple choice questions and essays. Language exams include listening and speaking components. Art requires a portfolio and music includes sight-reading.

AP Capstone Diploma/AP Seminar and Research Certificate

AP Seminar and AP Research may be offered at FCPS schools. In both courses, students must complete and present a research project and write an academic paper. The two courses combined make up the AP Capstone program.

AP scores for both courses are based on teacher assessment of student presentation components and College Board scoring of student-writing components. For Seminar, there is an end of course exam scored by College Board and for Research, students submit an academic research paper to be scored by College Board. AP research students do not take an end of course AP exam.

Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP research, and on four additional AP exams of their choosing receive the AP Capstone Diploma. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP research (but not on four additional AP exams) receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

More information about the AP Capstone program is available on the College Board website.

High School Curricular Transfer Request

High school curricular transfer requests may be submitted for Advanced Placement program, International Baccalaureate program, foreign language or academy course sequence.  The course of study must not be offered at the base high school.  Parents or guardians may request a transfer to the school with space available that is closest to their residence.  Parents or guardians and students must sign a Letter of Understanding for the requested program.  Requests are not permitted for individual courses or extracurricular activities.
A student who requests a transfer for the AP or IB program must commit to the advanced academic program:

1. Each student must take a minimum of four AP or IB classes over the four years, with at least three by the end of the junior year.
2. Each student is expected to pursue a schedule of prerequisite courses for each program in the ninth and tenth grade years.