Updated 11/2023
WHAT IS ADVANCED PLACEMENT?
Advanced Placement courses provide the opportunity for students to take college-level courses and exams while enrolled in high school. The program offers 37 courses at 19,000 high schools. Faculty members on college campuses report that students who challenge themselves with Advanced Placement Courses are better prepared for rigorous academic work. Selective universities like to see between three and six Advanced Placement Courses on a high school transcript (9-12). Of course, this is a general statement and students must consult with the admissions office of the college they are interested in to inquire about specifics.
COLLEGE CREDIT FOR AP CLASSES
The College Board suggests that applicants for college who have taken Advanced Placement courses in high school are much better prepared for the rigor of college courses. Every year, hundreds of students enter college with credit from Advanced Placement Exams, which are given in the spring. Please be aware that students may take Advanced Placement courses and decide not to take the Advanced Placement Exam in the spring. Additionally, students may choose to take an Advanced Placement Exam without taking the Advanced Placement course.
If students score a 3 (Qualified), 4 (Well qualified), or 5 (Extremely well qualified) on an exam, this credit may allow students to accelerate into upper-level courses or complete an undergraduate degree in fewer than four years – a considerable financial savings. By entering college with AP Credits, one may have the time to move into upper level courses, pursue a double-major, or study abroad. Colleges have various standards about what score is acceptable. College Admissions Directors prefer to see rigorous course selections such as Advanced Placement on transcripts even if students do not receive an “A” in those courses.
If students score a 3 (Qualified), 4 (Well qualified), or 5 (Extremely well qualified) on an exam, this credit may allow students to accelerate into upper-level courses or complete an undergraduate degree in fewer than four years – a considerable financial savings. By entering college with AP Credits, one may have the time to move into upper level courses, pursue a double-major, or study abroad. Colleges have various standards about what score is acceptable. College Admissions Directors prefer to see rigorous course selections such as Advanced Placement on transcripts even if students do not receive an “A” in those courses.
AP ENDORSED DIPLOMA
Fossil Ridge High School offers an Advanced Placement Endorsed Diploma to recognize and celebrate the academic achievements of Advanced Placement Scholars.
To be eligible, students must complete at least five (5) 10 credit Advanced Placement courses. Two 5 credit AP courses may be combined to make a 10 credit course. The courses must be completed within three (3) distinct academic disciplinary areas with a grade of B or higher. Academic disciplines include: The Arts, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and World Languages. Students do not have to meet an overall grade point average to be eligible for this diploma endorsement.
To be eligible, students must complete at least five (5) 10 credit Advanced Placement courses. Two 5 credit AP courses may be combined to make a 10 credit course. The courses must be completed within three (3) distinct academic disciplinary areas with a grade of B or higher. Academic disciplines include: The Arts, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and World Languages. Students do not have to meet an overall grade point average to be eligible for this diploma endorsement.
ADJUSTED GPA FOR AP COURSES
Students can earn GPA bonus points of .002 for each credit earned in Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in which students receive an A, B, or C grade. Fossil Ridge offers only AP courses.
THE ADJUSTED GPA SYSTEM:
• Allows students to earn grade point averages (GPAs) higher than 4.0
• More accurately reflects student effort and achievement in both GPA and class rank
• Encourages and draws attention to rigorous performance
• Rewards students for taking high-level courses
• Does not penalize broad course selection (i.e. electives)
• Creates more competitive student transcripts for college admission and scholarships
• Reduces the likelihood for multiple valedictorians (student with highest GPA in each high school, and one highest from the IB program, will be designated valedictorians).
One example of how the adjusted GPA bonus point system will be calculated is below:
THE ADJUSTED GPA SYSTEM:
• Allows students to earn grade point averages (GPAs) higher than 4.0
• More accurately reflects student effort and achievement in both GPA and class rank
• Encourages and draws attention to rigorous performance
• Rewards students for taking high-level courses
• Does not penalize broad course selection (i.e. electives)
• Creates more competitive student transcripts for college admission and scholarships
• Reduces the likelihood for multiple valedictorians (student with highest GPA in each high school, and one highest from the IB program, will be designated valedictorians).
One example of how the adjusted GPA bonus point system will be calculated is below:
