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AP Program

About The Advanced Placement® Program

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program is recognized and respected worldwide for the academic rigor of its curricula and high standards of its assessments; it is a system widely embraced by both American and European universities to assess and acknowledge students’ academic proficiency.

The AP Program helps students connect with university opportunities globally. It consists of university-level courses taken in high school, with its end-of-course assessment being externally developed and scored by university faculty and experienced AP teachers.

The main advantage of the AP Program is that it helps students stand out on university applications. All AP Exam scores show colleges that the students are serious about their education, willing to take on a challenge, and have completed college-level work already in high school. By taking these courses, students can also gain a deeper understanding of subjects they are passionate about and challenge themselves academically.

The content of an AP course is more sophisticated than that in a typical high school course because students are preparing for AP exams and college courses. Students should practice analyzing content, drawing comparisons, and reasoning through problems. They must be able to read perceptively and independently. Additionally, students need to be proficient in writing clear, concise essays. Students who are not skilled in these areas must be even more highly motivated to make up for deficiencies, at the same time that they are taking more rigorous courses. The keys to success are motivation, self-discipline, and academic preparation.  

AP classes are more challenging and stimulating than regular ones; they take more time and require more work. Students must expect an increased reading load and longer or more frequent writing assignments in most of these classes. AP courses require energetic, involved, and motivated students.

AP Capstone Diploma

The AP Capstone Diploma, offered by the College Board, is a program that aims to provide students with a unique and challenging educational experience, fostering skills that are highly valuable in college and future careers. It emphasizes inquiry, research, collaboration, and communication, preparing students for the rigors of higher education and beyond. It consists of two mandatory courses: AP Seminar and AP Research.

To earn the AP Capstone Diploma, students must successfully complete both AP Seminar and AP Research, as well as four additional AP courses of their choosing.

Students who earn scores of 3 or higher on the AP Seminar and AP Research exams, as well as on four additional AP exams, receive the AP Capstone Diploma.

Students who earn scores of 3 or higher on the AP Seminar and AP Research exams but do not complete the additional AP courses receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

Why Choose AP?

What AP Stands For

Advanced Placement (AP) principles aim to uphold teachers’ expertise, ensure comprehension of required course content, and provide students with academic challenges while allowing independent thinking. 

Key points include: