Advanced Placement (AP) for Sierra Vista High School Students
AP CONTRACT
Sierra Vista High School students, who want to enroll in AP courses the following school year, MUST REVIEW the AP Contract with their parents by March 3rd. You do not need to turn in the AP contract, however you will need to complete the AP Google Form to indicate you have reviewed the contract and to select the AP courses you would like to take next school year.
AP classes are college-level courses taught on the high school campuses, which prepare SVHS students to take the AP exams each spring.
- The AP exam for each AP course is mandatory in the spring, exam fee is $98.00 per exam. SVHS students may qualify for reduced fee ($10 - $15) based on family income.
- SVHS students who pass AP exams receive college credit or enter more advanced level classes at many colleges and universities (including the UC and CSU systems).
- AP courses carry an extra grade point as long as the student earns a “C” or better so that an “A” = 5 points, “B” = 4 points and “C” = 3 points.
- SVHS students wishing to be admitted to competitive universities or majors should consider taking AP courses in their sophomore, junior and/or senior years.
HOWEVER not all students are recommended for AP courses. SVHS students must:
- Meet the GPA recommendations
- GPA 3.0 – Student is eligible to enroll in 1-2 AP courses
- GPA 3.5 – Student is eligible to enroll in 1-3 AP courses
- GPA 4.0 – Student is eligible to enroll in more than 3 AP courses
- GPA below 3.0 – AP teacher recommendation for enrollment in no more than 1 AP course
- Received A or B in an Honors/AP course in the same general subject area this year
- Received B or better in a Non-AP/Honors course in the same general subject area this year
Prior to SVHS students enrolling in AP course(s), our Counseling department aims to be VERY transparent about the RIGOR and STRESSORS of AP courses. SVHS students cannot claim at a later date “they didn’t know”.
When SVHS students enroll in AP courses they must know the following:
- By choosing to enroll in any AP course you agree to follow the AP Drop Policy.
- All AP Courses are Challenging, Demanding, Stressful and Time Consuming.
- Some AP courses may require summer assignments. If assignments are not completed, student will enter on first day of class with a low grade and will not be allowed to drop the course.
- Enrolling in any amount of AP courses can negatively affect student’s SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL Health and students must understand this will NOT be a valid reason to drop at a later date.
- Understand they are making a commitment to remain in the course for the entire school year. The last day to drop AP courses is during SUMMER REGISTRATION. Students CANNOT DROP the course(s) from their schedule on or after the first day of school.
- Have examined their schedule for the following school year along with extra-curricular activities they are involved with. Student AGREES the workload of both is acceptable. Adding extra-curricular activities/responsibilities during the school year will not be a valid reason to drop.
Understand each AP course MAY require a minimum of 2 hours or more per night for studying and/or Homework. Students must calculate all study hours and have appropriately balanced with total hours of sleep.
Example: 3 AP courses potentially equals 6 hours of homework each night. Even if you get home right after school that means you are doing homework for 3 classes until about 10:00 pm. If you are enrolled in 6 classes, this time doesn’t include the studying/homework for the other classes! If you realize later that you don’t have enough time, this will NOT be a valid reason for dropping the course.
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- You can meet with your counselor to determine whether they think you would be a good candidate for the AP class you are interested in taking
- Talk to current AP students taking the course you are interested in and ask for their feedback
- Talk to the AP teacher whose course you are interested in, to get an insight on workload and expectations.
- DON’T assume the course will be easy, AP courses are NOT EASY.
AP DROP POLICY:
Please read carefully. Once school commences, students must remain in courses.
The AP contract was created to support appropriate placement for students, commitment towards rigorous coursework, and accountability towards successful completion. Each student made the decision and requested to be enrolled in this AP course. Students are expected to remain in the course for the entire school year. Students have the ability to drop an AP course, without a reason, by the summer registration deadline. Once school commences students will only be allowed to drop an AP course for the following reasons:
*Course conflicts with another AP course
*Course conflict with another course needed for graduation
*Medical reasons verified by medical personnel
Students are not allowed to drop for the following reasons. Some examples include but not limited to the following:
*Did not complete the mandatory summer assignment
*Student realizes the course is more difficult than they had anticipated
*Student realizes the course is not what they expected
*Student does not like the course
*Student does not need the course for graduation
*Student feels overwhelmed, stressed and/or cries every night
Dropping an AP course at the conclusion of first semester: Students failing an AP course may request to drop an AP course at the end of 1st semester. In order to ensure the student has given full effort in their progress and achievement in an AP class, the following expectations MUST be met prior to a class drop/transfer:
*Student turns in all assignments (Even if only receiving partial credit)
*Student completes all homework (Even if only receiving partial credit)
*Student seeks feedback from teacher on tests/quizzes graded with a D and/or F
*Student actively seeks help from the classroom teacher (before school, lunch, and/or after school).
*Student attends class regularly (Is not frequently absent or tardy)
*A student, parent, teacher (face-to-face) conference has taken place and an action plan for grade improvement was developed and followed.
**There is a $40.00 AP Exam Drop/Cancellation Fee student will incur once the AP Exam has been ordered.**
AP COURSES & Dual Enrollment
Advanced Placement (AP) classes are college-level courses taught on the high school campuses which prepare students to take the AP exams each spring. Students who pass AP exams receive college credit or enter more advanced level classes at many colleges and universities (including the UC and CSU systems). AP courses carry an extra grade point as long as the student earns a “C” or better so that an “A” = 5 points, “B” = 4 points and “C” = 3 points. Students wishing to be admitted to competitive universities or majors should consider taking AP courses in their sophomore, junior and/or senior years. AP contract forms are required for enrollment in AP courses. Students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the AP exam. Students may not drop AP classes they have registered for once school begins.
AP classes offered at SVHS are listed below.
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AP Teachers have created informational videos to provide an overview of the course.
AP TEST INFO
Click HERE for the AP testing schedule & a short list of test day reminders for students!
All students must complete AP pre-administration paperwork prior to their test date. Pre-administration takes place in April. AP teachers will be informed of dates and times.
Full price:
$98.00 per exam
Reduced price:
$10.00 per exam