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.

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.