BRUSLY HIGH SCHOOL

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM

“Creating a Culture of Excellence”

August 24, 2016

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• What is Advanced Placement (AP)?

• What does the AP Program look like at Brusly High School?

• What are the benefits of AP?

• What is the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) College

Readiness Program? How will NMSI’s College Readiness Program

benefit BHS students?

• What is expected of you?

Today’s Topics

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• Advanced Placement® is a program developed and overseen by the

College Board, the not-for-profit organization that is responsible for the

PSAT/NMSQT® and SAT®

• AP courses are college-level courses offered in high school; They are

more rigorous, requiring more independent learning and outside work

• Courses reflect what is taught in top introductory college courses

• Students take an AP exam at the end of each course, measuring their

mastery of college-level work

• A score of 3 or higher (score range is 1 to 5) on an AP exam can earn

students college credit and/or placement into advanced college courses

• AP Courses are NOT the same as dual enrollment courses

What is AP?

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We currently offer 9 AP courses at Brusly High School and have

• English:

• English Language and Composition (English III) – 11th grade

• English Literature and Composition (English IV) – 12th grade

• History and Social Sciences:

• U.S. Government and Politics (Civics) – 10th grade

• U.S. History – 11th grade

• European History – 12th grade

• Math and Computer Science:

• Statistics – 11th grade

• Calculus AB – 12th grade

• Science:

• Biology (Biology II) – 11th grade

• Physics 1 (Algebra-based) – 12th grade

AP Program at BHS

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• To reflect the rigorous content of AP courses, BHS uses a 10 point grading

scale.

• At BHS, AP courses are given a higher weight when calculating GPA. On

students’ transcripts, an A in an AP course is worth 5pts, a B is 4pts, a C is

3pts, and a D is 2pts.

• All AP students are required to take the AP exam in lieu of a final exam. A

student’s AP exam score will not factor into his/her grade. The second

semester grade will be determined by averaging the student’s P3 & P4

grades.

• The exam fee is $92 per exam. However, WBR School Board pays the

exam fee for our students, regardless of the number of exams taken.

AP Program at BHS

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• This year at BHS, we have 106 students enrolled in 1 or more AP courses.

Of those 106 students,

59 are taking 1 AP course

17 are taking 2 AP courses

18 are taking 3 AP courses

6 are taking 4 AP courses

6 are taking 5 AP courses

For a total of 201 AP enrollments this year

These numbers have been steadily increasing each year and we are

excited to grow the AP program at BHS even more with our NMSI

partnership (more on this momentarily).

AP Program at BHS

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• AP Scholar Recognition

• AP Scholars demonstrate superior college-level achievement through AP courses and exams. They receive a certificate, and this achievement is acknowledged on any AP score report that is sent to colleges.

• In WBR, AP Scholars are also rewarded upon graduation with an iPad or Macbook, depending on their AP Scholar level.

• In 2014-2015, BHS had 3 AP Scholars. In 2015-2016, BHS had 9 AP Scholars. In 2016-2017, we already have 6 students who will qualify and hope to have many more after this year’s AP exams are complete.

• AP Scholars will also be recognized with their name on a permanent banner posted at BHS.

AP Program at BHS

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Quotes from BHS graduates:

“Taking AP classes at BHS really put me on the fast track to getting the

hang of college. It made me expect more out of myself and my

assignments, which got me in the habit of trying to meet and exceed my

professors' expectations at my university. I would recommend taking any

AP class to a high school student who wants to succeed in college,

because AP classes, teachers, and testing will allow you to do just that.”

– 2014 BHS Graduate

“Taking an AP course was like a sample of an actual college class, so I

was prepared and knew what to expect once I got to college.”

– 2015 BHS Graduate

Benefits of AP

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Taking an AP course helps students build critical thinking skills,

confidence, and the essential time-management and study skills needed

for college success

• Students learn rigorous college-level content and skills

• Taking AP is valued in the college admission process

• AP courses are interesting and rewarding academic experiences

• Opportunity to earn valuable credit and placement in college for free

Benefits of AP

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10%

8%

14%

16%

23%

15%

52%

58%

64%

82%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

Extracurricular Activities

Interview

Teacher Recommendation

Counselor Recommendation

Essay/Writing Sample

Class Rank

Grades in All Subjects

Admission Test Scores

Strength of Curriculum

Course Selection/Grades in College Prep Courses

Considerable Importance

What Counts in College AdmissionPercent of colleges attributing levels of importance to factors in

admission decision: 2013

*Source: National Association of College Admissions Officers, 2013 Academic Trends Survey

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AP & College Grade Point Averages

Source: College Outcomes Comparisons by AP® and Non-AP High School Experiences Hargrove, Godin and Dodd, 2008

2.55

2.612.64

2.83

2.88

2.96

2.60

2.65 2.66

2.852.89

2.95

Neither AP norDual Enrollment

Courses

AP Course(s)and Exam(s):Exam Score

Avg. = 1

Dual EnrollmentCourses

AP Course(s)and Exam(s):Exam Score

Avg. = 2

AP Course(s)and Exam(s):Exam Score

Avg.=3

AP Course(s)and Exam(s):Exam ScoreAvg.=4 or 5

First-Year and Fourth-Year Average College GPAs of Students with Varying AP and Non-AP Experiences

First-Year GPA Fourth-Year GPA

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BHS AP Courses & LSU Credit

Exam Min. Score Req. No. of Credits

Biology 3 6

4 8

Calculus AB 3 3

4 5

English Lang 3 3

4 6

5 9

English Lit 3 3

4 6

5 9

European Hist 3 3

Statistics 3 3

4 6

US Gov & Pol 3 3

US History 3 3

4 6

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It is possible for a BHS student who takes all available

AP courses and scores at least a 3 on all exams to earn

as many as 30.0 college credits at LSU before even

finishing high school.

This would student would then have enough credits to

be considered a sophomore upon entering LSU.

That’s a lot of saved tuition!!!

BHS AP Courses & LSU Credit

NMSI’S COLLEGE READINESS PROGRAM:

A Partnership with BHS

Taylor Bunn, NMSI Program Director

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National Math + Science InitiativeWho We Are, What We Do, and How We Do It

Exam

Title Min. Score

Required Number

of Credits Equivalent

Course

Psychology 3 3 PSYCH 1100

Spanish Language and Culture 3 8 SPANISH 1101, 1102

4 12 SPANISH 1101, 1102, 1103

5 15 SPANISH 1101, 1102, 1103, 2202

Statistics 3 3 STAT 1450

4 3 STAT 2450

Studio Art: 2-D Design Portfolio 3 3 ART GEN (general credit)

United States Government and Politics 3 3 POLITSC 1100

United States History 3 6 HISTORY 1151, 1152

• NMSI is a nonprofit organization, launched in 2007 by top leaders in business,

education and science to transform education in the United States.

• Our Mission: To inspire, engage and empower all students to succeed in

today's knowledge economy by advancing STEM teaching and learning.

Our Vision: Every student graduates from high school prepared to succeed in

college and career.

• Our Approach: Identify effective, efficient programs; create replication protocols

to ensure fidelity; then take them to scale

• College Readiness Program

• Laying the Foundation Teacher Training Program

• UTeach Expansion Program

College Readiness Program:Elements of Success

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NMSI’s College Readiness

Program:

• Dramatically increases the

number of students taking and

earning qualifying scores on

AP math, science, and English

exams

• Expands access to traditionally

underrepresented students

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Student Support and Benefits

Equipment and Supplies:

Each school receives $35,000 for equipment and supplies over a three-year period.

Extra Tutoring Sessions:

Students may receive after-school tutoring conducted by their teachers, at a minimum of 40 hours per teacher per year.

Student Study Sessions:

The College Readiness Program includes at least three AP extracurricular study sessions per subject, which are held on Saturdays and are led by state and national AP experts while the students’ classroom teachers observe.

Exam Incentive for Students:

Students who score a 3 or higher on any English, Math, or Science AP exam will be rewarded with $100 per score of 3 or higher.

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Saturday Study Sessions (SSS)

• Four 55-minute topic sessions

• AP teacher(s) expected to attend all sessions with their students

• NMSI-provided presenters

• Snack for the students

• Raffle prize(s)

• Printing and shipping of NMSI study session materials

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Sample Study Session

SSS #1 Science

Presenter AP CourseSession I

8:30-9:45

Session II

9:55-11:10

Session III

11:50-1:05

Session IV

1:15-2:30

Margarita P. Biology

Bacterial &

Viral Genetics

Cell Respiration Cell Membranes

& Transport

Protein

Synthesis

Susan H. Chemistry

Equilibrium

General KSP

Thermodynamics-

Enthalpy, Entropy,

etc.

Kinetic-Rate

Mechanisms

Kinetic-

Integrated Rate

Norm L. Physics 1

Newton's

Forces & Laws

Circular Motion,

Gravity, Orbits

Work & Energy Momentum &

Energy

Philip B.Environmental

Science

Overview of

Multiple Choice

Nonrenewable

Energy

Renewable

Energy

Geological

Resources &

Soils

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• Students

Be an ACTIVE learner in and out of class

• Ask questions

• Study/review daily

• Communicate with teacher

• Take advantage of extra tutoring sessions

Prepare for the AP Exam

• Attend all Saturday Study Sessions

• Utilize exam prep materials and activities

*Remember, all AP students are required to take the AP exam

BHS AP Expectations

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• Parents

Monitor student grades frequently

Communicate with teacher and administrator/counselor as necessary

Facilitate your child’s attendance at all Saturday Study Sessions

(see handout with Study Session dates)

Support your child’s preparation for the AP exam

• Teachers

Support success in AP courses with daily high quality instruction

Offer ample tutoring opportunities

Provide exam prep resources

Attend the Saturday Study Sessions with students

Participate in AP teacher training throughout the school year

BHS AP Expectations

QUESTIONS?

Julie Mayeux, Assistant Principal

jmayeux@wbrschools.net, 225-749-2815

Designated AP Administrator