Column: AP provides college-level experience

“With three weeks until graduation, while other kids are celebrating, 60 brave WHS students are taking Advanced Placements tests in an effort to earn college credit. Though the tests may be extremely difficult, they represent a stepping stone for future success. My fellow students and I have enjoyed numerous opportunities to excel in AP classes and exams at Worthington High School. Ultimately, these exams will earn us college credit and accelerate our future studies after high school.”

– Jeremy Clark,

WHS Class of 2011

WORTHINGTON — Worthington High School is committed to academic excellence for all learners. By offering Advanced Placement (AP) courses, students are provided a college-level experience while still attending high school. These courses help students develop critical thinking skills, discuss intelligently, and exercise analytic writing across the disciplines.

WHS currently offers eight AP courses: biology, calculus, chemistry, English language and composition, English literature and composition, music theory, psychology and U.S. history), with one, human geography, to be added in the 2011-2012 school year.

What is the benefit of taking an AP course at WHS? Beyond providing academic challenges that enable students to succeed in college and beyond, AP students are more likely to receive scholarships at their chosen college and graduate from college in 4 years. In addition, taking an AP course in high school is viewed as prestigious by higher learning as it provides distinction during the competitive application process.

The culmination of the AP coursework at WHS is happening right now; AP exams are being administered nationwide the weeks of May 2-13. More than 60 WHS students have prepared for and are taking their exams currently. Although the exam is not mandatory, some AP students decide to take the course to experience the college-level instruction and testing.

Students who did test will receive their scores in July. The AP scores demonstrate to colleges that students have done college-level work in high school; colleges will then award entry-level credits for higher test scores.

Worthington High School is fortunate to have a long-standing tradition of support from teachers, administration and staff for its AP Program. WHS is a leader in southwest Minnesota for its commitment to academic excellence and pursuing the best options for our intellectually curious students.

Sam Goldsmith Becker is an Advanced Placement teacher at Worthington High School.

Online:

Costs savings of AP courses: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/ap-exam-promo-flyer-2009.pdf

2010 Minnesota report: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/Minnesota-AP-Report-2010.pdf

Increased participation in the Minnesota AP program: http://education.state.mn.us/mdeprod/groups/Communications/documents/Announcement/018450.pdf

Tags: advanced placement, sam goldsmith becker, district 518, opinion, school, education