Advanced Placement Choice+ Program Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AP Choice+ Program?The AP Choice Program is a structured pre-AP program for the academically talented and highly motivated students. Our mission is to guide, to inspire and to recognize students who pursue a specific program of academic excellence. The AP Choice Program offers students academic challenges and introduces them to college-level work. Students entering the APC+ Program in ninth grade take several Pre-AP courses to introduce them to the demands of college-level work and to prepare them for Advanced Placement classes. Throughout their high school years, APC+ students have the opportunity to earn college credits and/or advanced course placement in college. Students will also receive an APC+ seal on their diploma and honor cords at graduation. Requirements for this program include a minimum of 6 total AP courses. Students must take at least 1 AP course each year and maintain a 3.0 unweighted GPA. Students must complete all APC+ cohort courses during their ninth and tenth grade years at TCHS.
How has the program changed to include more options for students? The APC program is now the APC+ program to give our students more options to advance their education and excel. The “plus” now includes APC+ courses, AP courses, AP Capstone courses and Dual-Enrollment courses. We are excited to give students more opportunities each year to further their educational opportunities.
At the end of the 10th grade year, students will have the option to continue to the AP Capstone track with the opportunity to receive a nationally recognized AP Capstone Diploma upon completion of the College Board requirements. The other option would be to continue on the AP Choice track and take AP courses and Dual-Enrollment courses. This track would not allow students to receive a diploma upon completion, but the students will still be recognized as completing one of the most rigorous programs that the school can offer. On both tracks students will receive a seal on their diploma as well as a cord for graduation.
What is Advanced Placement and what are AP classes? The Advanced Placement (AP) Program was created by The College Board in 1955. It offers 38 college-level courses and exams in 19 different subject areas. These AP classes are taught by specially trained teachers whose curriculum and teaching are supported by the College Board. Students take AP classes in high school and sit for an exam at the end of the year. Students may earn college credits depending on their exam score and the policies of the college they plan to attend. The AP Program is internationally recognized.
What are the benefits of AP classes? AP classes provide opportunities to earn college credit while in high school. More importantly, they develop the academic skills necessary for success in college. The likelihood of a student finishing a 4 year degree program almost doubles after taking only one AP class in high school. In addition, students are offered a more challenging curriculum which increases students' self-confidence, motivation and academic orientation. Colleges and Universities want to see that students have taken college-level coursework in high school.
What is the difference between AP and AP Choice? All TCHS students are encouraged to challenge themselves by taking AP courses; however, different individuals may be ready for AP courses at different times. The APC+ Program is developed for students who are ready both academically and developmentally when they are freshmen. Non-APC+ students do take AP classes; however, they are not required to take the same pre-AP courses and number of AP courses that APC+ students commit to take.
What is the AP Capstone Program? AP Capstone is a College Board program that equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges. It cultivates curious, independent, and collaborative scholars and prepares them to make logical, evidence-based decisions. AP Capstone is comprised of two AP courses — AP Seminar and AP Research — and is designed to complement and enhance the discipline-specific study in other AP courses.
As of the 2017 school year, TCHS is an approved Capstone school. What does this mean? Students can now earn a nationally recognized AP Capstone Diploma on successful completion of the program and requirements. Students enrolled in the APC+ program do not need to apply additionally to the AP Capstone program, but will have the option to continue to the Capstone program after sophomore year.
Students in the program are able to earn an AP Capstone diploma by meeting the following criteria:
https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-seminar
What AP Courses does TCHS offer? TCHS currently offers 38 AP Courses for students.
The below list is subject to change depending on course availability for the year…
AP Math: Statistics, Calculus AB and BC (prerequisites required)
AP Science: Biology, Environmental, Chemistry
Physics (4 courses): Physics 1, Physics 2, Physics C: Mechanics and Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
AP English: English Language & Composition (11th) and English Literature & Composition (12th)
AP History: Psychology, Art History, US Government, Comparative Government, US History, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, World History, Human Geography, and European History
AP Language: Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, French, German and Chinese
AP Arts: Computer Science Principles, Computer Science A, Music Theory, Studio Art: 2D, Studio Art: 3D, Studio Art: Drawing
Capstone: AP Seminar (11th) and AP Research (12th)
AP Course Descriptions: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse
What are the characteristics of an APC+ student?
How are APC+, AP and Honors courses weighted?
If Honors and APC+ courses are weighted the same, what is the benefit to my GPA to be in the APC+ Program, especially in terms of college admissions? There are three major benefits to being in the APC+ Program:
What do I need to know about the end-of-year AP exam? AP exams are administered in May. AP exams are administered only for AP courses, not APC+ courses. Exam dates are listed on the College Board website; dates and locations will also be listed on the Timber Creek website. You are required to take the exam for each AP course you register for and should not make any other plans or appointments on the dates of your exams.
Where can I find more resources about AP?
Visit https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/exploreap for more information about AP classes and exams.
Can I take Dual-Enrollment courses and be in the APC+ Program? Yes! Students can begin taking Dual-Enrollment classes in their Junior year. Dual-Enrollment classes do not count toward the 6 AP course requirement, but can be taken in conjunction with AP courses. Students must have a 3.0 unweighted GPA and college-ready test scores (PERT, SAT, ACT…) to be eligible to participate. Dual-Enrollment is where students take college classes through Valencia, UF or UCF to earn both high school and college credit. Students can start taking Dual-Enrollment when they meet the eligibility requirements and are ready to start a college transcript. Please visit the TCHS website for Dual-Enrollment meeting dates or contact Mrs. Simon-Savage for more details.
What is APC+ Day? APC+ Day is open to any student that is accepted into the APC+ program. We invite our students that have been accepted into the APC+ program for a day of exciting opportunities on the TCHS campus. Students will be able to register one-on-one with a TCHS guidance counselor, to focus on goals and questions they have able their high school experience. Students will also be paired with a current APC+ student to shadow and experience what the program will be like in actual classes. APC+ Day is a wonderful experience for our rising 8th grade students, to get acclimated with the school. More information will be included in the acceptance packet for the program.
How has the program changed to include more options for students? The APC program is now the APC+ program to give our students more options to advance their education and excel. The “plus” now includes APC+ courses, AP courses, AP Capstone courses and Dual-Enrollment courses. We are excited to give students more opportunities each year to further their educational opportunities.
At the end of the 10th grade year, students will have the option to continue to the AP Capstone track with the opportunity to receive a nationally recognized AP Capstone Diploma upon completion of the College Board requirements. The other option would be to continue on the AP Choice track and take AP courses and Dual-Enrollment courses. This track would not allow students to receive a diploma upon completion, but the students will still be recognized as completing one of the most rigorous programs that the school can offer. On both tracks students will receive a seal on their diploma as well as a cord for graduation.
What is Advanced Placement and what are AP classes? The Advanced Placement (AP) Program was created by The College Board in 1955. It offers 38 college-level courses and exams in 19 different subject areas. These AP classes are taught by specially trained teachers whose curriculum and teaching are supported by the College Board. Students take AP classes in high school and sit for an exam at the end of the year. Students may earn college credits depending on their exam score and the policies of the college they plan to attend. The AP Program is internationally recognized.
What are the benefits of AP classes? AP classes provide opportunities to earn college credit while in high school. More importantly, they develop the academic skills necessary for success in college. The likelihood of a student finishing a 4 year degree program almost doubles after taking only one AP class in high school. In addition, students are offered a more challenging curriculum which increases students' self-confidence, motivation and academic orientation. Colleges and Universities want to see that students have taken college-level coursework in high school.
What is the difference between AP and AP Choice? All TCHS students are encouraged to challenge themselves by taking AP courses; however, different individuals may be ready for AP courses at different times. The APC+ Program is developed for students who are ready both academically and developmentally when they are freshmen. Non-APC+ students do take AP classes; however, they are not required to take the same pre-AP courses and number of AP courses that APC+ students commit to take.
What is the AP Capstone Program? AP Capstone is a College Board program that equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges. It cultivates curious, independent, and collaborative scholars and prepares them to make logical, evidence-based decisions. AP Capstone is comprised of two AP courses — AP Seminar and AP Research — and is designed to complement and enhance the discipline-specific study in other AP courses.
As of the 2017 school year, TCHS is an approved Capstone school. What does this mean? Students can now earn a nationally recognized AP Capstone Diploma on successful completion of the program and requirements. Students enrolled in the APC+ program do not need to apply additionally to the AP Capstone program, but will have the option to continue to the Capstone program after sophomore year.
Students in the program are able to earn an AP Capstone diploma by meeting the following criteria:
- Pass the AP exams for both AP Seminar (11th grade) and AP Research (12th grade)
- Pass 4 other AP exams
https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-seminar
What AP Courses does TCHS offer? TCHS currently offers 38 AP Courses for students.
The below list is subject to change depending on course availability for the year…
AP Math: Statistics, Calculus AB and BC (prerequisites required)
AP Science: Biology, Environmental, Chemistry
Physics (4 courses): Physics 1, Physics 2, Physics C: Mechanics and Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
AP English: English Language & Composition (11th) and English Literature & Composition (12th)
AP History: Psychology, Art History, US Government, Comparative Government, US History, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, World History, Human Geography, and European History
AP Language: Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, French, German and Chinese
AP Arts: Computer Science Principles, Computer Science A, Music Theory, Studio Art: 2D, Studio Art: 3D, Studio Art: Drawing
Capstone: AP Seminar (11th) and AP Research (12th)
AP Course Descriptions: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse
What are the characteristics of an APC+ student?
- Are you an avid reader?
- In your classes, do you complete assignments thoroughly and on time?
- Can you work without constant monitoring by a teacher or a parent?
- Can you be assigned large blocks of work and be relied upon to complete them?
- Are you curious about academic pursuits in general?
- Are you willing to commit to taking the most rigorous curriculum TCHS offers?
How are APC+, AP and Honors courses weighted?
- Regular classes are weighted on a 4 pt scale
- Honors/APC+ are weighted on a 5 pt scale
- AP weighted on 6 pt scale
If Honors and APC+ courses are weighted the same, what is the benefit to my GPA to be in the APC+ Program, especially in terms of college admissions? There are three major benefits to being in the APC+ Program:
- Along with considering a student’s GPA for college admissions, colleges also ask : Did the student take the most rigorous program available at their school? The APC+ Program is the most rigorous program available at TCHS.
- Students who take APC+ courses tend to make higher grades in the AP classes, so the impact on their GPA is much stronger.
- APC+ students tend to score higher on AP exams, FSA, SAT and ACT, which are important components of the college admissions decision.
What do I need to know about the end-of-year AP exam? AP exams are administered in May. AP exams are administered only for AP courses, not APC+ courses. Exam dates are listed on the College Board website; dates and locations will also be listed on the Timber Creek website. You are required to take the exam for each AP course you register for and should not make any other plans or appointments on the dates of your exams.
Where can I find more resources about AP?
Visit https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/exploreap for more information about AP classes and exams.
Can I take Dual-Enrollment courses and be in the APC+ Program? Yes! Students can begin taking Dual-Enrollment classes in their Junior year. Dual-Enrollment classes do not count toward the 6 AP course requirement, but can be taken in conjunction with AP courses. Students must have a 3.0 unweighted GPA and college-ready test scores (PERT, SAT, ACT…) to be eligible to participate. Dual-Enrollment is where students take college classes through Valencia, UF or UCF to earn both high school and college credit. Students can start taking Dual-Enrollment when they meet the eligibility requirements and are ready to start a college transcript. Please visit the TCHS website for Dual-Enrollment meeting dates or contact Mrs. Simon-Savage for more details.
What is APC+ Day? APC+ Day is open to any student that is accepted into the APC+ program. We invite our students that have been accepted into the APC+ program for a day of exciting opportunities on the TCHS campus. Students will be able to register one-on-one with a TCHS guidance counselor, to focus on goals and questions they have able their high school experience. Students will also be paired with a current APC+ student to shadow and experience what the program will be like in actual classes. APC+ Day is a wonderful experience for our rising 8th grade students, to get acclimated with the school. More information will be included in the acceptance packet for the program.