Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement (AP) is a program run by College Board (the makers of the SAT) that allows you to take courses right in your high school that can earn you college credit and/or qualify you for more advanced classes when you begin college. AP courses are designed to give you the experience of an intro-level college class while you’re still in high school. Plus, you can get college credit for the class if you can pass the AP exam.

It is a test of all you learn in an AP class. You can earn college credit if you pass the AP exam given at the end of the year in May. (APs are scored between 1 and 5, with anything above 3 considered passing.) While it's possible to skip an AP class and study for an AP exam independently, it's strongly recommended you take the class. AP classes are specifically designed to help students prepare for the AP exams.

• Stand Out in College Admissions: Deciding to take an AP course lets colleges and universities know that you have what it takes to succeed in an undergraduate environment. When admissions officers see “AP” on your transcript, they know that what you experienced in a particular class has prepared you well for the challenges of college. Taking AP is a sign that you’re up for the most rigorous classes your high school has to offer.
• Earn College Credits: By taking an AP course and scoring successfully on the related AP Exam, you can save on college expenses: most colleges and universities nationwide offer college credit, advanced placement, or both, for qualifying AP Exam scores. These credits can allow students to save college tuition, study abroad, or secure a second major.
• Skip Introductory Classes: If you already know your preferred college major, taking a related AP course and earning a qualifying score on the AP Exam can help you advance and avoid required introductory courses – so you can move directly into upper-level classes and focus on the work that interests you most. Even taking an AP Exam unrelated to your major – whether or not you know what you want to major in – can place you beyond your college’s general education requirements.
• Build College Skills: Taking an AP course builds the skills you'll need throughout your college years. You give your mind a rigorous workout while polishing up your time management and study skills. You also get better at handling challenging issues and problems, with the support of your AP teachers.

• NPHS​ ​Criteria​ ​for​ ​Advanced​ ​Placement
• NPMS Criteria​ ​for​ ​Advanced​ ​Placement