Advanced Placement courses provide academic challenge for DPS students in grades 9-12. Students who enroll in these classes accept rigorous academic challenge, receive extra weight in their GPA, have the opportunity to earn college credit, engage in more in-depth exploration of topics, and develop valuable skills and habits that help lead to success in college and the workplace.

 

Taking AP courses can help students stand out in the college admission process, gives students a chance to experience a college-level course while in high school. Meeting the specific passing score requirements on an AP exam often allows students to skip introductory courses in college and save money on college tuition.

 

CollegeBoard approves all Advanced Placement courses and designs the exam that accompanies each course.  Students who enroll in AP classes are expected to take AP course exams when they are given in May. North Carolina pays the exam fee for students enrolled in AP courses.

• 31 Advanced Placement courses are offered in DPS classrooms and online via NC Virtual Public Schools, NCSSM, and Ignite.
• DPS AP teachers are offered opportunities to attend AP Summer Institute (APSI) for CollegeBoard training to teach AP courses in our high schools.
• DPS offers district review sessions conducted by experienced AP teachers. These sessions are held on two Saturdays in April and are free to DPS students enrolled in AP courses.
• DPS sponsors AP Scholars Camp. This AP “boot-camp” is designed for DPS students who are taking an AP course for the first time. Students get previews of various AP courses and learn skills that promote success in Advanced Placement courses.

Congratulations to our students who took the AP challenge in 2021!

• 1,809 DPS students took 3,128 AP exams.
• DPS had 392 students College Board recognized as AP Scholars.
• 181 AP Scholars -  Students earned a score of 3 or better on 3 or more AP exams
• 73 AP Scholars with Honor - Students earned a score of 3 or higher on 4 or more exams.
• 137 AP Scholars with Distinction- Students with a score of 3 or higher on 5 or more exams.
• 1 International Diploma- The AP International Diploma (APID) is a globally recognized certificate awarded to students who display exceptional achievement across a variety of disciplines. More information can be found here.
• 16 AP Capstone Diploma- Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing receive the AP Capstone Diploma™.
• 4 AP Capstone- Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research but not on four additional AP Exams receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™

DPS offers its students a strong Advanced Placement Program. The  Advanced Academics department supports your decision to accept the AP Challenge!

 

DPS high schools offer a wide variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Choosing which AP courses to take involves a few easy steps:

• Find out which AP courses are available at your school.
• Talk with your teachers and school counselor. Counselors can show you how your PLAN and ACT scores can be helpful in choosing appropriate AP courses.
• Visit the DPS Advanced Academics Website to learn more about AP.