Advanced Placement (AP)

Our curriculum is based on the AP Program, which is a curriculum in the U.S. sponsored by the College Board that offers standardized, college-level, courses to grade 11 and 12 students that are much more rigorous than the regular course offerings. Following the College Board Standards for College Success (CBSCS) outlines a clear and consistent path towards AP and college readiness.  Students are consistently being challenged to expand their knowledge and skills and prepare for higher intellectual engagement. Qualified students may earn an additional Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID) by passing in five AP exams (Download APID Brochure).

The AP International Diploma is a credential that allows students to demonstrate outstanding academic achievement on AP Exams across several disciplines. It indicates to colleges and universities that the students have challenged themselves in multiple subject areas and have succeeded in global perspectives courses.  AP enables students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Once students are enrolled in an AP course they must take the AP exam for that course. By passing in an AP exam, student are given the chance to earn college credit and/ or advanced placement in college, which means they can be exempted from taking introductory college-level courses. To enroll in an AP course, students must have teacher approval and meet course prerequisite.

In 2011-2012, we are offering the following AP courses, with the plan to add more courses in subsequent years depending on student interest:               

AP Biology                                                         AP Psychology

AP Computer Science                                         AP Music Theory

AP English Language and Composition                     

Each AP course concludes with a college-level exam administered by the College Board, which is developed and scored by college and university faculty members as well as experienced AP teachers. This means that the AP exams are prepared in the U.S., sent to schools worldwide, and after the tests are administered they are sent back to be corrected in the U.S. (as with the PSAT and SAT exams).  AP tests are scored on a 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the highest.  The multiple choice section of the exam is scored by computer while the free response and essay portions are scored by trained Readers at the AP Reading each June.

Universities in more than 60 countries, including more than 90% of four-year colleges and universities in the U.S., recognize AP Exam scores in the admission process, award credit and/or placement (exemption from introductory courses) based on successful scores.  Each college’s policy is different, but most require a minimum score of 3 to receive college credit.  The American University in Cairo (AUC), for example, grants transfer credits for AP Exam scores of 4 or 5 (for details click here). 

Performing well on an AP Exam means more than just the successful completion of a course; it is the doorway to success in college. Research consistently shows that students who score a 3 or higher generally experience greater academic success in college than non-AP students.  “AP classes provided the opportunity... to reach beyond mere requirements and truly receive the best education high school in America has to offer.”  With AP exams now offered in more than 100 countries and with AP initiatives under way in every region of the world, the program has indeed gone global.  In order to prepare for such a rigorous program, NAC students are prepared academically starting Middle School and grades 9 and 10 using the Pre-AP Program and College Board Standards for College Success.

The benefits of taking AP courses and exams can be summed up in the opportunity to:

• Earn credit or placement for qualifying AP Exam grades
• Stand out in the admissions process
• Earn academic scholarships and awards from college and universities
• Be prepared for college-level course work
• Earn a higher GPA at NAC since AP courses are weighted for students who take the AP exam.  For example the GPA for an A would be 5.0 instead of 4.0, a B would be 4.0 instead of 3.0, and a C would be 3.0 instead of 2.0.

Coming soon

2011-12 Activities Productions