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Advanced Placement Curriculum

We believe the best preparation for admission and success in college is for our students to receive a rigorous college preparatory curriculum.  We have chosen the American College Board Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum for our students.  Research consistently shows that students who complete the AP course and participate in the AP exam typically experience greater academic success in college and improved graduation rates than their non-AP student peers.  

All high school students attending our college preparatory schools are going to take a minimum of four AP classes and take at least one AP college entrance exam.  Our core courses will be available as AP credit courses to those students who want to take even more AP level courses and take additional AP exams for college credit.    Orenda elementary students will be exposed to a breadth of materials and classroom experiences to learn the fundamental skills necessary to complete this level of college level coursework as they enter secondary school. 

AP® is a rigorous academic program built on the commitment, passion and hard work of students and educators from both secondary schools and higher education. With more than 30 courses in a wide variety of subject areas, AP provides willing and academically-prepared high school students with the opportunity to study and learn at the college level.  Taking AP classes will help our graduates stand out in the college admissions process and earn college credit while in high school.    

Through AP courses, talented and dedicated AP teachers help students develop and apply the skills, abilities and content knowledge they will need in college. Each AP course is modeled upon a comparable college course, and college and university faculty play a vital role in ensuring that AP courses align with college-level standards.

Through the AP Course Audit, AP teachers submit their syllabi for review and approval by college faculty. Only courses using syllabi that meet or exceed the college-level curricular and resource requirements for each AP course are authorized to carry the “AP” label.

AP courses culminate in a suite of college-level assessments developed and scored by college and university faculty members as well as experienced AP teachers. AP exams are an essential part of the AP experience, enabling students to demonstrate their mastery of college-level course work.

Strong performance on AP Exams is rewarded by colleges and universities worldwide. More than 90 percent of four-year colleges and universities in the United States grant students credit, placement or both on the basis of successful AP Exam scores. Texas colleges must award college credit for an AP score of 3 or above.  But performing well on an AP Exam means more than just the successful completion of a course; it is the gateway to success in college.