Advanced Placement course offerings at Perry High School include: English, Mathematics, History, Science, Government, World Languages and Art.
The AP accelerated/honors program has specific objectives. General objectives for students are listed below:
- To explore the complexities of a given subject area beyond the traditional high school curriculum.
- To provide an opportunity for productive, creative interaction among students in a given field of study.
- To study the theories, concepts, and philosophies inherent in a given subject and to apply them in ways which require critical, analytical, and creative thinking.
- To prepare for college-level study while still in high school.
- To encourage/require independent learning both for short-term and long-term goals.
Advanced Placement courses present challenging, enriched content. Furthermore, they are designed to promote the independence and self-direction that is vital to success in later studies. There is an assumption that the students in the program are highly motivated and willing to engage in rigorous academic work. Students who are not committed to developing their academic abilities to the fullest, who have extended absences or who have other commitments that cause them to be overextended will have difficulty achieving success in the program.
- Weighted grade points
The school recognizes the additional demands these courses place upon students by assigning a weighted grade to those who successfully complete an Advanced Placement course. These weighted grades positively affect grade point average and class rank.
- Greater breadth and depth of content
Not only are students able to pursue a given course in greater depth, they can advance the sequencing of the content in a given subject at an accelerated rate.
- An Enhanced College Application
Advanced Placement courses represent a school’s most rigorous offerings and participation in the program suggests to colleges that a student is willing to accept the challenge demanding academic work.
- Opportunity for college-level coursework
This national program, sponsored by the College Board, allows students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Students who successfully participate in the program may earn college credit and/or advanced placement in many of the nation’s colleges and universities.
- Financial Benefit
The opportunity to earn college credit or advanced placement while still in high school is a significant financial benefit.
- Expanded Opportunities in College
Students who receive advanced placement status in college as a result of their performance on AP Exams, have an opportunity to pursue further study in their major or to explore elective credits.
- Superior Preparation for College
Since AP courses are, in fact, college-level courses, they offer the best preparation for subsequent college courses. Many universities that do not provide AP credit do offer proficiency examinations to incoming students. The rigor of the AP courses makes them the best preparation for these exams.
- Assessment of Academic Strengths
Students participating in the AP program may identify and more fully develop areas of academic strength while in high school. All AP students are encouraged to take the AP exams. Potential college majors and career areas may be identified and explored while a student is in high school.
Program
The College Board provides Perry with curriculum outlines and materials for the college-level courses listed below. Perry, in turn, offers its students AP courses which follow the College Board outline and prepares them for the AP examinations. Please see course listings for descriptions and requirements of these AP courses:
| AP American Government | AP Statistics | AP Spanish |
| AP U.S. History | AP Chemistry | AP English - Literature/Composition |
| AP Calculus AB | AP Physics 1 | AP English - Language/Composition |
| AP Calculus BC | AP Biology |
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The Examinations
The AP examinations are developed for the College Board by the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey. Each May the exams are administered at Perry and at other participating high schools throughout the United States. All exams include an essay or problem solving section as well as multiple choice questions. Most exams last approximately three hours.
Cost
Students are encouraged to take the AP exam. The district will cover the cost of the AP exams upon the request of the student. A request is considered when the student registers for an AP exam through College Board (see part H for registering).
Evaluation
All AP students are encouraged to take the AP exams. All examinations are evaluated according to the following five-point scale: 5–Extremely well-qualified, 4–Well-qualified, 3–Qualified, 2–Possibly qualified, 1–No recommendation
College Credit
Each college is free to follow its own procedure in considering AP grades. Many colleges grant both credit and advanced placement for qualifying work on the examinations; others grant either credit or placement. Students interested in the AP policy of a particular college/university are encouraged to contact the admissions office of that school.
Demands
The AP program represents Perry’s most rigorous academic challenge. Students who enroll in an AP course will require excellent attendance and sustained effort if they are to succeed.
Admission Requirements
The following pages contain brief descriptions of the AP courses available at Perry. Please note that students are not required to enroll in a full AP program but may select a single course in which they have demonstrated an ability and interest. Please check the prerequisite requirements listed in the course description section of this guide. Interested students and/or parents are encouraged to contact a counselor for further information.
Opt-In Option
As part of registering for an Advanced Placement course offered by Perry High School, all teachers and administrators begin the year with the expectation that students prepare for and take the AP exams for each AP course in May. We strive to provide rigorous opportunities for students in preparation for college and career, but understand that students sometimes are maxed out between the number of AP courses one is taking in addition to the number of extra-curriculars many of our students are involved with.
The Perry Local Schools desires to support those financially through funding the cost of the exam for those students willing to give 100% effort in reaching their full potential on the AP Exams. Students should commit to the following:
- Attend prep sessions during the months of April and May.
- Follow the recommendation made by the teacher of the amount of time necessary to spend outside the school day preparing for the AP exams.
- Give one’s best effort on test day.
- A student is considered to have opted-in once student has completed the online registration.