It's easy to get started getting a "5" on your AP Exam.
What class do we support?
- AP Research
- AP Seminar
- Art History
- Biology
- Calculus AB
- Calculus BC
- Chemistry
- Chinese Language and Culture
- Computer Science A
- Computer Science Principles
- English Language and Composition
- English Literature and Composition
- Environmental Science
- European History
- French Language and Culture
- German Language and Culture
- Government and Politics (Comparative)
- Government and Politics (US)
- Human Geography
- Italian Language and Culture
- Japanese Language and Culture
- Latin
- Macroeconomics
- Microeconomics
- Music Theory
- Physics 1: Algebra-Based
- Physics 2: Algebra-Based
- Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
- Physics C: Mechanics
- Psychology
- Spanish Language and Culture
- Spanish Literature and Culture
- Statistics
- Studio Art Drawing
- Studio Art 2-D Design
- Studio Art 3-D Design
- US History
- World History (Modern)
What is AP?
AP stands for Advanced Placement. Run by the College Board, AP is a program of annual examinations for academically-oriented kids who want to do an introductory-level college course while still in high school - and have a score at the end of the year to prove they really did do it. It lets kids move right into more advanced coursework when they enter college - it let my older son Jesse skip all freshman English composition requirements at the University of Pittsburgh and take Honors Shakespeare as one of his very first courses. It let our second son, Jacob, move right into second year physics and calculus courses in his first semester at Carnegie Mellon University. There's an AP exam to interest any bright kid - you can study English literature, U.S. history, European history, American government, psychology, economics, art history, music theory, French, Spanish, German, Latin, physics, chemistry, biology, calculus, statistics, and more. By scoring well on AP exams - and the exams all include both multiple-choice questions and essays or 'free-response' questions - student can demonstrate to a college that they really have mastered the coursework.
Time Commitment?
When you do plan an AP course, keep in mind that it's a big time commitment. Few students score well unless they devote a minimum of 5 hours per week to the course, and most courses take 10 or more hours per week. So don't just pile an AP course onto an already heavy schedule. Several students that I know have tried to prepare for several AP exams at the same time that they were taking several community college courses, and something had to give. Since they were actually meeting with their community college course teachers, the AP courses were put on the back burner and the students just weren't ready to do well on the exam.
Studying for the AP Exam On Your Own?
Many homeschoolers study for AP exams on their own without using an Internet course or an outside teacher or class. It can be done, especially with a very self-motivated student who can set the needed study schedule and stick to it. There are lots of good helps available; Barrons publishes some very good guides to the AP exams. Also there are CD-ROMs, course descriptions, and sample questions available from the College Board at their website at www.collegeboard.org. Don't miss this website if you are serious about AP.
Studying at Ivy Academy?
At Ivy Academy, students in grades K – 12 are offered a tuition-based, flexible, yet rigorous academic experience with rich, interactive curriculum, guided by a highly qualified and effective certified teacher. We offer a diploma program with over 45 additional AP courses and career electives to high school students, including Intro to Java programming, AP Calculus AB & BC, Accounting, Graphic Design, and AP World History.
Learn More
Stephen Chou, 408-509-0835, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.