Advanced Placement (AP) Courses

The Advanced Placement (AP) program provides an opportunity for eligible high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to take college level classes at the high school and possibly earn college credit and high school credit simultaneously. AP classes are designed for students who are ready for college level work, have competent skills in reading and writing, and are willing to work hard both at home and at school.

These courses prepare students for the AP exams held in the spring. Individual universities and colleges may award credit and/or placement based on test results. There is a fee (currently $98/exam) to take an AP test.

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are an excellent way for students to experience the rigor and advanced learning of college level coursework. The key to being successful in AP course work is balance.

AP Test Scores

Students who take an AP exam score between 1 and 5 (5 being best). In most cases, universities/colleges will grant credit for a required course with a score of 4 or 5. Some universities/colleges grant "elective credit" with a score of 3. Most universities/colleges will not grant credit with scores of 1 or 2. Be sure to check with individual universities/colleges' admissions to find out their policies for granting credit based on AP scores. 

Advanced Placement (AP)/Honors Course Policy

The number of AP courses one takes should be balanced with academic skills, other course commitments, extra-curricular activities, employment, and family considerations. To facilitate informed decisions, Kamiak has initiated a policy regarding taking multiple AP courses.

Students will be allowed to sign up for a maximum Advanced Placement (AP)/ Honors course load of three (3) courses per year. Students who desire to exceed that limit may do so only after having completed an informed consent form, including parent/guardian signature. The intent of the informed consent form is to ensure that both the student and parent are aware of the demands inherent in taking multiple AP college-level/ Honors classes, particularly in the context of all other activities common to high school students. Furthermore, by signing the form both student and parent acknowledge that the AP/Honors course is a year-long commitment – students will not be released from that commitment at the semester unless there is evidence of extreme medical circumstances, such as a medical condition that prohibits the student from attending school.

List of Advanced Placement Courses:

Career and Technical Courses:
AP Computer Science
AP Computer Science Principles 

English Courses:
AP English III Lang & Comp
AP English IV Lit 7 Comp

Fine Arts Courses:
AP Music Theory
AP Studio Art: 2D Design
AP Studio Art: Drawing

Math Courses:
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Statistics

Science Courses:
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Physics C AP: Mechanics
AP Physics C AP: Electricity & Magnetism

Social Studies Courses:
AP European History
AP Human Geography
AP US Gov't & Politics
AP US History
AP World History

World Language Courses:
AP French Lang & Culture
AP German V
AP Japanese Lang & Culture

Weighted Class Values

Honors and Advanced Placement courses receive additional “weight” to reward students attempting the most challenging courses. Courses labeled “Honors” receive an additional weight (equal to a .25 on a GPA scale). Courses labeled “Advanced Placement” receive an additional weight (equal to +.5 on a GPA scale). Community college courses, including those taken through Running Start, are not weighted.