Advanced Studies Program

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• Advanced Studies Program
• Niceville High School

Home of the Eagles
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Presentation Objectives

• Overview of Advanced Studies Program
• Advanced Placement (AP)
• Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)
• Benefits of Advanced Studies Program
• Teacher, Student, and Parent Expectations
• We will be available after the program for
  individual questions.

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OVERVIEWofAdvanced Studies Program
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Advanced Placement

• The Advanced Placement Program, administered by
  the College Board and taught at local high
  schools, allows students to participate in a
  college-level course and possibly earn college
  credit while still in high school.
• Secondary schools and colleges cooperate in this
  program to give students the opportunity to show
  mastery in college-level courses by taking the AP
  exam in May of each school year. The College
  Board, which also owns the SAT and PSAT
  examinations, is a non-profit organization.

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Important Points

• AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 5. A
  score of 3 or higher is considered
  passing.Approximately 90 of all U. S. colleges
  and universities recognize AP examination grades
  for credit and/or placement.
• NHS offers 24 AP courses.

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• 2009 AP Stats for NHS
• 155 students named AP Scholars
• 6 National AP Scholars
• 1 National Hispanic Scholar
• 1,385 exams given
• 826 exams scored a 3 or higher
• 711 students participated
• 36 of NHS students took at least one AP course

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AP Courses at NHS

• Psychology
• American Government
• Macroeconomics
• Art History
• Art/Drawing Portfolio
• Studio Art 2-D
• Studio Art 3-D
• Spanish
• Music Theory
• Comparative Gov/Politics
• Biology
• European History
• U. S. History

• English Language and Composition
• English Literature and Composition
• Calculus AB
• Calculus BC
• Statistics
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Environmental Science
• World History
• Human Geography
• Microeconomics

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University of Cambridge International Examinations

• Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) is
  the worlds largest provider of international
  examinations for 1419 year olds. CIE is part of
  the University of Cambridge in Cambridge,
  England. It is a non-profit organization.
• The mission of CIE, formally established in
  1998, is to work in partnership with education
  providers worldwide to deliver high-quality and
  leading-edge assessment services.

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Important Points

• Cambridge Examinations are scored as follows
  A, B, C, D, E, U. Scores of A through E are
  considered passing.
• Cambridge Examinations are commonly referred to
  as AICE, or Academic International Certificate of
  Education. This references the certificate
  awarded to students who pass an exam.
• Colleges and universities around the world
  recognize AICE scores for credit and/or
  placement.

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• AICE Stats for NHS
• NHS offers seven AICE courses
• Marine Science
• General Paper
• Latin
• Thinking Skills I
• Thinking Skills II
• Travel and Tourism
• Physical Education
• 445 exams given during 08-09 school year
• 359 students scored an E or higher
• 425 students participated
• 22 of NHS students took at least one AICE exam
• 1 student received the highest score in the US on
  the General Paper exam

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Misc. Notes

• Approximately 41 of NHS students took at least
  one AP or AICE course in 08-09
• All NHS students enrolled in an AS course must
  sit for the AS exam.
• AS courses are open to any motivated student
  willing to accept the challenge.
• The AS exam score is not a part of the students
  high school grade.
• Please plan ahead for AS exam dates.
• The College Board nor Cambridge allows exams to
  be taken late due to conflicts with family trips,
  etc.

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Why Advanced Studies?

• To improve chances of being admitted to a
  four-year university by taking the most rigorous
  courses
• To emphasize your commitment to academic
  excellence
• To improve your writing skills and sharpen your
  problem-solving techniques.
• To challenge your academic potential
• To maintain a higher GPA and graduate with honors
• To develop the study habits necessary for
  tackling rigorous course work
• To give more time in college to major and minor
  in another field of study

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The benefits of taking advanced courses
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Student, Parent and Teacher Expectations
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• Students are expected to complete daily reading
  assignments in order to be prepared for class
  discussions.
• Students can expect to spend more time reading
  and writing in AS courses as compared to honors
  level courses.
• Students should plan to take advantage of after-
  school tutoring and study groups.
• Students should remember that their teacher is
  the best source for information and assistance if
  and when they begin to feel overwhelmed.
• Students should begin NOW in considering their
  post-secondary plans by visiting college
  websites. (An excellent place to see what
  credits you may earn if you pass an AS course.)

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• Parents should work closely with their student to
  select the appropriate AS courses.
• When selecting courses, focus on areas of
  strength in your student.
• Parents should provide encouragement and optimism
  for their student.
• Parents should remember that the AS teacher is
  the first source of contact if questions
  arise-email is preferable.
• ParentsRELAX! It is okay if your student does
  not earn an A in an AS course. Remember, its
  rigor of the course for which colleges are
  looking.

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• Teachers expect students be prepared daily for
  class.
• Teachers expect students to be proactive in their
  studies even when there is no specific homework
  assigned, students should continue to seek
  knowledge on their own.
• Teachers expect parents to stay informed about
  their students studies and progress.
• Teachers expect students to ask for help when
  they need it, especially when it may not be
  obvious to the teacher.

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• Visit
• WWW.NICEVILLEHIGHSCHOOL.ORG
• and view this presentation
• under the Advanced Studies tab.
• Also, regularly visit our website
• for information concerning registration.