AP Program

List of 4 items.

• What are the advantages to taking an AP course?

  Taking an AP course can offer many advantages for students and their families, including:

  • The chance to showcase your talent or interest in a particular subject area by pursuing study at the most rigorous level available.
  • The growth and development of skills necessary for success in college, such as critical thinking skills, time management skills, or writing skills.
  • The opportunity to challenge yourself in an area that you are passionate about.
  • The increase in your GPA for your Padua transcript; additional weight is awarded for AP courses when calculating a student's GPA.
  • The potential to earn college credit at participating colleges and universities, thereby reducing total college tuition costs.
  • The potential for early graduation from college, due to AP credits awarded during high school.
  • The potential to have greater flexibility in the college schedule, due to AP credits awarded in high school, that enable study abroad participation, second majors or minors, or the ability to change majors.

• Is AP right for me?

  There are several advantages to taking an AP course, but students are encouraged to discuss with their parents, teachers, and counselor if AP is the right fit for them. In addition to meeting AP course prerequisites and demonstrating the ability to complete college-level work, successful AP students are highly motivated and have a schedule that allows for significant out-of-class time to be dedicated to coursework.  Students should anticipate an additional commitment to preparation for the early May AP Exams.

• What AP Courses does Padua offer?

  • AP® 2-D Art and Design
  • AP® 3-D Art and Design
  • AP® Biology
  • AP® Calculus AB
  • AP® Calculus BC
  • AP Capstone™: Research
  • AP Capstone™: Seminar
  • AP® Chemistry
  • AP® Comparative Government and Politics
  • AP® Computer Science Principles 
  • AP® Drawing
  • AP® English Language and Composition
  • AP® English Literature and Composition
  • AP® Environmental Science
  • AP® European History
  • AP® French Language and Culture
  • AP® Music Theory (in cooperation with VHS Learning)
  • AP® Physics I: Algebra-Based
  • AP® Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism (in cooperation with VHS Learning)
  • AP® Physics C: Mechanics (in cooperation with VHS Learning)
  • AP® Precalculus
  • AP® Psychology
  • AP® Spanish Language and Culture
  • AP® Statistics
  • AP® United States History

• Are AP students required to take the AP Exam in May?

  All AP students are highly encouraged to take the AP Exam for their respective course(s) in May by registering for the exams in the fall.  By taking the AP Exam, students:
  

  • Have the capability to earn the credit they have been working for all year long.
  • Have the potential to earn college credit that may be helpful in the event that the student elects to transfer colleges.
  • Showcase a major academic accomplishment by sharing their AP Exam score with colleges, universities, and scholarship opportunities.
  • Sharpen their study skills and test-taking skills prior to college.