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Advanced Placement

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program, sponsored by the College Board, offers highly motivated and capable high school students an opportunity to take college-level courses at the local high school. Courses are offered in language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, foreign languages, art music, and computer science at all Round Rock ISD campuses. AP courses are open enrollment and participation is based on course prerequisites as indicated in the course catalog. In addition to all Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, a wider range and greater depth of content is taught, with an emphasis on higher level critical thinking skills as well as provisions for creative and productive thinking. The students are required to complete independent as well as guided research. Upon successful completion of the course, the student receives high school credit.

Although not required, Round Rock ISD students enrolled in AP courses are expected to take the AP exam that accompanies the AP course in which the student is enrolled. Costs of these exams must be borne by the student; however, limited financial assistance is available.

If the student takes the associated AP exam, advanced placement and/or college credit may be awarded upon college entrance. Colleges and universities have policies regarding how much credit and/or advanced placement will be received for a given score on an AP exam, including any courses from which the student will be exempted or any higher-level courses the student will be allowed to enter. Before taking AP exams, students should check college websites about specific advanced placement and credit policies.

The AP Program also offers the AP International Diploma for students who plan to apply to an overseas university. For further information regarding the College Board AP Program at your high school, see a school counselor.

To enroll in an AP course, it is recommended that the student meet at least one of these criteria:

  1. Mastery of the TAKS in the related content area course.
  2. Current or previous year performance in related content area course: an A semester average in an academic course OR a B or better semester average in a Pre AP course.
  3. Teacher recommendation.
  4. Receive a counselor recommendation based on the cumulative folder data and parent/student conference.

Interested students should see his/her counselor or teacher. Additional information is available from the campus AP coordinator and at College Board

AP Infographic - Click for readable PDF
Text version of Advanced Placement flyer

Round Rock Independent School District

Advanced Placement (AP)

What is Advanced Placement? College-credit bearing courses that are more challenging and faster paced than traditional high school courses.

Who teaches the course? A high school teacher who has received training through College Board.

Courses taught on high school campus for students in grades 9-12.

How do students enroll? Indicate course choice on course selection sheet.

How do students qualify? Meet high school prerequisites as noted in the course catalog.

Count for GPA and Class Rank

Weighted for core and world language courses

Students can take unlimited courses, and all courses are offered during the normal school day.

Credit is determined by individual colleges/universities, with scores of 3 or higher typically receiving college credit at Texas public colleges and universities per legislative rule.

Approximately $100 per AP exam. Financial aid is available.

What is the curriculum? College Board Standards

Advantage

  • Widely-recognized by colleges and universities.
  • Strong test-takers tend to do well.
  • Students can pick and choose which course(s) they are interested in taking.
  • Students who take AP classes are more prepared for college regardless of their performance on the AP exams.

Considerations

  • College credit is dependent on a single exam score.
  • Not all institutions accept credit.
  • Credit may be granted for a college elective rather than core courses.

Speak to your school counselor or see the course catalogue for up to date course offerings