Advanced Placement Courses
Early College Advanced Placement Incentive Program

AISD ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND PRE-AP COURSES 2007-2008

Did you know?
     AISD has the most extensive and broad range of Advanced Placement (AP) classes available within a 150 mile radius. For the 2007-2008 school year, AISD schools offer 25 different AP and 27 Pre-AP courses.

What is Advanced Placement (AP)?
     AP classes are college level classes taught in high school by high school teachers. Administered by The College Board of New York, students who pass AP exams with a score of 3, 4 or 5 may earn college credit at over 2900 colleges and universities. AP has grown to be the largest-scale acceleration program in the country. In the spring of 2005, an astounding 1,173,000 high school students took 2,050,000 AP exams. That figure is double the number of students and triple the number of tests taken since 1995. More than one out of three college-bound seniors has taken an AP course. AP's national standard allows our Abilene students to compete with students around the country. It levels the playing field and opens doors of opportunity in college.

What are the benefits of AP?
     Besides the money saved on college tuition, studies have shown that students who participate in AP classes have a much higher rate of college graduation. AP is redefining the way we prepare our students for college. In fact, according to a survey conducted by the National Association of College Admissions Officers, a high school student's course selection of college-prep courses is the number one criteria (80%) considered when evaluating an applicant's qualifications. It ranks ahead of admissions SAT/ACT tests scores (52%) and class grades (45%). The benefits of accelerated AP classes are well documented. According to the National Center for Educational Accountability of Texas, even students who do poorly on AP tests have significantly higher college graduation rates than those who do not take AP classes. Rigorous course work prepares students for college.

What does AISD's Advanced Placement program provide?
     AISD's Early College Advanced Placement Incentive Program, is a collaborative effort supported by generous grants from the Dodge Jones Foundation and the Abilene Education Foundation as well as AISD. The program provides enhanced teacher training, curriculum support, equipment and a schedule of financial incentives to teachers and students who participate in this program.

*Students receive $100 for passing the AP Exam (a score of 3 or better), half of their AP Exam fees for which the student paid and the other half reimbursed if passed.

*Students who participate in the PSAT program receive $2,000 if named National Merit Semifinalist and $500 if named a Commended Scholar only.

During the summer, AISD also offers a free SAT/PSAT preparatory review course (roughly an $800 value) similar to the Princeton Review course that is open to all AISD high school students. For more information on SOAR and other AISD course offerings, check www.aisd.org under "Student Information."

What if you live outside of AISD?
     You can still enroll in AISD! The District allows students to transfer into AISD free of charge. Questions? Call AISD at 325-677-1444 or look online at www.aisd.org.