| Go to the College Board | Go to UAS AP course descriptions |
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are the most advanced and rigorous academic courses offered by UAS. This program gives students the opportunity to pursue college-level studies while still in high school and to receive advanced placement credit upon entering college (dependent upon taking the AP examination and achieving an acceptable score for individual colleges and universities). Students should plan for one to two hours of homework per day per AP course.
Students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the College Board Advanced Placement Tests in May. Each AP exam costs approximately $76.00 (KD23.5). Financial aid is available from the College Board for students who sign up and qualify by March 14. Students must meet AP criteria to be placed in AP classes. Academic ability, motivation, prior performance, teacher recommendations, and a willingness to work hard are considered in placing students in AP courses.
A few AP courses have extended time requirements that will be offered during the school day and in extra sessions after school in the spring prior to the examinations. The extra time is necessary for completion of the curriculum and preparation for the AP exams.
Students can earn credentials recognized for admission to the finest colleges and universities throughout the United States and in many universities worldwide. Many colleges and universities award college course credit for advanced placement for students as well as credits toward degree completion. All AP course work is offered at the college level of difficulty and in a similar instructional framework.
The program's broader range of subjects accommodates diverse student interests and intentions. As a result, students and teachers are motivated to develop their academic talents fully. Once again, admission to AP course work is based on student interest, motivation, and prior academic achievement, and teacher recommendations.
It is recommended that every UAS student planning to attend college or university following graduation should consider taking an AP course to prepare academically and mentally for college expectations. Course requirements in college can be a rude awakening for students who are not prepared mentally and academically to take on that challenge and level of work.
UAS AP Courses for 2006-2007
| English | Math | Science | Social Studies | Proposed or offered alternate years |
| Languages | Calculus A | Biology | U.S. History | |
| Calculus B | Chemistry | English Literature | ||
| Statistics | Environmental Science | Computers | ||
| Physics B | World History | |||
| Physics C | Art |
Advanced Placement International Diploma
The ADVANCED PLACEMENT INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMA (APID) is designed to serve overseas student populations: U.S. students and American School students in schools outside of the United States enrolled in AP courses whose higher education plans include application to a university outside of the United States. Students from nations other than the United States, enrolled in a school outside of the United States, who elect to participate in AP courses and whose plans include application to a university outside of the United States may also benefit from the APID. Students deciding to apply only to colleges and universities in the United States and Canada must continue to consult the literature of those institutions for relevant advanced placement policies.
Students will declare candidacy for the AP International Diploma at the time the AP examinations are administered. Graduating high school seniors successfully meeting the criteria for the diploma will be informed and awarded the AP International Diploma by the College Board (located in the U.S) prior to university matriculation.
To be awarded an Advanced Placement International Diploma, a student must earn AP grades of 3 or higher on four or more full-year AP examinations. The qualifying examinations must be from three of the five academic areas appearing below, according to the following distribution requirement: examination in two languages from Area One; one examination from Area Two or Area Three; and one or more examinations from any other Area or Areas of choice.
| Area One | Area Two | Area Three | Area Four | Area Five |
| (Languages) | (Sciences) | (Mathematics) | (History/Social Science) | (Other) |
| English | Biology | Calculus | Economics | Music |
| Theory | Chemistry | Statistics | U.S. History | Computer |
| French | Physics | European History | Studio Art | |
| Science | Art History | |||
| Psychology |
AP Selection Criteria
Students must meet the following requirements for initial placement in AP classes. They may remain in AP classes without further screening unless problems develop concerning maintenance criteria. Criteria for initial placement includes:
- Recent standardized examination scores must reflect a very high standard of achievement in the areas where scores are relevant for the AP course to be taken. As a general rule, 85% tile scores are the standard.
- The student must have maintained an "A" average for both semesters of the prerequisite course in the appropriate subject area to qualify for AP placement. Grades for transfer students should be an "A" for both semesters at their previous school.
- A subject area appropriate teacher recommendation is required. Students new to UAS must meet the above requirements. A guidance counselor's recommendation will be used in lieu of a teacher's recommendation after a review of prior school performance.
- Students enrolling in AP courses without meeting the criteria listed above will be required (along with parents) to sign a waiver contract which will require them to remain in the selected course for the remainder of the semester in which transfer request is received.
- Students may take as many AP courses as they can reasonably handle and schedule. The student, parent, and counselor will make decisions regarding the number of courses jointly.
- The Principal will have the final approval in all placements.
AP Maintenance Criteria
AP courses require intensive study at an increased pace thus requiring extra student effort in order to successfully complete the course. A student is eligible to continue in an AP course if he/she maintains a grade of 75 or above in the course. As a safeguard for the student, should one semester grade be less than 75, the student will be placed on probation and the parent notified. The second time a semester grade is less than 75, the student will be reassigned to a regular program class.