Advanced Placement AP

RBSS Pre-AP (Honours) and Advanced Placement (AP) Program 

The Pre-AP (Honours) and AP Program at Robert Bateman are designed to enrich the education of students and challenge them to seek knowledge and understanding beyond the parameters of the regular curriculum.  Admission to the Pre-AP (Honours) and AP Program is by teacher recommendation.  AP courses allow engaged students to begin their college studies while still in secondary school.  The AP program of university-level work offered to secondary students prepares them for AP examination each year in May.   On the basis of these examinations students may earn university credit.   Pre-AP (Honours) and AP courses are for students willing to apply their inquisitiveness, ability and persistence.  Highly motivated students excel in Pre-AP and AP; however, the program also attracts hard working students who have a passion for learning. 

We believe that the following describe the attributes of an Honours/ AP student: 

• Hard Workers 
• Students are committed to taking ownership of their learning and persevering despite obstacles and challenges. 
• Inquirers 
• Students develop their natural curiosity.  They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning.  They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives. 
• Communicators 
• Students understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in various forms of communication.  They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others. 
• Thinkers 
• Students exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, to make reasoned, ethical decisions. 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

1.          Q.  What is the difference between an Honours class and a Pre-AP class? 

A.  A Pre-AP class IS an Honours class but in a subject area where the end result is taking the AP (Advanced Placement) class in Grade 12 and trying to obtain university credit. An Honours class is offered in a subject area where there is no AP class offered in Grade 12. Currently, English, European History, Chemistry and Biology offer AP courses at Bateman. 

2.           Q.   Will Honours appear on my B.C. Education Transcript? 

A. They will only note if the student has taken an AP class in their Grade 12 year, regardless of whether he or she passed the AP exam or not. If he or she passed the AP exam, most universities will grant first year credit for the class passed.   

4.           Q.   Is Honours/Pre-AP marked more difficultly? 

A.  No. Teachers use the same rubrics or marking scales as the regular grade level class. 

5.           Q.   Why take Honours/Pre-AP then? 

A. They are enriched classes for students who love the subject area or enjoy learning, in general.  Students meet the requirements of the RBSS Honours/AP Profile. In addition, Honours classes will also teach them skills that can help make them successful post-secondary students. The classes are enriched in a variety of ways, including different material, activities, projects, and fieldtrips.  Honours students are often able to learn the regular curriculum at a faster pace than occurs in regular classes, allowing time for more in-depth analysis of curricular content. 

6.           Q.   Can only “A” students take Honours/Pre-AP classes? 

A.   No, all students are welcome to apply for an Honours class. The most successful students are hardworking, organized, mature, motivated, and positive about their learning experience. They meet the criteria of the RBSS Honours/AP Profile. 

7.           Q.    How does my child enroll in an Honours/Pre-AP class? 

A. If not currently enrolled in the Honours/Pre-AP stream, students may fill out a recommendation form that will require their current subject teacher's signature as well as information about previous courses taken in the subject area.  A parent's signature is also required. These forms can be found in the counselling center. 

What is Advanced Placement? 

The Advanced Placement Program is a cooperative educational endeavor between secondary schools and colleges and universities. AP, which was developed by the U.S. College Board in 1955, offers students the opportunity to take college level courses while still in high school. Students earning a 4 or 5 on the AP exam can earn either university or advanced placement credit. 

What are the advantages of AP? 

Challenge! 

By taking AP courses in high school, you will experience the challenge and depth of college level courses while still in secondary school. AP courses are an impressive addition to university and scholarship applications.  Many of our AP students of the past have noted how much better they were prepared for the rigours of post-secondary education. 

Preparation! 

You will learn what college level courses are like and develop the skills necessary to be successful in college or university. 

"College entrance exams reveal that young people who take challenging classes, such as Advanced Placement courses perform better than their peers regardless of their family or financial background." Rod Paige, U.S. Secretary of Education 

University Recognition! 

Students with a "qualifying grade" (4+) can earn course credit at thousands of colleges and universities worldwide.  Below is an example of current credit options available for qualifying AP European History grades at BC post-secondary institutions.  

How many colleges accept AP grades? 

More than 90 percent of the colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, as well as colleges and universities in 21 other countries, have a policy granting incoming students credit, placement, or both, for qualifying AP Exam grades. The best source of specific and up-to-date information about an individual institution's policy is its calendar or website. 

How far reaching is the AP community? 

AP courses are offered in about 15,000 schools world-wide. Nearly 60 percent of the U.S. high schools participate in the AP Program. 

What Options are there for AP at Robert Bateman Secondary? 

Pre AP (Honours) Courses / AP – Advanced Placement Courses 

• Pre-AP (Honours) English 9, 10, 11 
• AP English 12 
• Pre-AP (Honours) Science 9, 10 
• Pre-AP Biology 11, Pre- AP Chemistry 11 
• AP Biology 12 
• AP Chemistry 12 
• Pre-AP (Honours) Social Studies 9, 10
• AP European History 11/12 

AP Literature and Compostion 12 & English Studies 12 Honours (8 credits) 

Advanced Placement English is a university-styled program offered during grade 12.  It is the culmination of a broad survey of English literature that began in English 9 PreAP. The PreAP courses helped students learn to analyze literature, both poetry and prose, in depth. Students will have developed strong time management, personal responsibility to self and others, as well as confidence in their capabilities by the end of the AP program. This year, students will expand on their studies of long and short prose, as well as various styles of poetry. The program is enriched with an optional field trip to Bard on the Beach in June. To enroll in AP Literature and Composition 12, students must complete summer reading and this assignment is due in September. These novels are studied in preparation for the AP Literature & Composition 12 exam.

AP Biology 12 

Prerequisite – Pre-AP Biology 11 or teacher Permission 

This course is designed to be equivalent to a first-year university or college biology course.  Biology 12 topics will include biochemistry, DNA and protein synthesis, cell structure and function, cell metabolism and human physiology.  The AP component will include genetics, evolution, botany, ecology, cellular respiration and fermentation.  Interwoven throughout the course are four recurring biological themes which provide a unifying framework for the study of biology.   

Upon receiving an acceptable score on the AP exam, a student may apply for credit and/or advanced placement at many post-secondary institutions.  This course is linear, that is, it runs the entire school year on alternating days. 

AP Chemistry 12 

Prerequisite – AP Chemistry 11 or Chemistry 11 with teacher permission 

AP Chemistry 12 is geared toward highly motivated students who have a committed work ethic and who are able to read and process information independently.  This course is extremely useful in preparing you for the rigor of university.  During the course, all the Chemistry 12 concepts (Reaction Kinetics, Equilibrium, Solubility, Acid-Base Theory, Electrochemistry) will be covered, but in a little more depth.  Students who successfully complete the AP Chemistry program will also receive credit for Chemistry 12.   

Upon receiving an acceptable score on the AP exam, a student may apply for credit and/or advanced placement at many post-secondary institutions.  This course is linear, that is, it runs the entire school year on alternating days. 

AP European History 12 (8 credits) 

This course is designed to be equivalent to a first-year university/college history course.  It is a broad survey of the history of Europe that requires students to evaluate social, political and military historical references and contexts.  We will cover a large time period spanning the Late Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation, Revolutions, World War I, World War II and the Cold War to contemporary Europe.  The course will be enriched with field trips, guest speakers and film.  If students score well on the American College Board examination in early May, most universities will provide credit for an equivalent first year history course.  This course is linear; that is, it runs the entire school year on alternating days.  Students will receive credit for AP Euro 12 and History 12 (8 credits). 

Exam Fees:

Please note there is a fee for all AP Exams.  The exam fee is set by the AP Collegeboard.  If you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact Principal McDonald about the exam fees. For the 2022-2023 school year the fees are: 

• $130 for each of the AP exams a student intends to take that have been declared prior to Oct 31, 2022.  The fees for exams are due By October 31, 2022 and can be paid through School Cash Online.
• Any exams requested after November 1st, 2022 will incur a late fee of $55 charged by the AP Collegeboard in addition to the exam fee.
• Any exams that are cancelled  at the students request between November 15th, 2022 and March 14th, 2023 will be charged a cancellation fee of $55 by the AP Collegeboard, with the remainder of the exam fee refunded.
• Any exams not taken by a student and/or cancelled after March 15th, 2023 will be charged by the AP Collegeboard the $55 cancellation/unused fee and the full exam fee will not be refunded.

Contact: 

Ms. Kristi Anderton, AP Coordinator, Kristi.Anderton@abbyschools.ca

Mr. Travis Bell, Vice-Principal, Travis.Bell@abbyschools.ca