Advanced Placement (AP) - St. Mary's High School

What is Advanced Placement (AP)?

Advanced Placement (AP) is an internationally recognized program that allows students to enrich the Ontario Curriculum with the goal of achieving university accreditation while enrolled at St. Mary’s High School.
AP Prep courses are offered in grades 10 – 11.
AP courses are offered in grade 12. They are audited by the AP College Board and include writing AP exams in May.
Department web pages – for more subject-specific info on AP at St. Mary’s HS: English | French | Math | Science
AP for Grade 10 through 12 students – AP Brochure
AP at the WCDSB – website

What does AP provide?

topics and material studied in greater depth
enriched learning opportunities
thought-provoking discussion
interaction with other motivated learners
The focus is not to create more work, but a different kind of work that challenges a student’s higher order thinking skills.

Who should consider AP?

highly able learners looking to be challenged
students with a passion for learning
self-motivated learners with strong communication and analytical skills
Grades are only one of the many factors that help determine a student’s suitability for AP.
AP Self Assessment Form – for students and parents to complete and discuss when considering AP courses

How do students benefit from AP?

Grouping highly able learners creates an environment where students can challenge each other and thrive.
Students will gain a wealth of experience and critical thinking skills that will benefit them all of their lives.
University credits may be awarded to students that perform well on their Grade 12 AP exams.

What AP courses are available?

Students are not required to take the entire AP Prep/AP Program, and they may opt out of courses in future grades.
It is possible to opt into AP Prep/AP courses in the later grades without the previous AP Prep course; however, students would then be responsible for filling in any gaps in their learning (with the support of their teachers).
Students in AP Prep/AP courses complete Ontario curriculum with appropriate extensions designed to prepare students for writing the Grade 12 AP exams.
AP exam results stay confidential until the student elects to release them. Some students will opt not to write the exam.

AP Pathways – all subjects, all grades:

Subject	Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11		Grade 12
English	Destreamed				AP English ENG4UP
French	Destreamed	AP Prep French FSF2DP	AP Prep French FSF3UP		AP French FSF4UP
Mathematics	Destreamed	AP Prep Math MPM2DP	AP Prep Functions MCR3UP	Advanced Functions *MHF4UI	AP Calculus & Vectors **MCR4UP	AP Calculus (and Data Management) MDM4UP
Science	Destreamed	AP Prep Science SNC2DP	AP Prep Biology SBI3UP	AP Prep Physics SPH3UP	AP Biology SBI4UP	AP Physics SPH4UP
			*MHF4UI may be taken in gr 12 semester 1, though not recommended		**MCR4UU may be taken at UCEP

How do I enroll in AP courses?

All interested students must select AP Prep/AP courses in “My Blueprint”.
(“My Blueprint” is a student web-based Individualized Pathways Planner (IPP))
AP Self Assessment Form – for students and parents to complete and discuss with current teachers when considering AP Prep/AP courses.

What does the research say about AP students?

Research shows that the best predictor of whether or not a student completes a university degree is not their high school grades or standardized tests. Rather, the best predictor is how many challenging courses a student has taken in high school. Students who challenge themselves with AP courses and exams are much more likely to complete a university degree in four years or less.