Advanced Placement (AP) Program

The Los Fresnos CISD Advanced Placement (AP) program allows students to pursue college-level studies while still in secondary school, and to receive advanced placement, dual credit, or both, in college. The AP Program provides acceleration and in-depth learning, rewards achievement, and it enhances both high school and college programs.

• Students demonstrate scholarship on national and international academic levels. By taking an AP examination, students may compare their knowledge and understanding of a college-level subject with the high academic standards established by a college faculty. Whether the student gains college credit or not in the examination, the experience of attempting challenging college-level work will benefit the student when he/she enters college.
• Students study in greater depth. Students who take AP courses develop analytical reasoning skills, form disciplined study habits and research concepts in greater depth and breadth than is possible through regular high school courses.
• Students improve their chances of being accepted by the college of their choice. College admissions officers give AP course work significant weight when reviewing transcripts from admission and scholarships.
• Students are often given credit for introductory courses at college and may even achieve sophomore standing. Every college determines its own policy for granting credits, but many colleges award credit up to 12 hours for grades 3, 4, or 5 on the AP exam.
• Students are eligible to earn AP Scholar Awards. These awards recognize high school students who have demonstrated college level achievement on several AP exams.
• Teachers are offered professional training. The College Board sponsors workshops that are attended by an average of 18,000 teachers each year.
• Schools demonstrate desired outcomes. The National Educational Goals Panel uses AP as a measure of academic excellence. Schools with successful AP programs are regarded as strong academic institutions, and their participation in the AP Programs helps set an academic tone for students and contributes to the faculty's professional pride.