Advanced Placement

Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors who are committed to rigorous academic work and meet the prerequisites (see chart) are eligible to enroll in the AP courses offered by JMA.
Students requesting enrollment in AP classes must complete the AP Commitment Agreement before they may be considered for entry.

AP offers year-long courses with the opportunity to earn college credit on the AP Course Exams in May. AP courses are taught face-to-face by credentialed JMA instructors.
DE classes are semester-long courses taught in partnership with area colleges and universities. Potential college credit comes from the student’s college or university grades. DE courses are taught by college/university personnel either face-to-face or online. Students are responsible for their own transportation and are expected to monitor their progress with their college/university instructor.

AP students must be independent learners with good organization and time management skills. They should carefully evaluate their own interest, self-responsibility, demands of class schedule, and participation in school and non-school related activities as part of the personal process of deciding to enroll in any Advanced Placement course.
AP students will have the level of skill, interest, commitment, and achievement needed to be successful in a college-level course taught with a college textbook.
AP students are expected to spend a minimum of 10-15 minutes daily reviewing material covered in class in order to enrich their understanding. Additional time may be required for the completion of homework activities and/or test preparation. Homework may and often will be assigned over summer and holiday vacations.
AP students must be strong communicators with excellent reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
AP students should attend school regularly; if absences are necessary, they should complete make-up work in a timely fashion if an absence is required. Multiple absences may negatively impact performance. After a student’s 9th and subsequent unexcused absence in an AP class, the student may be required to make up time hour-for-hour.

AP students generally have an advantage in the competitive college admissions process.
AP students attain skills that will contribute to success at the next level.
AP students are challenged to think deeply and critically and are afforded access to experiences that broaden their intellectual horizons.
AP students deepen their ability to analyze and synthesize information in innovative ways.

AP courses are a year-long commitment. Students are expected to remain enrolled in the AP courses they have chosen for the entire year. If special circumstances arise, and a student requests to drop an AP course, consideration will be given based on space available in another course. Any AP fees paid by the student may be forfeited depending on the drop date.

AP students may be able to earn college credit upon earning a qualifying score on an AP exam.
Each college makes its own decisions about how they award credit and placement. It is strongly recommended that students check individual college websites or contact admissions counselors for specific credit information.

AP students who successfully complete the course receive five points added to their semester numerical average for the class.

Colleges want to see that students are able to handle AP classes well. Taking 1-2 classes and performing well is preferable to taking multiple classes and not performing as well.
Students should choose courses that play to their strengths.

Students should contact the School Counselor or Director of Curriculum and Instruction with any questions.