Advanced Placement (AP)

Our Commitment

Hamilton High School is committed to offering Advanced Placement (AP) classes in various academic areas, including English, Social Studies, Math, Science, Foreign Languages, Art and Music. AP is a cooperative program between secondary schools and colleges/universities. Students take classes using college level materials and have the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned, possibly earning college credit or advanced placement if they meet the exam standards by the specific university.

Interested in taking AP?

Who should take AP classes?

The requirement is that you should be both "willing and able." In general, past academic records and standardized test scores along with teacher recommendations are the best success criteria. Each AP class generally requires 4 to 7 hours of outside work each week. Benefits of AP classes are numerous. AP prepares you for college-level work. You may improve your chances of getting an academic scholarship. A qualifying grade on an AP exam can translate into financial savings on some college course credits. You may be able to complete college in a shorter timeframe. More than 1400 colleges in the U.S. grant a full year's credit to students who present satisfactory grades on AP exams.

Here are some next steps:

Learn more about AP at exploreap.org
Speak to your counselor or teacher
Visit the AP office at your school in C223
Talk to classmates who have taken AP
Discuss course options with your parents or family

More information on AP

Benefits

Why take AP Classes?

Advanced Placement benefits for students:

Stand out in college admission
Earn college credit
Skip introductory college classes
Save money on college tuition
Build college skills and confidence
Explore potential majors based on student interests
Turn subjects you love into fulfilling career paths

Get the most out of your classes

You’ll see the benefits of taking an AP class right away. In AP classes, just like in college, you’ll face new challenges and learn new skills in the subjects you care about. All with the support of your classmates and teachers.

Get more of what you love

With AP, you get to dig deeper into subjects you love. You can choose from 32 AP courses in subjects that directly reflect your interests.

Get hands-on

In AP's immersive courses, you get to learn how things really work. Tackle concepts that will stick with you long after the class is through.

Get involved

In AP classes, learning means sharing your ideas and expressing yourself. Add your unique perspective—the dialog and debate contribute to the knowledge that everyone shares.

Get support

With AP, you get to explore new ideas with your classmates and AP teachers. See and feel what college work is actually like, while receiving the support to help you get there.

Get to know yourself

In AP classes, you can set bigger goals for yourself and do things you never thought possible. AP students can really test and push themselves in a familiar setting while gaining confidence, developing good study habits, and enjoying a great learning experience.

College Credit

Courses

AP Courses at Hamilton

Seminar	English Language	Precalculus
Research	English Literature	Psychology
Art History	French Language	Spanish Language
Biology	German Language	Spanish Literature
Calculus AB	Government and Politics, US	Statistics
Calculus BC	Human Geography	Studio Art 2D (portfolios due)
Chinese Language & Culture	Macroeconomics	Studio Art 3D (portfolios due)
Computer Science A (Java)	Music Theory	Studio Art Drawing (portfolios due)
Computer Science Principles	Physics 1 - Algebra Based	United States History
Physics C Mechanics	Physics C Electricity & Magnetism	World History

AP Scholar Awards

The AP Scholar Awards are academic distinctions for students to cite among their credentials on applications and resumés. Students do not receive any monetary award from the College Board.

AP Scholar - Granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams
AP Scholar with Honor - Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams
AP Scholar with Distinction - Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

Visit College Board's website for more information

AP Capstone Diploma Program

The AP Capstone Diploma program offers participating students the opportunity to develop college-level skills in research, critical thinking, presentation, and team collaboration—areas that are increasingly valued by colleges and universities.

Students can earn the AP Capstone Diploma™ or the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™. College Board awards the student the diploma or certificate earned.

Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing receive the AP Capstone Diploma™.

Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research but not on four additional AP Exams receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™.

For more information about the AP Capstone visit College Board's website.