Advanced Placement
What is the AP Program?
Downey High School offers a wide variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses to challenge students academically. AP is a program created by the College Board which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students. When students take AP courses and exams, they demonstrate to college admission officers that they have sought out an educational experience that will prepare them for success in college and beyond.
AP Courses Available at Downey High
Math
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Statistics
Foreign Language
French Language and Culture
Spanish Language and Culture
Spanish Literature and Culture
English
English Language and Composition
English Literature and Composition
Visual and Performing Arts
Musical Theory
Studio Art – 2D and 3D
Drawing
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Physics 1: Algebra-Based
Interdisciplinary
Seminar
Research
Social Studies
European History
Human Geography
Macroeconomics
Psychology
United States Government
United States History
What you need to know about AP courses
- AP courses are college-level courses offered in high school
- AP courses may require summer assignments
- Students take AP exams at the end of the course to measure their mastery of the college-level class
- A score of 3 or higher on an AP exam can typically earn students college credit and/or placement into advanced courses in college
Questions?
AP Exam Scores
Performing well on an AP Exam means more than just the successful completion of a course. Most colleges and universities accept successful exam scores for credit, advanced placement, or both. And research consistently shows that students who are successful in AP typically experience greater academic success in college than those who do not participate in AP.
4 = Well qualified
3 = Quallified
2 = Possibly qualified
1 = No recommendation
AP Exam scores are a weighted combination of scores on a multiple-choice section and a free-response section. AP Exam scores are reported on a 5-point scale that indicates how qualified the student is to receive college credit and placement for their performance.