Advanced Placement
What it Means to be an AP Student
Warren High School offers a wide range of Advanced Placement (AP) courses to challenge students academically. Through the AP program, students are able to experience the rigors of college-level studies while they still have the support of the high school environment. By participating in AP, students are able to earn college credit and to stand out in the college admission process.
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
AP Courses Available at Warren
AP Drawing
AP Art History
AP Art Studio
AP English Language
AP English Literature
AP Spanish Language
AP Spanish Literature
AP Calculus BC
AP Computer Science A
AP Statistics
AP Chemistry
AP Environmental Science
AP Physics 1
AP Psychology
AP European History
AP World History
AP African American Studies
AP US History
AP Government
AP Research
Resources for AP Students
Sharpening Your Study Skills
Take an AP Practice Test
Advanced Placement Policy
We are thrilled that you are considering enrolling in our Advanced Placement program. This policy is designed to ensure that students and parents are better informed about the decision and commitment they are making when selecting an Advanced Placement class.
Read Policy
The intention of the College Board is that AP classes be equal to an introductory college course.
A college course has more rigorous academic performance expectations than a high school course.
A college course requires more time and commitment than a high school course.
A college course requires excellent study skills, organizational skills, and time management skills.
A college course requires students to use higher level thinking skills and to not only be able to repeat the information, but to also make connections with other learning and to use the information in new applications.
This depth of understanding does not necessarily come after reading the material or hearing a lecture the first time and may require the student to re-read or look to other sources to ensure he/she is truly in command of the material. A college course requires more reading than a high school course.
The purpose in taking an AP class is to demonstrate success in a rigorous program of study and the acquisition of a deeper understanding of the material.
Top-tier, competitive universities consider how rigorous a student’s academic program was by comparing the number of AP classes taken versus the number of AP classes available at the high school attended.
Colleges expect students who enroll in an AP class to take the AP exam.
Some, but not all, colleges will waive college courses for students who take and pass an AP exam with a “3” or better.
AP class grades of “B” or “A”receive high grade points in calculating the state weighted GPA. However, colleges and universities DO NOT give every AP class taken a “bump” in GPA. This is true of the UC system, which gives the higher grade point to only eight semesters of honors and/or AP classes.
We expect you to possess the necessary reading, writing, thinking, study, organizational, and time management skills. We expect that you will be able to meet the deadlines, be prepared for class, and participate in class discussions.
We expect you to abide by all Downey Unified School District Policies and Warren’s Honor Code. Plagiarism and cheating are grounds for dismissal from any college or university, and here at Warren, will result in removal from AP.
We expect you to abide by the Pillars of Character. If you show a lack of character, and receive an academic referral, you may be removed from the AP program.
We expect you to make a commitment to the class. Individual teachers may also expect you to take the AP exam as part of the commitment to the class. It also means making use of available help when you are having difficulty.
We expect you to be in school every day and to make appointments which would cause you to miss classes outside of the school day. (There are, of course, exceptions for illness and bereavement.)
We expect you to get help when you do not understand the material being presented. First, we expect you to consult with the teacher both during class time and outside of class. Study groups and peer tutors can be helpful; paid tutors could be necessary.
We expect you to be aware of all summer assignments and to complete these assignments before the first day school. Not completing summer assignments can indirectly have a negative impact on the student’s grade.
Plagiarising a summer assignment can be cause for removal from Advanced Placement.
We expect you to be aware of the AP drop date (usually three weeks after the beginning of school). You will not be allowed to drop an AP class after this date.
If you have questions about a your ability to be successful in Advanced Placement, it is advisable to review the course descriptions on our AP website and to discuss it with the AP teacher in advance of registering for the class.
I have read the information on the previous page and understand the commitment involved in registering for an AP class. I further understand that if I am registered in AP and earn a “D” or “F” at the QUARTER, I will risk being dropped from the class. A semester grade of a “D” or “F” may have consequences in university admission and graduation from high school.
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