We at Harding feel very strongly that the hard work that students
do now in high school is critical to their success in college and later
in life. Because of this conviction, we have structured our school
around a strong Advanced Placement™ (AP) Program. This program will
benefit the students in terms of skills learned and intellectual
growth as well as through earning college credit while still in high
school.
Advanced Placement is a nationwide program which allows
high school students to take college-level courses while still in high
school. The students use college textbooks and are generally graded in
a way very similar to a college course. At the end of the year the
students may take an exam to determine if they have mastered the
material. Most universities give students college credit depending on
the score they receive on their exam.
Students who take AP classes are well prepared for the
rigorous demands of college. Students master the skills necessary to
succeed in college while still in the more structured high school
environment. AP helps students learn how to handle the academic
pressure, and to build their confidence in their own ability to tackle
the difficult material. Furthermore, college admission officers pay
very close attention to students who take AP classes, knowing that
they have a better chance of success in college.
Because Harding is a college preparatory school, we have
chosen to structure our curriculum around the AP program. Every academic
class in the freshman and sophomore years is geared towards preparing
students for AP classes. Freshman and sophomore classes follow a
rigorous curriculum which would be the equivalent of “Honors” or
“Pre-AP” courses at other high schools. Writing, a heavy component of
the AP exam, is strongly emphasized.
As students enter their junior and senior years, they will
be taking approximately three AP classes per year. Most students find
such a course load quite challenging. However, the small size of
Harding better allows us to help individual students who may begin to
struggle in one class before it affects their progress in their other
classes. It also helps us to stagger major assignments and exams so
that students do not become overwhelmed at any one time.
Advanced Placement and AP are registered trademarks of The College Board. More information is available at www.collegeboard.com