The Advanced Placement (AP) program offers motivated students the opportunity to take challenging university-level courses while still in high school. Successful completion of an AP examination can result in a university credit, advanced standing, or both, depending on the university the student wishes to attend.
Successful completion of AP courses enhances a student’s chances of university acceptance, particularly to more competitive universities and programs. Further, completion of AP courses gives students a definite edge in their university studies, compared to students who have not completed a more advanced course of study.
At present, AP courses are recognized by the majority of universities across Canada and in a great number of countries around the world. Town Centre offers AP courses in a wide range of disciplines, including the sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), mathematics (Calculus and Statistics), social studies (Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, World Geography and World History) and language (English).
In order to fully prepare students to be successful in the AP program, Town Centre offers three pre-AP “streams” for students in Grades 10 and 11. These streams provide qualified students with accelerated courses of study, allowing them to be comfortable with the AP material well before they sit for their final exams in Grade 12. Students in the AP and pre-AP streams will graduate with multiple AP certificates, in addition to their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. A non-AP stream for students who choose to study strictly Ontario curriculum is also available.
Admission to the pre-AP streams is competitive. All Town Centre students complete a common Grade 9 year, in which they study a variety of core academic subjects. The streaming process begins in Grade 10. Decisions regarding which stream a student is placed in are based upon their performance in the core academic subjects in Grade 9. Parents or students who have questions regarding Town Centre’s AP or pre-AP program are invited to see Mr. McCarthy or Ms. McDonald in the High School office.
CAPSON, the Council of AP Schools in Ontario is an association of AP schools in Ontario and Quebec. CAPSON schools advocate as a group to the Universities and the Ministry of Education. All Ontario universities grant AP credits, as well as many universities outside of Ontario and Canada. Students can indicate their AP status on the OUAC application form.
