What are AP courses, and why are they so important?

November 2, 20233 min read

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The Importance of AP Courses: A Guide for Students and Parents

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are college-level classes that high school students can take to earn college credit and placement. With rigorous academics and high expectations, APs allow driven students to challenge themselves academically and get a head start on their college education. In this blog post, we’ll explore what AP courses are, their key benefits, and why they should be considered by college-bound high school students.

What Are AP Courses?

AP courses are developed by the College Board, the same organization that administers the SAT exam. The courses are designed to mimic introductory-level college courses in specific subjects. While AP curricula can vary slightly by school, they follow standardized outlines to ensure consistent rigor and expectations.

At the end of the school year, students can take individual AP exams in each subject. These standardized tests are scored from 1 to 5. Many colleges award credit and placement for scores of 3 and higher. With acceptable scores, students can skip introductory classes, potentially saving time and tuition costs.

With acceptable scores, students can skip introductory classes, potentially saving time and tuition costs.

Why Take AP Courses?

Here are some of the main advantages of AP courses for ambitious high school students:

Earn college credit: By scoring well on AP exams, students can earn credit at most colleges and universities. This allows students to skip introductory-level courses and potentially graduate early.
Stand out for college admissions: Competitive colleges look for challenging coursework when evaluating applicants. AP courses demonstrate a student’s willingness to push themselves academically.
Prepare for college academics: The advanced reading, writing, and critical thinking skills required in APs help prep students for the rigor of college classes. Students adjust to college-level work while still in a high school environment.
Potentially place out of introductory college courses: In addition to earning credit, passing AP scores allow students to skip introductory classes in subjects like Calculus, English, and History. This frees up time in college for higher-level courses.
Learn time management skills: AP courses require strong time management skills to complete lengthy assignments and retain information. This helps students be prepared for the heavier workload of college academics.

What AP courses are offered at NIVA?

AP courses are very much encouraged at NIVA. It’s imperative, however, that you choose a course that is inline with your goals leading up to graduation and university entrance. All NIVA high school students are strongly encouraged to discuss this with the Guidance Counselor. A full list of the courses on offer at NIVA can be found here.

The Bottom Line

For college-bound high school students looking to get ahead, AP courses offer an array of benefits. From earning early college credit, to learning time management skills, to skipping introductory college courses, APs provide a valuable way to make the most of your high school experience. At NIVA, we offer a number of popular AP courses from which you can choose from. Start a conversation with your guidance counselor today! With proper planning and commitment, APs can give students a head start on their path to college success!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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What curriculum does NIVA use?

NIVA uses an American curriculum based on the California common core standards.

What are the class sizes and student-to-teacher ratios? What is the average class size and how many students are there per class?

We typically have smaller class sizes and lower student-to-teacher ratios than Thai schools. Class sizes may range from 15 to 26 students, with student-to-teacher ratios ranging from 13:1 to 20:1.

What are the qualifications of the teachers and staff?

Teachers and staff at NIVA hold advanced degrees and have experience teaching in international or multicultural settings.

What facilities and resources are available for students, such as libraries, sports facilities, and technology?

Please check out pictures of our beautiful campus here. You can also book a school tour to come visit our campus with your family!

Do we have a program to help students who cannot speak English?

Yes, we do. Our English Language Learner (ELL) program is designed to lay foundations for student who don't speak English with the goal of getting them ready to join our mainstream program. This program is available to all students, including those coming from Thai schools and Chinese-speaking families.

What extracurricular activities (ECAs) does the school offer?

NIVA offers a wide range of extracurricular activities including sports, arts, music, drama, and community service. Click on the following links to see a sample of ECAs we offer for elementary school and secondary school. Please note that the ECAs listed here are examples of what we typically offer. This list may change according to student interest.

What is the school's policy on student safety and security?

NIVA has policies and procedures in place to ensure student safety and security, including protocols for emergency situations, visitor management, and student supervision. You can read more about our Child Protection Policy here.

What AP courses does NIVA offer?

Please click here to see AP courses we offer. Please keep in mind that each class must have met the required minimum number of students registered it to take place.

How does the AP program benefit the students when they go to university?

The Advanced Placement (AP) program can benefit students when they go to university by providing them with college-level coursework in high school, which can help prepare them for the rigor and expectations of university-level courses.
Students who take AP courses may be eligible to receive college credit, advanced placement, or both, which can help reduce the cost of college tuition and allow students to graduate earlier.
Additionally, having AP courses on a student's transcript can demonstrate to universities that they are willing to challenge themselves academically and may improve their chances of being accepted into competitive programs.

Do students receive a diploma for AP?

There are two types of AP diploma:

AP Capstone Diploma: The requirements for receiving this diploma is as follows: AP Capstone 1 (Seminar), AP Capstone 2 (Research), four other AP exam scores (all scores have to be at least 3 out of 5).
AP International Diploma (APID): A globally recognized certificate awarded to students who display exceptional achievement across a variety of disciplines. Five AP exams with scores of 3 or above is required (different subjects have different requirements).

How does the school help students with scholarships abroad?

Our guidance counselor works tirelessly to help our grade 11 and 12 students apply for scholarships abroad. We help students prepare and send their applications, guide them with the student interview questions, and assist with all the documents needed for their choice universities.

What happens when a student changes from IB curriculum (or others) to an American Curriculum?

When a student transfers to NIVA, our guidance counselor and registrar will assess and determine subjects that can be matched and transfered to our system. We will then guide the student through the process of developing a plan to acquire the remaining necessary credits and classes for graduation.