Advanced Placement » Advanced Placement (AP)

Advanced Placement (AP)

Philosophy:
The Golden Valley High School Advanced Placement (AP) Philosophy is to enable any interested, academically capable, and highly motivated students to complete a rigorous college-level instruction that, at the minimum, will prepare them for success at the university level and to take the AP examination. AP students and parents should recognize that besides Golden Valley High School’s AP requirements, automatic placement in an AP course requires successful completion of that course’s prerequisites and that the work involves significantly more commitment and accomplishment than the standard high school course. The AP test is the ultimate goal and culmination of efforts of each student in the program and students are expected, but not required, to take AP exams in the subject area studied. Extra credit may be awarded for an AP test score of 4 or 5 at the discretion of the instructor. A student thinking of bypassing the AP test will need to have a conference with the course instructor and potentially AP coordinator or assistant principal.


Taking AP classes gives students an edge in college preparation. Students get a head start on college-level work, improve writing skills and sharpen problem-solving techniques.
They also develop the study habits necessary for tackling rigorous course work.

Taking AP classes helps students stand out in the college admissions process. These students demonstrate maturity and readiness for college, willingness to push themselves to the limit and emphasize their commitment to academic excellence.