May-June 2019 Update

As you may already know, Forest Lawn is a part of a select group of schools in our province to offer the Advanced Placement program.  In addition to learning the standard curriculum, students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses will experience upper level enrichment in a variety of disciplines. Despite the additional enrichment activities, many students have reported greater success in AP courses due to being with like-minded individuals that enhance and support their work skills. Course marks on report cards and Alberta Education transcripts are based on the mainstream program of studies. Students enrolled in the AP version of a course will have major assessments identical to the non-AP version of the course.  Upon successful completion of the program, the opportunity to earn advanced standing at numerous postsecondary institutions will be offered to you through the Advanced Placement exam.

We are expecting our pre-AP cohort numbers to increase next year. AP Exams will be occurring in May.  We have two AP exams on Wednesday May 8th (English at 8 AM and Social at 12 PM), Chemistry on Thursday May 9th (8AM), and Calculus on May 14th (8AM). All of the exams will be written in the main conference room.

Advanced Placement (AP) at Forest Lawn

The Advanced Placement program at Forest Lawn High School is intended to provide opportunities for students:

• to engage in rigorous exploration of areas of strength and passion in an enriched curriculum
• to holistically interconnect core subjects with other disciplines in the options and trades
• who are academically prepared and motivated to take University/College level courses and potentially earn credits for University level courses

If you are interested in choosing an AP course talk with your learning coach, counsellor or administrator.

We are an intellectual community of learners who value diversity and collaboration. We are committed to building knowledge, developing responsible attitudes and demonstrating competencies for life in a complex and changing world.

Are you ready for a new challenge? If you pushed yourself to do your very best in High School how far could you go? At Forest Lawn High School we are fortunate to be able to offer the Advanced Placement Program and I encourage you to step forward and accept the challenge.

Are you an academic student who wants to go to college or university? Is school easy for you or do you enjoy the challenge of pushing yourself in an academic discipline? If so, sign up for AP at Forest Lawn today. Dream big dreams, work hard and discover all that life has to offer you. All you have to do is take the first step and enroll. Hope to see you soon at FLHS.

Why take an AP Course?

Taking the end-of-course AP Exam sends a powerful message to colleges and universities that a student is ready for them, and can enable students to gain admission, college credit, and placement into advanced courses.

• Advanced Placement Program (AP) courses give you a head start on college/university
• They provide academic rigor
• Students are exposed to a higher level of critical and creative thinking
• AP courses provide an atmosphere of like-minded individuals who have a passion for the same subject area

Information about AP

What’s the difference between ‘credit’ and ‘placement’?

• Some colleges award ‘‘Credit’’ for qualifying AP Exam grades. This means you actually earn points toward your college degree.
• Others award ‘‘Advanced Placement.’’ This means you can skip introductory courses, enter higher-level classes, and/or fulfill general educational requirements.

Why Should a Student take the AP Exam?

Colleges and universities give credit for qualifying AP Exam grades, not AP Course grades.

It is important to remember that each post-secondary institution will have its own guidelines for accepting Advanced Placement grades:

For instance, here in Alberta, the University of Alberta currently accepts a score of 3 or more on the AP Exam for credit or placement. The University of Calgary requires a score of 4 or more for credit or placement. This is used as an example only; it is not meant to imply one institution’s superiority over another.

Each student should investigate the post-secondary institutions of their choice to find out their particular acceptance guidelines and procedures.

Who Should Take an AP Course and Exam?

Our school uses the AP program’s official policy for AP enrollment, which indicates that all willing students should be considered for admission to AP courses.

Be aware, the AP Courses are rigorous and academically challenging. To ensure success, be sure that the pace of learning is a good fit for your academic style.

Please note there is also a nominal fee for each AP exam taken. Please see your guidance counselor about current fee amounts.

AP Courses offered at FLHS

• English Literature and Composition: 10 preAP, 20-1 preAP, 30-1 preAP; 35 AP
• Math: 10 preAP, 20-1 preAP, 30-1 AP, 31 AP (Calculus), 35 AP
• Science: 10 preAP Biology and Chemistry: 20 preAP, 35 AP
• Social Studies: 10 preAP, 20-1 preAP, 30-1 preAP; 35 AP

AP Equity Policy

‘‘The College Board and the Advanced Placement Program encourage teachers, AP coordinators, and school administrators to make equitable access a guiding principle for the AP programs. The College Board is committed to the principle that all students deserve an opportunity to participate in rigorous and academically challenging courses and programs. All students who are willing to accept the challenge of a rigorous academic curriculum should be considered for admission to AP Courses. The Board encourages the elimination of barriers that restrict access to AP courses for students from ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in the AP Program. Schools should make every effort to ensure that their AP classes reflect the diversity of their student population.’’ 

Our Vision for Forest Lawn High School

We are an intellectual community of learners who value diversity and collaboration. We are committed to building knowledge, developing responsible attitudes and demonstrating competencies for life in a complex and changing world.

Our Mission Statement for Forest Lawn High School

• To meet the needs of all learners

We believe that a program of Advanced Placement course offerings moves us closer to the stated goal.

Prepare Now to Succeed in College

A 1999 U.S. Department of Education study found that the strongest predictor of college graduation is something students do before they ever go to college:

Participate in rigorous, college-level courses in high school --- AP courses in particular.

Clifford Adelman, Answers in the Tool Box: Academic Intensity, Attendance Patterns, and Bachelor’s Degree Attainment (1999), U.S. Department of Education

‘‘The conformation that college-level learning took place is in the published results. The AP Exam grade is a national standard that I can understand and rely upon.’’

Joellen L. Silberman, Dean of Enrollment, Kalamzoo College.