Advanced Placement (AP) at West Port 
Advanced Placement (AP) Program Information
The AP program at West Port enables willing and academically prepared students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Each year-long AP course is modeled on a comparable college introductory course in various subjects, and the exams are academically validated by undergraduates in those subjects at accredited universities across the country. In May, students must take the AP Exam for their course; on a scale of 1 through 5, students must earn a score of 3+ in order to receive college credit at nearly all universities in the U.S. and 60 worldwide.
West Port offers 25 different Advanced Placement (AP) courses through the College Board - the same internationally accredited non-profit that created the SAT. Students are encouraged to to mix and match AP courses with other advanced, magnet, and CTE courses to create a unique experience that makes them stand out on college applications. Students are free to choose as many or as few AP courses as suits their personal academic goals.
Benefits
- Builds confidence and skills such as time management
- Stand out on college applications with a rigorous transcript
- Taught on West Port’s campus by highly qualified teachers
- Earn college credit, skip introductory courses in college, graduate early, save money
- 36 states, including Florida, have state-wide public university policy to accept 3+ scores
- Research shows students earning a 3+ have higher college graduation rates vs. non-AP peers
- AP Courses are designed by The College Board, the same entity as the SAT exam
The AP Capstone Diploma program was created in response to college admissions leaders’ request for AP courses that would help students develop skills of collaboration, academic research, writing, and presentation. To earn the Capstone Diploma, students must first take AP Seminar in grade 10 or 11, then take AP Research in grade 11 or 12, and earn a score of 3 or higher on each exam. In addition, students must also earn a score of 3 or higher on exams for 4 other AP courses of their choosing. The AP Capstone Diploma gives students a unique interdisciplinary approach that focuses on the research skills needed for every college major, thereby giving students the choice of studying topics that are of interest to them as individuals. Earning the AP Capstone Diploma also gives students specific distinction on the Common Application and Coalition Application.
The AP Capstone Diploma is similar to IB or AICE diplomas. However, more students around the globe are currently enrolled in the AP Capstone Diploma program than in any IB or AICE program. Both awards are highly valued by colleges on resumes and transcripts and will set students apart in the college interview and acceptance process.
Here are just a few of the schools our AP Capstone Diploma graduates have attended.
Research shows students who take AP courses and exams are more likely to attend college and graduate on time. Students who enter four-year colleges with credit from AP accelerate their path to graduation and build confidence for college success. And even for those who don’t earn college credit, AP coursework provides early exposure to college-level work and contributes to a college-going school culture.