Balboa Academy offers courses and examinations for high school students at a college level through the College Board’s AP Program.

What is Advanced Placement (AP)?

The Advanced Placement Program was started in 1955 by College Board (the same organization as the SAT exam) to prepare High School students to a rigorous curriculum so they would be better prepared for college. Courses are audited by the College Board yearly to make sure that they meet the rigorous requirements.

 

 

What is the difference between AP and IB (International Baccalaureate)?

The IB program was created in 1968 and is a two-year program (11th and 12th grades) designed to prepare students for college. It is a holistic program with an emphasis on writing, research, foreign language, and global citizenship. The AP program begins in 10th grade at Balboa Academy and is more ala carte.

 

 

What AP Classes does Balboa Academy Offer?

Balboa Academy offers all of the classes required to receive the AP International Diploma. We offer:

AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Spanish Literature and Culture, AP English Literature and Composition, AP English Language and Composition, AP World History, AP Art History, AP Environmental Science, AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Sciences A, AP Statistics, AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1, AP Studio Art: Drawing, AP Studio Art: 2-D Design, AP Studio Art: 3-D Design, AP Psychology, AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP U.S. History, and AP World History.

 

Which program do colleges prefer?

Colleges want students to take the most rigorous courses possible. They do not have an IB or AP preference. European Universities usually ask that students who are in an AP school pass at least four AP exams.

 

How many Balboa Academy students were recognized with honors through AP in 2017?

In 2017, we had 32 AP Scholars (Granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams), 7 AP Scholars with Honors (  Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams), 19 AP Scholars with Distinction ( Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams), and 2 received their AP Diplomas.