Paulette Chaffee Highlights Benefits of Taking AP Courses in High School

High school students with advanced academic abilities often have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Seasoned teacher Paulette Chaffee says that these higher-level classes provide many benefits that students can take advantage of if offered. Below, she gives an overview of some of those benefits:

1. Elevate GPA Score

An AP course is viewed as more academically challenging and often has a heavier workload, so schools give more weight to the class. A weighted class gives students a boost in their GPA, elevating the value of a grade received from an AP course. For example, earning an “A” in an AP course will increase a GPA score more than an “A” from a regular high school class.

2. Better Prepare for College

The increased difficulty of AP courses compared to standard classes provides students the opportunity to develop academic skills aligned with college-level learning and work production. According to the College Board’s New Analyses of AP Scores of 1 and 2 published in June 2021, research demonstrates that students who take the AP Exams and score a 2 are prepared to handle college work. In addition, students who receive a 3 or more on their AP Exam have higher graduation rates than non-AP students and will most likely achieve more academic success in college.

3. Save Money

Students who take their AP exams in May and meet the score requirements could earn college credit. Score requirements for college credit depend on the type of AP course but commonly call for a score of 4 or 5. AP exams are graded on a scale of 1 through 5.

Earning college credit through an AP course in high school can help students save money while getting a head start on required college classes. Rather than paying college tuition to take a college course, an AP class can replace certain college credit requirements. Some students can take enough AP classes to skip the entire first year of college credit requirements. Not having to pay for first-year courses means cutting overall tuition fees by twenty-five percent at four-year colleges.

Entering college at a sophomore level academically also leads to graduating faster and taking advantage of another head start, but this time in the professional world. Alternatively, the extra time saved from taking AP classes creates flexibility during college years to have more time to earn a second minor or even major degree.

4. Boost College Applications

When students apply to colleges, their AP classes help them stand out to admissions officers. As stated before, AP classes signal to admissions officers that students have advanced academic experience and can handle academic work at a college level. A high weighted GPA also opens more doors for a student to receive merit-based financial aid.

5. Adapt to Challenges

When students go to college, they are taking a more independent and individualized approach to their education. Universities present a learning platform for students to become experts in what they are most interested in pursuing as a career or professional specialization. Adapting to challenges in a subject of interest can be practiced when taking an AP class in high school in preparation for college.

6. Build Self and Academic Confidence

AP classes foster essential skills and help students gain confidence. Time management, problem-solving, creativity, intellectual independence, and good study habits are a few of the building blocks to success in more challenging learning courses.

About Paulette Chaffee

Paulette Chaffee is a teacher, speech therapist, and attorney deeply involved in the Fullerton community. As an educator and member of various non-profit boards, her focus has always been on providing children with the highest quality education. Ms. Chaffee holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Redlands, a California Lifetime Teaching Credential, and is admitted to the California Bar.