Are AP® courses weighted differently, and how will AP courses affect my GPA?

AP® courses are weighted on a 5-point scale. General college-prep courses receive up to 4 points, Honors courses receive up to 4.5 points, and AP courses can receive up to 5 points. At Laurel Springs, students receive both an unweighted GPA, where everything is calculated on a 4.0 scale, and a weighted GPA, where Honors and AP® weights are taken into consideration.

What is taking an AP® course like, and what time commitment is required?

The level of rigor in AP® courses is equivalent to that required of students in a freshman or sophomore college course in this area of study. Students should plan to commit to approximately 250 hours of work per year for each online AP® course they take at Laurel Springs.

Is taking the AP® exam required if I take an AP® course?

No, taking the AP® exam is encouraged, but not required. If a student chooses to take an AP® course and not the exam, the student’s Laurel Springs transcript will still show AP® class credit for their college or job applications.

Does Laurel Springs administer AP® exams?

Laurel Springs does not administer AP® exams, nor do we assist students in finding a testing location. Students wishing to take an AP® exam are responsible for finding their own physical testing location and having a test ordered for them by following the process for independent students.

How do I sign up for the AP® exam?

Learn more about signing up for the AP® exam.

AP® Seminar includes a team component. How does that work at a private online school?

AP® Seminar has a required workshop component that differs from our other workshop courses. Students are required to attend a weekly workshop class, and they should plan to work in teams both within the workshop and outside the workshop at times.

AP® Research does not have an exam. Do I still need to sign up for the exam?

AP Research does not have an end-of-course exam, but an exam must be ordered for a student in order for their performance task to be scored.

How do I earn the AP Capstone™ awards?

– Complete AP® Seminar and AP® Research courses with included workshops – Achieve a score of 3 or higher in both AP® Seminar and AP® Research – Complete a minimum of 4 additional AP courses in their high school career and score a 3 or higher on at least four AP exams of your choosing. The AP Seminar and Research Certificate™ is granted to students who earn scores of 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research. Explore the AP Capstone Diploma™ Program

Online Advanced Placement® Courses at Laurel Springs School

Laurel Springs is one of the only top online private schools in the nation to offer an extensive catalog of Advanced Placement® courses in addition to the AP Capstone Diploma™ Program. We provide our online high school students with the AP® options they need to feed their academic ambition, prepare them for college-level curriculum, and give their college applications a competitive edge.

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Online AP® Programs Offered at Laurel Springs

Our course catalog features 24 Advanced Placement® courses. These AP® courses are available to high school students only, with the exception of AP® Spanish and AP® French, which are available to students upon completion of certain prerequisite courses. With fewer than 12 AP Capstone™ online schools providing a comparable range of options, we are a premier choice for families seeking virtual college-level learning opportunities.

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Why take Advanced Placement® courses?

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Earn College Credit and Save on Tuition

By taking AP® courses and achieving passing scores on AP® exams, students can earn college credit, saving them both time and money on their college education. Many colleges and universities recognize AP® credits, allowing students to skip introductory courses and potentially graduate earlier, ultimately reducing the overall cost of their higher education.

Stand Out to Colleges

Because AP® courses hold a higher value, involve more in-depth coursework, and require stronger application of skill sets, college admissions departments view AP® courses favorably. Students who illustrate academic drive and dedication stand out among other college applicants and often have a higher chance of getting into their first-choice school.

Prepare for College Curriculum

AP® courses feature a college-level curriculum that challenges students to develop advanced academic skills and knowledge. Students who choose these learning opportunities develop a stronger ability to manage time effectively, study independently, think critically, and communicate strategically. Entering college with confidence in these areas puts them one step ahead of their peers come the first semester on campus.

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AP Capstone Diploma™ Program

Laurel Springs’ high school students also have access to the AP Capstone Diploma™ Program, a specialized program highly valued by colleges and universities across the world. AP Capstone™ features AP® Seminar and AP® Research courses that develop students' skills in research, analysis, evidence-based debate, collaboration, writing and presenting. Those who successfully complete the two-year program can earn one of two different AP Capstone™ awards – the AP Capstone Diploma™ or AP Seminar and Research Certificate™.

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AP® FAQs

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