APs in Middle school

[London]

Can others who have done this share their experience? is the only thing that matters that a) you look a board approved course b) you did well on the test? I don't want to have the issue where my DS has to retake this when he is of formal highschool age.

 

And how do you list this on transcripts down the road? 

[freesia]

The only thing I can speak to is that you do not have to take an approved course unless you want to label the class on your transcript as AP. You can take the test without an approved course. Your scores still count. You would list it as Honors xyz with AP test.

[Arcadia]

The only thing that matters is that your child did well on the test. I can’t list the course as AP in middle school even if the course is an AP approved course. That is CollegeBoard’s rule.

Your child won’t need to retake the same AP exam in high school.

 

I am listing the AP exam scores on my children’s transcript under AP exam scores. Their assigned public high school has no problems accepting that they have completed those subjects based on their AP scores. DS12 has a 4 as a 6th grader while DS13 has two 5s as a 7th grader and will be taking three AP exams as an 8th grader.

 

ETA:

“The AP designation may only be applied to authorized courses offered at or above the 9th grade level which have received authorization through the annual AP Course Audit process. The AP label cannot be affixed to courses and transcripts prior to 9th grade. There is one exception to this policy: AP world language courses. These courses focus on linguistic proficiency and cultural competency, so in rare situations these courses can be successfully offered earlier than 9th grade among students who can already speak, read, and write the language with fluency.â€

https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/apc/Appropriate-Grade-Levels-for-AP-Courses.pdf

Edited February 25, 2018 by Arcadia

[Lilaclady]

You do not have to take an approved course but like others have said, the college board does not allow you to list an AP course as a middle school class. One way to get around it is to list courses on the transcript by subject with no designation of grade. Also, I have heard the AP courses are only valid for 4 years and after that will be archived unless requested to be kept. I am not sure of that but you may want to keep it in mind.

[Arcadia]

Also, I have heard the AP courses are only valid for 4 years and after that will be archived unless requested to be kept. I am not sure of that but you may want to keep it in mind.

The four years is from the last AP exam a student takes. So there is should be at most three years gap between exams. For example my oldest is taking AP exams in 7th and 8th grade. He would need to take another AP exam by 11th grade just to not risk his middle school AP exam scores being archived and we have to pay more for archived scores report.

 

Of course if your child need their AP score report four years or more after high school graduation, you just have to pay more for the archived scores report.

 

“If your most recent AP Exam was over four years ago, your AP scores are no longer viewable from our online score reporting system. They have been archived, which means that you will only be able to request your scores be sent to a college, university, or scholarship program via mail or fax.†https://apscore.collegeboard.org/scores/score-reporting/

[SeaConquest]

The only thing that matters is that your child did well on the test. I can’t list the course as AP in middle school even if the course is an AP approved course. That is CollegeBoard’s rule.

Your child won’t need to retake the same AP exam in high school.

 

I am listing the AP exam scores on my children’s transcript under AP exam scores. Their assigned public high school has no problems accepting that they have completed those subjects based on their AP scores. DS12 has a 4 as a 6th grader while DS13 has two 5s as a 7th grader and will be taking three AP exams as an 8th grader.

 

ETA:

“The AP designation may only be applied to authorized courses offered at or above the 9th grade level which have received authorization through the annual AP Course Audit process. The AP label cannot be affixed to courses and transcripts prior to 9th grade. There is one exception to this policy: AP world language courses. These courses focus on linguistic proficiency and cultural competency, so in rare situations these courses can be successfully offered earlier than 9th grade among students who can already speak, read, and write the language with fluency.â€

https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/apc/Appropriate-Grade-Levels-for-AP-Courses.pdf

 

Arcadia,

 

Which ones have they taken so far? (Your boys are so impressive, btw!)

[snowbeltmom]

Can others who have done this share their experience? is the only thing that matters that a) you look a board approved course b) you did well on the test? I don't want to have the issue where my DS has to retake this when he is of formal highschool age.

 

And how do you list this on transcripts down the road?

In my experience, the exam score is what the colleges will use when (if) granting college credit or placement. I did list AP class taken in middle school on the high school transcript. The College Board can make all of the rules it wants. We don't have to follow them. :-)

[Arcadia]

Arcadia,

Which ones have they taken so far?

DS12 took AP Computer Science A

DS13 took AP Computer Science A and AP Calculus BC

[London]

So in summary: a middle schooler can take an AP class using an CB accredited class, take the test. However I can not list this as an AP class on the transcript, correct?

 

Also, I thought SAT scores before the age of 13 were not kept(is this still true?) AP scores however are kept if the kid is  younger than 13?

[London]

DS12 took AP Computer Science A

DS13 took AP Computer Science A and AP Calculus BC

 

what curriculum did you use?

[Arcadia]

Also, I thought SAT scores before the age of 13 were not kept(is this still true?) AP scores however are kept if the kid is younger than 13?

AP scores are kept regardless of age.

SAT scores for under 13 or 8th grade and under are not kept unless requested. I mailed in the request for scores to be kept and they did show up in my DS13’s account when he turned 13 and registered for a CollegeBoard account. His SAT score for 6th grade and sat subject test scores for 7th grade were all kept.

 

“If you test in the eighth grade or below, your scores are removed from your file at the end of the academic year you tested.

 

If you want your scores to be part of your permanent record, you must let us know before August of the year you tested. Include the following with your request:

 

Full identification information

Registration number

Test date

Mail your request to:

 

The College Board SAT Program

Attention: Talent Search Scores

P. O. Box 025505

Miami, FL 33102â€

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/special-circumstances/younger-students

 

what curriculum did you use?

AP Computer Science A - Edhesive online course and CollegeBoard past years FRQs

AP Calculus BC - AoPS Calculus online class, CollegeBoard past years FRQs and Barron’s test prep book.

Edited February 27, 2018 by Arcadia

[Lilaclady]

So in summary: a middle schooler can take an AP class using an CB accredited class, take the test. However I can not list this as an AP class on the transcript, correct?

 

Also, I thought SAT scores before the age of 13 were not kept(is this still true?) AP scores however are kept if the kid is younger than 13?

SAT scores before the age of 13 can be kept but the parent will have to write to the college Board and request that the results be kept on file.

AP’s are generally kept because most students taking AP are high school students.

[Roadrunner]

I would ask this question on Accelerated Learner board where parents of PG kids tend to hang out. Hopefully you will get more responses there.

Edited February 27, 2018 by Roadrunner

[plansrme]

My daughter took AP exams as a home schooled middle schooler.  She went to a B&M public high school, and they originally insisted that she take the classes again.  I researched the county's policies myself, though, and found that there is a credit by examination option for transferring credits from home or other unaccredited schools.  Combining that with the option to give credit for high school classes taken in middle school, which was also in their regulations, I wrote a letter to the principal, cc'ing everyone who seemed relevant, that if they weren't going to accept a 5 on an AP exam for credit by examination, the provision was meaningless.  The county ended up telling the school to give her credit for chemistry, economics and world history.  It was really a matter of the school's not knowing the relevant policies.  She took the exams in middle school for chem, both economics, world history and Calc AB, and made 5s on all.  She also had no problems getting college credit.

[MarkT]

Be aware of:

https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/apc/Appropriate-Grade-Levels-for-AP-Courses.pdf

[snowbeltmom]

Be aware of:

https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/apc/Appropriate-Grade-Levels-for-AP-Courses.pdf

This policy is ridiculous and illustrates just one of the many roadblocks "educators" place in front of kids who are advanced. If a student is ready for the content found in an AP class, why should his age prevent him from taking the class?

I am so thankful I was able to homeschool my kids and not have to deal with this type of bs.

 

<end rant>

[GoodGrief]

FWIW, some colleges will not look at courses taken prior to the ninth grade year. For math that is not an issue so much, since subsequent courses done later in high school will be evidence of advanced middle school work. But if there are specific AP courses that you want to be part of the high school transcript, you may want to consider saving those for high school. It depends on what you hope to accomplish academically by having them do those courses in middle school.

 

Of course any AP exams can be reported/submitted.

[London]

My daughter took AP exams as a home schooled middle schooler.  She went to a B&M public high school, and they originally insisted that she take the classes again.  I researched the county's policies myself, though, and found that there is a credit by examination option for transferring credits from home or other unaccredited schools.  Combining that with the option to give credit for high school classes taken in middle school, which was also in their regulations, I wrote a letter to the principal, cc'ing everyone who seemed relevant, that if they weren't going to accept a 5 on an AP exam for credit by examination, the provision was meaningless.  The county ended up telling the school to give her credit for chemistry, economics and world history.  It was really a matter of the school's not knowing the relevant policies.  She took the exams in middle school for chem, both economics, world history and Calc AB, and made 5s on all.  She also had no problems getting college credit.

 

Exactly this is what I am worried about. When it comes time for highschool, they will say he has to redo the classes, which I want to avoid. Thanks for sharing. I will do some research and see what our local laws say.

 

College are smarter about this. That is why it is called standardized testing. My homeschool kid = a B&M if they both have a 5. If a kid can take an AP and get a 5, it shouldn't matter if he is 10 or 17 years old.

[London]

I like hanging out with the big kids :)

 

I would ask this question on Accelerated Learner board where parents of PG kids tend to hang out. Hopefully you will get more responses there.

 

 

[arliemaria]

Be aware of:

https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/apc/Appropriate-Grade-Levels-for-AP-Courses.pdf

 

"AP coursework completed in 9th grade is not often deemed credible by the higher education community." WHHHAT!? If you are using an approved syallbus this doesn't seem logical.  Is the coursework somehow different if you are 10 or 15 or 17/18?  I guess this makes following their AP Course Audit process very important if you want to list these courses as AP instead of just xyz with AP exam on their transcript.  How does early testing work with regards to the AP National Scholar programs? 

[snowbeltmom]

"AP coursework completed in 9th grade is not often deemed credible by the higher education community." WHHHAT!? If you are using an approved syallbus this doesn't seem logical.  Is the coursework somehow different if you are 10 or 15 or 17/18?  I guess this makes following their AP Course Audit process very important if you want to list these courses as AP instead of just xyz with AP exam on their transcript.  How does early testing work with regards to the AP National Scholar programs?

Ah, remember, we are dealing with the College Board - it doesn't have to be logical. :-)

 

Not that it matters one iota, but I don't agree with their assertion that AP coursework completed prior to 9th grade is not deemed credible by the colleges as that hasn't been our experience at all. I have to wonder if the College Board internally really agrees with this statement they release to the public considering the College Board counts the AP tests taken in middle school towards their various AP Scholar designations.

Edited March 10, 2018 by snowbeltmom

[8filltheheart]

"AP coursework completed in 9th grade is not often deemed credible by the higher education community." WHHHAT!? If you are using an approved syallbus this doesn't seem logical. Is the coursework somehow different if you are 10 or 15 or 17/18? I guess this makes following their AP Course Audit process very important if you want to list these courses as AP instead of just xyz with AP exam on their transcript. How does early testing work with regards to the AP National Scholar programs?

When applying as homeschoolers, with AP exam vs AP course can be a distinction without meaning. AP Scholar's distinction as compelling "value" is similar.

 

Fwiw, high achieving homeschoolers don't need to look like ps applicants with APs as their main focus of achievement like ps students. Not replicating ps at home can have advantages, as well.

 

Just a thought for those with kids who don't fit traditional school sequences.

Edited March 10, 2018 by 8FillTheHeart

[Arcadia]

"AP coursework completed in 9th grade is not often deemed credible by the higher education community." WHHHAT!? If you are using an approved syallbus this doesn't seem logical. Is the coursework somehow different if you are 10 or 15 or 17/18?

... How does early testing work with regards to the AP National Scholar programs?

Grade inflation in schools make AP coursework without an AP exam score not as credible.

When my oldest wanted to take Linear Algebra, all the course providers cared was what was his AP Calculus BC score. They did not care about whether he self studied or took a course for AP Calculus. Since he was under 13, I scanned the AP score report letter from CollegeBoard and the course providers accepted it as meeting AP Calculus BC prerequisite.

 

My kids middle school AP scores are counted towards the AP National Scholar program. My husband was given a talk/explanation on the program when he called for results.

 

ETA:

CollegeBoard’s Investigating Grade Inflation and Non-Equivalence report (20 Page pdf) https://research.collegeboard.org/sites/default/files/publications/2012/7/researchreport-2011-2-investigating-grade-inflation-non-equivalence.pdf

Edited March 10, 2018 by Arcadia

[arliemaria]

When applying as homeschoolers, with AP exam vs AP course can be a distinction without meaning. AP Scholar's distinction as compelling "value" is similar.

 

Fwiw, high achieving homeschoolers don't need to look like ps applicants with APs as their main focus of achievement like ps students. Not replicating ps at home can have advantages, as well.

 

Just a thought for those with kids who don't fit traditional school sequences.

 

I do not feel like we fit ps at all--hence homeschooling.  

 

I would love to hear you elaborate about other possible sequences for high achieving homeschoolers than the modern ps AP route.

[luuknam]

I do not feel like we fit ps at all--hence homeschooling.  

 

I would love to hear you elaborate about other possible sequences for high achieving homeschoolers than the modern ps AP route.

 

 

8Fill has written many posts on the topic; iirc one of her daughters studied a bunch of Russian to a post-high school level while in high school including some focus on literature, even though iirc that's not a language the College Board has a test for. If you look at her signature you can also find links to a couple of books she's written (neither of which I've read), but Homeschooling at the Helm is the one that iiuc would be of interest (iirc it's not that expensive as an online download - I'd get it and read it if I weren't already doing a bunch of other stuff). 

 

ETA: also, unrelated to 8Fill, aside from AP there's obviously DE. And while it's been over a decade since I've read it, iirc the Teenage Liberation Handbook by Grace Llewelyn(sp?) was good for alternative ideas (though not specifically aimed at high-achieving kids). 

Edited March 11, 2018 by luuknam

[8filltheheart]

I do not feel like we fit ps at all--hence homeschooling.

 

I would love to hear you elaborate about other possible sequences for high achieving homeschoolers than the modern ps AP route.

We are in the car and I hate to spend a lot of time typing ou a response that might get lost when I ty to post. Here are a few links you might want to read that discuss various viewpoints.

 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/635774-article-in-the-atlantic-comes-down-hard-on-ap-classes/

 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/635610-so-8th-grade-planning-looking-ahead-to-high-school/page-1

 

If those leave you interested in more, post again and I will respond. Fwiw, my kids don't apply to tippy top schools, but my 2 current college kids have attended college on full merit scholarship or very close to it.

 

ETA: I should preface everything by saying we are very interest led. My kids help design their courses and select topics that they want to study bc they want to learn more. My kids have varied interests, so I have never taught a single grade the same way. Their transcripts are uniquely theirs. My college sr had something like 11 science credits, 9 math cr, philosophy and theology courses, wherea s my college freshman had something like 15 foreign language credits. They still have some core classes they have to take (US history, govt, etc) but where we can meet requirements by doing our own thing, we do. (Dd had French history in French, Russian history, history of communism in the 20th century, a home-brewed ecology course, unique lit courses, etc bc that is what she wanted to study.)

Edited March 11, 2018 by 8FillTheHeart