One of the most common questions facing the underclassmen at Agoura High School is the difference between the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, commonly referred to as AP and IB, respectively. While both these programs offer a more accelerated and in-depth curriculum, they provide different benefits in the classroom environment and when applying to college.
AP (Advanced Placement):
Agoura High School offers a variety of AP classes, from AP Human Geography to AP Art History. AP classes provide many benefits, including a weighted GPA and potentially college credits. The College Board runs AP testing. For more information, visit https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/course-index-page. Because AP classes are college courses, they are typically more rigorous than a college-prep course. Exams are taken in May, but the test style varies depending on the course. Some exams have free-response questions or separate projects in addition to a multiple-choice portion. Exams must be purchased in advance; for the 2023-2024 school year, tests cost $98.
While it’s undoubtedly recommended, students enrolled in an AP class are not required to take the exam. Even without taking the AP test, the grade for the class will still be weighted, meaning an “A” in the class will be a 5.0 GPA. AP tests are graded on a scale from 1-5. No partial credit will be given, and the exact weighting of the elements on the test depends on the class. In college, most schools will accept a high score on an AP test as credit for that course. Therefore, students can skip those units in college, saving money and time. In some schools, a three on an exam is eligible for credit. In other schools, students must score higher to qualify.
Additionally, students not enrolled in an AP class are still eligible to take the AP test. This applies to students willing to study independently for their exams. However, if offered, most students who take an AP exam will enroll in the class. AP courses are available to all grade levels, including underclassmen. Some popular AP courses for freshmen are AP Computer Science Principles and AP Human Geography. A program offered at Calabasas called the Advanced Placement Capstone Program adds an extra layer to individual testing. Unfortunately, this program isn’t offered at Agoura High. Overall, AP classes are an excellent resource for students looking to boost their GPA, deepen their knowledge with a college course, and distinguish themselves in the eyes of application committees.
IB (International Baccalaureate):
Also offered at Agoura is the International Baccalaureate program. The style of this program varies from the AP program, though it depends on the class. In addition, IB is internationally recognized, so for students planning on attending college outside of the country, IB is an ideal choice. Unlike AP tests, each IB course has multiple exams, so less pressure is placed upon each one. Students who want to sit for IB exams must be enrolled in the class. Exams are scored out of 7 points; again, there is no partial credit. Also, teachers must be certified to teach these courses. IB courses fall into SL (standard level) and HL (higher level). SL classes are taken over the course of one year, while HL classes span two years. Depending on the college, some IB courses (with high exam scores) will count for college. With few exceptions, IB courses are only available for upperclassmen. There are two pathways for students interested in pursuing IB:
Diploma:
If students meet all the requirements, they can receive the IB Diploma. Students begin this pursuit in their junior year. The requirements for the diploma restrict freedom to choose classes because certain IB classes must be taken. However, if a student satisfies some of the requirements for the Diploma early, they have free space in their schedule for their senior year to choose non-IB classes. The EE or extended essay is one central element of achieving the IB Diploma. This is a 4,000-word essay that explores a student’s interests; the student can choose the topic! Because IB course requirements, scoring, and grouping are very detailed, visit https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/, or contact Mr. Shipley (tshipley@lvusd.org).
Certificate:
If students are unwilling to earn the IB Diploma, they can take singular IB classes independently. These classes are also weighted; students receive a 5.0 GPA for an “A.” If students decide to earn individual certificates for the IB classes they take, they have more freedom to choose which courses to take, and they can also take AP courses.
For a list of all the courses taught at Agoura by grade level, go to https://docs.google.com/document/d/11p59J3QnhgFU–j_vEd7an_wXZW4z1MXCgsExMO2Z9Q/edit.
