Advanced Placement

Learn About Advanced Placement

Brush High School offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses in various areas. AP courses require students to work at a college freshman level. Because of the academic rigor, AP courses are assigned a weighted grade contingent upon a semester grade of C or higher. Scores on the exam, deemed acceptable by colleges, enable students to earn college credit.

AP gives students the chance to tackle college-level work while they're still in high school and earn college credit and placement.

Explore AP

Explore AP offerings at Brush High School through the course catalog and learn more about the program from the College Board's website.

course catalog

college board website

ap courses & exam formats

How AP Works

Students enroll in AP courses at Brush, experiencing a full year of college-level curriculum taught by Brush teachers. At the end of the year, students take the national AP exam (scored 1-5). Colleges award credit, advanced placement, or both based on exam score—typically, scores of 3 or higher qualify for college credit, though some selective colleges require 4 or 5.

Students enrolled in AP course(s) are required to take AP Exam(s). The South Euclid-Lyndhurst Schools has a "buy one, get one" policy for students enrolled in multiple AP courses. This means that for every AP exam purchased by a student, they receive one exam at no cost. (Note: fee waivers/reductions are available for students who meet College Board and Federal criteria.)

Brush High School offers a GPA boost to students who take AP. Grades are weighted on a 5.0 scale as follows for AP courses:

A=5.0, A-=4.59, B+=4.17, B=3.75, B-=3.34, C+=2.92, C=2.5, C-=2.08, D+=1.3, D=1.0, D-=0.7, F=0.0

Benefits of AP

Academic Advantages

Rigorous preparation: Experience college-level content, critical thinking, and analytical writing while still supported by high school structure.
Teacher support: Unlike College Credit Plus, where students navigate independently, AP teachers guide students throughout the year and are available for extra help.
Cohort learning: Students take challenging courses alongside motivated Brush peers, building a community of learners.
Grade protection: AP courses carry weighted GPA benefits; a B in an AP course may be worth more than an A in a regular course.

College Admissions Benefits

Transcript strength: Colleges view AP participation as evidence of academic ambition and college readiness, adding strength to college applications.
Competitive edge: Selective colleges expect to see AP courses on applicants' transcripts.
Demonstrated mastery: High AP exam scores validate a student's abilities beyond grades.
Course rigor: Colleges evaluate the difficulty of a student's high school coursework; AP courses signal a student chose challenge over ease.

Financial Benefits

Potential college credit: Students can earn credit at most colleges with qualifying AP exam scores.
Cost-effective: AP exam costs approximately $98 per exam, which is significantly less than college tuition for equivalent credits.
Fee waivers available: Students with financial need can receive reduced or free AP exam fees.
Accelerated graduation: Students can enter college with credits completed, potentially graduating early and saving a semester or full year of tuition.

Preparing for College

Academic Preparation

College-level thinking: STudents develop skills in analysis, synthesis, argumentation, and critical reading that colleges expect from day one.
Writing intensity: Students practice the volume and sophistication of writing required in college courses.
Independent learning: Students learn to read complex texts, take comprehensive notes, and study effectively without constant direction.
Exam stamina: Students build endurance for lengthy, high-stakes exams common in college.

Time Management

Homework volume: AP courses assign college-level homework loads, teaching students to manage time effectively.
Long-term projects: Students practice planning research papers, presentations, and cumulative projects over weeks or months.
Deadline juggling: Some stduents blance multiple AP courses simultaneously, mimicking college course loads.
Study skill development: Students learn to prepare for comprehensive exams that cover months of material.

Intellectual Development

Depth over breadth: Students will experience sustained engagement with complex topics rather than surface-level coverage.
Academic discourse: AP courses feature sophisticated discussions, debate ideas, and encourage students to defend arguments.
Intellectual curiosity: AP courses encourage students to explore subjects deeply, discovering whether they might become college majors.
Growth mindset: Students learn to persist through challenging material and embrace productive struggle.

Social & Emotional Preparation

Academic identity: Studnts can discover academic strengths, interests, and learning preferences.
Resilience: Stuents will develop persistence when coursework is difficult; they learn that struggle is part of mastery.
Self-advocacy: AP courses encuorage students to practice asking questions, seeking help, and taking responsibility for their learning
Peer collaboration: Students work with other motivated students, experiencing the collaborative learning common in college.

What to Expect

Academic Rigor

Faster pace: AP courses cover more content in greater depth than standard courses.
Higher expectations: College-level analysis, writing, and thinking from day one.
Significant homework: Expect substantial reading, writing, and problem-solving outside of class.
Comprehensive assessments: Tests and projects assess understanding of large units or concepts.
AP Exam in May: The AP exam is a cumulative exam covering the entire year's curriculum.

Student Responsiblities

Consistent effort: Success requires daily engagement, not just exam cramming.
Active participation: Contribute to discussions, ask questions, seek help proactively.
Time management: Balance AP coursework with other classes, activities, and responsibilities.
Exam preparation: Dedicate time to review and practice in the weeks before AP exams.
Exam registration: Register for AP exams by the deadline and pay exam fees.

Teacher Support

Expert instruction: Brush teachers are trained in AP curriculum and pedagogy.
Extra help: Office hours, tutoring, and review sessions are available for students.
Exam preparation: Practice tests, review materials, and strategies are provided throughout the year.
Mentorship: Students work with teachers who know them personally and can advocate for them in college recommendations.

Is AP the Right Choice?

Students Considering AP

Students should consider AP if they:

Are academically motivated and enjoy intellectual challenge
Want to strengthen their college applications
Are curious about subjects and want to explore them deeply
Have strong reading, writing, and analytical skills (or want to develop them)
Can manage increased workload alongside other commitments
Are planning to attend college and want to be prepared for its rigor
Prefer the support structure of a full-year course with a dedicated teacher

Important Considerations

Workload: AP courses require significant time and effort outside of class.
GPA impact: While weighted, a low grade in AP can still affect a student's GPA.
Exam pressure: The AP exam is comprehensive and high-stakes; effective preparation is essential. to success.
College credit varies: Not all colleges accept all AP scores; students should research their target schools' policies.
Stress management: Taking multiple AP courses simultaneously requires careful planning.

AP Success Strategies

Students should start with one or two AP courses to gauge their readiness.
Students should choose subjects that genuinely interest them —passion helps with motivation.
Students are encouraged to attend review sessions and complete all practice materials.
Forming study groups with classmates can help with success.
Using teacher's office hours regularly will help students.
Students should begin AP exam review at least 4-6 weeks before the test.
Don't overload yourself—quality over quantity.

What AP Teaches About College Life

College courses move fast: Courses will cover material rapidly with high expectations for retention.
Studying is essential: Success requires consistent, effective study habits—not cramming.
Deep reading matters: Students must comprehend complex texts independently and think critically about them.
Writing is a process: College-level papers require planning, drafting, revising, and attention to argumentation.
You're intellectually capable: Successfully completing AP proves students can handle college academics.

Next Steps

Students should see their counselor to:

Determine which AP courses align with their interests and college goals
Understand prerequisites for specific AP courses
Create a balanced four-year plan that includes appropriate AP rigor
Learn about AP exam registration deadlines and fee waiver eligibility
Discuss how AP courses fit with ther overall college preparation strategy