Huntington High School students are encouraged to challenge themselves by taking AP courses.
Huntington High School students are encouraged to challenge themselves by taking AP courses.

AP 101 Workshop Encourages Students to Challenge Themselves

December 17, 2024

Challenge yourself; it’s well worth the effort. That’s the charge that Dr. Ricky V. Papandrea Jr. issued to Huntington High School students during a recent workshop.

Dr. Papandrea is Huntington UFSD’s director of school counseling and testing K-12 and he hosted the workshop titled “AP 101: Promoting Access and Success in Advanced Placement Classes.

“Advanced Placement courses are for any students who are academically prepared and motivated to take college-level courses,” Dr. Papandrea said. “It’s no secret that AP courses are challenging. But the support you receive from your classmates and teachers can help you manage the workload. AP courses have our highest weighting. Taking AP courses shows colleges that you’re willing to challenge yourself academically.

Every AP course has an end-of-course AP Exam. If a student passes the exam with a score of 3+ they could earn college credit for the course. AP exam scores can be included in college applications. AP Credit Policy Search - Use this tool to find colleges that offer credit or placement for AP scores.

Benefits of Taking AP Courses

• College Preparation: Experience college-level coursework early.

• Earn College Credit: Save on tuition with qualifying AP exam scores.

• Skill Development: Build critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management skills.

• Stronger College Applications: Stand out with a rigorous academic transcript.

• Scholarship Opportunities: Increase eligibility for merit-based awards.

• Explore Interests: Dive deeper into subjects you're passionate about.

• AP Capstone Program: Gain research, collaboration, and presentation expertise through AP Seminar and AP Research.

Huntington High School currently offers 30 Advanced Placement classes. During the previous school year, 127 Huntington students earned AP Scholar status. Huntington students sat for 876 AP exams last year compared to 749 in 2022/23.

Following Dr. Papandrea’s presentation, 13 separate Huntington High School teachers held breakout sessions around the building to discuss specific AP courses.