UPPER SCHOOL
Curriculum Guide
Course Designation


ADVANCED PLACEMENT

North Shore offers specific Advanced Placement (AP) courses as a part of the regular curriculum in upper school. Students can earn college credit and advanced standing for the above AP courses by taking the AP exam in the late spring of each academic year. All students enrolled in an AP course must take the exam unless the teacher and department head give permission not to take the exam. If an AP student does not meet the AP course requirements or if an AP student is late or absent more than six classes in one semester, the student’s status in the AP class is to be reviewed by The Head of Upper School, the AP teacher, and the student’s advisor.




PHILOSOPHY OF AP (ADVANCED PLACEMENT)

North Shore Country Day School (NSCD) offers a comprehensive Advanced Placement (AP) program in partnership with the National College Board. AP courses are rigorous, college-level classes taught by our experienced faculty. These courses allow students to engage with challenging material and potentially earn college credit through the nationally administered AP exams at the end of each course.

AP ENROLLMENT
To ensure students maintain a balanced and enriching academic experience, NSCD has established the following enrollment guidelines for AP courses:
  • Eleventh Grade: Students may enroll in a maximum of two AP courses.
  • Twelfth Grade: Students may enroll in a maximum of three AP courses.
These limits promote student well-being and allow participation in the diverse range of academic, artistic, and athletic opportunities at NSCD.

Eligibility and Expectations for AP Courses
The decision to enroll in an AP course should be carefully considered based on a student's demonstrated academic performance and commitment to rigorous study. Successful AP students typically possess the following qualities:
  • Intellectual Curiosity and Maturity: A genuine interest in learning and the ability to engage with complex ideas.
  • Active Participation: Willingness to contribute thoughtfully to class discussions and group activities.
  • Strong Work Ethic: Disciplined study habits and a commitment to consistent effort.
  • Independent Learning: Ability to work autonomously and engage in self-assessment.
  • Mastery of Prerequisites: Solid understanding of foundational knowledge and skills.
  • Effective Reading Comprehension: Ability to analyze and interpret complex texts.
  • Time Management: Skill in managing complex assignments and meeting deadlines.
  • Analytical Thinking: Ability to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Due to the demanding nature of AP courses, an application process is generally required.

Balancing Academic Commitments
AP courses require a significant time commitment. NSCD encourages students to consider their overall academic, artistic, and athletic involvement when applying for AP courses. We prioritize student well-being and strive to create a balanced educational experience.
  • All AP course schedules are reviewed, especially those of students planning to take multiple AP courses.
  • In exceptional cases, students may request to take three AP courses in eleventh grade or four in twelfth grade. These requests require administrative approval.
NSCD is dedicated to supporting students in their pursuit of academic excellence while fostering a well-rounded and fulfilling high school experience.


PARTICIPATING IN ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) EXAMS AT NSCD

North Shore Country Day allows students to challenge themselves academically through the Advanced Placement (AP) program. Students can participate in this program in two ways:

ENROLL IN AN AP COURSE
ELIGIBILITY: Students must demonstrate intellectual maturity, strong work ethic, and mastery of prerequisite knowledge.
PREPARATION: Students engage in rigorous coursework throughout the course, including class discussions, group activities, and independent work.
EXAM: Students are required to take the AP exam at the end of the course.
TRANSCRIPT IMPACT: Grades earned in AP courses are weighted. AP exam scores do not affect course grades or appear on the transcript.

SELF-STUDY (EXAM-ONLY)

ELIGIBILITY: Students must meet the prerequisites for the specific AP exam and demonstrate a strong academic foundation in the subject matter.
PREPARATION: Students are responsible for independent study, utilizing textbooks and online resources, and potentially seeking guidance from outside teachers or tutors. North Shore Country Day faculty do not provide academic support for NSCD students engaged in AP Self-Study.
EXAM: Students register for and take the AP exam at the designated time. The exam will be administered at NSCD and proctored by NSCD staff.
TRANSCRIPT IMPACT: Participation in exam-only AP exams will not be reflected on the student's transcript.

NOTE: Exam-only students will have limited access to AP Classroom resources. Please be aware that you won't be able to participate in teacher-assigned coursework. Please consult your college counselor to ask how taking AP exams (without enrolling in the full course) may affect your college applications.

RESOURCE LINKS



General Information

REGISTRATION: All students are responsible for registering for AP exams through the College Board. Registration must be completed by students; NSCD faculty, college counselors, or administrators cannot register students for AP exams (College Board policy).
Students must complete their exam registration by the College Board's registration deadline. 
EXAM FEES: Students are responsible for paying the associated AP exam fees. Once the final invoice is submitted, North Shore Country Day will bill each student for the amount they incur. This will likely be reflected in the student's June statement.
HIGH SCHOOL COURSE CREDIT Students who enroll in an AP course at NSCD and complete the associated AP exam will receive course credit on their high school transcript. Students who self-study for an AP exam will not receive credit for the course on their high school transcript.
COLLEGE COURSE CREDIT AP scores might be eligible to earn college credit. Use this tool to find colleges that offer credit or placement for AP scores.


SELF-STUDY AP EXAM REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

1. EMAIL THE NSCD REGISTRAR: Email registrar@nscds.org with the subject line "Self-Study AP Exam Registration." In the email, clearly state your intention to register for a specific AP exam as a self-study student.
2. OBTAIN THE JOIN CODE: The school registrar will verify your eligibility and provide you with a unique "join code" for the exam.
3. CREATE OR ACCESS YOUR MYAP ACCOUNT: Head to the MyAP website and log in using your existing account. If you haven't used MyAP before, follow the on-screen instructions to create a new account.
4. ENTER THE JOIN CODE: Once logged in, look for a bright yellow button reading "Join a Course or Exam." Click on it. Enter the join code provided by the registrar and carefully review the displayed information. Make sure it matches your intended AP exam. Follow the prompts to verify the code and complete the registration process.
5. COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION INFORMATION (IF NECESSARY):
You will only need to fill out registration details (name, address, etc.) the first time you enroll in an AP exam through MyAP. This step is not required if you've previously registered for an AP exam or joined another class through a join code.
6. CONFIRMATION AND EXAM DETAILS: After successfully entering the join code and completing your account setup (if needed), you'll see confirmation that you're registered for the AP exam on your MyAP home screen. This screen will also display the date and time of your scheduled exam.