FAQ - Rockridge AP and STEM


1	Question	Answer
2	AP COURSES AT ROCKRIDGE
3	Why do students take AP courses?	AP courses are optional; students chose to take them for the academic challenge, to develop a deeper knowledge and skill base, to earn university credit, and/or to explore a course on a deeper level with students who are similarly interested in the subject area.
4	What does dual credit mean?	It means that for some AP courses, they cover enough of the same curriculum as an equivalent Ministry of Education course, so they are awarded credit for both. Students in AP cover more material and they learn it in more depth than in a regular credit course.For example, AP English Literature 12 covers the same curriculum (and more) as the English 12 ministry course, so a student gets credit for both courses by completing AP English Lit 12.
5	What is the difference between Calculus AB &BC	First AP Calculus course is AB and in the following year students should take AP Calculus BC. Although both are university recognized courses, in general AP Calculus AB covers the content of the first semester of Calculus, whereas AP Calculus BC an entire year because includes more topics on top of the AB course.
6	How many AP classes are recommended per year?	There is no "recommended" number; AP courses are optional and enrolment will depend on each individual student, their capacity, and their future goals. Some students take a single AP course in an area of passion, while others take multuple AP courses throughout their Grade 11 and 12 years. AP courses require a lot of time, strong self-management skills and high self-efficacy, so students need to make a personal decision about the balance that will best support their learning.(How many AP classes are recommended per year? )
7	Is it possible to take an AP course in Grade 10?	Students enrolled in Grade 10 at Rockridge generally do not have enough space in their course schedule to enrol in AP courses. Because they must fulfil MYP requirements in addition to Grade 10 courses required for graduation, it is incredibly rare that they would have space or capacity for an AP course. Additionally, the pace and depth of courses at the AP level is generally best suited for senior level students (Gr. 11 and 12). Students in Art and Design are not able to complete enough high quality work to submit in Grade 10. They would take Pre-AP Studio Art instead. (Is it possible to take an AP course in Grade 10? )
8	I heard that AP exams are optional. What do you get if one takes the exam?	All AP exams are optional exams. If a student scores a 4 or 5 on an AP exam, some post secondary institutions recognize this as a first year credit and therefore offer the opportunity for a student to "skip" that equivalent course in their first year. This does depend on the institution. At Rockridge, most courses do not require a student to write the AP exam in order to have the AP course on their transcript, but there are a few exceptions such as AP Calculus - If a student chooses not to write the exam, the student will get 4 credits of regular Calculus, but if they do write the exam, the student gets 8 credits and the AP course on their transcript. Generally, we recommend students write the AP exam in their course(s) for the experience and opportunities it offers them.
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10	Pre-AP courses this year (Eng ) was pretty intense for our Gr 10 student in the compressed time frame of the quarter system. How did it go delivering AP courses in a Quarter System? How many should a gr 11 student carry in one year?	Some AP courses are still offered in a linear format. The number of courses taken would depend on which courses were taken and which might be offered in quarter versus linear. For the courses taught quarterly, the accelerated pace is somewhat mitigated by the reduced courseload (2 courses at a time opposed to 8). Quarter courses are compressed, but teachers have adapted and students are really rising to the challenge. With regard to next year, we are able to plan much farther in advance and this will allow us to maximize opportunities for effective AP course scheduling. (Pre-AP courses this year (Eng) was pretty intense for our Gr 10 student in the compressed time frame of the quarter system. How did it go delivering AP courses in a Quarter System? How many should a gr 11 student carry in one year? )
11	Are AP courses required for acceptance into Science programs or Engineering programs in university?	No, but Universities often look at whether students are taking AP courses when they are offered at the school they are attending. Many institutions want to see evidence of students challenging themselves, and sometimes this can be reflected in AP enrolment.
12	Is it possible to have all your courses be AP each year?	Yes this may be possible but very challenging. The time commitment for each AP course is significant, and we find students have a much better balance when they plan their courses with this in mind.
13	What is the importance of AP exams?	Feedback from post secondary schools suggests that AP students who do the exams score higher and have a lower drop out rate in first year. Students who score well have the option of taking fewer post secondary courses which is a cost and time saving. (What is the importance of AP exams? )I'll also add that in many universities, 4's and 5's on the exam give a University Credit for a class. This has been particularly beneficial this year during the pandemic, as when students who've earned AP credits have dropped courses in order to cope, they have not gotten behind in their studies.
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15	is AP an option in the summer?	There are no AP courses offered during summer learning.
16	Why does Psychology not count as a Science?	Its not a Ministry of Education course so it must be counted as an elective course. Science credits are designated by the BC Ministry of Education; right now all locally available science courses can be found on the RR website.
17	Are all AP exams in May?	Yes. These standardized exams take place at Rockridge during the first three weeks in May. Students in Semester 2 AP Courses write the exams during the late testing period.
18	STEM
19	Are AP Physics and Chemistry within STEM?	We are planning for AP Physics 1 to be offered concurrently with STEM.
20	If a student does not achieve a good grade in a STEM course at Rockridge, what can the student do to improve their mark in order to be accpeted into university.	As with all other courses at Rockridge, students are encouraged to use all available opportunities to demonstrate their learning within the timeline of a course. Teachers give multiple opportunities to demonstrate proficiency and are regularly available for extra help during the course. STEM is a grade 11 program and students also have additional opportunities to demonstrate capacity in their grade 12 courses the subsequent year.(If a student does not achieve a good grade in a STEM course at Rockridge, what can the student do to improve their mark in order to be accpeted into university.)
21	Do Universities acknowlege the STEM program?	The STEM program consists of the same courses (Pre-calc 11, Physics 11, Chem 11 etc.) that students take in the regular stream and so they are accepted by all universities. The STEM program does give students exposure to to hands on learning opportunities and the ability to show their learning in ways that extend beyond the typical classroom offerings. In the past, this has helped students in writing applicaitions for admissions and scholarships.
22	Sorry - how does it work to do STEM and AP Physics at the same time? I didn't catch that	Students would be enrolled in Physics 11 via STEM AND take the Blended AP Physics 1 course. Physics 11 and AP Physics 1 run concurrently.
23	Is the stem program better than individual classes to be admitted to science faculties in university?	Individual universities have different application requirements and so this is a good question to discuss with your school counsellor OR Leesa Aldred in our Careers Office. They are excellent resources.
24	Can you do the robotics academy with the Engineering program	Yes. Students can apply for both and then once schedules are finalized we can look at potential conflicts. In the unlikely event of a schedule conflict, students could choose which program to prioritize at that time.
25	What does a typical week look like at STEM? All subjects at once?	The subjects are interwoven. At any given time we might be focusing on one subject or another or applying our understandings accross the board. The only constant is that we will always have some sort of applied project on the go.
26	Are there any additional challenges for STEM students as they return to physics, math and chem in grade 12? Are they prepared equally to those students that did not participate in stem in grade 11?	STEM 11 students complete all of the same curricular objectives as students who take the same courses in the regular stream. Former STEM cohort students report that they feel very well prepared for the challenges of Grade 12.
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31	If I want to be in the stem cohort, and I already completed precalc 11, can I do precalc 12 instead in the same year?	Absolutely
32	How many students are enough for an AP class to open and how do we make sure the class we sign up for will be available when school starts? Usually we don't know until it's too late for back up plans.
33	How does it work if the student only wants to take Calc 12 and not AP Calc? I believe this is taught all in one class. Thanks	Yes that is right. Register for AP Calculus and then later in the year you will decide if you do AP Calculus or Calculus 12.
34	What's more important? AP class grade or AP exam grade? Will it look bad if I don't submit my AP exam results?	The class grade is used to apply to university. The exam grade does not count towards your school grade.
35	Is AP Seminar a required perquisite for AP Research?	Yes
36	How does it work if the student only wants to take Calc 12 and not AP Calc? I believe this is taught all in one class. Thanks	All student are registered for both courses. If they don't write the AP Calc test - then they will not get credit for AP calculus but will still get the Calculus credit.
37	What's more important? AP class grade or AP exam grade? Will it look bad if I don't submit my AP exam results?	Your school grade is used for applicaiton to universities. The exam grade does not count towards your school grade.
38	If a student has not taken AP physics 1 but is interested in taking AP physics 2 in grade 12, how would it work out?	What if the student has taken regular physics 11 but not AP physics 1? Would that workout if they decide to take AP physics 2?
39	Yes it is still possible. There would be some material that they did not cover in regular Physics 11 that they will need to self-study before September.(If a student has not taken AP physics 1 but is interested in taking AP physics 2 in grade 12, how would it work out?)	Yes it is still possible. There would be some material that they did not cover in regular Physics 11 that they will need to self-study before September. Although it is typically reommended, students can take AP2 without taking AP 1. If a student is interested then they can contact Mr. Trask to get some course materials and do a self study on the material that they did not cover in regular Physics 11.
40	How do students in the pursuit program manage the AP course load?
41	Can AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC be taken in the same year Grade 12? or AB in Grade 11 and BC in Grade 12?
42	Could a student take AP Research in grade 12 if they have not taken AP Seminar in grade 11?
43	Can AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC be taken in the same year Grade 12? or AB in Grade 11 and BC in Grade 12?
44	Does AP LIT give you 8 credits? (4 from ministry, 4 from AP) Thanks.
45	Does AP LIT give you 8 credits? (4 from ministry, 4 from AP) Thanks.
46	yes(Does AP LIT give you 8 credits? (4 from ministry, 4 from AP) Thanks.)
47	Is AP Seminar a required perquisite for AP Research?
48	yes - they go hand in hand(Is AP Seminar a required perquisite for AP Research?)
49	Could a student take AP Research in grade 12 if they have not taken AP Seminar in grade 11?
50	No they would need to take ap seminar in grade 11(Could a student take AP Research in grade 12 if they have not taken AP Seminar in grade 11?)
51	Can AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC be taken in the same year Grade 12? or AB in Grade 11 and BC in Grade 12?
52	no those are 2 separate courses. Most take AB in grade 12.(Can AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC be taken in the same year Grade 12? or AB in Grade 11 and BC in Grade 12?)
53	Can my daughter seek out Ms Winckler to talk about AP Psych in more detail? Thx
54	Can my daughter seek out Ms Winckler to talk about AP Psych in more detail? Thx
55	yes for sure(Can my daughter seek out Ms Winckler to talk about AP Psych in more detail? Thx)
56	How do students in the pursuit program manage the AP course load?
57	both can be managed but need to reviewed with their counsellor(How do students in the pursuit program manage the AP course load?)
58	Beside euro history, what other AP courses take place outside of school hours?
59	No question, a comment. Well done! Tech sucks sometimes. We can all wait. Thanks for all of this
60	no volume
61	no
62	Beside euro history, what other AP courses take place outside of school hours?
63	AP Computer science(Beside euro history, what other AP courses take place outside of school hours?)
64	And typically AP art(Beside euro history, what other AP courses take place outside of school hours?)
65	If a student take multiple AP courses that are outside of timetable will they happen concurrently? How would that work?
66	no volume
67	Yes too bad about the video. It can be viewed - go to our website, course selection, grade 12 course index and find Economic strategies program(no volume (Unverified) asked "no volume")
68	website.>students>course selection guide(no volume (Unverified) asked "no volume")
69	https://westvancouverschools.ca/rockridge-secondary/course-selection-guide/(no volume (Unverified) asked "no volume")
70	If a student take multiple AP courses that are outside of timetable will they happen concurrently? How would that work?
71	We typically - schedule the AP outside the timetable courses so that they don't confliect( If a student take multiple AP courses that are outside of timetable will they happen concurrently? How would that work?)
72	Is there a limit to the number of students that can take AP classes each semester?
73	Can you please speak to how students manage taking AP classes if they are in the Pursuit program.
74	How many AP courses would be considered reasonable to try and complete?
75	Hello! Our kid is interested in taking computer science and wants to apply for UBC. Does he need AP Physics? Thanks for your time. Great seminar.
76	If a student takes AP Calc BC without taking AP Calc AB, would that be okay?
77	Is there any difference between the late and regular AP exam dates in terms of how valuable the scores are?
78	This year, AP physics 1 was restricted to only STEM program would this happen again for the next year?
79	How does the linear timetable schedule look like for next year?
80	This year, AP physics 1 was restricted to only STEM program would this happen again for the next year?
81	yes(This year, AP physics 1 was restricted to only STEM program would this happen again for the next year?)
82	Will you be offering AP statistics?
83	is esp considered to be social studies course ?
84	Is there any difference between the late and regular AP exam dates in terms of how valuable the scores are?
85	no - all results are equal(Is there any difference between the late and regular AP exam dates in terms of how valuable the scores are?)
86	Will you be offering AP statistics?
87	yes(Will you be offering AP statistics? )
88	How does the linear timetable schedule look like for next year?
89	answered in the meeting( How does the linear timetable schedule look like for next year?)
90	is esp considered to be social studies course ?
91	an academic elective by most universities. It does not satisfy the socials studies grad requirement(is esp considered to be social studies course ? )
92	Thank you!
93	If a student takes AP Calc BC without taking AP Calc AB, would that be okay?
94	yes(If a student takes AP Calc BC without taking AP Calc AB, would that be okay?)
95	Hello! Our kid is interested in taking computer science and wants to apply for UBC. Does he need AP Physics? Thanks for your time. Great seminar.
96	they need to take physics 12 but not necessarily AP physics. UBC does holistic review so would see AP more favourably(Elle (Unverified) asked "Hello! Our kid is interested in taking computer science and wants to apply for UBC. Does he need AP Physics? Thanks for your time. Great seminar.")
97	How many AP courses would be considered reasonable to try and complete?
98	up to the student - ranges from 1-7. Looking for balance in their life and schedule(anonymous (Unverified) asked "How many AP courses would be considered reasonable to try and complete?")
99	Can you please speak to how students manage taking AP classes if they are in the Pursuit program.
100	answered in the meeting(Can you please speak to how students manage taking AP classes if they are in the Pursuit program. )
101	Is there a limit to the number of students that can take AP classes each semester?
102	yes - this is based on requests, staffing and budget(Dominic (Unverified) asked "Is there a limit to the number of students that can take AP classes each semester?")
103	Can student take ap exams at school without taking ap classes? Thank you!
104	How many students are enough for an AP class to open and how do we make sure the class we sign up for will be available when school starts? Usually we don't know until it's too late for back up plans.
105	this is based on many factors - budget, course requests, staffing etc.(How many students are enough for an AP class to open and how do we make sure the class we sign up for will be available when school starts? Usually we don't know until it's too late for back up plans. )
106	Can student take ap exams at school without taking ap classes? Thank you!
107	no(Can student take ap exams at school without taking ap classes? Thank you!)
108	Is there any prerequisite for Ap biology
109	When will students know if an AP course is cancelled? In previous years, it's too late for when a student does know. And at that point they aren't left with much options.
110	Any AP courses that closed\ are done by the end of April. (When will students know if an AP course is cancelled? In previous years, it's too late for when a student does know. And at that point they aren't left with much options.)
111	Is there any prerequisite for Ap biology
112	Encourage students to take Life Science Pre-AP 11(Is there any prerequisite for Ap biology )
113	How long is fit block next year
114	How long is fit block next year
115	approx 50 min(How long is fit block next year )
116	When will students know if an AP course is cancelled? In previous years, it's too late for when a student does know. And at that point they aren't left with much options.
117	Most years we make final decisions on courses by the end of April. (When will students know if an AP course is cancelled? In previous years, it's too late for when a student does know. And at that point they aren't left with much options.)
118	How long are classes next year?
119	How long are classes next year?
120	65 min on flex days and 80 on regular days - approx(How long are classes next year?)
121	Are Ap courses except stem cohort 1 block each
122	since the course selection is finalized by the end of april, will students be informed if their courses are cancelled?