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Courtesy Veronica Cantu,

 “What are AP courses and what are the benefits of taking them?”

 “Which AP courses are offered by the District?”

 “And, what are AP courses like?”

 These questions and more will be answered at United Independent School District ’s Advanced Placement or AP Parent Night to be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at the Bill Johnson Student Activity Complex Auditorium located at 5208 Santa Claudia Lane .  The informational meeting is free and open to all UISD parents and guardians who have students currently attending UISD high schools or will be next school year.  Additionally, information will be presented in English and Spanish.

 “UISD is proud to offer AP courses to our students.  These courses give our students the opportunity to earn college credit while they are still in high school,” said UISD Superintendent Roberto J. Santos.  “A student may already have several of their required college course hours taken care of by the time they graduate from high school, placing them on the fast track to that college degree,” he emphasized. 

 According to the College Board, advanced placement courses are college-level courses offered to students in high school.  These courses reflect what is taught in top introductory college-level courses.  At the end of the course, a student will take an AP standardized exam that measures how well that student mastered that particular college-level course.  In turn, this could allow them to earn credit or placement into advanced courses in college.

 “We often hear from students that AP courses are the most interesting and fulfilling courses that they take in high school,” said UISD Director of Advanced Academics Mario Rosales.  “We see that students who take these courses develop a confidence, and learn the study habits and time management skills essential for success in college,” Rosales added. 

 Current, AP Courses that are offered by UISD are:

·        AP English Language and Composition

·        AP English Literature and Composition

·        AP Spanish Language and Composition

·        AP Spanish Literature and Composition

·        AP Government and Politics:  United States

·        AP United States History

·        AP Macroeconomics

·        AP Calculus AB

·        AP Calculus BC

·        AP Statistics

·        AP Biology

·        AP Chemistry

·        AP Physics B

·        AP Physics C:  Mechanics

·        AP Studio Art:  Drawing

·        AP Computer Science

·        AP Environmental Science (coming in 2013-2014)

 Parents and guardians are urged to attend UISD’s AP Parent Night meeting to receive more information on the District’s AP program.  Rosales can be reached at (956) 473-5247.