AMAZINGLY AMBITIOUS AP CLASSES

As we enter the month of May, we enter the time of AP exams. At CCAHS, AP, also known as Advanced Placement, courses are mostly an opportunity for just juniors and seniors. AP offers undergraduate university-level courses to high school students in the US. 

There are 38 total AP course options in Iowa. Due to the size of our school staff, as well as the size of our student body, CCAHS will be offering up about 7 AP courses for the 2026-2027 school year, including: AP Seminar, AP Art History, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP United States History, AP English Language and Composition, and AP English Literature and Composition. 

Our upperclassmen have the chance to prepare for their AP exams. For example, AP Literature Practice exams throughout April, as early as April 4th. The AP Student College Board acts as a resource for AP students to prepare for AP classes. You can figure out what you will learn throughout the year, what unit you should be on at what point, what the exam will look like, etc. 

STUDENTS IN AP BIOLOGY TAKING A PRACTICE EXAM; PHOTO BY KAILEE CARVER

The official AP Biology exam will take place on May 4th. The AP Chemistry exam is taking place the following day of May 5th. Right after that, AP Literature & Composition is testing on the 6th. On May 8, the AP US History exam is taking place. On the 11th of May the AP Calculus exam will take place. Finally, on May 13, the AP Language test is taking place. 

AP exams have some benefits and some downsides. One benefit is that it can boost your GPA. Another benefit is that you can look good for many applications, such as ones for college. You can also save tuition money by getting college credit in these courses. For most colleges, you need to get anywhere from a 3 to a 5 on the AP exam to be awarded college credit. With AP testing, hard work pays off!

CCAHS acknowledges the hard work that AP students are putting in; on the designated days of testing, our bell schedule is altered so that it does not interfere with students who are taking their given AP tests. Let us encourage our school’s AP students as they enter AP testing season!