Advanced Placement

Marana district high schools offer students a variety of higher learning opportunities through comprehensive Honors and college-level Advanced Placement (AP) courses. 

Students considering taking Honors and Advanced Placement courses should carefully consider their decision. These courses are considerably more demanding than their general counterparts and have rigorous academic demands, such as extensive reading, analytical writing, long-term projects, and/or challenging lab experiences. These courses are designed for the self-motivated student who is an independent learner and requires little teacher direction or repetition to master difficult material. Additionally, students should understand that enrollment in these courses is a year-long commitment after the first full week of the school year. 

AP courses, administered by The College Board, consist of standardized high school courses that are roughly equivalent to intro-level college courses. Classes are designed to expose students to the rigorous standards they will face in college, to increase college readiness, and to challenge students beyond their regular high school classes. Students will be challenged through greater research, practical applications, and critical thinking.   

After completing an AP class, students typically take the AP exam in that subject on the national test dates in May. Students must pay for the AP exam (around $90 for each test) and provide their own transportation to the test site. Test fee discounts are available for students who qualify for the free or reduced lunch program. If the student's exam score qualifies, the student may earn from 3 to 14 college credit hours per examination. College credit is determined by each college or university and varies in the type and amount of credit. Students should contact the colleges and universities of their choice for information as to whether credit is given, and if so, the amount of credit available. 

Students interested in AP courses are encouraged to speak to their school counselor.