Advanced Placement Courses

Earl L. Vandermeulen High School offers a variety of Advancement Placement courses to academically motivated students. According to the College Board, who owns the AP program, Advanced Placement courses offer the opportunity to study a subject in depth, at the college level, thus better preparing students for college work. The College Board must grant approval for each teacher assigned to an AP class, as well as the course syllabus.

Some school districts require students to have a specific academic profile to participate in the AP program. In Port Jefferson, students are encouraged to challenge themselves in areas of interest. The process includes recommendations from teachers and discussions with guidance counselors, parents, and administrators. Some courses have required pre-requisites with less flexibility due to the specialized content.

In May, the College Board sponsors the administration of AP Tests. All students enrolled in an AP class in Port Jefferson take the test. According to the College Board, an exam score of 3 or higher (grading scale is 1-5) is a strong predictor of a student’s ability to succeed in college and earn a degree. A score of 3 or higher also indicates sufficient mastery of course content to allow exemption from a college course comparable to the AP course, or college credit. Students should contact colleges or visit college websites to find out individual AP acceptance policies.

We are proud of the performance of our students on AP exams. Please use the links on the right to view Port Jefferson’s AP results.