This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.
At some point in your evaluation of boarding schools, you will examine the academics.
You've done a bit of reading about the reasons for sending your child to a private school.
- Academics broadly include teaching style and philosophy, the number and depth of subjects offered, and curriculum.
- Let's discuss curriculum and specifically one of the most commonly used, Advanced Placement (AP), as it is known colloquially.
The Advanced Placement logo is a trademark of the College Board and it's in the Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
What is AP?
AP or Advanced Placement Program is a high school program offered by the College Board in 40 subject areas.
AP courses provide college-bound high school students with a level academic playing field. It doesn't matter whether you are a high school student in Dubuque, Iowa, or Darien, Connecticut, because AP courses and their end-of-course examinations follow common course frameworks regardless of where they are offered.
- The course content follows established AP frameworks.
- The teaching objectives are the same.
- The preparation for the final examinations is the same.
College admissions professionals can compare student academic achievements with confidence because the AP program provides common course and examination standards.
- They know precisely what AP means when they see it on your transcript.
- They know exactly what your AP scores represent.
That is the intrinsic value of AP Courses and their examinations from a college admissions point of view.
Admissions professionals want to know that an applicant's math courses at a public high school in Kansas are comparable to those an applicant from a private school in Tennessee took.
- In other words, they want to compare apples to apples.
- So when one applicant offers a high school math course that is not an AP math course, the admissions staffers have to determine the course content and standards to compare that applicant's academic achievement with other applicants who took an AP math course.
- AP stands for qualitative and quantitative consistency in measuring academic achievement.
AP courses are optional but offer students the opportunity to work at a college level.
- National examinations take place in May.
- Most prep schools offer AP courses because qualifying AP exam scores may eliminate the need to take introductory college courses, depending on the college's individual credit and placement policies.
That means you may be able to get on with more advanced courses as soon as you start college, saving time and money.
Families should also remember that AP is not the only advanced curriculum available at boarding schools. Boarding School Review's AP, IB or Advanced Courses: Which Fits Your Student? explains how AP, IB, Advanced Topics, and school-designed courses differ in 2026.
How Are AP Exams Scored?
AP exams use a five-point scale for scoring. A grade of 5 is the highest and 1 is the lowest. Read about AP scores and how they are calculated through the College Board.
The scores are a combination of the scores on the examination. They are as follows:
- 5 - the highest and described by the College Board as "extremely well qualified"
- 4 - "well qualified"
- 3 - "qualified"
- 2 - "possibly qualified"
- 1 - "no recommendation"
Since coursework in a given subject is generally considered equivalent to college-level work, students who achieve qualifying scores may be permitted to skip introductory courses or receive college credit. Individual colleges determine their own AP credit and placement policies.
This video explains how AP exams are scored.
How Are AP Courses Taught?
The interactive nature of the teaching is one of the features of the AP curriculum that appeals to most parents.
- Students in an AP class are involved in the discussions.
- They are not simply learning information that will never be used after the examination.
- They learn to share ideas. They discuss.
- They debate. AP courses help sharpen students' academic skills in ways that will benefit them in their college-level studies and later in life.
Combine AP courses with the small class size, which is common in most prep schools, and you have a solid academic combination for high school students.
- The secret to successful learning is a gifted teacher, as this video demonstrates.
- The College Board supports its Advanced Placement Courses with professional development and resources for teachers.
- Professional learning opportunities make available best practices and what works for as wide a group of teachers as possible.
Families comparing AP with another major college-preparatory curriculum can review Boarding School Review's Academics: International Baccalaureate & Advanced Placement. The IB Diploma Programme remains a two-year curriculum for students ages 16-19.
In What Subject Areas Are AP Courses Offered?
AP offers 40 courses across several subject areas. AP Capstone, Arts, English, History & Social Science, Math & Computer Science, Sciences and World Languages & Cultures comprise those subject areas. Find out more about them at College Board.
Who Administers AP Courses?
While the College Board administers the Advanced Placement program, expert educators from around the U.S.A. guide aspects of the program.
- Teachers also participate in reading the free-response sections of the exams. AP examinations take place in May.
- AP examinations are standardized.
- They are administered according to College Board requirements. As a result,
- both students and parents need to be familiar with AP Exam Policies.
- Failure to adhere strictly to all the AP rules and regulations could cost you your score.
How many AP courses should you take?
- Most prep schools offer Advanced Placement courses.
- Some schools offer six to eight AP courses. Others offer over 20 AP subjects.
- Schools that do so have to maintain a highly qualified and experienced faculty to achieve good results in these rigorous examinations.
- Put another way, their academic reputation is on the line.
- The quality of curriculum and course offerings is yet another aspect of any prep school that parents should consider while evaluating schools.
In 2026, families should also recognize that some academically rigorous boarding schools offer fewer AP courses because they have developed Advanced Topics, honors seminars, independent research, or other school-designed courses instead. Boarding School Review's current comparison of these programs emphasizes that the number of AP courses alone does not determine academic rigor.
Who scores AP exams?
The College Board states that experienced AP teachers and college faculty participate in the AP Reading and score students' free-response work according to established scoring guidelines.
Points of Comparison With IB and Progressive Education
Think of AP as the center if you had to characterize AP and where it fits into the high school spectrum.
- Then on the left would be progressive education, and on the right would be the International Baccalaureate program.
- Advanced Placement courses can demonstrate academic rigor as part of a student's high school record.
- I encourage you to explore the AP website.
- It has several articles that will help you decide if AP fits your requirements and objectives.
- I recommend that you begin your exploration of AP, IB, and progressive education options when your child is in 6th or 7th grade.
- By doing that, you will have a very clear idea of what kind of schools you will want to focus on as you get closer to your child's high school years.
- Knowledge is always power when it comes to making major decisions.
- Explore your options thoroughly and understand the pros and cons of Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate, and progressive education.
The International Baccalaureate remains another major option for students seeking a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum. Families specifically considering that pathway can also consult Boarding School Review's Boarding Schools Offering IB Programs: A Parent's Guide, which was updated in 2026.
For a broader view of how AP and IB fit among residential school options, Boarding School Review's Boarding Schools in a Minute provides a current 2026 overview of boarding school academics and programs.
Conclusion
Understanding AP courses is crucial for making informed decisions about your child's educational journey. Whether your student takes six courses or twenty, AP programs offer standardized academic rigor that colleges recognize and value. As you evaluate boarding schools, consider their AP offerings alongside other factors like teaching quality and curriculum breadth. Start exploring these options early - ideally in 6th or 7th grade - to ensure you choose the academic program that best aligns with your child's goals and abilities.
