Advanced Placement 

Upper School

USM offers the following Advanced Placement courses:

*course offered every other year
^ exam preparation available only

University School of Milwaukee leads Wisconsin in Advanced Placement (AP) success.  Five of the last ten Wisconsin State AP Scholars have come from USM (AP Scholars are students who have scored a grade of 3 or higher on more exams than other students in the state).  In the past five years, USM has consistently had some of the highest numbers of students in the state recognized in the top categories of AP scholarship:  the National Scholars and Scholars with Distinction.

In May 2007, 144 students – 54% of our 10th, 11th, and 12th grades – took one or more AP tests.  In the Class of 2007, 66 of 88 seniors – 75% – took an AP exam.  Overall, our students took a total of 328 exams in 19 subjects in 2007, and 89% of the AP exams taken by USM students earned a grade of 3 or better.

Q: What is Advanced Placement (AP)?

Advanced Placement is a program offered by the College Board, the national organization that administers many of the standardized tests that students take for admission to colleges, graduate programs, and medical and law schools. 

The Advanced Placement program is designed to allow highly motivated high school students the opportunity to do college-level work and earn college credit while still in high school.  Students earn these credits based on their performance on national examinations administered each May.  Most colleges and universities award credit, advanced placement, or both for grades of 3, 4, or 5.  USM offers preparation in 18 Advanced Placement subject areas. 

Q: How do students prepare to take Advanced Placement Exams?

Each academic department at USM offers one or more Advanced Placement courses.  In addition, some departments offer after-school preparation sessions to help students study AP material not covered in the USM curriculum.

Q: How is an Advanced Placement course different from a regular course in the same discipline?

The Advanced Placement courses in each discipline are especially rigorous.  They require students to demonstrate academic commitment, critical thinking, and disciplined study habits.  Students in AP courses may have lengthy homework assignments and may be asked to do research, reading, and writing typical of college courses.

Q: How does USM determine a student's eligibility to take an AP course?

Students are recommended for AP courses based on their previous performance in each subject area.  Students may sit for AP examinations in courses with no AP designation with the permission of the teacher.

Q: How are the national tests graded?

The exams are scored on a scale of 1-5.  Most colleges and universities award credit, exemption from freshman introductory courses, or both for grades 3 or higher. 

AP Grade Qualification:  5= Extremely well qualified; 4= Well qualified; 3= Qualified; 2= Possibly qualified; 1= No recommendation

Q: How successful are USM students on AP tests?

In 2007, 89% of the tests taken by University School students earned a score of 3 or above, which qualifies for college credit.  The USM percentage scores on AP Tests in 2006 are as follows:

5 – 32%; 4 – 35%; 3 – 22%; 2 – 8%; 1 – 3%

Q: What are the benefits of earning AP college credit?

USM students use their AP credit in a variety of ways.  Many take a broader range of studies or pursue a second major in college.  Some students take the time and savings to study abroad or to intern in their field.  Students at large universities are often pleased to discover that the AP standing allows them to bypass large, freshman introductory courses and begin advanced work immediately.  A number of students even opt to graduate early, advancing to graduate or professional programs in just three years.