Pre-AP PORT SUSAN
MIDDLE
SCHOOL
Preparing Every Student for College A Proposal For PSMS
Pre-AP is a suite of K-12
professional development resources
and services. The purpose of the Pre-
AP Initiative is to equip all middle
and high school teachers with the
strategies and tools they need to
engage their students in active, high-
level learning, thereby ensuring that
every middle and high school
student develops the skills, habits of
mind, and concepts they need to
succeed in college. Pre-AP Initiatives
is a key component of the College
Board's® K-12 Professional
Development unit.
Conceptually, Pre-AP is based
on the following two important
premises. The first is the expectation
that all students can perform at
rigorous academic levels. This
expectation should be reflected in
curriculum and instruction
throughout the school such that all
students are consistently being
challenged to expand their
knowledge and skills to the next
level.
The second important premise of
Pre-AP is the belief that we can
prepare every student for higher
intellectual engagement by starting
the development of skills and
acquisition of knowledge as early as
possible. Addressed effectively, the
middle and high school years can
provide a powerful opportunity to
help all students acquire the
knowledge, concepts, and skills
needed to engage in a higher level
of learning.
Since Pre-AP teacher
professional development supports
explicitly the goal of college as an
option for every student, it is
important to have a recognized
standard for college-level academic
work. The Advanced Placement
Program provides these standards
for Pre-AP. Pre-AP teacher
professional development resources
reflect topics, concepts, and skills
found in AP courses.
The College Board does not,
however, design, develop, or assess
courses labeled "Pre-AP." Courses
labeled "Pre-AP" that
inappropriately restrict access to AP
and other college-level work are
inconsistent with the fundamental
purpose of the Pre-AP initiatives of
the College Board.
 Sample Course: Pre Ap English
Event Length: 08/04/2008 8:30 AM until
Professional 08/08/2008 12:30 PM
Development Workshop Directly Run By: Vancourver, USA
AP Summer Institute at Columbia River High
Dates, School
locations, and
Price: $675.00
cost.
Why Pre-Ap at PSMS?
For the last three year’s, Port Susan
Middle School has been focusing a large
amount of its effort on the
struggling student. We
have neglected our
responsibility of
challenging our advanced
students. Pre-Ap will
provide our students the
opportunity to take
rigorous courses. More importantly, The
number and quality of advanced courses a
student takes is more significant than GPA or
class rank for predicting college success.
What are Pre-Ap Courses?
Pre-AP courses are on-grade level
academically advanced courses designed to
challenge motivated students to understand
rigorous content. The coursework requires
students to engage in independent and
analytical assignments and to complete a
substantial amount of work outside of class.
Who Could Take Pre-AP
Courses?
The Pre-AP model, as designed by the
College Board, is based on the belief that we
can prepare every student for higher
intellectual engagement by starting the
development of skills and acquisition of
knowledge as early as possible. Consistent
with the College Board philosophy, Pre-AP is
open to any Port Susan Middle School student
who selects it. Every Port Susan Middle
School Pre-AP student will placed with a
Title: Pre-AP Summer Institute--Pre-AP
Professional Development for English
Location: Vancouver, USA, AP Summer
Institute at Columbia River High School
Contact: Howard Yank
Phone: (360) 313-1079
Fax (360) 313-1021
Email: vancouver.apsi@vansd.org
qualified teacher who is equipped with the
strategies and tools to engage their students
in active, high-level learning. Through
Pre-AP Courses
differentiated instruction, Pre-AP students will
gain the skills, habits of mind and concepts
Pre-AP Courses
they need to succeed in college. We will need
to determine what courses will be offered as There are a variety of Pre-AP courses
Pre-Ap courses, and determine a sequence for available, including English, Music
implementing this program at our school. Theory, Science, Social Studies, Studio
Arts, Fine Arts, Math,
and World Languages.
How will this happen? Who?
We will need to determine how this will Sixth, Seventh, and
happen. It could take between one to three Eighth grade teachers.
years. Do we initially start at sixth grade, Initially, one teacher per
and add a grade level each year? Do we subject per grade level.
start at eighth grade and add a level
backward each year? These are questions we Where can I get more
will have to answer together. What grade
Information?
level is most willing and able to implement this
during the 2009-2010 school year? http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/
apc/public/preap/index.html
Essential Questions
★ How do we ensure we are ★FOR OUR KIDS
providing a rigorous and enriching ★FOR OUR SCHOOL
instructional program to the 75% of the ★FOR OUR COMMUNITY
students meeting or exceeding standard
on the WASL?
★ Why would students who are high
achieving want to attend PSMS?
★ What can we offer to our students
and our community that other middle
schools in the area cannot?
★ Why do we need to change? What
happens if we don’t?