ISK wants to provide a rigorous education for all of our students. 

Advanced Placement, known as AP, courses offer a more challenging curriculum that can push students to expand their knowledge and capabilities. This can be particularly beneficial for students who may not be challenged enough in standard courses.  The challenge of an AP course often sparks greater motivation in students. They may feel more invested in their studies when they see the opportunity to earn college credit or gain advanced knowledge.

Our highly-trained AP teachers carefully follow the guidelines laid out by CollegeBoard to deliver a comprehensive classroom experience that has been quite successful in AP test pass rates.  In 2024, the percentage of our students who passed was 81%.  

Course selection: 

ISK decides each year which AP courses they will offer based on factors such as student interest, teacher qualifications, and school resources.  

Teacher Qualifications: 

AP teachers must be qualified to teach these courses. Many attend AP Summer Institutes or other professional development programs offered by the College Board to gain specialized training in their subject areas and teaching strategies. Teachers are expected to have a strong understanding of the subject matter and often hold advanced degrees in the relevant fields to provide a high level of instruction.

Examinations: 

AP exams are administered by the College Board every year in May. The exams are standardized and graded by College Board-trained evaluators. Schools are responsible for registering students for these exams, which typically take place at the school or a designated testing center.

According to the College Board, 85% or more of colleges in the United States report that they consider AP courses when reviewing applicants, which is another motivator for some students to pursue these classes.

We offer a variety of optional  AP courses in the sciences, social studies, humanities, and world languages.  These courses  include but are not limited to:

AP Biology

AP Chemistry

AP Comparative Government and Politics

AP English Literature and Comp.

AP French Lang & Culture

AP Spanish Lang & Culture

AP Human Geography

AP Psychology

AP Research

AP Seminar

Our students can also complete the AP Capstone Program, which is an advanced academic program, designed to develop students' critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills. It’s structured around two key courses: AP Seminar and AP Research, and is aimed at students who want to go beyond the traditional AP curriculum and engage in more independent, interdisciplinary learning.