February 18th, 2020

I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to the parents, students and staff who have offered their feedback and perspective towards Advanced Placement opportunities at SJAM.  The insight shared with us by 210 respondents – 67% parents and 29% students – has helped us in our steps moving forward.  Your feedback, combined with a review of data (e.g. participation rates; attrition rates; credit accumulation; etc.) has guided our next steps.  We very much appreciate the need to honour the AP experience and the opportunities that it affords, while needing to balance concerns that smaller AP classes adversely impact class sizes in other Academic/University level programming; that AP programming limits the range of choice for AP students in other subjects; concerns about student anxiety/well-being and elitism .  We also appreciate that we have a commitment to support students in AP programming where demand warrants and to continue to offer a wealth of non-AP enrichment opportunities throughout our community.

For your information:

  • Approximately 19% of our students participate in AP programs at any grade level.  AP Math, followed by most areas AP Science, remains the most requested.
  • Of the 73 Grade 11 students presently taking AP courses, and of the 83 student presently taking AP courses in Grade 12, 8 students are electing to participate in AP exams across all disciplines this year.   This figure is consistent across several school years.  Though one of the benefits of Advanced Placement is to secure post-secondary credits at select institutions, this opportunity is not being pursued by AP students.  AP serves as a valuable enrichment opportunity, alongside the many enrichment opportunities SJAM students participate in through one’s courses, extracurriculars, participation in contests, clubs, etc.
  • In electing to run smaller class sizes for AP classes, especially in classes where demand and sustainability for AP is low and warrants a single section within that subject area, class sizes in other Academic and University level classes become larger as a result.  Enhancement options for students in any AP area where numbers of eligible students may not justify, a separate course section must continued to be explored.

Moving Forward:

  • Entry into Pre-AP programs for the 2020/2021 school year will remain status quo.  At present, 82 students of an incoming class of approximately 430+ Grade 9 students will be accepted into Pre-AP classes in Grade 9 Math and Science.  Numbers of eligible students do not warrant a section of Pre-AP Grade 9 English for 2020/2021.  Moving forward, application into Pre-AP programming will occur in a student’s Grade 9 year, allowing us to use data from a student’s high school experience for consideration.
  • Present course enrollment and course selections indicate that Grade 12 AP Calculus and Vectors and AP Advanced Functions, along with AP Chemistry and AP Physics will continue to be offered.  Grade 12 AP Biology and English are not sustainable for 2020/2021 based on student demand over the past two years and projected into next.  We will continue to support those former AP students with enrichment opportunities offered throughout SJAM and with support should they seek to write the AP examination in those disciplines.

SJAM is revered for its standout academic reputation.  Advanced Placement, a newer addition relative to the history of SJAM, exists alongside exceptional curricular and co-curricular programming and will continue to function as it serves the needs of its community.  As our community and society evolves, becoming increasingly more innovative, we will continue to be reflective in our practices and offerings, will be proactive in monitoring the data and trends and will continue to seek out enrichment opportunities for our students that complement our offerings though the Ontario curriculum.

With great gratitude, I wish to thank all those that took the time and care to offer their feedback throughout this process.  As with all initiatives and programs, we seek to balance its advantages and merit against its obstacles and challenges as we serve the needs of a large and diverse community.

Ms. Vida Collis
SJAM Principal

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