Advance Placement "Connect to College Success"

The Advanced Placement Program (AP) is a cooperative educational endeavor between high schools and colleges and universities. Since its inception in 1955, the AP Program has provided motivated high school students with the opportunity to take college -level courses in a high school setting. Students who participate in the AP Program not only gain college-level skills, but in many cases they also earn college credit while they are still in high school. Sixty-two percent of U.S. high schools currently participate in the AP program and most colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada have an AP policy granting incoming students credits, placement or both for qualifying AP Exam grades.

AP courses are taught by dedicated and enthusiastic high school teachers who follow course guidelines developed and published by the College Board. Each AP course has a corresponding exam that participating schools worldwide administer in May.

Mariner High School currently offers AP courses in the following areas:

• AP US History
• AP European History
• AP English Literature
• AP American Government
• AP Spanish Language
• AP Statistics
• AP Calculus A/B
• AP Computer Science
• AP Biology
• AP Studio Art-2D & Design
• AP Studio Art-3D & Design
• AP Capstone Research

Dual Enrollment

Each year the Lee County Board of Education, Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) and Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) enter into a contractual agreement concerning dual enrollment. Statements made herein are subject to change per this contract. Dual Enrollment: is a status assigned to a high school student who has certified he/she is seeking an associates degree or vocational certificate and who is enrolled in a college post-secondary course certified by the designee of the District Superintendent.

College Level Courses: Students may select any courses contained in the FSW and FGCU curriculum catalog. Dual Enrollment students are limited to three (3) courses; not counting associated labs, for the Fall and Spring Semesters. Courses offered under this agreement shall include those for which credit may be applied toward the associate degree or certificate at the College and toward high school graduation. Physical education courses and/or remedial courses are not acceptable for this agreement.

Early Admissions: is a form of Dual Enrollment through which eligible high school students enroll on a full-time basis in courses that are creditable toward the high school program and the Associates Degree.

Criteria - Sophomores:
1. Have attained not less than a 3.5 unweighted grade point average.
2. Meet all other criteria stated above which apply to seniors.
3. Immediately upon completing their freshman year requirements, students shall be permitted to enroll, providing they meet the entrance criteria for sophomores.

Criteria - Juniors:
1. Immediately upon completing their sophomore year requirements, the student must have attained an unweighted GPA of 3.0.
2. Have the written approval of the high school principal.
3. Have attained the appropriate test score.
4. Make application to FSW and FGCU on the appropriate admissions forms.

Criteria - Seniors:
1. Immediately upon completing their junior year requirements, the student must have attained an unweighted GPA of 3.0.
2. Have the written approval of the high school principal.
3. Have attained the appropriate test score.
4. Make application to FSW and FGCU on the appropriate admissions forms.

AP Capstone

AP Seminar engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and themes by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using an inquiry framework, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, foundational, literary, and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances. Students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments.