Offer AP® Courses in Your Catholic Schools to Prepare Students for College and Life

Catholic schools are called to form students academically, spiritually, and morally, preparing them for college and for lives of purpose and service. As colleges and universities continue to raise expectations for academic rigor, many Catholic schools are asking an important question: How can we expand advanced learning opportunities for students without overextending staff or resources?

One proven answer is offering Advanced Placement® (AP®) courses. With the support of Catholic Education Services, Catholic schools and academies can expand their course catalogs, offer AP® courses, and remain rooted in their mission without adding new faculty or facilities.

This article explains what AP® courses are, why they matter for Catholic school students, and how schools can offer them effectively through a trusted Catholic partner.

What are AP® Courses?

AP® (Advanced Placement®) courses are college-level classes offered at the high school level and overseen by the College Board. Each course culminates in a standardized AP® exam administered annually in May. Exams are scored on a scale of 1–5, and many U.S. colleges and universities award college credit, advanced placement, or both for qualifying scores.

Students enrolled in AP® courses engage in rigorous coursework that emphasizes critical thinking, academic writing, problem-solving, and independent learning. AP® coursework allows students to demonstrate university-level mastery of a subject area before graduating from high school, signaling readiness for advanced academic expectations.

For Catholic schools, AP® courses extend a strong classical or college-preparatory tradition, challenging students intellectually while fostering discipline, responsibility, and perseverance. Strong performance in AP® English courses, in particular, demonstrates high-level English language competency, including analytical reading, persuasive writing, and clear academic communication—skills essential for college success across disciplines. Doing well on these exams shows mastery of college-level material, a strength of character, and can give students a head start on their higher education journey.

Why AP® Courses Matter for Catholic School Students

Support College Readiness and Academic Confidence

AP® courses help students develop the habits of mind they need for college success. They learn to manage long-term assignments, engage deeply with complex material, and articulate ideas clearly and persuasively.

The research shows that the largest predicted boost in college grades and on-time degree completion occurs when a student moves from taking no AP® courses to one, and from one AP® course to two. While taking additional AP® courses can offer benefits, gains in college performance tend to plateau after approximately five AP® exams, emphasizing that quality of engagement is more important than quantity.

For Catholic schools committed to educating the whole person, this preparation supports students as they transition into new environments where independence and self-advocacy are essential.

Align Academic Excellence with Catholic Mission

Academic rigor and Catholic identity complement each other. Offering AP® courses reflects a school’s commitment to excellence while affirming that intellectual growth is part of human formation.

Through a partnership with Catholic Education Services, schools can offer AP® courses taught by certified instructors while maintaining local oversight, pastoral support, and integration with the school’s broader mission and culture.

Strengthen College Applications and Transcripts

College admissions officers consistently look for students who have challenged themselves academically. AP® courses help students:

• Stand out on university applications
• Demonstrate willingness to engage in advanced, college-level work
• Show readiness for rigorous academic environments
• Prove mastery of specific subject areas at the university level

For students applying to competitive colleges and universities, AP® coursework strengthens transcripts and applications. AP® courses receive additional weight in U.S. high school grade point average calculations, further strengthening a student’s academic profile and reflecting the rigor of their coursework.

National data from the College Board shows that advanced coursework matters in the admissions process as well. In fact, a large majority of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s experience in AP® courses positively influences admission decisions, reinforcing the value of academic rigor on a high school transcript.

Students who complete AP® courses often enter college with greater confidence and familiarity with academic expectations. Longitudinal research also indicates that students who take AP® courses and sit for AP® exams are significantly more likely to complete a college degree within four years than peers who do not participate in AP®. On-time degree completion helps families avoid the financial burden of additional semesters or years of tuition while supporting smoother transitions into post-secondary life.

Expanding Access to AP® Courses through Catholic Education Services

A Practical Solution for Catholic Schools

Many Catholic schools want to offer AP® courses but face real constraints, such as:

• Limited faculty availability in specialized subjects
• Small class sizes that make in-house AP® courses impractical
• Scheduling challenges within existing academic programs

Catholic Education Services partners with schools to remove these barriers. With Catholic Education Services, Catholic schools can expand their AP® course offerings without hiring additional staff or investing in new infrastructure. Schools can then provide students with transcript-strengthening, college-recognized coursework while remaining focused on formation and mission.

How a Catholic Education Services AP® Partnership Works

Catholic Education Services supports schools by providing access to:

• College Board–approved AP® courses
• Certified, experienced AP® instructors
• Flexible online course models that integrate with a school’s existing schedule
• Administrative and logistical support to help schools implement offerings smoothly

Schools remain the primary educational community for students, while Catholic Education Services serves as an academic partner, helping schools broaden opportunity while staying focused on formation and mission.

AP® courses are available across core disciplines, allowing schools to strategically expand offerings based on student interest and institutional goals:

• AP® Art History
• AP® Biology
• AP® Calculus AB
• AP® Calculus BC
• AP® Chemistry
• AP® Computer Science A
• AP® Computer Science Principles
• AP® English Language and Composition
• AP® English Literature and Composition
• AP® Environmental Science
• AP® European History
• AP® Human Geography
• AP® Macroeconomics
• AP® Microeconomics
• AP® Physics 1
• AP® Spanish Language and Culture
• AP® Statistics
• AP® U.S. Government and Politics
• AP® U.S. History
• AP® World History Modern

Supporting Students and Families through the AP® Journey

Offering AP® courses involves more than academics. Catholic schools can support students and families by helping them understand:

• How AP® courses fit into long-term college planning
• Expectations for workload and time management
• Registration for AP® exams
• Support and preparation for exams

With the right structure and communication, AP® programs become a valuable part of a school’s college counseling and academic advising efforts. These programs will enhance the school’s offerings and the students’ academic opportunities.

Help students and families pace AP® preparation and meet critical College Board deadlines, balance coursework, register, and plan effectively for university throughout the year.

Preparing Students for College and Life

AP® courses provide rigorous academic preparation while helping students grow in discipline, resilience, and intellectual curiosity. By partnering with Catholic Education Services, Catholic schools and academies can expand their course catalogs, support college readiness, and continue their mission of forming students who are prepared to lead, serve, and flourish. Offering AP® courses equips students with the tools they need to pursue truth, excellence, and vocation in the world ahead.

References

Beard, J. J., Hsu, J., Ewing, M., & Godfrey, K. E. (2023, June). Summarizing research on the relationships between the number of APs, AP performance, and college outcomes. College Board Research. https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/about-ap/research

College Board. (n.d.). AP at a glance – Discover benefits. College Board. https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/about-ap/ap-a-glance/discover-benefits