Como Park High School offers the most comprehensive Advanced Placement program in the Saint Paul Public Schools. A total of 20 courses are currently offered in all the major disciplines.

Through AP courses, talented and dedicated AP teachers help students develop and apply the skills, abilities and content knowledge they will need later in college. Each AP course is modeled on a comparable college course, and college and university faculty play a vital role in ensuring that AP courses align with college-level standards. For example, through the AP Course Audit, AP teachers submit their syllabi for review and approval by college faculty. Only courses using syllabi that meet or exceed the college-level curricular and resource requirements for each AP course are authorized to carry the AP label.

AP courses culminate in a suite of college-level assessments developed and scored by college and university faculty as well as experienced AP teachers. Except for AP Studio Art, which is a portfolio assessment, each AP Exam contains a free-response section (essays, problem-solving, oral responses, etc.) as well as multiple-choice questions. AP Exams are an essential part of the AP experience, enabling students to demonstrate their mastery of college-level course work.

Strong performance on AP Exams is rewarded by colleges and universities worldwide. AP is recognized by more than 600 universities in more than 55 countries outside the United States, and more than 90 percent of four-year colleges and universities in the United States grant students credit, placement or both on the basis of AP Exam scores. But performing well on an AP Exam means more than just the successful completion of a course;  it is the gateway to success in college. Research consistently shows that students who score a 3 or higher typically experience greater academic success in college and higher graduation rates than their non-AP student peers.

Prior to taking Advanced Placement classes, there are established pre-AP classes to prepare students for the academic rigor and challenges they can expect in AP classes.

If a student has not joined an AP course(s) and registered for an AP exam(s), he/she may do so by going to:  myap.collegeboard.org to create an account immediately.   AP teachers can provide a course key code for the student to join his/her AP classes. 

When registered for the AP exam(s), make sure to indicate that you have made the decision to order and take the AP exam(s).  Otherwise, an AP exam will not be ordered for you. 

It is extremely important that you order your exam now because a $40 additional fee applies to each exam ordered after the deadline.