About AP & College Credit Plus

Ohio law requires that all state public high schools provide students with the opportunity to participate in an "advanced standing" program (ORC 3313.6013). An advanced standing program enables a student to earn college credit for a degree or career certificate during their high school years. Pickerington Schools offers two types of advanced standing programs: Advanced Placement (AP) and College Credit Plus (CCP). Advanced Placement and College Credit Plus offer students intending to pursue any type of post-secondary education beneficial skills and knowledge. The district offers both of these options to advocate for individual student choice and flexibility, rather than to advocate for one program over another.

Please take the time to review and consider the obstacles and opportunities of each program in each content area. Mixing course formats may be a better choice than all of one or another. Whatever your choices may be, please avoid a simple “cookie-cutter” approach to education.

Choose a path that is as unique as you!

Access the Pickerington Schools College Credit Plus Website HERE

About Advanced Placement (AP)

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are taught by teachers using curricula approved by the College Board. Successful completion of coursework in the AP program allows students the opportunity to take an exam in May. Students who earn at least a score of 3 on the AP test receive credit that is accepted by all of Ohio’s public universities and colleges. Read more about The College Board's AP program here.

The number of credits and how they apply towards a degree vary depending on the test and the college. Students can only receive such credit if they take the AP test. Private colleges and universities outside of Ohio have specific policies in place that may vary from Ohio’s public institutions.

Students are not required to take the AP exam to receive weighted credit for their courses.
The AP exams in American History and American Government replace the state-required end-of-course examinations for points toward graduation.
Students that wish to take the AP exam that are eligible for free or reduced lunch options should check with their counselors about exam fee waivers.
AP courses are more rigorous than traditional high school courses and are designed to develop the skills needed for success in college. Students must be prepared to take on the additional responsibility.
Courses follow the AP curriculum to prepare students for the AP exam at the end of the yearlong course.
Students taking AP classes may participate in the AP exam to demonstrate competency and potentially qualify for college credit and are charged for participation in the program.

Get the Most Out of AP: Resources for students taking AP courses.

Student Privacy: FERPA and CCP

Under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the rights accorded to a parent, which would include permission and consent, transfer to a student who turns 18 or enters an institution of post-secondary education. This encompasses all dual enrollment classes offered by the district in cooperation with a college or university, including those offered within the school buildings by district faculty serving as college adjuncts. Parents still maintain the right to access student records (e.g., final grades, attendance) as long as the student is a dependent student for tax purposes, but any communication about student work, performance, or other issues from the normal course of instruction are kept between the instructor and student. An excellent primer on the overall topic is available through Columbus State Community College.

Students are accountable for their own behaviors and actions. Compliance with the rules of the school, including attendance, will be addressed directly to the student. Correspondence from the school will be sent directly to the student via the district-provided email. It is the expectation of the student to keep his/her parents informed.

Transferring Credit After High School Graduation

While a student’s CCP coursework is listed on the PLSD transcript, colleges cannot accept that as evidence for college credit. Students must request official transcripts from the district’s college partner for the course.

For courses taken in the district, the following colleges were our partners. Please note that these may change between site and year. Click on the college listed to request a transcript.

At Pickerington Central:

Marion Technical College has been the partner for Composition, Literature, Math, American History, Government, and Cultural Diversity from 2021-2022.

COTC was the partner for Composition and Literature from 2016-2017 to 2020-2021 (except 2015-2016, see below), Literature, Sociology (2015-2016), Psychology (2015), Math (except 2015-2016), Cultural Diversity, and Government (2020 onward) Courses

Columbus State was the partner for History and Theatre Production courses as well as Math (2015-2016), Government (2014-2015), Composition (2015-2016) and Comparative Government (2014-2016).

Southern State was the partner for Government (2016-2019) and Intro to Chemistry (2018-2019) and General Chemistry I and II (2017-2018).

At Pickerington North:

Marion Technical College has been the partner for Composition, Literature, Math, American History, Government, and Cultural Diversity from 2021-2022.

Columbus State was the partner for Theatre Production courses as well as Math (2015-2016), Government, Composition (2015-2016) and Comparative Government (2014-2016).

Southern State was the partner for Intro to Chemistry (2018-2019).

Please note: "The subject matter of a course enrolled in under the college credit plus program may include mature subject matter or materials, including those of a graphic, explicit, violent, or sexual nature, that will not be modified based upon college credit plus enrollee participation regardless of where course instruction occurs."