Started in 1955, and offered at Trinity College School since 1993, the College Board’s Advanced Placement program is offered in over 110 different countries. The program enables high school students to attain a high level of enrichment and acquire advanced study skills by engaging in the rigour of first year university level academic content; further, it offers international prestige and it is recognized in some fashion by over 80 Canadian universities. Based on performance on rigorous AP examinations, students may possibly earn credit, advanced placement, or both upon entering university.
All TCS students are encouraged to take at least one Advanced Placement course in Grade 11 or Grade 12. Students should select their AP course(s) according to their academic strengths and interests. This allows our students to experience the rigours and expectations of a university level curriculum and examination.
Through the Advanced Placement program, students at Trinity College School have the opportunity to achieve diplomas and certificates of distinction well beyond the requirements of the Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum. Students with strengths across several disciplines may attempt the Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID). Students with academic strengths in specific subject areas should consider Advanced Placement programs leading to the following awards: National AP Scholar (Canada), AP Scholar with Distinction, AP Scholar with Honour and AP Scholar.
In 2014, TCS was honoured to be selected to offer the prestigious AP Capstone Diploma™. In keeping with the School's academic vision, this two-year program provides students with the critical skills required for success in post-secondary education, including critical thinking. collaborative problem solving and research skills.
2022-2023 AP Courses Offered at TCS
Below are the Advanced Placement course/exam offerings at TCS for the 2021-2022 school year:
AP Capstone
- AP Seminar (HSB4UA)
- AP Research (IDC4UA)
Arts
- Studio Art (AWD4MA)
English
- English Language & Composition (ENG3UA)
- English Literature & Composition (ENG4UA)
History & Social Sciences
- Microeconomics (CIA4UA)
- Psychology (HHG4MA)
Science, Technology, Engineering, Math
- Biology (SBI4UA)
- Calculus AB (MCV4UA)
- Chemistry (SCH4UA)
- Computer Science A (ICS4UA)
- Computer Science Principles (ICS2OA)
- Environmental Science (IDC4UA)
- Physics 1 (SPH4UA)
- Physics 2 (exam only)
- Statistics (MDM4UA)
World Languages & Culture
- Mandarin Language and Culture (LKBDUAe) (online only)
- French Language and Culture (FSF4UA)
- German Language and Culture (exam only)
- Japanese Language and Culture (exam only)
- Spanish Language and Culture (LWSDUA)
All AP courses require a minimal enrolment to run
AP Exams & Recognition
AP Exam Schedule
AP examinations take place each May. Prior to writing the exams, students will write "mock" or practice exams in late April in order to be fully prepared for the May examinations. Students will be provided with all exam dates well in advance and will also receive resources to help them prepare for the exams. For more information, visit the College Board's AP site.
Exam Fees
There is a fee of approximately $100 per AP examination. The cost is subject to change and depends on the value of the U.S. dollar.
AP examinations are normally ordered from the College Board at the end of February. Exams are automatically ordered for all students enrolled in courses with an AP designation. In addition, students will also have the opportunity to register for exams in English and the World Languages which are not associated with AP courses. The registration for these exams will take place well before the February due date. Students withdrawing from AP exams after the exams have been ordered from the College Board will be charged a $20 per exam cancellation fee.
Advanced Placement Exam Grade Scale
The AP grade scale ranges from 5 to 1.
- 5 = Extremely well qualified
- 4 = Well qualified
- 3 = Qualified
- 2 = Possibly qualified
- 1 = No recommendation
Advanced Placement Recognition
The following levels of achievement may be recognized by the College Board:
- AP Scholar: Granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.
- AP Scholar with Honour: Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
- AP Scholar with Distinction: Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.
For more information on AP Scholar awards, visit the College Board's AP website.
Advanced Placement Results
Click here to read the most recent results for Trinity College Students in the Advanced Placement program.
TCS is proud to have been named to the 2023 AP School Honour Roll at the Gold level. Click here to read more about this distinction.
Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Diploma
Trinity College School is proud to have been one of the first 10 schools in Canada selected by the College Board to offer the innovative Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Diploma™, a two-year program of study for Grade 11 and 12 students that focuses on critical thinking, collaborative problem solving, and research skills in a cross-curricular context. The AP Capstone Diploma further enriches Ontario Secondary School Diploma coursework.
Click here to learn more about the AP Capstone Diploma program.
