Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Advanced Placement

Incentives for public high schools to provide access to rigorous, college-level courses.

Program Description

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program was established over 40 years ago by the College Board, a national nonprofit organization. The AP Program consists of college-level courses in 31 subject areas.

The AP Program provides incentives for public high schools in California to provide access to college-level courses for interested and prepared students. With such programs, students may pursue college-level work while still in secondary school and receive college credit, advanced academic standing, or both.

AP courses are recognized by public and private universities. Successful completion of AP courses, and the related tests, can help students in the very competitive process of university admission.

Questions:   High School Innovations and Initiatives Office | HSIIO@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0893
Last Reviewed: Thursday, February 13, 2025
Trending in Grade Spans
Recently Posted in Grade Spans
  • Dual Enrollment Opportunities Grant (added 18-Sep-2025)
    Report to the Department of Finance, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, the Senate Committee on Education, the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, and the Assembly Committee on Education: Dual Enrollment Grant Baseline Data Report.
  • 2024 CCSPP Executive Summary (added 04-Sep-2025)
    Executive summary from the 2024 California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) legislative (leg.) report to the Governor, Legislature, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office.