Elk Island Public Schools' (EIPS) Advanced Placement (AP) program helps senior high students gain a head start on their academic journey, enabling them to earn a high school diploma and university credit at the same time. "The AP program prepares students for post-secondary education and their future careers, providing them with the opportunity to earn university course credit while still in high school," says Josh Willard, an AP biology teacher at Bev Facey Community High. "That in turn allows them to save money on future tuition and time in their academic workload."
The Advanced Placement program allows students to receive their high school diploma and university credits at the same time.
Internationally recognized, the AP program is offered at more than 500 institutions across 75 countries and regions worldwide. EIPS' AP program is offered at Bev Facey Community High and provides students in grades 10 to 12 with academic rigour through challenging courses that build on and expand the material covered in the Alberta curriculum. Flexibility is another key aspect of the program. Students can choose to take a full AP course load or individual courses based on their interests and strengths.
"I enjoy the classroom environment in the AP program," says Zoyi Chan, a Grade 12 AP student at Bev Facey Community High. "Being around other academically driven students is motivating, and seeing everyone working so hard in class encourages me to continue studying hard."
Bev Facey also offers the AP Capstone diploma program, which is comprised of both an AP seminar and an AP research course. Students explore real-world issues through research and share their findings in written papers and group presentations. Run in tandem with regular AP course offerings, the goal is to help students deepen their understanding of the various concepts by making connections and applying their knowledge. "Universities are placing a greater emphasis on capstone program courses," says Willard. "That's because students who complete these courses have already mastered skills that are important to successful academic careers."
Interested students and families are invited to attend an upcoming AP information session:
Event Details:
- Date: Jan. 22, 2026
- Time: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Location: Bev Facey Community High, 99 Colwill Blvd., Sherwood Park, AB
- Room: Library
New and returning students can apply to the AP program during the EIPS registration process, which opens in February 2026. Specific registration dates are available by viewing the EIPS Guide to Registration 2026-27.
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