AP

Main article: Advanced Placement

AP versions of courses are typically more advanced than their normal or honors counterparts, though the actual difference varies. Some classes are only available in AP form, for example Environmental Science and Calculus, while language classes feature a 4-year progression that finishes with an AP course.

AP courses often give students college credit for that course, allowing them to use it to fulfill a prerequisite and saving on college tuition.

During May, students are encouraged to take the standardized exam prepared by College Board for each of their AP classes, which is viewed by some students as the singular purpose for taking an AP class.^{[citation needed]} The extent to which classes are oriented around preparing students for the exam varies, with some classes, like AP languages heavily focused on the exam, while classes like AP Computer Science A study material apart from the exam and only prepare for it in the final month before the exam.

APs at Gunn

29 AP courses are offered at Gunn, though students are encouraged to take no more than two at a time. Despite this, Gunn students are under great pressure to take as many AP courses as possible to increase their GPA and appeal to prestigious universities, an effect that has prompted school administrators to encourage students to evaluate their time management. An academically-minded (the stereotypical "Asian") student typically takes these AP courses, though this list is by no means exhaustive: AP US History, AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C or AP Physics 1, at least one other AP science (usually Biology, Chemistry, or Environmental Sciences), an AP language, AP Economics, commonly AP Art History (seen as a way to both fulfill the visual arts graduation requirement and get an AP on one's transcript), and commonly AP Computer Science A.

In the 2023–2024 school year, 846 students took 2504 AP tests, with 95.1% students scoring a passing grade of 3 or higher and 52.8% students scoring a 5. (Side note: at Gunn, a 3 is NOT considered to be a good or even passing grade; it is seen as pretty bad.)