Schools

AP Exam, Community College Fees Will Still Be Covered For AACPS Students

AP exam and community college fees are free for most Anne Arundel high schoolers this year. AACPS will also pay for licensure and SAT exams.

Jacob Baumgart's profile picture
Jacob Baumgart, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Anne Arundel County Public Schools Superintendent Mark Bedell announced Thursday that AACPS will again pay for college and career readiness exams and courses this year. An AACPS sign is pictured above.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools Superintendent Mark Bedell announced Thursday that AACPS will again pay for college and career readiness exams and courses this year. An AACPS sign is pictured above. (Jacob Baumgart/Patch)

Press release from Anne Arundel County Public Schools:

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD (July 25, 2024) — As part of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future College and Career Readiness (CCR) pathways and in alignment with recent decisions by the Maryland State Board of Education (MSBE), Anne Arundel County Public Schools will continue paying fees for many CCR opportunities for students in the coming school year, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell announced today.

“Getting to this point has not been easy given cuts in state funding dedicated to CCR, but continuing as many of these programs as we can is critical if we are to help every student Belong, Grow, and Succeed,” Dr. Bedell wrote in a letter sent to families earlier this week. “I am greatly appreciative of the creativity our team has employed to help ensure that all AACPS high school students have access to college and career pathways as imagined in the Blueprint.”

Find out what's happening in Annapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

In the coming school year, AACPS will be able to support students by paying for:

All Students in Grades 9 and 10

Find out what's happening in Annapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • PSAT exam fee for AACPS fall administration date (TBD).
  • Up to four AP exam fees for students enrolled in the corresponding course(s).
    • No limit for students who qualify for Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMS)

    • All Students in Grade 11

  • SAT exam fee for AACPS spring administration date (TBD).

    • All Students in Grades 11 and 12

  • Up to four AP exam fees for students enrolled in the corresponding course(s).
    • No limit for students who qualify for Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMS)
  • All International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme exam fees for those enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme.
  • Full tuition and instructional fees for designated college courses aligned to their high school’s Signature Pathway (must have at least a 2.0 cumulative unweighted GPA).

    • Students in Grades 11 and 12 who meet the state definition of College and Career Ready (CCR)

  • Full tuition and instructional fees for up to four AACPS-approved dual enrollment/dual credit courses with Anne Arundel Community College (AACC).

    • Students in Grades 11 and 12 who have not yet met the state definition of CCR

  • Full tuition and instructional fees for up to two AACPS-approved dual enrollment/dual credit courses with Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) for students who have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 or better.

    • All Students

  • Total costs associated with the initial attempt of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) industry certification exams/licensures for students enrolled in the corresponding AACPS CTE programs.

    • The Maryland State Board of Education defines a student as having met CCR criteria when a student has passed both the Maryland English 10 and Algebra I State Assessment (MCAP) or is student in grades 11 or 12 student with a 3.0 unweighted GPA and a grade of C or above in Algebra I.

    Families with questions about these programs should contact their student’s school or visit AACPS’ Early College Access website at www.aacps.org/earlycollegeaccess.

    This press release was produced by Anne Arundel County Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

    Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

    More from Annapolis