Advanced Placement
Taking academic study to the next level
For students ready for greater academic challenge, Surval Montreux offers the opportunity to study Advanced Placement (AP) courses as part of our American High School Programme.
AP courses are university-level courses studied during High School and culminating in an external examination. They are recognised by universities internationally and allow academically ambitious students to demonstrate their ability to succeed at a higher level of study.
At Surval, Advanced Placement sits within a carefully structured academic journey. Girls build strong foundations in the earlier High School years before progressing, where appropriate, towards more demanding AP study.
Building towards Advanced Placement
Preparation for advanced study begins before Grades 11 and 12.
In Grades 9 and 10, students develop the research, analytical and presentation skills they will need for higher-level academic work. AP Seminar is introduced during these years, encouraging students to research, evaluate information, develop arguments and present their ideas with confidence.
By Grades 11 and 12, girls are increasingly able to shape an academic pathway around their strengths, interests and university ambitions, with Advanced Placement courses providing additional challenge where appropriate.
AP opportunities at Surval
Surval offers Advanced Placement opportunities across a range of academic disciplines, including:
English | History | French | Mathematics | Sciences, including Psychology
Native speakers of Spanish and Japanese can also be supported to study towards the relevant AP Language and Culture course.
The exact programme followed by each student will depend upon her previous study, academic strengths, interests and future plans.
AP English Literature & Composition
Available in Grade 12, AP English Literature & Composition is a challenging university-level course for students with a particular passion and aptitude for literature.
Girls study fiction, poetry and drama from a broad range of periods and traditions, developing sophisticated skills in critical reading, interpretation and essay writing.
The course is designed to prepare students for the demands of undergraduate study, with students expected to undertake significant independent study alongside their classroom learning.
AP Biology
Available in Grade 12, AP Biology takes students from the molecular level through to entire ecosystems.
Following the College Board course framework, students explore areas including cellular processes, heredity, gene expression, natural selection and ecology while developing skills in experimental design, data analysis and scientific argument.
It is particularly suited to girls considering future university study in Biology, Life Sciences or Medicine.
AP French Language & Culture
Students with an advanced level of French can progress to AP French Language & Culture.
Equivalent to a university-level French course, it develops sophisticated communication skills while exploring French-speaking cultures through themes including family and community, identity, science and technology, contemporary life and global challenges.
A personalised AP pathway
At Surval, taking an AP is not simply about adding another qualification.
Our small classes and personalised approach allow teachers to consider carefully when a student is ready for additional academic challenge and which subjects best complement her individual strengths and future ambitions.
Some AP courses have specific prerequisites and require teacher recommendation. For example, AP English Literature & Composition requires successful completion of the relevant senior English course and teacher recommendation, while AP Biology requires previous High School Biology or successful completion of preparatory summer work, together with teacher recommendation.
This allows Advanced Placement study to form part of an academic programme designed around the individual rather than a standard pathway followed by every student.
Preparing for university
Advanced Placement forms part of Surval's wider approach to preparing girls for university and life beyond school.
In Grade 11, students begin individual meetings with Surval's college counsellors, exploring potential university pathways, external examinations and country-specific application requirements.
During Grade 12, weekly College Workshop sessions support students with applications, essays, entrance examinations such as the SAT and IELTS, letters of intent and interview preparation.
Surval students have recently gained university places across the UK, France, USA, Mexico, Switzerland and Spain, reflecting the international nature of both our student community and their ambitions.