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Advanced Placement

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

San Marcos High School Advanced Placement Information

San Marcos High School offers 20+ AP courses, from English and Government to Statistics, Environmental Science, Computer Science, and Art & Design — all AP Audit–approved as rigorous, college-level classes.

AP EXAM INFORMATION

  • What You Need to Know:

    • Eligibility & Access: You are currently taking an AP course on campus with an SMHS teacher. Your teacher will provide your classroom-specific Join Code during class to grant you access to AP Classroom materials and practice exams.
    • Exam Ordering: Joining the section on AP Classroom registers you for the course, but your AP exam will not be ordered until full payment is received.
    • Payment Options & Deadlines: You may pay electronically online once registered, or pay in person (Cash, Cashier's Check or personal check payable to SMUSD, or Fee Waiver) at the Finance Office during AP Class Payment Week. Money orders are not accepted. The absolute final cutoff for all payments is October 30 at 3:00 PM.
    • Fee Waivers: Approved SMHS students are eligible for College Board fee waivers. See Fee Waiver information below for more guidelines on the process for applying for a fee waiver.
       

    Important Links for Enrolled Students:

  • What You Need to Know:

    • Eligibility & Access: This option is strictly for active SMHS students self-studying for an AP exam not on their daily class schedule. Exam-Only status provides test ordering and proctoring only. It does not grant access to SMHS classroom instruction, Canvas courses, teacher prep, or GPA-weighted credit.
    • Join Code Process: Submit the Exam-Only Registration Form first. Mrs. Mazzola will process your request and email a unique "Exam-Only" Join Code to your College Board email. You must log into your College Board account and enter this code to complete Step 2 of registration by October 30, 2026.
    • Hosting Requirement: SMHS will only host an exam if at least two (2) students total register for it, with at least one being an active SMHS student. Unhosted exams will be canceled and fully refunded.
    • Payment Options & Deadlines: Once registered in College Board with your join code, pay electronically online via the WebStore or in person (Cash, Cashier's Check or personal check payable to SMUSD, or Fee Waiver) at the Finance Office during AP Class Payment Week. Money orders are not accepted. Final payment cutoff is October 30 at 3:00 PM. Unpaid exams will not be ordered.
    • Fee Waivers: Approved SMHS students are eligible for College Board fee waivers. See Fee Waiver information below for more guidelines on the process for applying for a fee waiver.

     

    Important Links for SMHS Self-Study:

  • What You Need to Know:

    • Eligibility & Hosting Rule: Non-SMHS guest students may test at SMHS subject to space, proctor availability, and our strict hosting rule: At least two (2) students total must take the exam, and at least one must be an actively enrolled SMHS student. If an exam does not meet these criteria, registration will be canceled.
    • Accommodations: Due to facility and proctoring constraints, SMHS cannot host AP exams for non-SMHS guest students requiring College Board SSD accommodations.
    • Join Code Process: Submit the registration form by September 11 at 3:00 PM. Upon processing, Mrs. Mazzola will email your unique Exam-Only Join Code to your College Board email address. You must log into College Board and enter this code immediately (deadline is October 30, 2026).
    • Payment Policy (In-Person Only): Non-SMHS students are NOT eligible for online payments or fee waivers. Non-SMHS exams are $150.00 per exam, payable via Cash or Cashier's Check only (payable to SMUSD). Personal checks and money orders are not accepted.  in the SMHS Finance Office strictly during Amnesty Week (October 26–30, 9:00–11:00 AM & 2:00–3:00 PM). Unpaid exams after October 30 at 3:00 PM will be canceled, and unused exams are non-refundable.

     

    Important Links for Guest Testers:

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    AP Exam Fee Waiver is a financial assistance program designed to significantly reduce exam fees for eligible, low-income students so that cost is never a barrier to college readiness.

    What You Need to Know:

    • Eligibility: Fee waivers are strictly available to actively enrolled SMHS students only. Non-SMHS guest students are not eligible for fee waivers.
    • Covered Exams: Fee waivers apply to both enrolled AP courses and approved SMHS self-study (Exam-Only) exams.

    Step-by-Step Approval & Submission Process:

    1. Print & Complete: Download and print the Fee Waiver Application form in your preferred language below. Complete all required student and family sections.
    2. Submit for Approval: Bring your completed application to the Assistant Principal's Office for review and administrative approval.
    3. Pick Up Signed Form: Return to the AP Office the next school day to retrieve your approved and signed waiver form.
    4. Turn In at Finance Office: Bring your signed waiver form (and any remaining balance payment, if applicable) to the Finance Office during your designated AP Class Payment Week to finalize your registration.

    ? Fee Waiver Application Forms: