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By continuing to use this website, you consent to our use of these cookies. View Course Catalog We are excited to share an enhancement to the LJCDS Upper School curriculum, one that elevates our students’ learning experience while continuing to provide exceptional preparation to thrive in college and beyond. Beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year, all Upper School departments will shift their focus from the Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum and replace APs with a slate of Advanced Studies courses This decision reflects years of thoughtful and collaborative discussions among teachers, department chairs, division heads, the college counseling office, and school leadership, along with significant guidance from colleges and universities. Our Advanced Studies program is designed to provide an innovative, in-depth, and academically rigorous curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and real-world application. These courses mirror the depth and expectations of college-level work rather than focus on standardized test preparation. This shift enables us to provide learning experiences that closely align with our mission, reflect our values, and honor students’ passions, while thoroughly preparing them for success in college and their future careers. The College Perspective Colleges expect students to take the most challenging courses available at their school. Schools across the nation that have shifted their focus from AP—including Phillips Exeter, Andover, Deerfield, Menlo, The Bishop’s School, Cate, and many more—continue to see their students stand out in the college admission process. College admissions officers are clear: if a school doesn’t offer APs, students are not penalized for not taking them Our college counseling team will ensure admissions offices fully understand LJCDS’ Advanced Studies program, both through our annually updated school profile and through direct conversations with colleges and universities nationwide. For further insight into the college perspective, you’re invited to watch the informational webinar below, featuring a panel of college admissions officers. Our academic reputation is strong—and it’s only growing. For 100 years, we’ve designed our curriculum at the intersection of the proven and the pioneering, and in 2026–2027, we proudly take the next step forward. Sincerely, Jeff Terwin, Ph.D. Head of School Colleen A. O’Boyle Associate Head of School Damien Fatongia Dean of College Counseling James Joseph Head of Upper School Rachel Clouser Assistant Head of Upper School View Course Catalog Why Advanced Studies? Read the FAQs Watch the Full Webinar For further insight into the college perspective, watch the informational webinar featuring a panel of admissions officers from: Marina Fried - Cornell University 25 years of experience in college admissions. Kris Tesoro - University of Michigan 20 years of experience in college admissions. Grace James - Washington University in St. Louis 15 years of experience in college admissions. Cuca Acosta - University of California, Santa Barbara 25 years of experience in college admissions. Raissa Diamante - Harvey Mudd College 19 years of experience in college admissions. Why Advanced Studies? The introduction of Advanced Studies courses will positively impact the academic and intellectual experience of students in the following ways: Deeper Learning : Advanced Studies courses provide more collaborative and in-depth curricula experiences than is currently available under the timeline and content dictated by the national AP curriculum. College-level Rigor : Advanced Studies courses provide students with the opportunity to explore college-level content, embrace high expectations, and position them for challenging, authentic, and meaningful academic experiences. Balanced and Student-centered : Advanced Studies courses strike a balance between student-centered learning and the mastery of essential knowledge. This approach ensures that student experiences are driven by curiosity and a genuine love of learning, rather than memorization solely for the purpose of passing a culminating test. Leverage the Strength of Our Faculty : Advanced Studies courses enhance the intellectual expertise of our distinguished faculty. Teachers are empowered with the flexibility to adjust their curriculum in response to class interests, allowing for deeper exploration of topics. As a result, greater opportunities for tailored learning, critical thinking, and analytical skill development will more effectively lead students to mastery. Interdisciplinary Connections: Advanced Studies courses can integrate perspectives from multiple disciplines, reflecting how knowledge is applied in college and professional settings. This flexibility allows students to see connections between fields and tackle complex problems that don't fit neatly into a single subject area. *Weighted GPA Continuity : Advanced Studies courses will receive a weighted grade in GPA calculations, consistent with our policy of assigning weighted grades to all honors and advanced classes. ** LJCDS will continue to offer AP exams. Students will be notified of the details when AP exam registration is open. FAQs List of 12 frequently asked questions. Will honors courses still be offered alongside the new Advanced Studies courses? Yes. Honors courses will continue to be an integral part of the curriculum. What happens to AP subjects like AP Bio, AP Calc AB, or AP Euro? Students will enroll in the Advanced Studies or Honors equivalent. The academic expectations of the course will remain the same or increase. Students should be prepared to dive in and tackle challenging material. Will all current AP subjects offered by LJCDS have an Advanced Studies equivalent in the 2026–2027 school year? Yes. An Advanced Studies equivalent will replace and enhance all currently offered AP subjects in the 2026-27 academic year. How will these changes affect my LJCDS GPA? There will be no impact on GPA. Advanced Studies courses receive the same grade weight as AP courses. An A in an AP course is worth the same as an A in an Advanced Studies course. Will these changes negatively impact my college applications? No. LJCDS’s reputation with colleges is robust and not based on the number of AP courses offered. The relationships that the LJCDS college counselors have built with college admissions offices across the country enable them to have frank conversations with admissions personnel to confirm our standing and inform them of our rigorous curriculum. The LJCDS college profile, included with all college applications and updated annually, is one of the ways we ensure college admissions offices understand our school and program. How will colleges know that Advanced Studies is our most challenging curriculum? In 2026–2027, the LJCDS College Profile will include details about our Advanced Studies program, clearly delineating course offerings, their levels, and the rigor of the curriculum. Advanced Studies courses will be cited as the most academically rigorous courses offered at LJCDS. The LJCDS College Profile is shared with every college to which our students apply and is available on the LJCDS college counseling website. Additionally, the LJCDS college counseling team will regularly discuss the Advanced Studies program directly with admissions officers during campus visits, national and regional conferences, team visits to colleges, and in individual student advocacy calls. Could it become a disadvantage if a student chooses not to take an AS course? That’s an important question—and one we’ve been intentional about addressing in our conversations with colleges and universities. From an admissions perspective, colleges evaluate each student in the context of their school’s curriculum—specifically, how rigorously a student has challenged themselves given what’s available. Once AP courses are no longer offered, our Advanced Studies courses become the highest level of rigor available at LJCDS, and colleges will view them accordingly. In fact, selective admissions offices have reaffirmed that what matters most is rigor in context, not whether the course carries the AP label. Many peer schools that have transitioned away from AP have found that colleges both recognize and value their advanced courses—especially when the school provides a clear explanation of the curriculum. Our School Profile, which accompanies every college application, will make this explicit: Advanced Studies courses represent the highest level of rigor offered at LJCDS. They emphasize college-level depth, research, and inquiry rather than test preparation. Students engaged in these courses demonstrate the same—or greater—academic challenge and readiness as peers in AP programs. In short, the “most rigorous available” expectation remains, but what’s available has evolved. Our Advanced Studies program meets—and exceeds—that standard. How will Advanced Studies benefit students in the Arts or Design & Innovation? Advanced Studies in the Arts and Design & Innovation are intentionally structured to provide students with opportunities to develop professional-quality portfolios. These portfolios can be submitted as a part of their college applications, whether for specialized programs in art and design or as supplemental material to highlight creative and interdisciplinary skills. What if I want to take an AP exam? LJCDS will continue to offer AP exams on campus, and students will be notified when registration is open. Students enrolled in Advanced Studies courses aligned with AP subjects will have developed deep mastery and critical thinking skills in their subject areas. However, additional preparation may be needed to cover the breadth of topics required by AP exams, as standardized tests prioritize surface-level familiarity with concepts rather than the profound understanding our Advanced Studies courses cultivate. It is essential to note that teachers will not focus on preparing students for the exam. It is recommended that students complete outside preparation before taking the AP test Can I still use AP scores to earn college credit and potentially graduate early, saving on college tuition? That depends on the college, as they vary widely in how they award AP credit—some accept high scores for credit or placement, while others may not accept them at all. LJCDS will continue to offer AP exams on campus, and students may still earn college credit based on their scores. It’s important to review the college and program policies in advance. Additionally, students interested in pursuing graduate-level programs should research whether those programs accept AP credits for prerequisite coursework, as this may influence their decision to use AP scores to accelerate their undergraduate degree. Will students applying to international schools, such as those in the UK, still be able to sit for the external exam? Yes. Students who require an exam for admission to international universities, such as those in the United Kingdom, will still be supported in registering for and taking those exams independently. The LJCDS college counseling team will help families navigate this process to ensure access. Have other schools moved away from Advanced Placement courses? Yes. The shift away from AP courses has been a national trend for many years. Schools across the country have made the same decision, such as The Bishop’s School (CA), Castilleja (CA), Cate School (CA), Deerfield Academy (MA), Lakeside School (WA), The Lawrenceville School (NJ), Menlo School (CA), Milton Academy (MA), Phillips Academy Andover (MA), Phillips Exeter Academy (NH), Riverdale Country School (NY), The Spence School (NY), St. Paul’s School (NH), and The Webb Schools (CA). What to expect The only change is that current AP subjects will be replaced and enhanced with Advanced Studies classes. No impact on GPA No impact on college applications Honors classes will still be offered. LJCDS will continue to host AP exams on campus. La Jolla Country Day School 9490 Genesee Avenue La Jolla, CA 92037 858-453-3440 Country Day Connection Newsletter Accredited by: