Pre-AP, AP, & College Dual Enrollment
MSA’s Advanced Academic Academy (A³) offers advanced academic learning tracks in Pre-AP, AP, and Dual Enrollment through State College of Florida and University of South Florida. A³ will provide students with the necessary skills and experiences to be successful in college and university level work beyond high school, while earning free college credit along the way. MSA also provides the necessary support to help cultivate students towards their future goals.
Pre-AP Academy
Pre-AP is a National College Board academic and arts program designed to help middle and high school students grades 6-10 develop high school and college readiness skills early on. The academy also prepares students for the challenges and rigor of AP and Dual Enrollment courses in high school. All Pre-AP courses are high school level courses. Any middle school student who successfully completes a Pre-AP course will earn high school credit.
Many middle school students and parents want more of a challenge beyond traditional advanced courses. Currently, MSA is the only school in Manatee County that offers a full Middle School Pre-AP program for high school credit. Qualified students can start earning high school credit in 6th grade.
Pre-AP courses include: World History, Algebra I, Geometry, English I, English II, Biology, Visual Art, & Theatre.
AP (Advanced Placement)
Qualified high school students can earn both high school and college credit through a variety of AP courses. These courses prepare students for the rigors of college/university work beyond high school. Students who earn at least a 3 on the AP exam can earn college credit. MSA offers the following AP courses:
AP 2D Art and Design
AP Art History
AP Biology
AP Calculus
AP English Language and Composition
AP English Literature and Composition
AP Environmental Science
AP Government and Politics
AP Macroeconomics
AP Psychology
AP Statistics
AP World History
-Note: Courses are based on requests and enrollment numbers. They may not be offered every year as a face-to-face course but students may have the option of taking courses online in a virtual lab.
Dual Enrollment (SCF & USF College Credit)
Qualified MSA students have the option of taking Dual Enrollment courses on the MSA campus, online, or off campus as a full-time Dual Enrollment student. These are the same courses that early college students would take on a college campus and MSA offers them for free. Some of our students graduate with an AA degree before high school graduation. MSA offers the following Dual Enrollment courses:
AMH 1010 History of the U.S. I
AMH 1020 History of the U.S. II
ENC 1101 Written Communications I
ENC 1102 Written Communications II
ENL 2010 British Literature
Lit 2000 Introduction to Literature
SPC 1608 Communication Dynamics
-Note: Courses are based on requests and enrollment numbers. They may not be offered every year as a face-to-face course but students may have the option of taking courses online in a virtual lab.
Choosing the right path: College and Career Department
Advanced Academic students will work closely with guidance and the College and Career Department to determine the proper courses to take based on future goals and prerequisites already completed. Students may choose to stay on one track or may choose to take courses in all three tracks (Pre-AP, AP, & Dual Enrollment). Students who begin the Pre-AP track in middle school and are successful will have the necessary foundation and advantage to start AP and/or Dual Enrollment early on in high school.
How do I enroll in A³?
The MSA Pre-AP Academy is open to all middle school students grades 6-8 who are already meeting high school level expectations. Enrollment in the Pre-AP Middle school Academy will be based on previous grades, teacher recommendations, and/or standardized test scores.
There is no need to apply. Students new to MSA simply enroll in the school and students will be automatically placed in the Pre-AP courses if they have demonstrated high school readiness through previous grades and test scores. Current MSA students who qualify will automatically be enrolled as well. Qualified students already meeting these higher standards have demonstrated their ability and potential of being successful in the MSA Middle School Pre-AP Academy.
High School AP course enrollment is based on previous grades, course specific prerequisites, and test scores. The Dual Enrollment program is based on passing scores on the PERT test.
For more information please explore the College and Career page on our website or you can email Ms. Quin (College and Career) at tquin@msaschool.org or Dr. Marshall (Assistant Principal) at smarshall@msaschool.org.
