Academics
College Counseling | Academic Preparation
Students at ANC are well prepared, both academically and socially, for a useful life in this world and the next.
Whether their interests are academic or vocational, our students leave ANC with a solid foundation on which to build their college and career experiences. Students are given the chance to complete advanced studies in all core areas and many take full advantage of the opportunities we provide. The large majority of our students go into and excel in higher education. More importantly, however, they are becoming useful and productive individuals and members of society.
Many preparatory schools use selective admissions and are quite expensive. We operate very differently. We have an open admissions policy and accommodate our academic programs to the student. Meanwhile, we strongly encourage all students to actively prepare for their lives after ANC.
Over the last five years, nearly 97% of our graduates have continued into higher education with the intent of earning at least a two- or four-year degree. Nationally, about 60% of high school graduates enter higher education (Source: Tinto's Leaving College and the College Board's College-Bound Seniors: National Report 1999).
A Challenging Curriculum
The secondary schools offer a broad curriculum: students can take honors level and/or accelerated courses in all five core areas (history, English, science, math, and foreign language). Currently, students can graduate with 4 years of one foreign language, 5 years of science, 4 years of history, 4 years of math (including Calculus), and 4 years of English. We have had students graduate with 5 or more years of a language and one student graduated with 4 years each of 2 languages.
Our academic offerings give our students the opportunity to meet the academic preparation requirements of the most prestigious colleges and universities.
Standardized Testing
As far as college preparation goes, our students are doing quite well. In the last five years, our students have scored 144 points above the national average and 43 points above the average independent school on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Typically, about 98% of Academy seniors take the SAT or the American College Testing (ACT) exam in preparation for college admissions.
Advanced Placement
The Academy offers four Advanced Placement (AP) courses: Calculus AB, Statistics, U.S. History, and English Literature. Additionally, students in senior British Literature and upper level foreign languages are also strongly encouraged to take the AP test in their content area.
The AP test grades students on a five point scale to assess their qualification for college level credit. The scale is as follows:
- 5 – Extremely Qualified
- 4 – Well Qualified
- 3 – Qualified
- 2 – Possibly Qualified
- 1 – No Recommendation
Currently, 85% of ANC students who take the AP exams earn a score of 3 or higher (compared to a national average of about 65%).
National Merit Status
Every October our juniors take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT). Students who score high enough can qualify for national recognition and possibly merit scholarships. Nationally, students average a 48 on the verbal section, a 49 on the math, and a 49 on writing skills. This year at ANC our students averaged a 54 on the verbal, a 53 on the math, and a 53 on writing skills.
Since 1990 ANC has graduated 109 Nationally Commended students and 31 National Merit Finalists. On average, about 10% of each graduating class has been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. (Nationally, only about 5% of each graduating class is formally recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.)
Taking College Courses
ANC seniors whose academic records demonstrate that they are capable of college level work may take courses for credit at Bryn Athyn College as part-time students under the Continuing Education program.
This program provides students with the opportunity to enroll in advanced coursework beyond what is available in a high school curriculum, on the beautiful, adjacent Bryn Athyn College campus. Students may enroll in two courses per academic year and no more than one course per term. For information about eligibility and admissions procedures, please contact the Bryn Athyn College Admissions Office, (267) 502-6000.