At my first teaching job, I was thrown into preparing an AP© Art class. My school signed me up for a certification course the summer before I taught (which is incredibly helpful, I highly recommend that for anyone who is starting to teach AP© Art). However, I was still unprepared for the rigor and challenges of teaching AP© Art.
My second teaching job was a stark contrast to my first. At my first job, I was the only art teacher. In my second job, I joined a team of established art teachers in a program that ran kindergarten through 12th grade with 5 art teachers in addition to myself.
Having the team of art teachers helped in so many ways, not only did it give me a group of educators to collaborate with and plan events with, but it also allowed us to plan our art program from elementary to high school. This meant by the time our AP© Art classes were formed we had very ready artists in the class.
At my first teaching job, any perquisites to join AP© Art were ignored and I often had to beg students to join the class in order to have the numbers to “make” the class. The result was students who were not dedicated and underprepared for such a rigorous course. This was not an easy A or easy college credit course. I was a broken record explaining to my students they can’t cram for a portfolio like they can cram for an exam. They have to do the work!
All that long-winded story to say, through this blog post I will outline what helped the AP© Art program at my second job be a success and how that contrasted with my first program which was a challenge. Don’t get me wrong, you can still run an incredibly successful AP© Art class if you are the only teacher! You just need to plan ahead, make sure you have admin support, and be an advocate for your program.
Outline Your Expectations to Admin
If you are starting or inheriting an AP© Art program, the first step is communication with your administration. Preparing an AP© Art class involves ensuring you have the right students enrolled, which means advocating for specific prerequisites and class size limitations.
At my first school, students were required to take only one art class before enrolling in AP© Art. This led to an underprepared and often disengaged group of students. Additionally, I was required to fill the class with at least 20 students, making it difficult to maintain the quality and commitment of students needed for this class.
In contrast, my second school required students to complete four art classes before taking AP© Art: an introductory course, two intermediate-level classes, and one advanced class. This structure ensured that students were well-prepared and committed to the demands of the AP© Art curriculum. It also allowed us to cultivate a group of students who were genuinely interested in pursuing art at a higher level.
Another crucial point in preparing your AP© Art class is to discuss class size with your administration. Ideally, AP© Art should have a flexible enrollment policy. One year, at my second school the AP© Art class only had four students, while another year, it had 16. The number shouldn’t dictate whether the class makes—if a student is passionate and prepared, they deserve the opportunity to take the course.
Once you have established these guidelines with your administration, hold them to it! Do not allow students who do not meet the requirements to be placed in your class. It is essential to maintain the integrity of the program (and your sanity) by ensuring that only dedicated students enroll.
Outline Your Expectations to Parents & Students
Before students apply for AP© Art, it is important to set clear expectations. Hold an informational meeting with both parents and students to discuss the workload, expectations, and commitment required. This meeting should cover:
- The expectation that every student submits a portfolio.
- The requirement to produce a new work of art every two weeks.
- The prerequisites needed to enroll in the class.
- The importance of summer work (more on that below).
Make sure that both students and parents understand that AP© Art is not an easy class. It requires dedication, time management, and a serious commitment to producing high-quality work. By having this conversation upfront, you can help ensure that only those who are truly ready for the challenge move forward in the process.
Plan Ahead
Applications
One of the most effective ways to ensure that the right students enroll in your class is to require an application. At my second school, students couldn’t simply sign up for AP© Art; they had to apply and receive approval first. The application process included:
- Questions about their previous art coursework.
- A statement on what they hoped to gain from the class.
- Submission of artwork demonstrating their technical ability, creativity, and understanding of design principles.
As a team, the art teachers would review these applications, and students who were borderline candidates had one-on-one conversations to assess their readiness. Once approved, students and parents had to sign an acknowledgment form agreeing to the class expectations and summer work commitment.
Summer Work
Preparing your AP© Art class starts long before the actual class starts. Summer work is a vital part of preparing an AP© Art class. It helps students hit the ground running and makes sure students are committed to the class when they sign up. While I don’t want to overwhelm students during their break, I require them to complete a few pieces that could be used in their portfolios.
Summer work is always due on the first day of school—no exceptions. This policy makes sure students start the year with work in hand and sets the tone for the level of responsibility expected in the class.
Hit the Ground Running
AP© Art is a fast-paced, rigorous class, and students need to be actively working from day one. In my class, we start with a critique of their summer work, followed by a review of the portfolio requirements. Depending on the student’s skill levels, the first few assignments are either guided exercises or open-ended projects leading into their sustained investigations. The portfolio is flexible enough for you to decide the best way to start projects in your class.
To keep students on track, I follow a strict schedule:
- Every 2-3 weeks, a new piece is due.
- Midway through each project, we hold an in-progress critique.
- The day before the final deadline, students participate in a final critique.
- Before starting their next piece, students complete research, sketches, and gather materials as homework.
This structure keeps students on pace and helps them develop the discipline needed to complete a strong portfolio. By the end of the year, my students know exactly what to expect, and the class operates like a well-oiled machine.
The Challenges and Rewards of AP© Art
Preparing an AP© Art class is no easy task. The workload is intense, and keeping students motivated throughout the year can be challenging. However, seeing students develop their artistic voices, push their creative boundaries, and successfully complete their portfolios is incredibly rewarding.
I always remind my students that this class is harder than any art class I took in college. By completing AP© Art, they are setting themselves up for success in higher education and beyond. My advice to teachers preparing an AP© Art class: give yourself grace, support your students, and stay firm on deadlines to keep them moving forward.
If you want to hit the easy button and get all of my AP© Art resources I have a range of curriculum options as well as individual packs. Get my curriculum to teach all 3 portfolios here. Get my 2D and Drawing portfolio curriculum here, which includes my guided assignments. Get everything you need to get started in AP© Art here. I also have a curriculum for just AP© 3D Design and Photography. Have questions on what you need? Shoot me an email at whitney@lookbetweenthelines.com.
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