Parents

College-Level Challenge

Bear Creek's AP Program gives students the opportunity to rise to college-level challenges in high school, enables them to potentially receive both high school and college credit, and prepares them to enter higher education well-prepared for its demands. College applicants who have taken AP courses in high school are often viewed more favorably by college admissions staff and traditionally have outperformed non-AP college students academically.

Upon completion of a Bear Creek AP course, students take the nationally-coordinated AP Exam in May. According to their performance on the exam, students may be awarded credit or advanced standing from the colleges that they attend. The exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with a grade of 5 receiving the rating of “extremely well qualified.” Generally a score of 3 or above earns college credit. Students are encouraged to evaluate the credit policy for each college or university of interest. Credit policies vary from college to college.

AP courses are college-level courses taught by Bear Creek faculty with guidance by The College Board.

The College Board's AP Program

What courses are taught at Bear Creek?

Bear Creek offers the following AP courses:

• AP Calculus AB^*
• AP Calculus BC^*
• AP Statistics^*
• AP Biology^*
• AP Chemistry^*
• AP Physics 1^*
• AP Language and Composition
• AP Literature and Composition
• AP European History
• AP U.S. History
• AP Music Theory^*
• AP Computer Science A^*

* See course catalog for prerequisites.

Upper School Course Catalog

Additionally, students who are passionate about a subject not listed above may choose to study independently for any of the AP Exams offered by the College Board, e.g. AP Psychology, AP Macroeconomics, or AP Art History (except AP Chinese Language and Culture and AP Japanese Language and Culture exams). Bear Creek will administer the AP Exam in May at the designated time.

How does an AP course compare to other high school courses?

Advanced Placement classes are designed to mirror courses offered on college campuses. They are more challenging and require personal discipline and independent study techniques. Students will experience an increased reading load and longer writing assignments in most AP classes. AP courses attract students who are academically motivated, personally invested, and diligent.

AP courses culminate each May with a national examination in each subject area. Students may earn college credit based on their exam score (typically with a 3 or higher).

What skills would enhance my ability to succeed in an AP class?

Students who choose to enroll in AP classes typically bring a well-developed skill set in the following areas: ability to analyze content, draw comparisons, and effectively reason through problems. They must be able to read perceptively and independently. Additionally, students need to be proficient in writing concise and clear essays. Students must have a minimum of a B in prior academic department coursework to qualify for AP course enrollment.

How many AP courses should I take in one academic year?

Given the high commitment level and increased demand, course selection should be considered carefully. Many students carry two AP courses. Students rarely take three AP courses in a single year. Due to the advanced level of course content and necessary prerequisite skills for success, all AP course selections require approval; the Registrar will follow up with all students enrolling in more than two AP courses.

Is there a fee to take an AP course?

While there is no additional charge to take one or more AP classes, The College Board charges an exam fee. In the fall, students register with The College Board for the exams they will take the following May. In March, families pay online for the exam(s) prior to students sitting for AP Exams in May.

Are there any additional benefits to AP course work?

Students who succeed in AP courses generally do well in college as a result of the exposure to collegiate teaching and testing methodology, and increased academic preparation. All AP courses are noted on the official Bear Creek transcript.

The Bear Creek School and Northwest University have partnered to offer concurrent college credit in the following courses. As an accredited university, Northwest University college credit is often transferrable to your college of choice and may be a good and economical way to jump start your college career.

In the fall, this list of courses is reviewed and updated. Applications must be submitted by the deadline; Northwest University does not accept late applications. Students must be enrolled in the appropriate Bear Creek course(s) during this school year in order to receive credit.

Application Deadline: The application will be available soon. Submit in the Upper School office by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2020. Fees ($50 per credit) will be invoiced to your Bear Creek account.

Questions regarding this program may be directed to Ayoleida Paramo (aparamo@tbcs.org).

* Only seniors may apply. In addition, if students matriculate to NU on the nursing track, they would receive the 4 credits; however, they also will be required to take an additional chemistry class at NU in which they must earn a grade of B- or better.

JanTerm is much like a collegiate mini-semester. Students choose four topical two-week seminars that offer a greater opportunity to explore new course topics which may not fit into the traditional academic year, but are perfect for shorter, more intensive study. Courses are developed by faculty, administrators, staff, alumni, parents, and grandparents, all of whom bring tremendous creativity and personal passion into the classroom. Typically, over 75 unique classes are offered each year.

For an example of the kinds of courses offered, please review the JanTerm 2020 Course Catalog at a Glance or the JanTerm 2020 Class Details listed below.

Learn More About JanTerm

Naviance Student

Students may access their Naviance Student accounts through MyBC/Students without an additional password, while parents receive their login credentials via email in August. If you are a Middle School or Upper School student or parent needing assistance accessing Naviance Student, please email us.

The Office of College Advising uses a comprehensive online service called Naviance Student. Over 9000 schools and districts use Naviance to transform their college and career readiness programs. Naviance offers college planning tools and resources for a number of important areas in the college planning and application process. The Bear Creek School offers Naviance Student to Middle School and Upper School students and parents.

• Research colleges by exploring detailed information about colleges of interest, search for colleges based on the criteria that matters most to you, and save a list of colleges where you plan to apply that your college advisor can review.
• Request transcripts and teacher letters of recommendation. View the status of these requests real-time.
• View and register for over 75 on-campus college visits each fall.
• Retain extracurricular activities and honors/awards from grades 9 – 12 that can be formatted automatically for a resume (useful for interviews and applications)
• Complete online surveys that include Do What You Are, Strength Explorer, MI Advantage, and Learning Style Inventory. These help the Office of College Advising guide students and give useful information about possible careers and fields of study.
• Research careers by taking career assessments, reviewing hundreds of careers and career clusters, and finding colleges that have programs that align with your academic interests.
• Plan for the future by creating goals and to-do lists; keep track of important tasks assigned to you by your college advisor.
• Read monthly newsletters posted by our Office of College Advising that are tailored to each grade level.

Preschool students attend class from 8:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. and meet according to the following schedules:

P3 Classes: 

• 2 mornings, Tu/Th
• 3 mornings, M/W/F

P4 Classes: 

• 3 mornings, M/W/F
• 4 mornings, M/Tu/W/Th

P5 Classes: 

• 5 mornings, M/Tu/W/Th/F

Cubs Club classes extend the school day by 45 minutes from 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Students attend Lower School classes according to the following schedule:

• 2/3-day kindergarten meets 8:40 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. on M/W/F, and 8:40 a.m. – 3:25 p.m. on Tu/Th
• Full-day kindergarten and grades 1 – 4 meet 8:40 a.m. – 3:25 p.m., M-F
• Early Dismissal Schedule: 8:40 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.

Schedule Details

Supervised pre-care available in the Main Commons beginning at 7:45 a.m.

Faculty prayer time (except Mondays)
8:10 a.m. – 8:25 a.m. 

Classroom doors open at 8:25 a.m.

School day begins with pledge and prayer at 8:40 a.m.

Chapel on Tuesdays (dress uniform day)
8:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Math
8:55 a.m. – 9:55 a.m.

Morning Recess
9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. kindergarten
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. grades 1 – 2 on playground, grades 3 – 4 on Owens Field

School day ends M/W/F for 2/3-day kindergarten at 11:40 a.m.

Lunch
10:55 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. for grades 3 – 4, followed by recess until 11:35 a.m.
11:15 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. for grades K – 2, followed by recess until noon

Afternoon Recess
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. varies by day, staggered by grade (15 minutes)

School day ends at 3:25 p.m.

Students in grades 5 – 6 attend class according to the following schedule:

• 8:10 a.m. – 2:55 p.m., M – F
• Early Dismissal Schedule: 8:10 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.

Schedule Details

Supervised pre-care available in the Ida Lairson Library beginning at 7:45 a.m. each morning, except Wednesdays when pre-care is provided in the gym.

Faculty prayer time (except Mondays)
7:40 a.m. – 7:55 a.m. 

Classroom doors open at 7:55 a.m.

School day begins with pledge and prayer at 8:10 a.m.

Chapel on Tuesdays (dress uniform day)
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Morning Recess
time varies by day (15 minutes) 

Math
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. M/T/Th/F
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. W

Lunch
11:50 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., followed by recess until 12:35 p.m.

Afternoon Recess
time varies by day (15 minutes)

School day ends at 2:55 p.m.

Students in grades 7 – 8 attend classes according to the following schedule:

• 8:10 a.m. – 2:55 p.m., M/Tu/Th/F
• 9:00 a.m. – 2:55 p.m., W
• Extra Help is available 2:55 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., M/W/Th/F
• Early Dismissal Schedule: 8:10 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Middle School classes meet on a 15-day rotating schedule:

• MS Weekly Time Table
• MS ABC Rotation Calendar
• MS Delayed Start Schedule

JanTerm 2020 Schedule including lunch and activity period

Students in grades 9 – 12 attend classes according to the following schedule:

• 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., M/Tu/Th/F
• 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., W
• Extra Help is available 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., M/Tu/Th/F
• Early Dismissal Schedule: 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Upper School classes meet on a 5-day rotating schedule:

• US Weekly Time Table
• US Delayed Start Schedule
• US Teacher Office Hours

JanTerm 2020 Schedule including lunch and activity period

Beginning summer 2020, health forms are found on and submitted through Bear Creek's new health portal. Do not mail, email or drop off forms at school. Thank you!

See these new parent informational pages:

• Preschool
• Kindergarten
• Lower School
• Early Middle School
• Middle School
• Upper School

Parents: Your Bear Creek username and password (the same credentials you used to access the Admissions Portal) are scheduled to be activated for logging in on this page and the Parent Portal in mid-July. You'll need your parent credentials to register your child for a fall sport and to access the Parent Portal to complete your Back-to-School Registration forms.

Due August 6: Back-to-School Registration

Cubs Club (registration postponed)

Emergency Information (learn how to ensure you are notified)

Mark Your Calendar and Yearly Planner

Preschool Supply List

Tips for Transitioning to Preschool

Preschool: A Practical Primer

Due August 6: Back-to-School Registration

Emergency Information (learn how to ensure you are notified)

School Calendar and Yearly Planner

School Supply Lists

School Uniforms

Summer Review, Assignments, Suggestions

Parking, Drop-off, and Pick-up

See also: All K – 12 Families

Bear Creek Plus (registration postponed)

Morning Drop-off and Afternoon Pick-up Route Maps

See also: All K-12 Families

Bear Creek Plus (registration postponed)

Fall Sports Registration (grade 6)

Morning Drop-off and Afternoon Pick-up Route Maps

Summer Assignments

See also: All K-12 Families

Fall Sports Registration

Forensics Club and Math Team Registration (registration postponed)

MS New Student Elective Course Preferences

MS Weekly Timetable

Summer Review and Assignments

See also: All K-12 Families

Fall Sports Registration

Forensics Team and Math Team Registration (registration postponed)

Summer Review and Assignments

US New Student Course Preferences

US Weekly Timetable