To the Montgomery Township Board of Education

We respectfully request that the Montgomery Township Board of Education consider our proposal and help facilitate expanded Advanced Placement (AP) examination registration opportunities for resident students who wish to prepare independently, even if they are not enrolled in the corresponding AP course.

Montgomery High School currently offers AP examination registration to students enrolled in the corresponding AP courses. College Board permits students to independently prepare for most AP examinations and provides an established Exam Only registration process, with exceptions for a few subjects that require enrollment in the corresponding AP course.

Students pursue independent study for many reasons, including scheduling conflicts, course placement restrictions, courses not offered at their schools, or personal academic interests.

Today, parents are reaching out to schools across the state, trying to find a location where their children can register for AP examinations. This effort begins with the students themselves. They have developed an interest in a subject, want to pursue it independently, and wish to take the examination. Parents are simply trying to support their children’s academic interests and aspirations. Unfortunately, finding a school willing to accommodate these requests has become nearly impossible for many families.

Providing a local self-study examination option would make this process considerably easier for families while encouraging students who take the initiative to learn beyond their regular coursework.

We request that students residing within the school district be allowed to register for any AP examination eligible for independent preparation, regardless of where they attend school or whether they are enrolled in the corresponding AP course, subject to College Board’s examination requirements.

Our Request

We respectfully ask the Board of Education to work with the school administration to explore and facilitate a process that makes AP examination registration available to resident students who wish to prepare independently, including for subjects not offered at Montgomery High School, where permitted by College Board.

This request is specifically about access to AP examinations. We are not seeking changes to eligibility or placement requirements for AP courses, modifications to the school curriculum, or the awarding of high school grades or credits for independent study.

Students would remain responsible for their own preparation and for meeting College Board’s examination requirements. The district would not be expected to provide additional instruction or academic support for independently prepared examinations.

We recognize that staffing, examination capacity, security, and specialized assessment requirements must be considered. These can be addressed through published procedures, reasonable additional fees, and appropriate registration deadlines.

Moving Forward

We would appreciate the Board’s assistance in facilitating a self-study registration option beginning with the May 2027 AP examination cycle, followed by a consistent process for future years.

Expanding AP examination access would provide additional flexibility for students with different academic interests, learning paths, and educational circumstances while maintaining the district’s existing academic standards.

We hope the Board will consider this request and work with the school administration to make this opportunity available to resident students.

To fellow parents, district residents, and well-wishers: We invite you to sign this petition in support of expanding AP examination opportunities for students who choose to study independently. Whether or not this issue directly affects your family, your support can help bring this request to the Board’s attention and encourage a positive outcome for our students.