Gifted Services Grades 9-12
Columbian High School offers a wide range of honors, dual-enrollment, College Credit Plus, and Advanced Placement courses. These courses may count as a gifted service when the student is identified as gifted in that particular content area and a Written Education Plan is on file describing the differentiation that will occur for that student General education teachers who direct such WEPs receive high quality professional development in serving gifted students.
Our AP Program
Columbian High School offers a wide range of seated and online Advanced Placement courses where students may be able to earn credit or advanced placement for college.
In May 2023, 89 Tiffin Columbian students took 124 Advanced Placement™ exams through the College Board AP testing program. Nearly 90% of Columbian AP students earned a score eligible for college credit at colleges and universities across the country.
As a result of 2023 exams, Columbian was recognized with:
11 AP Scholars
5 AP Scholars with Honors
2 AP Scholars with Distinction
Columbian students begin preparation early in the school year for these college level tests, by participating in rigorous coursework and activities in one or more of the AP courses offered at Columbian.
Columbian students continue to out-score Ohio and Global averages for AP exam scores in the successful range (3+). Students, parents, and AP teachers should be proud of this successful trend in five-year data.
AP exams are graded on a holistic scale. A score of 3 or higher is considered “success” on the test, where a student may earn college credit for their score. The College Board website reports that “currently over 90 percent of colleges and universities across the country offer college credit, advanced placement, or both for qualifying exam scores,” saving tuition money for incoming college freshmen and their parents. In many cases, AP scores are more readily transferrable for credit in college, as opposed to College Credit Plus courses taken at other universities. In addition, AP courses appearing on student transcripts signal to college admissions officers that students have taken the most rigorous course Columbian has to offer, giving students an edge in the competitive college admissions process, according to College Board research.
Our AP program continues to be popular among Columbian students. In addition to the seated courses offered at Columbian, several of our students are taking AP as part of our membership in the Virtual High School Collaborative with courses like statistics, macroeconomics, and music theory, being most popular.
For more information on AP programming at Columbian and how it can help advance your student, please contact Paula Zirm, Gifted Supervisor and AP Coordinator, at 103 Shepherd Drive, Tiffin, Ohio 44883. 419-447-3358 paula_zirm@tiffincityschools.org
2024 Exams will be taken at NCOESC (next to Asian Grill Buffet) except those noted as TMS.
**Denotes exams that will be taken online. Please bring your College Board login information and your school-issued Chromebook.
Exam Day Transportation Information
For large group exams at NCOESC, you may drive yourself or have your morning transportation person drop you at NCOESC at 7:45 (for 8 AM exams) or 11:45 (for noon exams). Please consider car pooling with other classmates taking the exam and obey all parking laws. There is a parking lot out front. If you need to ride a bus from or back to Columbian, please email Mrs. Zirm soon so that busing can be arranged.
For exams of courses taken through Virtual High School (denoted * above), please arrive at the Tiffin Administration Building at 7:45 (for 8 AM exams) or 11:45 (for noon exams) and wait in the lobby until Mrs. Zirm arrives.
Paula Zirm, AP Coordinator & Supervisor of Gifted Education paula_zirm@tiffincityschools.org
Tiffin City Schools
244 South Monroe Street
Tiffin, OH 44883
(419) 447-2515
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If you are reaching out during non-school hours, your email may not be addressed until the next business day. If you prefer to phone our district office, please call (419) 447-2515.