Empowering Excellence: A Guide to Building and Sustaining an AP Student Ambassador Program

Taking just one AP^® course can give students a significant leg up in preparing for and applying to college. But how can you share this message with students who might not otherwise take AP courses because of a lack of confidence or awareness?

Denmark High School in Alpharetta, Georgia, has discovered a successful way to introduce students to AP and grow their program by leveraging the leadership of current AP students who they call AP Ambassadors.

A relatively new high school with a diverse student population, many of whom are considered economically disadvantaged, Denmark High School called upon assistant administrator Terri Schneider, along with help from AP teachers Kelsie Hand and Leslie Bone, to implement their ambassador program in 2022. The impact was tremendous—not only growth of AP at their school, but the student ambassadors’ leadership skills flourished.

The Denmark High School AP Ambassadors are a group of 25–30 sophomores, juniors, and seniors, plus one first-year student per year nominated to join. Each student has taken at least one AP course, though most have taken more. AP teachers nominate students for membership consideration each year, then nominated students are invited to apply and interview for a spot with this highly coveted and well-recognized group. Selected students take part in many activities and volunteer services throughout the year, and they are tasked with developing the plans and presentations for each of the initiatives.

Activities have included AP program-focused initiatives like presentations that help students register for exams, AP Exam prep for students and proctors, and AP Exam classroom set-up. They also lead and host AP course awareness presentations for middle school students and underclassmen to encourage interest in AP classes offered at Denmark. They host STEM nights and a Spring Fling event for elementary and middle school students to encourage interest in subjects that they can explore further with AP in high school. They also develop welcome events for new teachers and new students each year. The AP Ambassadors have become a highly sought-after group that has been invited to present at events throughout the district and county.

All of the activities are built on three guiding principles:

• Create an AP Culture: AP Ambassadors built and maintain a culture of excellence representing the rigor, hard work, and leadership of the AP Program.
• Establish an AP brand: AP Ambassadors developed branding and a logo that coordinates with Denmark High School’s colors to help create awareness and recognition as well as a sense of belonging for members. Senior members are presented with medals to wear at graduation, and all members have branded T-shirts, buttons, and more. Ambassadors have also created yard signs and banners to celebrate students and teachers who have earned milestones in AP at Denmark.
• Determine the WHY for purpose, commitment and responsibilities: The AP Ambassador program brings a diverse group of students together with the goal of making a positive impact on Denmark High School’s students and the community they serve.

But most importantly, they are tasked with helping to recruit students and grow the AP program at Denmark High School. Whether having one-on-one conversations to introduce the option to take AP courses with fellow students in other clubs and classes or presenting a student’s perspective on all of Denmark’s AP courses to underclassmen and middle schoolers, the AP Ambassadors excitedly share the virtues of AP because they each believe they have deeply benefitted from these courses, even if they have only taken one so far.

For those interested in bringing an AP Ambassador program to their school, Terri Schneider and her team are eager to help and guide. Connect with her to learn more and to explore templates and resources that can be used for your AP Ambassador program.