Craig Pinches
Vice Principal, Academics
There’s a saying here at Sacred Heart School of Halifax, “We inspire our students to be the best in the world, and the best for the world.” We do this throughout the school at every grade level, but as a university preparatory school, it’s in the Senior High School where this truly comes to life.
As our older students start to prepare for their next chapter at university and in life, we’re helping them ensure they can make meaningful impacts on their lives and those around them.
One of the ways we set our students up for success is the Advanced Placement (AP) Program. The AP Program, delivered by the College Board, is recognized globally at top colleges and universities. Successful AP students are acknowledged as those who can handle high academic expectations and are prepared for the challenges the post-secondary world brings. In my work as a Vice Principal, it’s through the AP Program that I have seen students become truly engaged and passionate learners, truly looking to excel and challenge themselves to become their best. It’s rewarding to see.
A lot of families ask us why we don’t offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, which seems to be better known. The answer is simple — we believe the AP Program is better for students.
The AP Program lets students pick and choose ONLY the classes they want based purely on their interests and strengths. A student who enjoys and excels in the Humanities, for example, can take AP English and AP History and take regular math and science courses. Whereas, a student interested in STEM pathways can do the opposite by taking AP courses in Maths and Sciences, while taking regular university preparatory English and History. This flexibility is not available in the IB program, and it means our students can focus on the subject areas they plan on pursuing in university, increasing their chances of success.
And speaking of increasing success, AP classes are designed as college-level courses, and if a student does well in the course and on their exam, they can receive a first-year university credit. They can use that credit to move more quickly toward a degree, take a lighter course load in their first year as they transition into university life, or repeat the class to increase their chances of early success.
The AP Program also fits more naturally with our Mission and approach. At Sacred Heart, we educate the whole child — mind, body, and spirit. These days, as students face more and more pressure, we advocate for a more balanced approach, both academically and socially. Student well-being is crucial to their success and happiness.
Anyone can be successful in an AP course, provided they are willing to work and welcome a challenge. The courses are demanding, and students are expected to put in the time and effort to be successful. Universities recognize this extra effort.
For a number of AP courses, prerequisites are required to ensure students are prepared to meet the challenge. We will work with students throughout their academic and university prep journey to ensure they have those prerequisites and are on the path to success, depending on what it looks like for them.
In just three years, as we’ve added more AP classes, we’ve had a 280% increase in the number of students enrolled in the Program. In 2024, the College Board recognized this growth by designating us a member of the AP Honor Roll for ensuring excellence in delivering AP courses for our students that are connected to college outcomes.
The value in the AP Program is overwhelmingly positive. Not just because, as administrators, we believe it, but because our alums testify to it time and time again. And their success is the ultimate proof.
