AP® Summer Institute

Advanced Placement (AP®) courses introduce high school students to academically challenging material and then give them an opportunity to earn college credit by taking AP® exams. The AP® Summer Institute (APSI) prepares new and current AP® teachers to develop and teach an AP® course.

About the Program

The AP® Summer Institute is designed for:

  • teachers who want to learn to teach AP® courses in one of the content areas;
  • current AP® teachers;
  • teachers of gifted and talented students, and gifted program coordinators; and
  • teachers and administrators wishing to learn how to establish Advanced Placement programs at their local schools or school districts.

In addition to discussing questions about AP® subject-area content, teachers will receive an overview of the Advanced Placement program and learn how to successfully complete the College Board's required AP® Course Audit.

APSI will have two on-campus sessions and one online for summer 2024.

On-Campus

APSI session I: June 24 - 27, 2024, Central Time.

APSI session II: July 8 - 11, 2024, Central Time.

Online

APSI Session III: July 22 - 25, 2024, Central Time.

The Advanced Placement Program is a cooperative educational endeavor between secondary schools and colleges/universities to provide college-level learning experiences to students who have not yet graduated from high school. Almost all colleges and universities consider AP® exam results for both admissions and college credit. AP® introduces high school students to academically challenging material, and then gives them an opportunity to show what they have learned by taking AP® exams, considered the national standard in each content area.

All APSI instructors are College Board-Endorsed AP® Consultants.

Courses

Courses

Session I: On-Campus (June 24-27, 2024)

  • AP® English Literature & Composition: Deirdre Zongker 
  • AP® Macroeconomics: Aaron Merz
  • AP® Psychology: Mike Berndt
  • AP® Statistics: Dave Ferris

Session II: On-Campus (July 8-11, 2024)

  • AP® Art & Design: Joann Winkler
  • AP® Biology: Ruth Gleicher
  • AP® Calculus AB: Mike Koehler
  • AP® Chemistry: Leslie McSparrin
  • AP® English Language & Composition: Sara Crump
  • AP® Government & Politics: Brian Stevens
  • AP® Psychology: Jean Turner
  • AP® US History: Paul Dickler

Session III: Online  (July 22-25, 2024)

  • AP® Computer Science A: Kymberly Ayodeji
  • AP®Computer Science Principles: Joe Greenawalt 
  • AP® English Language & Composition: Sara Crump
  • AP® Pre-Calculus: Peter Kaczmar
  • AP® Psychology: Dana Melone
  • AP® Spanish Language & Composition: Frank Masel
  • AP® US History: Tim Greene

 

Even if you are not going to teach an AP® class, the content and methods from the APSI at the Belin-Blank Center open up a myriad of teaching possibilities. I admit it---I was so energized about content after attending APSI!!

Jill Schany, APSI participant from Emmetsburg High School

How to Register

Want to join us? We're here to help with all the information you will need in order to register.

Registration Process

Here's how to register:

  1. Scroll down to the "Ready to Register" section and click the Register button. This will take you to our registration form on Cvent.
  2. Complete the registration form for your selected class. 
  3. To pay, please contact Dominic Balestrieri-Fox (apsi@belinblank.org) at the Belin-Blank Center. Please note that your registration is not valid until payment is received. If payment arrangements have not been finalized by the first day of class, your registration will be dropped. If you are the recipient of a College Board scholarship, please share that information.
  4. Payments received AFTER the early registration rate date will be charged the late registration fee.
  5. Participants or schools can make payments via check, purchase order, or credit card. More details on making a payment can found in the "COST" section.
  6. If you'd like to apply for a $500 grant for Iowa teachers, offered by the Iowa Online AP Academy, submit a completed application form to apsi@belinblank.org. The Iowa teacher grants are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible teachers (see "Financial Aid" section). Grants for Iowa teachers are offered for BOTH our in-person and online APSI.

Optional (see "After You've Registered" below for details; additional fees apply):

  • Register for Iowa licensure renewal units
  • Register for academic credit from the University of Iowa

Cost

The early registration class fee for all AP Summer Institute courses is $699 per session. Registration fees received after the early bird registration deadline will be $825 per session.

Early registration ends May 26, 2024 at 5PM CST

Late registration ends two weeks before the start of an APSI week at 5PM CST

The registration fee includes:

  • 30 hours of classroom content time from experienced and highly-qualified consultants
  • Required course materials
  • Lunch at a university dining hall (on-campus only)
  • Certificate of Participation

Parking, travel, and lodging expenses are the responsibility of the participant and are not included in the APSI registration fee. Please refer to the "VISITING IOWA CITY" section to learn more about parking on-campus.

Payment Deadlines & Details

You must pay in full by the first day of APSI to attend.

All fees are payable to the Belin-Blank Center. Participants or schools can make payments via check, purchase order, or credit card. It is the responsibility of the individual registrant or school district to initiate payment.

Refund policy and Cancellation Fee:

There will be a $100 cancellation fee for requests received up to three weeks before the start of class. There are no refunds after this period.

Paying by Check

Mail check to:

Belin-Blank Center APSI
ATTN: Dominic Balestrieri-Fox
600 Blank Honors Center
Iowa City, IA 52242

Paying by purchase order (PO):

Request a PO from your Business Office.

If the PO is sent US mail, it should include a note that it is for APSI and addressed to:

Belin-Blank Center

Attn: APSI

600 Blank Honors Center

University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA   52242

You will receive back an invoice with the PO cited.


If the completed PO is emailed, please send it to apsi@belinblank.org with "APSI Registration" in the subject line. You will receive back an invoice with the PO cited.

Paying by credit card

There is an option to pay by credit card when an individual registers through the Cvent site. 

Financial Aid

Financial Assistance

Belin-Blank Center APSI Grant (for Iowa teachers only)

Iowa teachers are eligible for a grant from the Belin-Blank Center's Iowa Online AP Academy to attend APSI at a reduced cost. Preference will be given to those who have not received the grant during the past three summers. Grant applications are only considered for individuals who have paid the full APSI fee. If paying for the course in advance is a problem, please contact the Belin-Blank Center. 

Eligible Iowa teachers must complete a grant application form to be considered. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

The first round of grant scholarships will be determined by mid-April. Teachers who are selected at this time for the grant will be notified and a refund of $500 of the registration fee will be given. Those who do NOT receive notification in mid-April might be awarded a grant in future rounds. 

Pre-service University of Iowa Teacher Reduced Fee

Pre-service teachers currently studying at the University of Iowa are also eligible to attend APSI at a reduced fee. Contact apsi@belinblank.org to pursue this option.

College Board Scholarships

The College Board offers scholarships to attend APSI: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/k-12/awards/ap-grants. Please contact the College Board for questions about scholarships.

IMPORTANT: Individuals who receive the pre-service Iowa Teacher Reduced Fee or a College Board Scholarship are NOT eligible for funds through the Belin-Blank Center APSI Grant.

Ready to Register?

On-Campus

Register for 6/24-6/27, 2024


Register for 7/8-7/11, 2024

Online

Register for 7/22-7/25, 2024

After You've Registered

Come prepared for APSI to energize and excite you about teaching your AP® course! Here are all the details you'll need while making your plans to join us.

Before the Event

Be sure to read any communication from your instructor. Some instructors assign homework to be completed by the first day of class.

Dress code: we want the participants to be comfortable at APSI. You should plan to dress very causally. You might consider bringing a sweatshirt or sweater just in case the classroom temperature is cold. 


Academic Credit Options

Teachers who register for APSI may pursue additional opportunities for graduate-level academic credit (additional fees and registration required). University credit is not included in the cost of APSI. 

Courses Available

Teachers who register for APSI can enroll in one or both of the following graduate-level courses from the University of Iowa:

  • Teacher Training AP Courses (EDTL: 5080:0WKA); 2 semester hours of graduate credit
    • "Earn academic credit for your work at APSI! For this course, you must complete your APSI class, as well as any additional work your APSI instructor assigns. If enrolled in this course, you will earn two hours of credit toward the State of Iowa Talented and Gifted Endorsement (programming strand)." 
  • Differentiation at the Secondary Level (EDTL:4074:0WKA); 1 hour of graduate credit
    • "High-ability secondary students need differentiation rooted in the content area under study. Advanced Placement is reviewed as one option for gifted secondary students; alternatives from dual enrollment to mentoring and Open Courseware are explored. Options link student abilities/needs to curriculum applications. This course is online, so you can learn from anywhere!"

How to Enroll

Enrolling for academic credit is a two-step process:

  1. Register with the University of Iowa
  2. Enroll in the appropriate course (course numbers are listed above) 

Review this link for more information

Please complete both the university registration and course enrollment processes online before you begin the APSI.

Payment for academic credit is NOT collected by the APSI team at the Belin-Blank Center. Participants seeking credit will pay the University of Iowa directly. 

For more information about academic credit options, contact our professional development team (educators@belinblank.org) at the Belin-Blank Center.

Iowa Licensure Renewal Units

Teachers who register for APSI may also register for Iowa licensure renewal units through the University of Iowa's Teacher Leader Center (additional $150 fee and registration required). Successful completion of an APSI class qualifies for two licensure units.

Payment for renewal units is NOT collected by the APSI team at the Belin-Blank Center. Participants seeking these units will pay the Baker Teacher Leader Center directly. 

For instructions on registering for Iowa licensure renewal units, see: How to Register for Iowa Licensure Renewal Units. For other questions about Iowa Licensure Renewal Units please contact Kari Vogelgesang (kari-vogelgesang@uiowa.edu).

Daily Schedule

All APSIs MUST have 30 hours of contact. 

The final schedule for an on-campus week will be shared by your instructor the first day of class. There is time for lunch and breaks.

When APSI is held remotely online, there will be a mix of whole group, small group, one-on-one with instructor, and independent activities during this time.

The final schedule for an online week will be shared by your instructor the first day of class. There is time for lunch and breaks.

Visiting Iowa City

Arrival/Departure

For on-campus APSI, classes will be held on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City. Location and directions to specific classes will be provided at or before registration. APSI's "home base" is the first floor lobby of the Blank Honors Center, located near the intersection of Clinton Street and Market Street.

A campus map of the University of Iowa can be found on the University of Iowa website. 

Parking

Parking is not included in the APSI registration fee.

For campus parking information, click here. The closest campus parking options to APSI classrooms include the North Campus Parking Ramp and the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) Parking Ramp.

City ramps that are closest to APSI classrooms include the Iowa City Tower Place Ramp and the Iowa City Capitol Street Ramp. Both ramps and meters allow for payment via cash or credit cards.

Free street parking in downtown neighborhoods is available several blocks to the east of the Belin-Blank Center. 

Lodging

The Belin-Blank Center has organized a special rate for APSI attendees at the Graduate Hotel (210 S. Dubuque St, Iowa City). It is walking distance to the Belin-Blank Center and campus.


When you call and make a reservation, you can adjust the dates of your stay.


The codes will no longer work on the website 30 days prior to the start date of the respective APSI. The Graduate Hotel will still honor the rate but availability will be first come first serve.


Graduate Hotel

$99 per night (there is an additional fee for parking)


Use this LINK to register online or call the hotel and use the code "IA0624" for the June APSI week. 


Use this LINK or call the hotel and use the code "IA0708" for the July APSI week. 


319-337-4058


Graduate Iowa City Amenities:

• Covered parking in city owned lot next door to hotel – complimentary for guests in block

• Full-service restaurant, bar and coffee shop on site

• 24/7 Fitness Center with Peloton bikes

• Pet Friendly


Website


There are many other hotels close to campus. The hotels in neighboring Coralville tend to be cheaper, but those in Coralville are NOT walking distance to campus. 

Dining

While lunch is included in APSI registration cost, other meals are not. There are several restaurants within walking distance to campus. The Iowa City Downtown District provides a list of area restaurants. 

Cancellation Policy

There will be a $100 cancellation fee for requests received up to three weeks before the start of class. There are no refunds after this period.

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apsi@belinblank.org belinblank@uiowa.edu
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