Palmer’s Pre–AP/Incentive Program provides a rigorous and structured academic program for motivated and capable students. This unique Incentive curriculum in the core subjects of English, Social Studies, Math and Science enriches the Ministry curriculum with additional items including critical and creative thinking skills, field studies, group presentations, independent research, and further study in areas of special interest. In addition, students will undertake an accelerated curriculum in Math and Science, allowing them access to senior level courses at an earlier grade level. Pre-AP/Incentive students will take their remaining courses and electives through the regular Palmer offerings including French, Music, Art, Technology Education or Physical Education.
The enriched curriculum and academic rigour helps prepare students for their potential enrolment in Grade 12 and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Having developed their study habits from early on, they will become better equipped with the self-management and self-discipline required for success in post-secondary-level studies.
Students in the Pre–AP/Incentive Program also have the opportunity to expand their personal profile in areas of leadership, physical activity, outdoor education and community service/volunteerism. Through its extra-curricular trips and community involvement, the Pre–AP/Incentive Program is to engender the following characteristics: self-reliance, perseverance, creativity, excellence, social responsibility, leadership, adventure, and fitness of mind and body.
This program encourages the development of well-rounded students that possess the necessary academic habits and skills that will allow them to flourish in their post-secondary life and beyond.
Enriched English & Social Studies
In Incentive English and Socials, students undertake more in-depth learning, discussions, group, and/or individual projects than in the regular courses. Writing assignments are generally more frequent and demanding. In Incentive English 10, students are required to attend the Oregon Shakespeare Festival trip (optional in Incentive 11 and 12) to experience top calibre classical and modern stage presentations as well as to gain an introduction to theatre-craft. In Grade 12, Incentive students may then enrol in the university preparatory AP English 12 course.
Accelerated Math & Science
In Math and Science, Pre–AP/Incentive students will complete the Grade 8-10 courses in two years, finishing their course work by the end of Grade 9. Consequently, students will be a year ahead in their Math and Science education, allowing Pre-AP/Incentive students to enrol in Enriched Math 11 (or “regular” Math 11) as well as Chemistry, Physics and/or Biology 11 during Grade 10. This provides an advantage to students aspiring for post-secondary STEM studies as it allows them to spread out their math and science courses, including AP-level courses, over three years rather than the typical two.
In Math, it is also an expectation that students take part in one major math contest each year while in the program while iIn Science, students undertake a major Science Fair project in Grades 8 and 9, with an opportunity for the top projects to compete at the Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair.
Throughout all Incentive and AP courses, students are provided with opportunities to develop and improve on their creative as well as critical thinking skills, both of which are equally important in the development of a well-rounded student and individual.
The progression of courses in each subject area in the Pre–AP/Incentive Program is summarized in the following table:
RC Palmer - Pre-AP/Incentive Program 