Advanced Courses
Beyond AP: Advanced Studies at MPH
At Manlius Pebble Hill School, our most challenging courses are designed around students—not standardized exams. Our Advanced Studies (AS) program represents a deliberate move beyond AP, giving students access to rigorous, college-level work that prioritizes depth of understanding, inquiry, and authentic learning.
Why Beyond AP?
As an independent school, MPH builds its curriculum around its mission and core values. While Advanced Placement courses follow a national framework set by the College Board, MPH’s Advanced Studies courses are created by our faculty to reflect how students learn best: through discussion, analysis, research, and original work.
This approach allows us to focus less on test preparation and more on what matters most—critical thinking, confident communication, and intellectual curiosity.
Depth Over Pace
Advanced Studies courses emphasize conceptual complexity and meaningful inquiry rather than racing through content for a single exam in May. Students have the time to ask questions, explore ideas, and produce substantial projects and research. The result is a learning experience that more closely mirrors college classrooms and prepares students for advanced academic work.
Student-Centered and Purposeful
Every Advanced Studies course is designed with students at the center. Courses evolve around student interests, discussion, and exploration, helping learners see the relevance of what they study and how it connects to the world around them. This model fosters intrinsic motivation and encourages students to take ownership of their education—hallmarks of an MPH graduate.
Rigorous and Recognized
Advanced Studies courses are carefully developed, reviewed, and benchmarked to ensure they meet the highest standards of academic rigor. MPH collaborates with organizations such as One Schoolhouse and maintains strong relationships with colleges and universities to ensure our advanced curriculum is well understood and respected. Colleges look for students who take the most challenging courses available at their school—and MPH students do exactly that.
A Cohesive, Modern Curriculum
Moving beyond AP allows MPH to create a cohesive Upper School curriculum across disciplines. Advanced Studies courses exist in multiple departments and continue to grow, offering students more opportunities to pursue their interests at a high level. Many are semester-long, allowing students to explore a wider range of advanced topics over their Upper School years.
This is why our students stand out!
Want to learn more?
Beyond AP at MPH isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing more of what matters.
Our Advanced Studies program challenges students to think deeply, communicate clearly, and engage fully with their learning, preparing them not only for college admission, but for success once they arrive.
- College-level rigor grounded in discussion, writing, and analysis
- Greater choice in advanced coursework
- Opportunities for independent thinking and original work
- Strong preparation for selective colleges and universities
- A learning experience that reflects curiosity, purpose, and depth
Advanced Studies at MPH: Frequently Asked Questions
As an independent school, MPH designs its curriculum around its mission, values, and students—not a standardized national exam. Over time, faculty observed that AP courses, while familiar and respected, often prioritized pacing and test preparation over depth, inquiry, and student-driven learning.
MPH’s Advanced Studies (AS) courses are built to reflect how students learn best: through discussion, research, analysis, and original work. This approach allows students to engage more deeply with content, develop intrinsic motivation, and experience learning that more closely resembles college-level coursework. Our goal is not to reduce rigor, but to deliver it in a more meaningful and student-centered way.
This transition followed a multi-year, faculty-led review of MPH’s curriculum. Academic Council—composed of department chairs and academic leaders—studied research, surveyed faculty, consulted peer schools, and examined college admissions data. A faculty subcommittee recommended moving beyond AP courses, and the recommendation was unanimously supported by Academic Council and approved by the Head of School. The transition was phased in thoughtfully to ensure continuity and clarity for students and families.
AP courses have been replaced by Advanced Studies (AS) courses—MPH’s most rigorous offerings. These courses:
Emphasize depth of understanding over speed of coverage
Include seminar-style discussion and substantial writing
Feature research projects, presentations, and original work
Reflect college-level expectations and learning environments
Some advanced offerings also exist through the Malone Schools Online Network (MSON) and select specialized courses across departments.
Yes. Advanced Studies courses are designed to meet or exceed the level of challenge found in AP courses. They emphasize conceptual complexity, independent thinking, and analytical work—skills colleges consistently identify as essential for success.
Courses undergo a formal proposal and review process that includes:
Department and Academic Council approval
Alignment with MPH’s advanced course standards
External review and benchmarking through partner organizations such as One Schoolhouse
Ongoing collaboration with college counselors and higher education partners
Colleges evaluate students within the context of their school. Admissions officers look for students who take the most challenging courses available to them—and MPH students do exactly that.
Our school profile, sent with every transcript, explains our Advanced Studies program in detail. College counseling staff maintain strong relationships with admissions offices nationwide, and feedback from colleges has been positive. They value students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, strong writing and discussion skills, and the ability to pursue meaningful academic work—all hallmarks of MPH’s program.
Yes. MPH students continue to earn admission to a wide range of highly selective colleges and universities. Colleges increasingly emphasize depth of learning, authentic engagement, and rigorous coursework over standardized test scores alone. Our Advanced Studies program aligns directly with those priorities.
Enrollment in Advanced Studies courses is based on readiness, interest, and faculty recommendation. Students work closely with teachers, advisors, and the Head of Upper School to determine the most appropriate level of challenge. Demonstrated curiosity and commitment can be just as important as prior grades when considering placement.
Advanced Studies courses are open to students who are prepared and motivated to take on rigorous work. MPH’s goal is to provide access to meaningful academic challenge while ensuring students have the support they need to succeed. Because many AS courses are semester-long, students often have more opportunities to pursue advanced work across different subjects.
Students may still take, AP exams through outside registration, or other standardized tests if they wish. College counseling supports families in making decisions that best align with individual college goals.
Moving beyond AP allows MPH to:
Prioritize depth, inquiry, and discussion
Offer more specialized and engaging advanced topics
Create a cohesive curriculum across departments
Expand access to advanced coursework
Foster independence and intellectual ownership
Students experience challenging classes that feel more like college seminars and less like test-preparation courses.
Yes. A growing number of leading independent schools have moved away from AP courses in favor of faculty-designed advanced curricula. Schools such as Phillips Exeter Academy, Choate Rosemary Hall, Dalton, Concord Academy, and many others have adopted similar models focused on depth, inquiry, and student-centered rigor.
MPH partners with organizations such as One Schoolhouse, participates in the Malone Schools Online Network, and collaborates with higher education professionals to ensure our most advanced courses remain rigorous, relevant, and well-aligned with college expectations. Faculty engage in ongoing professional development and course review to maintain the highest academic standards.
Prospective families are encouraged to connect with Admissions or explore the Upper School Course Catalog to see the full range of Advanced Studies offerings and academic pathways available to MPH students.