The cheerleaders roared: AP lit, what do you need? A three! A three! AP calc, what do you need? A three! A three!

"This is awesome," a student in the audience whispered.

At LEAST a three, Wareham High School Principal Scott Palladino clarified after the cheer.

It was a rally for academics on Tuesday morning, held to get students pumped for their Advanced Placement classes.

The Advanced Placement program allows students to take college-level freshmen courses in high school. An exam is held at the end of the course and is the same for AP students throughout the country. Students earn a score from 1 to 5. A score of 3 or higher gives students credit that will transfer to college.

"We really feel this is going to be a big step for your future," Palladino told the students after the cheerleaders and marching band kicked off the rally.

A total of 120 students in Wareham are enrolled in AP classes this year.

Assistant Principal Debbie Freitas noted: "All students, regardless of their final scores, are better prepared for college" and stay in college when they take Advanced Placement courses in high school.

And Wareham students now have a leg up.

Wareham High School is involved in the Mass Math & Science Initiative's Advanced Placement program, which is part of a national effort to address the decline in math and science education in the U.S.

The grant-funded program provides support for teachers through professional development as well as assistance for students academically and financially, as the courses and exams cost money.

"Too many kids have no idea how hard a college course is until they get to midterms," said John Smolenski, senior field director for the Mass Math & Science Initiative, noting that students who take AP courses and exams are better prepared for the rigor of college, regardless of their AP scores. "You've got to be ready for the challenge."

Smolenski encouraged the students to take advantage of take advantage of Saturday study sessions that the program offers. Those classes are held in conjunction with Barnstable High School.

Having AP classes on a high school transcript allows students to "compete for college admission" with students nationwide, Smolenski said, noting that, when it comes to exam scores, "a 3 is a 3 is a 3, no matter your zip code."

Smolenski has a goal for Wareham that he says he's certain the school can achieve: For the class of 2014 and 2015 to set school records for AP scores in May.

The cheering students appeared up for the challenge.

"This is going to light up the front page of the newspaper," Smolenski said. "Trust me on this."

The rally was also attended by Superintendent Kimberly Shaver-Hood and State Rep. Susan Williams Gifford (R-Wareham).

"This is the first time I've ever had an opportunity to attend an AP pep rally," Shaver-Hood said with a smile before encouraging the students to persevere through the courses, even if the students get overwhelmed. "It will challenge you. It will help you grow."

Gifford, a supporter of the Mass Math & Science Initiative, was also on hand and echoed Shaver-Hood's sentiment.

"This is awesome!" she said. "This is the first time I've ever been to a pep rally for an academic issue. … I know you're going to make Wareham proud."