While participation of minority students in AP courses has risen dramatically, retention and success rates lag behind. A five-year, Javits-funded project is investigating the impact of social and emotional supports on minority student success in AP courses. This session explores preliminary findings indicating that a structured system of supports (including summer bridge programs; social events; study groups; and relationship-building between students, teachers, and counselors) has dramatic impacts on student retention and re-enrollment rates in AP courses and on students' beliefs in their ability to tackle challenging curriculum. Practical recommendations for school systems looking to implement similar programs are offered.