Advanced Placement (AP)

AP English Language 3
Grade Level: 11 
Prerequisite: “C” or better in current English class
Requires current English teacher signature and completion of the AP contract. 
A-G: Meets “B” requirement 
 
This course begins a two-year program of advanced study of language and composition. Students will develop skills in analysis of different literary genres and rhetorical devices. Students will learn how to use rhetorical devices, as well as diction and syntax, to construct well thought arguments for both oratory and written presentation. This is a rigorous college level course. Students will learn and practice skills that will prepare them to take the Advanced Placement examination in Language and Composition. Summer reading is required prior to starting this class. Summer reading will be required prior to starting this class. The student will be responsible for obtaining the summer assignment from the school website. Students should expect homework daily.

AP English Literature 4
Grade Level: 12 
Prerequisite: “C” or better in current English class
Requires current English teacher signature and completion of the AP contract. 
A-G: Meets “B” requirement 
 
This is a second course in a two-year program of advanced study. Students will study challenging college-level literature. They will develop advanced analytical skills through critical reading and construct well thought arguments for written presentation. Performance expectations are very high. This course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement examination in Literature and Composition. Summer reading is required prior to starting this class. Summer reading will be required prior to starting this class. The student will be responsible for obtaining the summer assignment from the school website. Students should expect homework daily.

AP Statistics
Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: “C” or better in Algebra 2 P/Pre-AP Algebra 2
Requires current math teacher signature and completion of the AP contract. 
A-G: Meets “C” requirement  
This course is designed for students who plan on entering college in a major that requires taking a Statistics course, including Liberal Arts majors or other majors. The course will cover topics such as working with collected data through distributions and relationships, random and nonrandom probability and inferences for count data and regression. At the end of the course, student will be eligible to take the AP statistics exam. Students entering this class are expected to complete a summer assignment prior to the beginning of the academic year which is due the first week of school.
 

AP Pre-Calculus - 2138
Grade Level: 9, 10,11, 12
Prerequisite: “D-” or better in Algebra 2 or Adv Algebra 2.
Recommended: “C-” or better in the previous math course
Graduation: Fulfills 10 credits towards math requirement
A-G: Meets “C” requirement
Course Level: Advanced Placement AP Pre-Calculus is designed to be taught as a college level course to prepare students for taking the Advanced Placement examination in Precalculus. Topics covered include analytical geometry, trigonometric functions, systems, vectors, statistics, probability, and derivatives. Upon completion of AP Pre-Calculus, students will be prepared to enroll in AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB, or AP Calculus BC.
 

AP Calculus A/B
Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: “C” or better in Pre Calculus Honors
Requires current math teacher signature and completion of the AP contract. 
A-G: Meets “C” requirement  
Advanced Placement Calculus A/B is a college level course taught at the high school. A/B Calculus requires college level time and effort. The course introduces students to derivatives and applications of the derivative during the first semester. The second semester introduces the rules for integrating standard elementary forms, the definite integral, and application of the definite integral. At the end of the course, students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Calculus Test. Students entering this class are expected to complete a summer assignment prior to the beginning of the academic year which is due the first week of school.  
 

AP Computer Science
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2 Requires current math teacher signature and completion of the AP contract
A-G: Meets “C” requirement
This course introduces students to the Java programming language while emphasizing universal language techniques like syntax, semantics, and readability.  Students will gain mastery in programing concepts by using a subset of Java features that are required for the AP Compute Science A exam.  This course introduces students to computer science with fundamental topics that include problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, organization of data (data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), analysis or potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing.  The course emphasizes both object-oriented and imperative problem solving and design.  At the end of the course, students will be eligible to take the AP exam.

AP Biology
Grade Level: 11, 12 
Prerequisite: “C” or better in Chemistry P/Honors Chemistry & Biology P/Pre-AP Biology
Requires current science teacher signature and completion of the AP contract. 
A-G: Meets “D” requirement 
 
This course will prepare students for the AP exam in Biology. Students that score well on the test can earn college credit. Topics covered include: Biochemistry, cells, energy relationships, reproduction/heredity, and genetic variation. Students taking Advanced Biology should be prepared to study college/university level topics using a college textbook. Added emphasis will be on inquiry, laboratory skills and mathematical computation. Students entering this class are expected to complete a summer assignment prior to the beginning of the academic year which is due the first week of school.

 
AP Chemistry
Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: “C” or better in Chemistry P/Honors Chemistry & Algebra 2 P
Requires current science teacher signature and completion of the AP contract. 
A-G: Meets “D” requirement 
 
This course is designed to be the equivalent to the general chemistry course usually taken during student’s college freshman year. The objective is to provide the student with some college level experience in chemistry, and to pass the AP examination. Students entering this class are expected to complete a summer assignment prior to the beginning of the academic year which is due the first week of school.

 
AP Physics 1
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: “C” or better in Geometry and concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2 or higher.
Requires current science teacher signature and completion of the AP contract. 
A-G: Meets “D” requirement 
 
AP Physics 1 is an algebra based introductory college level physics course that is the equivalent to a second semester college course. The course explores the following topics: Newtonian Mechanics (including rotational motion), work, energy and power, mechanical waves and sounds, and introductory to simple circuits. Through inquiry based learning, students will develop scientific, critical thinking and reasoning skills. The requirement is 25% hands on laboratory work. Students are encouraged to take the AP Physics exam in May. Summer assignment is due the first day of school. See school website for details.

AP World History
Grade Level: 10 
Prerequisite: “C” or better English 1 P
Requires current English teacher signature and completion of the AP contract. 
A-G: Meets “A” requirement 
 
Students may take this course instead of World History P to engage in a more rigorous course of study in preparation for college. This course is an in-depth, college-level study of the evolution of human civilizations, global processes and contacts, and comparisons among major societies focusing on changes and continuities. The course builds on an understanding of cultural, political, economic, social, and technological precedents that along with geography, sets the stage for societies and interactions from the time of the first humans to the present day. Document-based analysis, essays, and reading assignments from various texts and primary sources are emphasized. Students enrolled in the course are encouraged to take the AP exam in May. The student will be responsible for obtaining the summer assignment from the school website.

AP US History
Grade Level: 11 
Prerequisite: “C” or better in World History P or AP World History
Requires current World History teacher signature and completion of the AP contract.
A-G: Meets “A” requirement 
 
Students may take this course instead of US History P to engage in a more rigorous course of study in preparation for college. The AP US History course focuses on the development of historical thinking skills (chronological reasoning, comparing and contextualizing, crafting historical arguments using historical evidence, and interpreting and synthesizing historical narrative) and an understanding of content learning objectives organized around seven themes, such as identity, peopling, and America in the world. In line with college and university US History survey courses’ increased focus on early and recent American history and decreased emphasis on other areas, the AP US History course expands on the history of the Americas from 1491 to 1607 and from 1980 to the present. It also allows teachers flexibility across nine different periods of US History to teach topics of their choice in depth. Students enrolled in the course are encouraged to take the AP exam in May. The student will be responsible for obtaining the summer assignment from the school website.

AP US Government and Politics
Grade Level: 12 
Prerequisite: “C” or better in US History P or US History AP
Requires current US History teacher signature and completion of the AP contract.
A-G: Meets “A” requirement 
 
Students may take this course instead of American Government & Economics P to engage in a more rigorous course of study in preparation for college. The AP United States Government and Politics course will give students an analytic perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret US Government and Politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute US Government and Politics. Students will become acquainted with the variety of theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes. Students enrolled in the course are encouraged to take the AP exam in May. This course satisfies the 12th grade social studies requirement. The student will be responsible for obtaining the summer assignment from the school web site.

AP Psychology
Grade Level: 11, 12 
Prerequisite: “C” or better in World History P/AP or US History P/AP
Requires current history teacher signature and completion of the AP contract. 
A-G: Meets “G” requirement 
 
The purpose of the AP course in Psychology is to introduce the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Included is a consideration of the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Students also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. Students will take part in interactive lessons, cooperative assignments, document analysis, and class discussions. This class serves as a good base for students who plan to take Psychology in college. Students enrolled in the course are encouraged to take the AP exam in May. The student will be responsible for obtaining the summer assignment from the school web site.

AP Studio Art
Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Recommended two years of art prior to taking this course
Requires current Art teacher signature and completion of the AP contract. 
A-G: Meets “F” requirement 
 
Advanced Placement Studio Art is for the serious art student who is self-motivated to complete a rigorous portfolio of work in either drawing or 2-D Design. Students will develop an area of concentration requiring quality artwork that will require an in-depth understanding of the principles and elements of art. The option of taking an exam for advanced placement will be made available through the AP College board and highly encouraged. Students accepted can find the summer assignment on school website. See teacher for application.

AP French Language 4 
Grade Level: 11, 12 
Prerequisite: “C” or better in French 3
Requires current French teacher signature and completion of the AP contract.
A-G: Meets “E” requirement
 
This is an advanced college level course in language preparation for the Advanced Placement Exam. Students will expand their knowledge of grammar, read short stories and articles with ease and understanding, converse with considerable fluency and write with correctness and clarity on topics of non-technical nature in order to be successful in the class. Responsibility and daily attendance are essential. No English will be used in this class. 

AP Spanish Language 4 
Grade Level: 11, 12 
Prerequisite: “C” or better in Spanish 3
Requires current Spanish teacher signature and completion of the AP contract. 
A-G: Meets “E” requirement 
 
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to take the AP Spanish Language Exam. This is a national exam given at the beginning of May. If students pass with a score of 3 or better, students may obtain college credit for the course (please check your universities of choice on their AP credit acceptance policies). This course is for students who want to develop proficiency and integrate their language skills, using authentic materials and sources. The AP Spanish course helps prepare students to demonstrate their level of Spanish proficiency across three communicative modes: interpersonal, interactive communication and productive communication. This course is comparable to a third year college/university course. Daily attendance is imperative in order to succeed. This is not an off-site course and lessons will not be replicated. Students should expect to be assigned daily homework. Students entering this class are expected to complete a summer assignment prior to the beginning of the academic year which is due the first week of school.

 
AP Spanish Literature 5 
Grade Level: 11, 12 
Prerequisite: “C” or better in Spanish 4 
Requires current Spanish teacher signature and completion of the AP contract. 
A-G: Meets “E” requirement 
 
The AP Spanish Literature and Culture course prepares student to take the AP Spanish Literature Exam uses a thematic approach to introduce students to representative texts (short stories, novels, poetry, and essays) from Peninsular Spanish, Latin American, and United States Hispanic literature. Students develop proficiencies across the full range of communication modes (interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive), thereby honing their critical reading and analytical writing skills. Literature is examined within the context of its time and place, as students reflect on the many voices and cultures present in the required readings. The course also includes a strong focus on cultural connections and comparison.

AP Summer Assignment Info.