Grade 11

Before you select classes...

In Grade 11 and 12 you have more flexibility over your course selections then in Grade 9 and 10. Now is your opportunity to explore different areas of interest or to focus on a discipline that interests you.

Before you make your course selections you MUST COMPLETE A CREDIT CHECK. A credit check is a review of how many credits you have earned in each subject area and how many you have left to complete. To complete the credit check open and make a copy of the credit check document. Alternately, you may print and complete the document by hand.

Before you make your course selections you SHOULD RESEARCH COLLEGE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS. Each college has its own admissions requirements. Completing the AST Graduation requirements may not be sufficient for your college of interest. You need to know of the requirements specific to your Colleges/Universities of interest so you can enroll in the correct courses.

Use the college entrance requirements and your credit check to guide your course decisions and make sure that you will complete all of the needed credits. It is best not to leave too many requirement for your Senior year.

GET ADVICE AND SUPPORT! Before you selecting your courses, you should …

    • Read this article: High School Classes Colleges Look For (from CollegeBoard)

    • Read this article: How to Choose High School Electives (from CollegeBoard)

    • Talk to your advisory teacher and get their advice.

    • Talk to your parents and get their advice.

    • Consider making an appointment with Ms. Wilson or Ms. Chen.

    • Talk to a teacher related to the field you are most interested in going into.

STUDENT graduation check form-blank

Credit Check

* To complete the credit check open and make a copy of the above document. Alternately, you may print and complete the document by hand.

When you are ready to submit your course recommendations in Alma, directions are here.

REMEMBER requesting a course does not guarantee that you will be able to take it. At AST, We make the best effort to get students into their requested courses. Final course offerings are made based on student interest and teacher availability.

You will need 6.0 credits in English to Graduate.

11th Graders generally take English Language Arts 11 (1.0).

With a teacher recommendation, 11th graders may elect to take AP Language (1.0) or AP Literature (1.0) as a substitute for English Language Arts 11.

11th graders may enroll in English electives. Options include:


You will need 3.0 credits in Social Studies to Graduate.

The recommended course for 11th Graders is United States History (1.0).

NOTE: For students applying to US colleges with a US passport, many colleges require this course of US citizens for admission.

11th graders may elect to substitute another Social Studies course for US History and/or to enroll in Social Studies electives. Options include:

  • AP World History: Modern (1.0)- teacher recommendation required

  • AP Psychology (1.0) - teacher recommendation required

  • AP Human Geography (1.0) - teacher recommendation required

You will need 3.0 credits in Math to Graduate.

11th graders generally take Algebra 3 (0.5) during first semester. During second semester you may elect to take Pre-Calculus (0.5) or complete your math credits with an elective. If you would like to take AP Calculus during grade 12 you must take Pre-Calculus now.

11th graders may enroll in Math electives. Options include:

  • Statistics 1 (0.5)


  • AP Computer Science A (1.0) - teacher recommendation required

  • Python Programming (0.5)

You will need 3.0 credits in Science to Graduate.

11th graders generally take Biology (1.0) or Chemistry (1.0) which are offered in alternating years. Biology is a required course so you must take it in Grade 10 or 11. Chemistry is a recommended course. Students may elect to take Chemistry or substitute a different science course.

NOTE: Some colleges require specific Science Courses for admission. We recommend you research the entrance requirements for colleges of interest before selecting your Science courses.

11th graders may enroll in Science electives. Options include:

  • Environmental Science 1 & 2 (0.5)

  • Forensics (0.5)

  • Robotics (0.5)

  • Python Programming (0.5)

  • AP Physics 1 (1.0) - teacher recommendation required

  • AP Biology (1.0) - teacher recommendation required

  • AP Environmental Science (1.0) - teacher recommendation required




You will need 2.0 credits in World Languages (in the same language) to Graduate.

AST offers:

  • Chinese for Native Speakers

  • Chinese for Foreign Learners

  • Spanish

If you have not completed your required two years of language then you need to take a language course this year.

If you have completed the required two years you may continue with advanced language study, select another language to study, or choose not to take a language class.

Advanced Language Classes:

  • Advanced Chinese Language and Literature (1.0) - teacher recommendation required

  • AP Chinese (1.0) - for foreign learners, teacher recommendation required

  • Spanish 3 (1.0)

  • AP Spanish (1.0) - teacher recommendation required

You will need 2.0 credits in Physical Education to Graduate.

If you have not completed your 2.0 credits in Physical Education, then you should take a Physical Education course.

If you have completed your 2.0 credits you may elect to take additional Physical Education courses.

Options Include:

  • PE (0.5)

  • Health (0.5) - If you have not taken Health yet, you need to enroll in the Independent Study Health Class.

  • Nutrition and Food Preparation (0.5)

You will need 2.0 credits in Arts to Graduate.

11th grade may enroll in art courses. Please be mindful that some electives have prerequisites.

  • Foundations of Art (0.5)

  • Drawing and Painting (0.5) - Prerequisite: Foundation of Art

  • Printmaking (0.5) - Prerequisite: Foundation of Art

  • Advanced Art (0.5) - Prerequisite: Two fine arts courses

  • Studio Art (0.5) - teacher recommendation required

  • Graphic Design (0.5)

  • Digital Audio Design (0.5) - Prerequisite: Graphic Design

  • Digital Media Design (0.5) - Prerequisite: Graphic Design

  • Game Design (0.5) - Prerequisite: Digital Media Design

  • Publications (0.5)

  • Interior Design (0.5)

  • Design Lab (0.5) - teacher recommendation required

  • Drama (0.5)

  • Bell Choir (0.5)

  • Creative Music (0.5)

  • Music Theory (0.5)

  • AP Music Theory (1.0) - teacher recommendation required


11th graders may elect to complete an independent study. To do so you will need to work with a advising teacher to create an Independent Study Plan.

  • Independent Study - Art

  • Independent Study - Design

  • Independent Study - Engineering

  • Independent Study - English Language Arts English

  • Independent Study - Foreign Language Foreign

  • Independent Study - Math

  • Independent Study - Physical Education & Health

  • Independent Study - Science

  • Independent Study - Social Studies

  • Technology Maintenance and Management