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.
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.
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:
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
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)
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
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
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)
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